Meet Adrianne D.

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

Hi Adrianne, how do you think about risk?
Though risk is a terrifying thing, it is a fear that I have spent the past three years leaning into. Before I moved to California, I had never visited. My driving force to leave my hometown and come here was based off of something I said I was going to do when I was nine years old. Act. Despite my desire to appease my inner child there would be many roadblocks and logistics threatening to get in my way. Before I left Indiana I had been laid off due to COVID, which left me with unemployment as my only source of income. Still, in spite of this, I told myself that as soon as I finished school I was coming here; so I refused to be stopped. So I sold everything I could to get here. (My heart still aches at the thought of my vintage video gaming systems that had to go.) When I got here I had ZERO dollars after buying gas, food, and lodging for the three day drive across country. I survived the first week using “sign up and get a free _____” whatever that restaurants would offer. Then the same week I got to LA, I found a job as a waitress so I was able to eat food from training/food that couldn’t be served to the customers.

Being 2,000 miles away from my family is also a risk that weighs heavier on my heart as days and experiences go by. I was so eager to leave and start my own life, I didn’t give myself enough time to think about what we lose when we make risks like that. I have loss countless loved ones in the three years since my move. More often than not, I cannot make it to funerals or to hospital rooms before their last goodbyes. Friends and family have had children I have yet to meet. Family reunions, missed. Countless of other memories, missed. But this sad truth is now my fuel to take more risks and continue to push myself. If it were up to doing things just for me, risks would be too scary. But knowing I have a community of people I’m trying to live for makes risks look awfully less scary.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Most of the years I spend cycling between pouring into the baskets of blessings that I was gifted. These being comedy, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, acting, event hosting, tarot readings, and momentarily (soon again) producing my own poetry open mics for the black community. In terms of what I’m most excited about, it’s everything. I can’t wait to see what road these baskets take me down and whose spirit they help me touch on the way. I would say that that’s something that sets me apart from some creatives. I don’t find fulfillment in using my gifts because it makes me money. I find fulfillment because I look at everything I do as healing work. Even acting. My goal for everything I put my energy into is to spread more love around this world. If I made someone laugh, love spread. If I eat an acting role DOWN and it helps someone see themselves or a certain situation in a new light that makes them feel lighter, love spread. I’m not here to be flashy and to drown in adoration. I’m here to help humanity get a little deeper into an ethic of love so I can leave this world a little better than I found it. I’m learning that if things don’t bring me joy, it’s not worth the investment of time, energy, or money. Even if it’s at the risk of me temporarily losing financial stability. Joy returns and I work hard for my passions, so money will always return as well. I want the world to know that if there’s something that’s being done that’s not out of love, see if you can stop and redirect.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place to take people who visit is World Wide Tacos and the beach. I’m still slowly exploring Los Angeles and I’m also a Pisces so I’m also very big on going with the flow. Whatever they want to do, chances are, I’m down to do it too!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I would like to shoutout my mother and late father for always encouraging my creative soul. They never pushed me to do things that I didn’t like and whatever I chose to do, they were thoroughly supportive. My big sister Laurin. My brothers Andre and Big Corey.
My friends back home with a special shoutout to Saba. Without her I wouldn’t of made it to LA and wouldn’t of had a mattress to sleep on when I got here.
My friends that I made in the three years of me being here. Emanuel for being a gift and a reminder that I’m protected. Opal for pushing my creative spirit.
Kenneth Roberson and Ansley Valentine.
And Sasha, the CEO of CutiesLA. Most of the community I have was built from her taking a chance on me as her event host and I will forever be grateful for that.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/finding.pearl 

Image Credits
Zay Monae Felisha Carrasco Christine Kao Lindso Talon