Meet Etiange Domoa | Multidisciplinary Artist & Alternative Wellness Enthusiast

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

Hi Etiange, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by vulnerability. I admire those and often seek those who are unafraid to share the deepest depths of their soul. Unafraid of judgement or looking for validation from others. It’s literally my favorite thing. When people share what’s really on their hearts, that’s real to me. I don’t have to agree with them, and neither do they have to with me. But if you can share the realest parts of yourself with me the moment we exchange, it’s something I get inspired by and that I will cherish for life. It’s a reminder to me that I never have to hide any part of myself. I don’t need to keep secrets because I’m not ashamed of myself. My past was the complete opposite of that and I worked really hard to let go of that mentality. In ways, I am still working on it. I met beautiful souls that challenged me, that caused friction between us in order for me to release the idea that being vulnerable or honest is a weakness. Sharing my real self won’t be accepted… but that was a lie. Sharing my real self is what makes me different from everyone else… and I’m not trying to be anyone but Etiange. That’s life. You’ll see a Yin-Yang symbol and think that automatically means peace… but forget that the other side of peace is chaos. The little dots on the inside represent the chaos within peace, and the peace within chaos. To be vulnerable is to be at peace with the whole of yourself. So when people are vulnerable with me and where they are currently at, I think that’s inspires me to be vulnerable too. I’m also inspired by people themselves. From all walks of life. I love and hate the way people think. I guess it’s the differences that inspire me! I love how people have so many different types of stories they hold within their minds, bodies, and souls. We are all on our own sacred journeys and we each have something to teach each other. That’s awesome to me, I tend to make friends of different ages because I really feel like there’s a snippet of inspiration for me to collect for my own journey, as well as for me to share with them. Like, I love hanging out with my baby cousins or talking to them (they’re 15, and 13) because they are so, SO smart. And awake to their reality. Yes, there are some things that age and maturity can bring and that’s where we may be different, but I don’t speak to them like they aren’t aware. I speak to them the same way I would speak to my mom, the same way I would speak to my best friend. The same way I speak to myself. With curiosity about their point of view, ways of being, and experience. And I expect them to challenge me too sometimes. I love it, because it keeps me humble. It keeps me balanced from becoming too dogmatic in my own point of view. It keeps me wanting to learn more. Finally, I am so SO inspired by nature. I spent 4 months in Hawaii this winter, and I can’t even begin to express my infatuation with all that already IS. The lessons and blessings are already here. I didn’t have to look that far. I love how complex even the simple things can be. It makes me happy when I sit in nature for some time, and after a few moments the answer to a problem that was on my heart carries itself into my soul! Nature just is… and it helped me to realize I don’t have to be anything BUT myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Honestly, I have only just begun. Im speaking for those who have yet to share the hidden talents that they know they’re capable of, however don’t feel the self-worth is up to par. The last time I was featured in Voyage LA, I was really in a dark period of my life. I wasn’t 100% myself. Grounded and clear about who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do in this world. I didn’t have integrity. I was confused about myself and my reality… even though I seemed to have it all together. I feel there is a certain level of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-regulation that needs to be cultivated before someone can even really be all that they’re meant to be. Some of us carry so many densities from our childhood or generational trauma that can get in the way of us even feeling like we’re worthy of all the gifts we have. It can get in the way of what we really want to create. My story prior to this interview involves the breaking down of these densities and the rebuilding of mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health in order to pursue such a path. I had to ask myself questions that would sustain my own happiness and health: Who am I creating for? Why am I creating? Am I sharing this for me, or for the validation of others? What is my version of success and how can I take steps to support that version? What do I believe in, that isn’t influenced by those around me? What is my purpose? What is my gift to share with the world? I didn’t grow up living life for myself, being a first-generation immigrant with parents who had already envisioned what my life would be like before I could even say the words “Mommy” and “Daddy”. I had to reclaim my identity again after losing it to wanting to be validated and to please in order to be accepted. I kept choosing the peace and happiness of others, not my own. This industry that we’re in rides on the backs of validation and acceptance… and for the longest time I was creating for that. But, my