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

Hi Maya, what do you want your legacy to be?
Thinking about legacy is always poignant and helps clear my mind when it’s cluttered. The “Big picture” and what you want out of life keeps me focused.

I want to be remembered for letting everyone have courage to be themselves around me AND in the world.

I want my art to make people’s day better, like so much art has done for me.
I want my music to make people feel something. I want scenes that I’m in whether it’s TV or film to bring a friend group or family together for a moment in time.

Music Heals. Movies heal. TV heals. Entertainment as a whole HEALS. I knew I was supposed to be a part of entertainment delivery for as long as I’ve had a conscious mind.
I want to connect with people through music, acting, storytelling & entertainment.

I don’t care if 2 people or 2 million people experience me in music or tv, and as long as I can share gifts and heal a moment of your time through story or song, I am happy.

I’m a weird girl and i’ve always been that way; I’ve stood tall in the face of some pretty embarrassing times. I get so many people who tell me “You’re so non judgmental” “You’re so free to be yourself” or the person who told me “You include everyone and never make anyone feel like their differences are a burden. Thank you for being kind to me. Because of you, I wore shorts for the first time in 12 years.” I say WOW to all of that. I’m not the most confident person in the world, and I go out of my way to try to make sure people never feel alone or scared in a room with me. I’ve been alone in a corner, so I am so aware of that, dreading it happening to anyone else. That’s where “Stay Sparkly” comes from. Head up high, big smile with grace. I’m into that.

Yes, I’d love for my career in music and entertainment to be remembered. I have goals and dreams in that arena like anyone.. But more importantly, I want to leave a legacy of warmth, love and healing hearts. I want to be remembered for being ME and encouraging everyone to be able to do the same and feel included.
Everything shimmers, including you!

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.
With my work as an actress, songwriter, recording artist, and boutique record label owner, my career pulls me in so many different directions. I like it that way though, I can do all the different things that I love but under the central umbrella of entertainment.

I think one of the things that sets me apart is not having an obsession with “being set apart”. I’ve seen that when you try too hard to be different for the sake of being different, you become just another water molecule in the ocean of life. Being yourself is effortless. For me, it’s easy to march to the beat of my own drum.

It’s hard work to run a business for anyone who has one, and aside from doing the record label business for Glitter Rain Entertainment — every actor & musician is an individual business. A walking, breathing BUSINESS. So I guess I’m doing quite a lot! I have to remind myself that and give myself grace and breaks when needed.

I’ve been working full throttle in the performance world since I was a teenager, and there is a lot of sacrifice involved in
working and training while you’re not working.

I’m proud of my artistic evolution and the continued growth in my creative careers. Learning is never over.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love my city. California, Los Angeles in particular, gets a lot of unfair hate from people who do not live here, many of whom have never been. We have such a fantastic, beautiful and eclectic city. Los Angeles is responsible for so much of America’s pop culture references, and the biggest reason for what you watch on TV…. Most entertainment comes from here. It’s iconic, diverse, beautiful and YES we have the best weather. So, I’d want to incorporate everything that this city is known for on a visitors trip!

On a trip to L.A., I’d make sure I’d take a friend to visit :

The Santa Monica Pier — An iconic symbol and right on the beach! This would be stop #1 for me!

I’d ride up the coast on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), perhaps climb the sandhill just past Malibu.

The 405 — You can check out the world’s biggest parking lot as we speed by on the overpass. No, we’re not getting on it. lol

The Pendry West Hollywood — An amazing hotel & an upscale meeting place with food drink and small bowling. My friend had his birthday party here and we LOVED it.

Soho House West Hollywood — such a cool lunch spot with amazing views of the city and nearby Beverly Hills!

One of my favorite Recording Studios – which would be either The Village or Nightbird Recording

Universal Studios Stage Lot – I’ve only filmed one or two things here, but it is absolutely amazing. I love these sound stages and the entire lot, the excitement never wears off when you go.

An improv or comedy show! Of course I love improv and comedy, and you can’t come to LA without seeing one of those shows at the Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, Groundlings Theater or UCB.

Next is a stop at Kreation (Juice bar with so many locations around L.A.) — Green juice is a mandatory LA girl stop for healthy hydration / snacks.

The Hollywood Sign — Another iconic symbol of Hollywood and LA. A MUST-SEE for any visitor, especially at night with lights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My life in L.A. and my industry community is so full of amazing things & people. Other than my mom & family – special shoutout to them for being the main Maya J music fan club (haha) – I have to mention the union, SAG-AFTRA and its Foundation for really having member’s backs. As an actor, I love the support, overseeing of work details and the community building that SAG-AFTRA promotes. I’m so grateful for that and will always be proud to be a part. I also have to thank one of my favorite film festivals — The ARPA International Film Festival for inviting me to be a part of judging & presenting for the last few years now. This festival is run by such amazing women who have supported all of my endeavors thus far and I can’t even thank them enough for including me in this community full of such talented filmmakers & creatives.

Website: https://www.thisismayajenkins.com

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9qfiXW3djtkL0XljRRG3KA

Other: https://lnk.to/ChillsbyMayaJ

Image Credits
All photos courtesy of Glitter Rain Entertainment.

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