Meet Christine Angelique | Actor & Filmmaker

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

Hi Christine, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic/creative career for multiple reasons. 1. I truly believe this is my purpose, what I’m meant to do! God has given me many creative gifts: acting, singing, dancing, to name a few. I feel like when you have a gift for something it’s your responsibility to use it because you never know who is on the receiving end of that gift, and what impact it might have. I just think, “Someone is waiting to hear my song”, or “Someone needs my movie”. I want to use my gifts and potential to its fullest! For example, I’m a huge fan on Lin-Manuel Miranda. I definitely think he has a God given gift for songwriting and musicals. Hamilton and The Heights brought me so much joy and encouragement to go after my own creative dreams. If Lin-Manuel Miranda didn’t use his gift, his amazing works wouldn’t exist, and I wouldn’t have experienced that joy and inspiration.

2. Media and art have a huge impact on society, and why we are the way we are. I want to use that influence to hopefully make the world a better place. I am passionate about equal representation in film. I believe everyone has a story that should be told and that the world is so diverse and different, and that our movies, media and music should reflect that. Recently, I’ve been seeing posts of children’s reactions to seeing a character that looked like them in the Disney movie, “Encanto”. It’s so special, especially at that age, to know you matter and to see someone like you “saving the day” or being loved. It’s the feeling I got watching Storm in “Xmen”, or Uhura in “Star Trek” as a child. Or how I felt seeing Black Panther as an adult. When one story told about one specific group of people is the only perceptive you see, people start thinking that is the only way to be or that something is wrong with them for being different. I’ve felt this way before and it’s not a good feeling. I believe if media and movies are as diverse and inclusive as the people watching them, it will help share different perspectives and different ways of living that ultimately will help the world be a better, more educated and inclusive place. I want to help tell these stories and makes these films, do my part to help make this crazy world we live in a little better.

3. Lastly, it’s fun! I’m passionate about acting and filmmaking! Sure, I could have a more steady job that brings a stable income (which would help since living in LA is notoriously expensive), but if it wasn’t a creative career I don’t think I’d be happy. Performing makes me happy and brings me joy. Editing dope projects and watching footage turn into a whole awesome movie is exciting! These are just things I enjoy and now I’m getting paid for doing them! Isn’t that the dream? To get paid for doing what you love. Having a creative career definitely has its challenges and ups and downs, but it’s the career I love! Where else do you get paid to play dress up or watch movies “for research”? Haha I believe you should have a career that sustains your lifestyle, but also is something you enjoy! Plus your mental health will thank for going after your dreams and doing something that fills your soul rather than crushes it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to call myself a multifaceted creative because there’s so much I like to do. I am an actor pursuing my dreams in Hollywood, a video editor/filmmaker and an independent singer-songwriter. I feel like what sets me apart from others is my unique perspective and my own way of sharing my talents. I always think of that Dr. Seuss quote, “Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you.” I feel like as long as I stay true to who I am and creative art that I enjoy and am proud of, that will set me apart because no one else in me, so I bring that authenticity to the table.

Right now, I’m most excited to start pursuing acting in the TV and film realm. Last year I got a manager and theatrical agent, so I am ready to start auditioning for some cool projects! I’m also excited to release my first EP that I have been working on for maybe a year now. It’s almost done and will be released hopefully by this summer! I’m really excited because music has always been just a hobby of mine and for myself to express and understand my emotions, but now I am sharing my songs with the world and from the few singles I have already shared, I feel like people can relate and will love this EP that’s coming!

I believe God played a big part in getting me to where I am now professionally. They always say it’s about the people you know or divine timing, and I believe both those factor, with hard work and focus, helped me get to where I am now. I have been blessed to meet the most amazing people who have shared their tips and tricks for how to succeed in the industry. I also believe I was at the right place at the right time. I know, like many, during quarantine in 2020 I was debating going back home or sticking it out here in LA. I ultimately decided to stay and in that crazy year I got a commercial agent, booked my 1st nationwide commercial and became SAG eligible, which definitely changed my life and set me up on the path to success. With God’s guidance and my pursuit to learn more about the industry, get headshots, take acting classes, work on my self during quarantine, I was able to make some process in my career.

It definitely was not easy! I think most creatives can agree that stress and unstable finances come hand in hand with starting a creative career. I’ve been in LA for almost 4 years now, and the first 2 were ROUGH! What helped me overcome challenges were having a great support system, believing in myself and my talents, and just not giving up. I have the most supportive family and friends who were there for every venting session or tearful breakdown. People who believe in me and want to see me succeed. I also had to believe in myself. If you don’t believe in yourself and what you bring to the table, how will anyone else? Then lastly, I had to just not give up. There were so many times when I was tired from working 3 different jobs, tired of the rejection that comes with acting, or just feeling like it was never going to happen for me. But I didn’t give up! And I’m still not giving up. I’m just at the surface of really getting into my dream career and I know more challenges will come, but to overcome them you just have to keep trying and never give up.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way are the very things that have helped me to get to where I am today. I’ve learned the importance of being authentic and true to yourself, regardless. That having a strong support system and being surrounded by love and people who are for you is a must. That you have to believe in yourself first and take the time to work on self love and healing. I learned you have to keep pushing no matter how tough it gets because you won’t get to your dreams if you give up on them.

I want the world to know that honestly, I’m just trying my best! I’m trying to make art that I enjoy and believe people will enjoy and relate to. I’m trying to make the world a better place by telling more stories, being inclusive and striving to bring equal representation to my projects. I’m trying to spread love instead of hate, Lord knows our world needs more of it. And trying my best to figure out my purpose and how it can help somebody else. At the end of the day, all we can do is just try our best.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite Spots – Bloom & Plume Coffee: Cute Black-owned coffee shop
– Kale My Name: If you love Tabitha Brown and want to try vegan food, this is the place to go
– Huntington Botanical Gardens: So beautiful!
-Sunset Ranch Hollywood: If you enjoy horseback riding, you get a beautiful view of LA and the mountains on horseback in Griffith park
-Old LA Zoo: It’s an old abandoned zoo that is really cool to explore/have a photoshoot at. Cool graffiti area
-Rhythm Room LA: This cool underground speakeasy jazz bar!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Website: https://www.christineangelique.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christineangelique_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williams-christine/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TeamChristineVidz

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@teamchristine Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/00Cwk8gBpWvodGUK3gWB3j

Image Credits
Emily Sandifer Grace YJ Kim