soul hated that. Every time I found myself creating for that purpose, my soul hated it, and it would cause blowbacks, where I’d throw everything up in the air in disgust and run away from it. Deep down, I just wanted to be myself, in entirety. I chose my own happiness and peace at 18, and haven’t looked back since then. Although I did train in dance and music, as well as modeled here and there, my intentions were not mine. I wasn’t creating for myself, I was creating because of what people told me I should do. Even when I did not have the strength, my soul felt called to these mediums and people saw my potential. But I never saw it for myself… and if you can’t see your own potential, there is no way that someone else can help you carry that from potential to reality. Because that low self-esteem will always be lingering to self-sabotage. I’m 23 now, and I can finally say that these densities that I’ve somehow inherited and learned are finally gone. And I’m not holding myself back any longer. Who am I creating for? Me. Why am I creating? To find and share with those who resonate with what I’m creating, so that they are inspired to create and express themselves. It’s so easy in this industry to get lost trying to prove to others why they should believe in you. I’d rather believe in myself and attract others who vibe with that and want to believe in themselves too. So with that being said, I plan on bringing the fire and consistency in my artistry which includes Dance, Music, Writing, and Modeling. As well as focusing on my studies in Ayurvedic Medicine and Esoteric Wisdom. I’m ready to work and collaborate, to make magic!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Alright so boom: First, it would depend on what time they’re flying in. Preferably in the afternoon, because then we’d just drop off the bags and head to Venice for sunset. I am a sucker for the beach and a breeze!! Also just walking around at night too and dipping our toes in the water is really nice. My favorite spot to hangout at would most definitely be Los Feliz. That’s my LA sanctuary. Especially breakfast at Friends & Family. Or relaxing at Barnsdall Art Park. We’d probably hang out there and then go for Thai food in Thai Town. I don’t drink anymore, but I do love the vibe of bars!! Some of my favorite places were the Ace Hotel Rooftop. So so gorgeous and creative with their options. And I mean the view as well as the really vintage vibe. Another place would be the beautiful Standard West Hollywood (forever). Unfortunately it shut down, but I used to work and hangout there… and I swear the place was magic. I brought my mom there, my twin brother, and lots of friends from back home and LA. Hands down will always be one of my favorite places to be in the city. No Vacancy is really fun too! I think I mostly liked it because it has this outdoor spot in the back that’s pretty cool. Another awesome place to checkout would be Fucking Awesome, the skate shop of Hollywood. It’s just a vibe honestly. I’ve met some really funny and down to earth guys and gals there and will always stop by because the whole energy is truly one of a kind. You walk in and you enter a whole different world… and if you know Hollywood, you wouldn’t think you were on Hollywood. One of my favorite jobs ever!!! Forever thankful for that space. In the mornings, we could eat at Backyard Bowls!! I LOVE their bowls, oh my gosh. It makes me so happy to eat them and ever since I had one I’ve been making my oatmeal like so. My favorite location has to be the Santa Monica one because afterwards we’d just go hang out at the beach again. Finally, I will stay a night or two out in Joshua Tree. It’s so nice to take a break from the city and actually be able to see the stars. Have a bit of silence and share some thoughts and stories. Gain some inspiration to bring back home to the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that I want to shout out here!!! So many people that influenced me in the little pockets and chapters of my life. However I feel the person who had the biggest impact of them all is my mom. Gosh, is she heavenly. I swear I don’t think any other person could hold space for me the way my mother does. It’s the way she has shown up for me in all cycles of my life and continues to do so no matter what. I am such a changeable woman. I have seasons and ups and downs, and not a lot of people stick around for them all. Which is totally okay because that’s life. But for a free spirit like me, it is so very rare to find a solid foundation, but I can say that I have found one in my mom and I am forever grateful for that type of love and grace. She has seen it all… I mean ALL of my layers and things I carry that lots of people don’t know about me… and she’s accepted it. She really is my best friend. Her love is what allowed me to trust that there is love like that for me out there in friendships, partnerships, animal companions. This year I realized that my mom really is one of my soulmates. She saw the power I had and believed in me from the start, even when I didn’t believe in myself for a long while, and lost myself. Shoutout to her because she is the realest.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/h3artw0rld

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1oCLrlWYtwy9AJ8pnLvY8g

Other: Other Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfYph58_ZGIHy2Zw_BfSb1g

Image Credits
Deana Younus, James “Saky” Huang, and Alexis Rosario