A Quick Recap

I know that to some people who are just getting to know me, it may be confusing how I went from sharing my opinions on Tiktok to now creative directing, modeling, and running a blog. So, come take a trip with me down memory lane. 

My name is Aniyah and I’m from Riverdale, Ga. I’m currently 24 and I’ve always had a love for the arts. My very first album that I was gifted was Ciara’s “Goodies”, when I was 5 years old. I used to bug my Auntie to give me her Riverdale High School yearbook so that I could look at photos of Ciara and read her superlative section in the back. She was voted most likely to be famous (PERIODT). From the first time I saw the “One, Two Step” music video, I knew that when I grew up I wanted to dance and perform like that. My love of art only grew from there. 

All throughout middle and high school, I was in the orchestra and played viola. In my free time I learned to do makeup and by 16 I was working behind the scenes on fashion shows, photo shoots, and reality TV. Soon after that, I started working occasionally as a production assistant for my Auntie’s company, The Visual League. I love her so much because she was the only adult in my family that has always supported me becoming an artist and did whatever she could to pour into my creativity. By the time I was in 11th grade, I had joined the modeling club at my school. I mainly did makeup, but I also got my feet wet in modeling during that time. 

The thing about the gap in my journey is that as confident as I am now, I have not always been that way. From a young age I was told a LOT how I was ugly because I had big eyes and dark skin. Not to mention, my mother was never supportive of my creative endeavors. I distinctly remember her being the first one to tell me that it was “unrealistic” for me to grow up and become an artist. That’s not all though, she was also emotionally unavailable and found joy in tearing down everything I did. I had the kind of mother who would beat me and curse me out because when I wiped down the kitchen counter, I left a few crumbs behind. No, that is not an exaggeration. I thought about ending my life for the first time at 9 years old due to her mistreatment. Combine all of that with having a drug addicted and jail bound deadbeat for a father. I had no chance as a child to develop a healthy sense of self esteem that would allow me to believe in myself and my dreams. I had to build it from scratch after graduating from high school. 

Before I could focus on building my self esteem, I had to get out of survival mode. As soon as I turned 18, anytime my mother would get upset with me she would threaten to kick me out of the house. From that time, I started to save my money. Sure enough, on June 30th, 2019 I was on my way to work at O’Charley’s when my mother called me. She asked me what time I was going to work that day. I responded with one word, “why?”. I asked her this because she always refused to drop me off or pick me up from work, leaving me to have to call Ubers or ask a friend for a ride, so I genuinely did not understand why she was asking me what time I was going to work. Well, she didn’t like the fact that I questioned her and she said, “You know what, come get your shit and get the fuck out of my house.”

I asked my boyfriend at the time, who was driving me to work, to turn around and take me to the local storage unit center. I rented a storage unit and purchased a brand new iphone with a new phone number, went to my Mother’s house, got as much as I could, and left. I then went to live with my boyfriend at the time. That only lasted for 3 months before I was broken up with and kicked out of there as well. (Let me know if you want a post about that because that is an entire piece of writing in itself). After that, I ended up sleeping on my Auntie’s couch for a year and a half until I moved in with my recent ex, who was my boyfriend at the time. I know, I know; never move in with a man. You think I didn’t learn my lesson by now? Not too much on me! 

During those times, I was down bad. I didn’t have any extra money to rent a set or hire a photographer. I also didn’t know any other creatives. Back in those days all I did was work and go home. I did run a tarot reading business for a short period of time, until I realized that while I do have the gift of channeling, I’m meant to teach and heal through art, not tarot cards. Looking back, those tough times built up my strength and resilience. Even when I was at my lowest I still had this deep knowing in my spirit that one day I would be in a much better place, doing what I love to do and those struggles would be a distant memory. Everyday was a fight to unpack my trauma, try to build up my self esteem, and try not to be depressed about my lack of resources. Every now and then, I was able to create projects with some friends that I made towards the end of my struggles, but for the most part, I still didn’t have what I needed to be consistent. Thus, I spent my free time sharing my opinions on Tiktok.

Finally, after a long and difficult 5 years waiting tables, I got a stable job that allowed me to comfortably pay my bills. For years, I couldn’t even truly think about my art or projects because they would just remind me that I couldn’t afford to bring my ideas to life. Being able to actually get an idea and have the income to curate it put the biggest battery in my back! I felt like the Divine had finally blessed me with the resources that I needed and now all I had to do was overcome my past and self doubt. So, I set off on that mission. Starting at the beginning of this year, I promised myself that I was going to do everything I could to make sure that I am consistently creating art and pursuing my dreams, no matter who judges me, and no matter if I see any outside results. 

Fast forward to April, I’ve been planning and curating at least one independent project every month, taking voice and dance lessons, creative directing projects for other people’s businesses, resurrecting this blog, applying for internships and modeling agencies, and putting myself out there as much as I can! Despite some of the obstacles that have been thrown my way in the recent months, this is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life! I truly believe that I was dealt shitty cards in life because I had the resilience to still come out on top and be a guiding light to others. Even though I’ve overcome tremendous hurdles, I feel like I’m just getting started and I’m extremely grateful to embark on this new journey of FINALLY being able to live as my fullest and most authentic self. 

I hope that me sharing a bit of my story inspires you to never give up on yourself no matter what you’re going through. Trust me, if anybody knows how hard life can get, I know. However, I also know that the one thing no one can take away from you is your faith. Regardless of what or who you believe in, if your faith is strong enough, you can overcome anything. I love you.