Nzinga Imani is a multifaceted drive within the leisure trade, seamlessly navigating the worlds of appearing, modeling, singing, and entrepreneurship. In a latest interview with The Curvy Fashionista, Imani supplied a glimpse into her present initiatives, her philosophy on profession diversification, and her passionate advocacy for plus measurement illustration, notably inside the plus measurement group.
You realize her as Angela, from BET+’s Zatima; nonetheless, Imani can be on the cusp of one other thrilling enterprise.
“I begin filming subsequent week for a brand new mission! It’s the second season, known as ‘I Bought a Story to Inform.’ It makes me consider Black Mirror, however of BET versus Netflix. I’m the lead of one of many episodes, and it’s a actually intense story. I’m actually excited,” she shared.
This upcoming function guarantees to be a difficult one, requiring her to painting a personality present process a major persona shift, permitting Imani to showcase her emotional vary as an actress. Past her tv work, Imani can be actively concerned in bringing different initiatives to fruition. Placing on her producer hat, she executive-produced and starred in an upcoming movie, Good friend Zone.
“We’re nonetheless buying it round, however I’m hopeful that it’ll be picked up quickly,” she revealed.
Moreover, she is venturing into writing, growing a mission along with her youthful sister that explores the contrasting experiences of girls within the trade – Imani as a plus measurement particular person and her sister as a typical measurement mannequin. This mission goals to dismantle assumptions and spotlight the distinctive challenges confronted on either side of the scale spectrum.
Via this mission, she is reminded that although her struggles as a plus measurement girl are legitimate, everybody has insecurities.
“As a plus-sized individual, I can have a look at what another person is coping with and assume that they don’t have sure points, when on the opposite facet of the spectrum, there’s nonetheless loads of different issues that they need to take care of,” Imani defined, emphasizing her dedication to telling significant tales that problem narratives and encourage deeper pondering.
Embracing Numerous Paths: A Journey of Following Alternatives
Imani’s profession trajectory has been something however linear, and she or he embraces her multitude of skills. She is actually a jack of all trades: Actress, singer, mannequin, make-up artist, producer, businesswoman, and a TCF-certified type icon! When requested how she determined to pursue so many alternative paths, she defined that she lets her creativity information her. She is pushed by the alternatives introduced to her.
“For instance, I’ve been a singer my complete life, and that led me into appearing and launched me to appearing, however then appearing launched me to make-up. However then on the finish of the day, after which make-up launched me to modeling, however it’s humorous how the modeling is what pushed my make-up to be a much bigger enterprise, which in flip pushed my appearing to be a much bigger enterprise,” Imani defined.
This pure evolution highlights Imani’s adaptability and willingness to discover her varied presents and skills. She sees her various abilities as interconnected property moderately than singular pursuits. She additionally means that others do the identical and be open to each alternative.
“There’s by no means been a time the place I’m similar to, ‘I gained’t try this or I gained’t do that.’ It’s simply type of like, the place are you main me, Lord? I’ll comply with you.”
This open-minded strategy has not solely broadened her horizons but in addition offered stability, permitting her to thrive in several areas when alternatives in a single subject could also be much less considerable. Not solely does it assist her care for herself, however she can be fulfilled.
“Do all of it and don’t be scared to do extra. Significantly relating to the artwork trade, you could have to have the ability to do a couple of factor,” Imani said.
She acknowledges the outdated adage: “Jack of all trades is a grasp of none,” however counters that within the inventive subject, versatility is usually important, particularly within the early phases of 1’s profession.
“Typically it’s a must to be that one-woman staff earlier than you could have a staff, earlier than you may afford that staff, it’s a must to be expert sufficient to know and put issues collectively by yourself.”
Whereas advocating for a concentrate on main objectives, Imani stresses the worth of exploring different crafts, as these experiences can typically enrich and inform one’s important pursuits.
Championing Pure Hair and Plus Dimension Illustration
Along with being a complete boss, Nzinga Imani can be a vocal advocate for pure hair and plus measurement illustration within the media. The actress has grow to be recognized for constant pure hairstyles in her on-screen roles. Whereas some might assume this can be a manufacturing alternative, Imani says she made the decision. Why? All of it boils right down to Black hair being stunning.
“I like the best way pure hair seems to be. It’s so stunning to me,” she said.
Past aesthetics, Imani emphasizes the significance of showcasing pure hairlines and various kinds to counter slim magnificence requirements.
“Additionally displaying women that you simply don’t need to have a center half bust right down to be stunning. Come out with the curls. Even in case you bought a bit of extension, even in case you bought a puff caught on, come out along with your look.”
Interval.
The choice to current pure hairstyles is extra meticulous choice that it could seem. As a plus measurement mannequin and actress, Imani is aware of the duty she carries.
“I do know that I’m representing a group — women, individuals, grown girls from 70s all the best way to 10-year-olds come as much as me and thank me for simply representing for us.”
Whereas acknowledging the strain that comes with this function, particularly regarding fluctuating weight and public notion, Imani stays steadfast in her self-love and her message to others:
“You don’t need to look one explicit method…You possibly can have the apple physique, you may nonetheless get the components, and you’ll nonetheless make an affect.”
Although the plus measurement trade has made strides of progress, there are nonetheless some issues that concern Imani. As a mannequin, she acknowledges the disheartening development of straight-sized fashions padding their our bodies to imitate the our bodies of plus measurement girls. Plus measurement illustration is already laborious sufficient to return by, and Imani is worried we’re regressing.
“It’s heartbreaking to see, though we’ve come to this point, how a lot we’re slowly tiptoeing again,” she said. “We discover. and it’s not the identical as a result of if you make plus-size clothes, there’s a distinct understanding of how thick the straps might be, the place the again can dip, all sorts of issues as a result of we’re additionally contemplating undergarments and issues like that.”
Trying in the direction of the way forward for plus measurement trend in a society seemingly regressing in physique positivity, Imani stays optimistic, believing that “the pendulum all the time swings.” She emphasizes the continued presence and buying energy of plus measurement shoppers and predicts that manufacturers will ultimately acknowledge the financial crucial of catering to this demographic.
She additionally highlights the significance of group help for size-inclusive manufacturers which are doing it proper, “We actually do have to return collectively and elevate these manufacturers in order that the opposite manufacturers can see we’re lacking some main cash over right here.”
Imani’s dedication extends past her on-screen work and advocacy. She actively participates in initiatives like The Plus Strut Run/Stroll, an annual occasion in Atlanta celebrating plus measurement health and group.
“This yr, as a result of it’s yr 5, they’re doing a three-day weekend. It’s a very nice deal,” she defined.
Nzinga Imani is a dynamic and provoking determine who makes use of her platform to not solely entertain but in addition to advocate for larger plus measurement illustration and inclusivity. Her insights into the leisure trade and her passionate dedication to physique positivity make her an important voice in shaping a extra equitable and various future.
