Meet Niaz Marie | Journalist, Media Host, & PR

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

Hi Niaz, what inspires you?
Being from Los Angeles, CA, I’m inspired by so many different things and people because I’m surrounded by so much greatness! I’m definitely inspired by my group of friends and mentors who have not only taken the leap of faith to pursue their passions and dreams, but to also create their own lanes to do so. I’m also inspired by the Black women in media before me who have and continue to break barriers. Lastly, I’m inspired by family. Their support means everything to me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a music/entertainment publicist as well as a freelance cultural journalist. I started my media journey back in 2018 when I interned for different PR agencies in fashion and entertainment. My professional career really kicked off in 2022 when I started red-carpet. hosting for Young. Bold, and Regal as well as writing for Remixd Mag. During that time, I had the opportunity to interview prominent actors, actresses, music artists such as Emmy-award winner Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tina Knowles, Tommy Davidson, and Lady London to name a few. I also had the opportunity to profile up and coming rising artists n music. I also started my professional role as a a junior publicist during that time. I represented. talent in the sports, music, and social media industry such as Metta World Peace, Dan Rue, Hotblock Jmoe of Velcro Records, and Smiley of OVO Sound to name a few. As a publicist, I’ve been able to land my clients placements on mainstream platforms such as Revolt, Complex, and BET.

I’m currently excited to be providing PR services for music artists at Remixd PR as well as my newest venture with Rome LA Connections as the PR Manager of Live & Unfiltered!

The journey has not been the easiest, however it has felt the most rewarding. Navigating the entertainment industry is challenging because it can be hard to connect with the right people, or feel confident to do so. Some of the challenges I’ve faced was feeling like I didn’t belong in the industry and oftentimes would get hit with imposter syndrome. However, the best way I was able to overcome that was to put that fear in God’s hands and trust that I am where I am for a reason. I also speak value and words of encouragement to myself. At the end of the day, no matter how challenging or intimidating the opportunity may be, I’m going to go for it anyway. I usually am always affirmed that I’m in the rooms I deserve to be in and in front of the people I’m supposed to meet.

I want people to know that I’m still learning a lot throughout this journey, especially because I’m still relatively new in the game, but I am determined. I have so many goals and ideas I look forward to bringing to fruition, and I’m trusting God to guide me along the way.

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.
Well thankfully my best friend is from Los Angeles like myself. But if I had to plan an itinerary of activities to do, I would take them to eat at a Thai restaurant like . For drinks, we would go bar hop around Hollywood or DTLA. But for a good happy hour, I would take them to mr. Furley’s lol iykyk! I’m really into going places that involves live music/performances so if there’s an artist I really like performing, I would take them to a concert. A good place to hang out for me are at art galleries like The Broad or Jeffrey Deitch, thrift shops like 2nd street or any of the shops on melrose/Fairfax, and cafes!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s so many people I can shoutout! I’ve been blessed with some of the best people in my life to help motivate me, inspire, and get me to where I am today, as well as where I’m trying to go. I have to shoutout Evan Jackson of Young, Bold, and Regal (@youngboldandregal), a media brand and platform that highlights and celebrates Black women and Black excellence in the arts, film, music, entrepreneurship, and overall entertainment. Evan gave me my first red-carpet opportunity to interview talent at the Micheaux Film Festival in the summer of 2022. Evan has provided countless opportunities to me to contribute to Young, Bold, and Regal, as well as provide mentorship to me where he has given me useful gems to help navigate the entertainment industry. The next person I would like to shoutout is Tallie Spencer of Remixd Magazine(@remixdmag), a independent music blog that covers modern day hip-hop, R&B, and music news. She provided an opportunity for me to start writing for my first music blog which I though was so cool! I also have to shoutout my good sis, Ahlisha Henderson of Rome-LA Connections. She and I would often collaborate on different endeavors, and the biggest one we’re working on is Live & Unfiltered, an intimate live performance series, and she brought me on to do PR. She overall is one of my greatest supporters and a business woman I admire. Lastly, I have to shoutout my best friend of 25 years, Nandi George aka Hood Beyonce (@hoodbeyonce), a beyond talented creative, film photographer, and connecter. She always trusted me to help bring her visions to life through film photography and from her, I’ve learned the importance of collaboration. She to is one of my greatest supporters, and someone’s work I admire. I also have to shoutout ALL of my sisters, especially Christina, Kanairy, and Porsha, as well as my friends Priscilla, Maya, Christina, and Nancy for their undeniable and unlimited amount of support to me!

Website: https://www.niazmarie.com/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy9mjLlJ_lXFOa2VYIMoaow

Image Credits
Evan Jackson