---
title: "Nzinga Imani on Multi-Hyphenate Resilience, Independent Indie Film Hustle, and Authenticity in Hollywood"
url: "https://authoritymag.co/articles/nzinga-imani-on-multi-hyphenate-resilience-independent-indie-film-hustle-and-authenticity-in-hol"
publisher: "Authority Magazine"
author: "Authority Magazine Editorial Staff"
authorUrl: "https://authoritymag.co/authors/authority-magazine-editorial-staff"
interviewee: "Nzinga Imani"
company: "Shop Nimani"
category: "Pop Culture"
datePublished: "2025-08-08T00:15:01.632Z"
dateModified: "2026-11-12T17:05:22.365Z"
tags: "Pop Culture"
---

# Nzinga Imani on Multi-Hyphenate Resilience, Independent Indie Film Hustle, and Authenticity in Hollywood

*The Zatima star and entrepreneur shares her journey from Atlanta’s indie film scene to building a diverse career spanning acting, music, and fashion.*

> I had always been a singer — thanks to my mom — but musicals changed everything for me.

---

We*had the pleasure of talking with Nzinga Imani. Nzinga’s path into the entertainment industry was paved with early mornings, long bus rides, and an unwavering commitment to artistic expression. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, by immigrant parents, she grew up in what she describes as “humble beginnings,” marked by instability but anchored by a persistent exposure to the arts. Her mother, despite limited means, made sure Nzinga and her siblings participated in music and dance classes, laying a foundation that would ultimately shape her creative career.*

*She first encountered theater in high school through musicals, an experience that built on her background in singing and sparked a deeper interest in performance. Although she initially enrolled in college with plans to become an educator — studying American Sign Language and even tutoring peers — an unexpected detour prevented her from advancing in the program. That pause became a turning point. With a year to reassess her path, Imani returned to her artistic roots and began studying acting seriously. She’s never looked back.*

*Imani immersed herself in Atlanta’s indie film scene, building a portfolio through web series, independent films, and local stage productions. Her work with Atlanta theater producer Stepp Stewart gave her regular performance opportunities and introduced her to a network of creators also navigating the industry outside traditional gatekeeping structures.*

*Her first major opportunity came as the lead in Curves, a pilot for BET that ultimately wasn’t picked up. But the experience offered validation and momentum. A small but notable role on All the Queen’s Men brought her to the attention of Tyler Perry, who later cast her as Angela in Zatima, the first spin-off of his hit series Sistas. Imani’s role, initially exclusive to Zatima, expanded to include appearances in Sistas, further cementing her status within the BET universe.*

*Angela, her character on Zatima, is outspoken, stylish, and emotionally complex — a role Imani describes as both parallel to and starkly different from her own personality. While she shares Angela’s boldness, she draws a clear line between their views on relationships. “Angela is forgiving to a fault. I’m not. I’m an Aquarius,” she laughs. “Once you cross the line with me, that’s it.”*

*Beyond acting, Imani is building a multi-hyphenate career. She is also a singer, a producer, and the founder of her own clothing brand, Shop Nimani. Her return to music marks a full-circle moment, with her first live vocal performance scheduled for August 17 at Kulture Night Live — a venture she describes as both exhilarating and overdue.*

*In recent years, she’s branched into producing, starring in and executive producing the upcoming romantic comedy Friend Zone, which she describes as creatively aligned with her love for the genre. She’s also exploring more serious and socially conscious work, such as a short film with Rotimi that addresses maternal health disparities affecting Black women. The role, a departure from her typically comedic screen presence, offered her a chance to engage with more grounded material.*

*Despite her expanding résumé, the entertainment industry’s barriers haven’t been lost on her. Imani recalls struggling early in her career to book roles, often because casting directors didn’t know how to categorize her. Even now, she acknowledges the complexity of being a plus-sized Black woman in Hollywood, especially when it comes to visibility and representation. Yet moments of recognition from artists she admires — Queen Latifah remembering her name on set, or Taye Diggs breaking character from laughter during an improvised line — have offered reassurance that her work is landing with the right people.*

