Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantel Deniese.
Hi Chantel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a country girl from Houston, Texas, and the first time I got the opportunity to leave my hometown I found my way to LA, where my entertainment career got started. When I got off the plane, I hit the ground and started preparing for what would become some of my best years. I did musical theater, performed as a singer and as a commercial actor. The stage became the place where I felt like anything was possible. Studying with various coaches, training in workshops for actors, writers, and vocalists, I landed on what I called home at the Robey Theatre in Los Angeles. My time there served my career growth very well. I learned so much about the craft and it strengthened my character. As a vocalist, I have been able to travel all throughout the US performing as a headliner and a backup vocalist for major recording artists. Though I have loved all of my opportunities, I know that I am fully in the zone when I step out on the front line and go for it, which is why I sat down with a pen and paper and started writing my own album. It hasn’t been easy. The challenges in this industry are real.
At times, I just felt I was never good enough. The rejection alone can make you want to pack your bags and go back home. But I grew up watching the women in my family work really hard so I was not going to back down that easy. I knew that if you really wanted something you had to have some faith in it. I lacked a lot of faith but I was committed to growing and developing as a person. I had to have a mindset that was higher than my experiences, so needless to say, I am still working on that album and can’t wait to share it with the world. But in the meantime, you can enjoy my latest single called “The Vision” which is currently available on all social media platforms. As a woman, I wear many hats and I love them all, but my greatest role is being a wife and mother of two beautiful daughters. My family has been my love balance. They know me better than anyone and their love and acceptance of all of me is golden. They always remind me that love is greater than anything. This helps me when the struggles show up. I have to ask myself in everything that I do, “Is there love in it?” and “Do you love doing it?” When I ponder these thoughts, they keep me on the right track. The art of storytelling is a wonderful expression and I am so glad that I get to do it. I am very passionate about being creative and using every part of me to share stories that inspire others.
Last year, I was able to have my short film (which is my personal story) called “Emerald King” directed by Bernadette Speakes in a few film festivals, allowing me the opportunity to make my debut as a filmmaker. An excerpt of this film was also the 2020 winner of the Black Emperor of Broadway’s #ForgottenStoryContest. I am also a member of the Dramatist Guild and have been able to complete two full scripts which I look forward to bringing to the stage.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
In specific, one of the challenges that I have had along the way is doubt of believing that I could actually achieve success. My mindset has been my biggest battle. In the past, I also allowed the noise of other voices to be louder than my own. I did not trust my instincts or abilities. And when you get told “no” a lot, sometimes you just can’t stick around for the “yes.” The “no’s” become your mindset and you begin to live in rhythm with it. I have to be honest and say that I spent many years down in the dumps nursing this false sense of myself. I don’t believe people can really stop you from succeeding. You have to have a vision for yourself. Without that, the road will always be bumpy. I have had to do a lot of self-care and deep spiritual healing. Having a relationship with God is the most beautiful part of my life journey. He has helped me continue to see the blue sky beyond the gray clouds.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well, that is a loaded question because I do so much but, if I had to sum it up, I would call myself an Entrepreneur and Artist. I am most proud of the fact that as a singer, I manage and I book the work for the group that I represent under my company JDS Entertainment. They call me boss and I love it! What sets me apart from others is that, in all of what I do, I don’t do it to get served. It’s not about how great I perform (although I am explosive on that stage!) but it’s about what I give to the people. I come to the performance with a mind to serve. I have learned over the years that the gift of giving is something that is of great value to the world and I don’t want to stop. 2020 taught me that there is always more to give if you get the opportunity to do so, which has taken me into the direction of spending time with people one-on-one. I am super excited to announce that, as an Entrepreneur, I have decided to launch my creative coaching business. I owe a special thanks to Kim Anthony at Urban Excellence Academy for this incredible opportunity to train under her organization. My desire is to partner with women, inspiring them to tell their own stories and live out the value that is already inside of them. The stage will always be a place where my light shines but I believe spending time directly in the lives of others will continue to keep it bright. So whether I am at the theatre or with a client, my heart is to serve. This is my practice and I feel good about it at the end of the day knowing that it wasn’t about me but about those who I came to meet.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love that in Los Angeles there is so much to do. The weather is amazing, and lately I have discovered that there are so many restaurants that have really good food. There are so many unique, talented and amazing people that live here. What I do not like is that it is a busy city which means the people are busy and it’s really hard to build community. Everyone always has something to do and not a lot of time is spent connecting deeper than the surface. However, I have always been able to make the best of any situation and I have been blessed to build some incredible relationships through it all.
Contact Info:
- Email: chanteldeniese@gmail.
com - Website: www.chanteldeniese.
com - Instagram: www.instagram.com/
iamchanteldeniese - Facebook: www.facebook.com/
chanteldeniese
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Aleasha Bahr is a sales & marketing strategist known for showing introverts and ambiverts the Secret Art of Subtle Selling. She personally sold millions in revenue while discovering introverts are usually top sales people – as soon as they stop trying to act like extroverts. We’ve partnered with her to produce Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories. Check out episode 1 below:
