Meet MaQuade’ Allen | Actor, Content creator & Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with MaQuade’ Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MaQuade’, what inspires you?
What inspires me?
I’m inspired by the resilience of the human spirit—especially the ones who start with nothing, the ones counted out before they even begin. I wasn’t handed a roadmap. I built mine from scratch—brick by brick, scar by scar, breath by breath.

What moves me most is the quiet strength of the underdog. The person sleeping in their car rehearsing lines. The artist creating beauty out of survival. The soul who’s been told “no” a thousand times but still finds the courage to say “yes” to themselves.

My journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve walked through fire, through grief, through situations meant to break me. But I didn’t break—I built. And that’s the art form that inspires me most: becoming. Taking what tried to destroy you and turning it into something sacred, something seen.

So when I work—whether I’m on stage, behind a brush, or just telling my story—I’m doing it for every person who’s ever had to carve out a space in this world with nothing but their bare hands and a dream. That’s who I represent. That’s who I am.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
About my art?
My art is born from survival. It’s not just performance—it’s reclamation. Every time I step into a role, deliver a monologue, or transform a face with makeup, I’m telling a story that says: I was here. I endured. I made beauty from the wreckage.

What sets me apart is that I didn’t arrive at this point through ease or privilege—I got here because I refused to stay broken. I’ve lived through housing insecurity, the sting of being misunderstood, the trauma of being criminalized when I needed care. I’ve faced rooms that didn’t know what to do with someone like me—Black, queer, bold, and undefinable. But I never let that stop me.

I don’t chase trends. I channel truth. Whether I’m on stage, on set, or behind the scenes, I bring all of me—my scars, my humor, my Creole soul, and my defiant love for the human spirit. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve never diluted who I am to fit in. I came to stand out.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: your pain doesn’t disqualify you—it anoints you. You don’t have to be polished to be powerful. You don’t have to be perfect to be seen.

So what do I want the world to know?
That I’m not just another actor. I’m not just a survivor. I’m a storyteller who speaks for the ones who never got their mic, their stage, or their close-up.
My brand is truth. My story is proof. And my art?
It’s my revolution.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for the week? Oh, we’re making memories.
First stop—Long Beach. I’d take them straight to the shore. We’d walk the coastline, toes in the sand, sun on our skin, just soaking up that ocean breeze. The Long Beach shoreline has a kind of calm magic that resets your soul before you dive into the city’s wild side.

Then—a night out in WeHo is a must. We’re starting at Micky’s, grabbing drinks, and living for the dolls—the performers, the glam, the energy. It’s glitter, it’s liberation, it’s pure nightlife art.

Midweek, I’d take them to LA’s Night Market—vibes, lights, food from every corner of the world. The kind of place you can walk, eat, and lose track of time. Follow that up with street tacos, because listen… nothing humbles you and heals you like the right carne asada at midnight.

Of course, we’re doing a thrill day at Knott’s Berry Farm—just enough adrenaline to remind us we’re alive. And you can’t come to Southern California without hitting up Bun World—it’s small but fire, and the perfect pre-shopping bite.

Then comes the fantasy day: Rodeo Drive. I don’t care if we’re buying or just browsing—we’re dressing up, taking pictures, living our best lives. After that? A little celebrity stalking (respectfully, of course) around Beverly Hills. And when our feet are tired, we’re wrapping it all up with something sweet and aesthetic at Urth Caffé—because we deserve the soft life too.

LA is more than just a city—it’s an experience. And for me, the best version of it is that perfect blend of beach, boldness, beauty, and Black joy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Who deserves a little credit and recognition in my story?
The truth is, not every person who’s been in my life has shown up perfectly—and I’ve learned to be okay with that. But if I had to give a thousand shoutouts, the loudest ones would go to two people: my mother and my partner.

My mother has been my first example of resilience. Her strength taught me how to stand back up when life knocked me down. She didn’t just raise me—she fought for me, prayed for me, and poured into me even when she had nothing left to give.

And my partner—through every chapter of my life, they’ve given me a kind of love that holds space, that doesn’t flinch at the ugly or the broken. Their support isn’t just emotional; it’s spiritual, grounding, and transformative.

Without their constant love and belief in me, I wouldn’t be half the person I am today. They are my sanctuary and my mirror—and I carry them with me in everything I do.

Website: https://hoo.be/maquade

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datdamn_angel?igsh=MXU4bmR3c3ZreXR0dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Youtube: https://YouTube.com/datdamnangel

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@maquadeallen?_t=ZP-8xS5wZ1ZB5b&_r=1

Image Credits
Credit for images goes to Steven “Kali Red” Sanders