*Her experience working with Tyler Perry was similarly affirming. Though her first audition didn’t result in a role, Perry stopped to tell her she was “absolutely beautiful.” Later, after casting her in Zatima, he singled her out in a room full of actors to tell her she was “something special.” These acknowledgments, she says, helped solidify her belief that she was on the right path, even when the industry’s response felt uncertain.*

*Off-screen, Imani’s self-care practices are grounded in quiet, restorative rituals — massages, ocean swims, candlelit baths. She talks about these routines not as indulgences but as necessities, especially in a business that demands constant readiness. “Taking care of yourself helps you stay ready,” she says. “When opportunities pop up last minute, you’re more likely to show up, to go out, to meet and mingle. That’s all part of the job too.”*

*Her advice for those pursuing a career in entertainment is practical and direct: resilience, training, community, professional headshots, and a solid acting reel. “People think you can just wake up and do this,” she says. “But it’s a muscle. It has to be worked.”*

*As her platform grows, Imani is becoming increasingly vocal about the importance of empathy — particularly across social and cultural divides. “I wish more of us considered the people we don’t personally see or interact with,” she says. “They’re still people. Still children. Still human beings.” She hopes her influence can help spark broader conversations around shared humanity and collective responsibility.*

*Nzinga Imani maintains an active presence online, with hundreds of thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok. Her boutique, Shop Nimani, merges her love of fashion with entrepreneurial drive. She continues to pursue projects that stretch her creativity, whether through film, music, or television.*

*With Zatima currently streaming on BET+ and more projects on the horizon, Imani’s story continues to evolve — rooted in hustle, shaped by her own voice, and lifted by a community that sees her not only as a performer, but as a creator in her own right.*

---

N**zinga, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about Nzinga’s personal origin story. Can you share with us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?**

Nzinga: I’m the middle child of three, born to immigrant parents. We were kind of alone in America, figuring things out. It was a very humble beginning and pretty tumultuous. We went through a lot. But one thing my mom always made sure of, no matter what our financial situation was, was that we were involved in the arts. She wanted us in dance classes, music classes — whatever we could access, we were doing it. I’m so grateful to her for that.

I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I went to charter schools that were far from where we lived because education was important. I would wake up super early and take two buses just to get to a school outside my district so I could have opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’m forever grateful for that too, because it opened my mind to things I wouldn’t have been exposed to if I had stayed in my neighborhood.

It also pushed me. When you’re waking up that early and know it’s the same long ride home, it just wires you differently. You learn to figure things out. I was taking trains and buses alone at a young age because I had to be independent if I wanted to do things.

Talking about an origin story is tricky because it’s hard to know where to start, but during high school, I was introduced to theater through musicals. I had always been a singer — thanks to my mom — but musicals changed everything for me. That’s what led me to acting.

I wanted to pursue acting in college, but at first I wasn’t allowed to. I started out studying education. You know how it goes when you’re trying to figure things out. I was in a program doing ASL certification, and people were even coming to me for tutoring. But somehow, I didn’t pass the interview that would have allowed me to move on to the next step.

Because of that, I had to wait a year before continuing, and in that year, I got the chance to pursue acting. Once I started, I never looked back. I was finally able to do what I truly wanted. What felt like a setback ended up being a huge win.

After graduation, I dove into the indie film circuit in Atlanta. I did a lot of web series, indie films, musicals, and local theater. I worked with Step Stewart, who produces five or six sold-out shows a year. That experience introduced me to a lot of great people and allowed me to keep doing theater while also pursuing film and TV.

I was auditioning a lot and struggling to book something at first. I think people didn’t know where to place me. Then I landed my first pilot as a lead for a show called *Curves* on BET. It didn’t get picked up, but we still have the pilot, and it helped me prepare for future opportunities.

One of those was my scene in *All the Queen’s Men*, which introduced me to Tyler Perry. That led to him requesting me to audition for *Zatima*, where I became a series regular. From there, they wrote me into *Sistas* as well, since *Zatima* is a spin-off.

After that, everything just started building. Now I’m doing movies, producing, creating, writing — it’s been beautiful to see how the story has unfolded. Everything that could have blocked me or stopped me only helped shape where I am today.

