Meet Erika Degraff | Actress | Artist

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

Hi Erika, what role has risk played in your life or career?
What I think about risk is like the old saying goes, “No Risk, No Reward.” I truly live my life by this statement. I believe that there is so much beauty in the risk, because it makes you uncomfortable, while also revealing how strong you truly are. I share my story with many artists who have asked about my journey and how I’ve been able to obtain a great amount of success in a short amount of time. I tell them how I moved to New York with literally $60 in my pocket, 4 suitcases and a dream. I will never forget, upon my arrival in New York, I found out the airline lost my luggage, the $60 I thought I had was left in Chicago in my mom’s car and the portfolio with my work for an important agency meeting, I left on the plane. With all those odds stacked against me, I could have easily chosen to give up and believe that the risk I took was for nothing. Fast forward 7 years, I lived, loved and ate New York. That city will forever have a piece of my heart because it showed me that anything is possible, it forced me to take risks in order to grow and it inspired me to live and be who I was created to be; which is an artist to the core. I often think about if I let the fear of the risk, or the naysayers telling me “how expensive and hard it is to live there” would have changed the outcome of my life. I guess we will never know because my heart longed for a new risk, which has brought me to Los Angeles.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an Artist to the core! I truly believe that we are born with many gifts and it’s up to us to explore those gifts to inspire the world. When it comes to the question of what sets me apart from others, I would say it’s my ability to just simply show up as my authentic self. I have this deep love for connecting with people and constantly asking the question of Why? which has led to exploring many different outlets. For those that have been following my journey over these past 10 years you will see that I went from being a celebrity fashion stylist to a costume designer for film/television to stepping on the stage to being front of the camera as an actress, to now picking up the hobby of being a photographer. For many, they are probably saying just stick to one thing, but I believe that much of my success came from branching out into different sectors of the industry. It has shown my range and how I refuse to be put in a box.

I truly believe much of my success has come from taking risks and walking to the beat of my own drum even if that meant walking alone. Was it easy? No, it was not easy, it’s still not easy and to be honest, I don’t think I ever want it to be easy. When things become easy, in my personal opinion you become complacent and you lose the urge to want to fight to become the best that you can be. So no, I don’t want easy, I want the challenges, I want to continue to defy the odds because that’s what makes the journey of being an artist worth living.

I just want the world to know to breathe and know that you are on the right path. Greatness takes time, Building a Legacy takes patience, Becoming who you were destined to be takes Strength and as long as you keep moving forward you can’t fail! Gods timing is the best timing!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
(Laughs) So, my best friend would definitely tell you that I am not the best at itineraries. Planning itineraries is not a gift I was born with unfortunately. So we will keep this short and sweet. (laughs)

I am BIG on museums and exhibits. We would first start out by going to The Getty, not only do they have amazing exhibits but the architecture of the building is breathtakingly beautiful.

Keeping with the theme for the week of art, we would next head to the Basquiat exhibit, talk art and mingle with the locals. Since we are downtown, we would head over to one of my favorite restaurants “Fixin’s Soul Kitchen.” I love this restaurant not just for the atmosphere, but the food gives me nostalgia of being back home. Since I am a vegetarian, my go-to dish is the fried catfish with the macaroni and cheese and sweet potatoes. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream! YUM!

For a nightcap we would head over to EP&LP, which is my new favorite hangout. It is a rooftop lounge with a dj where you can dance and have dinner with your friends. If you’re more into a Netflix and chill type of mood, they have a section where you can watch movies outside on a big screen, in bean bag chairs snuggled up with your boo, overlooking the downtown area. Upon arrival the team gives you headphones and a menu to order food from the bar!

This would be my ideal itinerary for a fun day/weekend in LA, but since I am not good at planning, we would probably just end up at the beach! Malibu Beach has been my favorite beach in California thus far.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly, I have to give the BIGGEST Shoutout to GOD! He is the reason that I am here, I’m grateful for his love, his protection and his mercy that he continues to bestow upon me everyday!

I also want to give a shoutout to my mother, who has literally been holding me up since I popped out of the womb. From speaking life into my dreams, believing in my vision when no one else could understand it, driving me to set at 4:00am to do background work to just allowing me the freedom to just be me. THANK YOU

Lastly, I have to give a shoutout to all of my friends and followers around the world that have been cheering me on over these many years. Who have sent me words of encouragement, bringing my name up in rooms I have yet to step into and just showing with every message, like, share, etc..that I am on the right path and to keep fighting the good fight!

Thank you all for being on this journey with me and as I always say “It’s only the Beginning!”

Website: www.erikadegraff.com

Instagram: @frenchvendette

Twitter: @frenchvendette

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDY8Lqx3wczFmAHtUBeHwqQ

Image Credits
Credits for all images: Photographer: Erika Degraff Hair: HairbyShawnie Cream Dress: H&M Rose Dress: Akira Chicago Blue Velvet Jacket: Topshop (Vintage) Denim Jacket: Vintage Tan Tank top: Zara