Meet Nemi Brooks | Actress, Artist, Writer, & Model

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

Hi Nemi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Since before I can remember, I have always been an artist. It’s the only thing I have ever dreamt of doing long-term and the only thing that has always made sense. Whether it be in the form of writing, acting, painting, singing, dancing, baking – if I am not creating, I do not feel as though I am fulfilling my sense of purpose. I truly believe that I was put on the planet to create things and tell stories that mean something. I have never felt more seen and understood than when watching a great movie or seeing a beautiful or grotesque painting for the first time. I have never felt more connected to humanity than when listening to a powerful song or reading a gut-wrenching poem.
Art has helped me feel more sane and less alone since I could begin to perceive it, and what could be more important than trying to provide that feeling of understanding for others? I think pursuing a career in anything else would be a waste of my one precious life; this is what I was hard-wired to do. It is how I communicate with the world around me. Nothing else has ever lit that kind of fire inside of me, except for saving animals, which is sort of a side gig of mine.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I make all kinds of art, pretty much anything that I can get my hands on. Most of it has been kept fairly private thus far, apart from the published acting and modeling work I have done. I am excited to begin to share my personal work with the world this year though, as I am about to direct and star in my first original short film that I wrote. I also finally took the plunge and started painting over the summer, an endeavor I am very excited to explore more. I have worked with many other mediums of art throughout my life and always felt like painting was one of my true callings, but I was scared to begin. It has come to me so naturally, and it feels like it has always been a part of me. I am also working on putting together an original poetry book of all of the poems I have written since moving to Los Angeles that I hope to release later this year or early next year. I have plans to work with some musicians in Los Angeles to turn a selection of these poems into songs as well.
I moved to L.A. on my 18th birthday. I didn’t know anyone here, or much about the reality of the acting or modeling industry. It was a very difficult adjustment, as well as a huge culture shock moving from suburban, conservative Texas straight into downtown L.A. I went to USC the first year I was out here as an acting major, but decided to drop out to pursue acting and modeling full-time. Unfortunately, shortly after I left was when COVID hit, and suddenly the opportunities that I dropped out to pursue vanished into thin air, which was a confusing and discouraging feeling. During lockdown, I did a lot of self-reflection, healing from childhood trauma, and growing up. It was a hugely transitional period for me. I had to take responsibility for my own life, happiness, career, and well-being, which was a level of independence I was not used to, having moved here as a teenager straight out of high school.
I am very proud of how far I have come. I am not the same person nor artist that I was when I first arrived in this city, and I love myself so much more today, which I think is reflected in my work. I would say the biggest lesson I have learned is how to stand up for myself within an industry that is not going to protect me. At the end of the day, I am the only person who can protect and advocate for myself.

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 were visiting Los Angeles, I think the first places that I would take them to are some of my favorite little restaurants, like Sticky Rice and Terroni. I’m also really into sushi right now, so maybe Nobu Malibu, if my friend is paying! I would love to show them the Venice boardwalk and make them roller skate with me, since surprisingly no one that I know in L.A. seems to want/know how to skate. We would also go down to the Malibu beaches, of course. I would take them out dancing in Hollywood and Silverlake, or to a house party in the hills to swim in someone else’s pool. I would love to take them along with me to some art gallery openings, as well as the museums. There’s nothing like going to the Getty Museum or Getty Villa for the first time! We could also check out the flea markets, and shop around Melrose or the thrift stores in Burbank. My absolute favorite spots in L.A. though are some of the quiet parks that are up in the mountains near Burbank and La Crescenta. I am unfortunately going to keep the names of the specific parks to myself for safety reasons, but those are my special places here where I love to write, draw, paint, and hike. Finally, I would make them drive along the Angeles Crest Highway with me, and park at one of the overlooks. It’s better than fighting the crowd along Mulholland Drive and the view is incredible.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, Austin and Pattie. They have always believed in me and done so much to encourage me to follow my dreams. Even though neither of them have pursued a career in the arts, they put in time and effort to learn how to help me. I would not be where I am today without their support, and I can’t put into words how grateful I am to have such incredible parents. I love them both so much, and I know they love me unconditionally in return. I am very lucky.

Instagram: @nemibrooks https://www.instagram.com/nemibrooks/

Image Credits
Nico Aguilar
Matthias Königswieser
Christopher Von Steinbach
Ziggy Van Koverden
Josh A Katz
Eddie Alcazar