**You probably have some amazing stories from other different projects you’ve been on, different places you’ve been to. Can you share with our readers one or two stories that most stand out in your mind from your professional life?**

Nzinga: Ooh, stories? I think recognition from people I really admire goes a long way. I remember meeting Queen Latifah very briefly on the set of a commercial — wait, no, I actually met her first at a table read. I was filling in for some characters, I think it was for *Star*, and I didn’t really get to talk with the cast or anything, but it was such a great experience just being in the room.

Then maybe a year later, I was cast in a commercial with her — and she remembered my name. That shocked me because I honestly didn’t think I had crossed her radar at all. But she saw me and immediately knew my name. And Queen Latifah, being a plus-sized actor and musician, she’s everything I strive to be. She’s legendary, so that moment was really big for me.

It was similar when I worked with Taye Diggs. Every time I threw in an improv line, he was cracking up and breaking character. That meant a lot because he comes from theater too. He made that leap into film and television, and having someone like that react to my performance like that — it was a moment of, “Okay, I’m doing something right. I’m in the right place.”

And then Tyler Perry… The first time I auditioned for him, I was so nervous. I was shaking in my boots. I don’t know if I did well or not, but I didn’t get the part. Still, I remember he stopped me and said, “You’re absolutely beautiful.”

Then the next time we crossed paths, he looked right at me in a room full of other cast members and said, “You are something special.” I don’t know what made him say that, but it meant the world to me.

All of those moments felt like people speaking life into me, confirming that I’m in the right lane. Because it’s so easy to feel defeated when you’re auditioning constantly and not booking, and people aren’t seeing you for the parts you know you could do. You just want to be in the game. But those moments reminded me that even if the right part hasn’t come yet, I’m in the right space — and the people I admire see that too. That really meant a lot.

**You have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers the exciting new projects and initiatives you’re working on now?**

Nzinga: I just did a short film with Rotimi about maternity rates and the complications that often happen during childbirth — especially for Black women. It touches on how so many issues go unnoticed or ignored, and how giving birth, which is already dangerous, becomes even riskier when there’s a lack of proper attention and care. It’s a really serious piece, very different from the comedic work I usually do, and I’m really excited for it to come out.

I also just did a Christian project called *Christmas Eve*, which is a compilation of Christmas stories. I’m in one of them, playing the pastor’s wife. The pastor is going through a crisis of faith and wants to give up, and I play the role of his moral support. Again, very different from my usual roles, which are often comedic or more sensually charged. These roles are more grounded and modest, and I’m excited because they really show a different side of me and my range as an actor.

And then there’s *Friend Zone*. That’s a film I star in, produced, and executive produced. It should be coming to television very soon — the deal is already closed, so more info will be out shortly. It’s a rom-com, which is my favorite genre. That’s where I live creatively. I get to be romantic, silly, and completely myself, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how people respond to it.

**So you mentioned *Zatima*. How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Nzinga, with Angela in *Zatima*? How are you similar, how are you different?**

Nzinga: Ooh, well, I absolutely feel like the character Angela was loosely based on me — in terms of her stylishness, her boldness, her willingness to say what’s on her mind. That’s all very much me. I feel like Tyler saw me and said, “We’re going to use that energy.”

But relationship-wise, I’m nothing like Angela. She’s very forgiving, very naive in love. She loves even after being hurt. I’m an Aquarius, so for me, it’s hot or cold. I’m all in, but once you do me wrong, you basically don’t exist to me anymore. So trying to find the motivation to play a character who’s still invested in people who clearly aren’t reciprocating that same energy — that’s a challenge for me. It’s so foreign. I struggle with it!

But it’s still fun. It’s interesting to dive in and ask, “What’s her motivation? Why is she so invested in this?”

Also, as a friend, Angela is super nosy. I’m not that kind of friend. I’m not the one who digs and pries. If you want to share, I’m here. I’ll listen, I’ll confide, I’ll give advice — but I don’t do unsolicited advice, I don’t try to take control of other people’s lives, and I definitely don’t judge. I like to stay in my lane, because if things go left or someone changes their mind and goes back to someone, I don’t want to be caught in the middle of the fallout.

So yeah, those are some big differences. But at the same time, I understand Angela. I know people like her in real life, so I definitely have something to pull from when I’m playing her.

