Meet De-Andra Racquel | Entertainment Assistant (Executive/Personal)

We had the good fortune of connecting with De-andra Racquel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi De-Andra, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want to be remembered as someone who stood up for what’s right and was always there to help others. As well as someone who wasn’t afraid to take risks and inspired others to reach for more. I’ve never been one to be easily swayed by peer pressure or the expectations of others, and I hope people remember me for staying true to myself and doing what felt right for me regardless of who I lost in the process.

I want people to think of me during their toughest moments and ask themselves, “What would Dee do?” I’ve always been passionate about helping others chase their wildest dreams, even when those dreams seemed far-fetched. My hope is that I have and will continue to inspire people to believe in themselves and go after what they really want in life.

I also hope people remember my humor and quick wit, lol! I’ve always got a comeback and love making people smile, no matter what’s going on in my own life. And of course, I want to be remembered for my heart. I’ve always believed in giving what I can, whether it’s my time, energy, or even my last few dollars, to those in need. My legacy will be about uplifting others, staying grounded in who I am (AKA standing on business, ha!), and spreading positivity along the way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an Executive and Personal Assistant in the entertainment industry, and what sets me apart is my tenacity, calmness under pressure, and sense of humor. No matter how chaotic things get, I stay grounded and keep everything moving smoothly typically with some jokes along the way. I’m all about getting things done, but with kindness, humility, and grace. People know me as someone who gets it done, no excuses, and I take a lot of pride in that.

I’m most proud of everything I’ve built from my own hard work and diligence. Nothing has been handed to me, and every door that’s opened has been a direct result of pushing through setbacks and continuing forward when it would’ve been easier to quit. My work ethic is something I treasure, and it’s opened up opportunities I never dreamed of, including an exciting future possibility to go on tour (manifesting that hard!).

It has definitely not been easy. I’ve been told no more times than I can remember. I’ve been ghosted by companies after multiple interviews, and even had a recruiter tell me I wasn’t worth representing. I had to leave behind friends and family to chase a dream that wasn’t guaranteed and, honestly, I wasn’t sure of myself. I overcame those challenges by blocking out the noise, staying 100% confident in myself, and not letting the opinions of others get to me even when I was laughed at or doubted for my aspirations.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are to keep moving forward, stay solid, and believe in yourself – because if you don’t, why should anybody else? It’s important to learn who to trust, and to always keep building your skills through professional development. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the growth never stops.

As for what I want the world to know about my story: I’m here because I refuse to settle and I’m just getting started. I want to be remembered for inspiring others to reach for more and proving that you don’t have to follow someone else’s path to be successful. Continue to stay true to yourself like I did, and you’ll be amazed at how your world starts to change and how opportunities flow in naturally.

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 coming to LA for a week, we’d definitely do a mix of the must-see tourist spots and some of my personal favorites. We’d start with the iconic Hollywood sign, stroll down Hollywood Boulevard to check out the Walk of Fame, and then spend an afternoon soaking up the sun at Santa Monica Pier. Bonus would be if I could score some tickets to a Jimmy Fallon taping for some laughs!

When it comes to food, I’d take her to some of my go-to spots. I love a good rooftop bar, so we’d definitely enjoy some drinks with a killer view. And for dinner, it’s all about the steakhouses – Steak 48 is always a top choice!

But honestly, I’m a bit of a homebody, and so are most of my friends. So, after a day of sightseeing, we’d probably chill at home with a bottle of wine and binge-watch some true crime on Investigative Discovery. Low-key vibes with good company! And if there’s an industry event happening while she’s in town, I’d definitely try to bring her along to give her a taste of the LA scene.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my best friends (they know who they are!) – thank you for keeping me sane through all the ups and downs of this transition. You’ve been my sounding boards and my biggest supporters, and I couldn’t do it without you.

I also have to thank my parents for stepping in and helping with my daughter while I’m away chasing my goals. I couldn’t do any of this without knowing she’s in such good hands.

And a huge shoutout to LinkedIn! The articles packed with gems and the amazing network of assistants willing to share their experiences have been an incredible resource for me. The openness and support from the assistant community has really helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/deebabyy2

Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/DeeRacquel

Image Credits
GETTY, Arnold Turner
All other images are mine