**So, this is our signature question. Nzinga, you’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Based on your experience, can you share the five things you need to create a successful career in the entertainment industry?**

Nzinga: Ooh, five things you need…

1. First, resilience. Absolutely. You have to be able to roll with the punches and deal with the no’s. Rejection is constant, so if you can’t handle that, it’s going to be tough to last.
2. Second, training. People think you can just wake up and do this, but no — it’s a muscle, and it has to be worked. You’ve got to get in the gym and exercise that muscle. Training is key.
3. I wouldn’t say group classes are a must, but they are an amazing tool for building community, which is number three — community, community, community. A lot of the first projects you’ll do are going to be with the people beside you, in those classes or local indie films. Those are the folks you want to connect with, support, and grow alongside. When one of you wins, it often lifts the whole group. And outside of the work, it’s important to have people who understand the craft, the ups and downs, the strikes — everything. You need a support system.
4. Fourth, headshots. That’s your calling card. It’s the first thing people see, so it has to represent you well.
5. And fifth, your reel. These days, even more than a résumé, your reel is what shows people what you can actually do. We need to see you on camera, how you move, how you feel, how you communicate through your eyes. Are you performing like you’re on stage for the back row, or do you know how to adjust when the camera is right in your face? That’s what a reel reveals.

So yeah — resilience, training, community, headshots, and a strong reel. Those are my top five.

**Can you share the self-care routines that you use to help your body, mind, and heart to thrive?**

Nzinga: My number one favorite self-care is bodies of water. Just put me in some water. I love the beach. I love being in water.

I do massages, anything that allows me to just be quiet and step away from all the million jobs I juggle. I try to get a massage once a month. And even when I can’t get to the ocean or some natural body of water, I’ll take a nice quiet bath with candles lit, soft music — or sometimes just silence, depending on my mood. If I need to think, I don’t want music playing. My mind becomes the music.

Then there’s the regular maintenance, which I consider self-care too — getting my hair done, getting my nails done. All of that is important, especially in this industry, because you never know what’s going to come up. I just got an audition this morning, and I had to make sure I looked the part.

Taking care of yourself helps you stay ready. When opportunities pop up last minute, you’re more likely to show up, to go out, to meet and mingle. That’s all part of the game too. So yeah, my self-care is really about staying grounded, feeling good in my body, and being ready for anything.

**This is our aspirational question. So Nzinga, because of your great work, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?**

Nzinga: Oh my goodness. If I could spread a movement that would do the most good for the most people… I mean, honestly, what I would love to stress right now, especially in today’s world, is that we’re all human and we all need each other.

It’s heartbreaking to see different communities and places being completely torn apart while others act like it doesn’t affect them. But it does. We’re all connected. I really wish more of us considered the people we don’t personally see or interact with. They’re still people. Still children. Still human beings.

As a society, we can’t ignore that people are struggling. If we could all just care a little more about what others are going through, even when it’s not directly impacting us, we’d all be so much better off.

**Beautiful answer. How can our readers continue to follow your work? How could they purchase any of your products? How can they support you in any possible way?**

Nzinga: I’m on all social media at Nzinga Imani.

My clothing boutique is called Shop Nimani — N for Nzinga and then Imani. The website is[www.shopnimani.com](http://www.shopnimani.com).

Also, I’m having a performance! I’ll be doing my first vocal performance on August 17th at Kulture Night Live. I’m really excited about that because a lot of people have forgotten that I can sing. That used to be my main thing, and now I’m diving back into it. Tickets are selling fast and the show will probably be sold out, so it’s definitely an exciting time. I finally get to do both of the things I love — acting and singing — at the same time, instead of having to put one on the back burner. I’ll have all the links up for that.

And when *Friend Zone* comes out, I’ll definitely keep you guys posted if we get any release dates soon.

*Zatima* is streaming on BET+. All three seasons are available now.

**Nzinga, it’s been such a delight to meet you. We wish you continued great success, good health, and blessings. I hope we can do this again next year.**

Nzinga: Absolutely. Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate this — it’s been fun.

---
Source: https://authoritymag.co/articles/nzinga-imani-on-multi-hyphenate-resilience-independent-indie-film-hustle-and-authenticity-in-hol (Authority Magazine, Pop Culture). Interviewee answers are first-person statements of the guest. Index of all pages: https://authoritymag.co/llms.txt