Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiger AJ Ray
Hi Tiger AJ, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
This question always stumps me because, the hardest part about sharing my story is choosing where to begin. My journey to where I am as a film director and published author had so many detours and pit stops–but in hindsight, it all makes sense. I started out as a fashion girl. I learned to sew watching my grandma and mom when I was six. By the time I was entering college, I had dreams of being in Fashion PR & Marketing. At Lamar University, I pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Retail and Merchandising, and I gave fashion & retail management the next ten years of my life. While styling for my good friend and photographer, Latashia “Ms. Ryot” Gordon, she pointed out that I had an eye for what looks good on camera. She challenged me to direct, starting with creative directing her photo shoots, and from there it was a snowball effect. I was inspired to pursue a career in film, and that opened my eyes to create more. Away from the camera, I started diving back into writing. In 2021, I moved to Los Angeles from Houston, TX and started film school. By 2024, I completed my first short film and published my first romance novel.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This road has in no way been a cake walk and there have been many struggles. One in particular was my experience with being unhoused. When I moved to California, I had no concept of how the city worked. I’m from Houston, TX. A fifty mile drive takes fifty minutes. I moved in with a family member in Corona, CA–which is roughly fifty miles away from Los Angeles. I grossly underestimated my commute to and from school, and eventually made the decision to stay in LA during the week. I ran through my savings on hotel rooms and found myself sleeping in my car approximately a mile away from school. My family was unaware, with the exception of my sister who I would report my every move to. A smart person would have gone home, but I knew that I couldn’t. My purpose led me here. This HAD to work. One Saturday night after computing my earnings from grocery deliveries, I realized that with my storage unit payment coming up, the cost of gas, food, and the gym membership that allowed for me to shower daily–I needed to find an apartment QUICK or I would be in this situation even longer. I laid in the backseat of my car and tearfully prayed, “God, if you could save the world in three days, you can get me an apartment in six.” I knew that if He wanted me here, he would make a way. The following Monday, with the help of some administrators at my school, I found an apartment.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a film director, and a romance novelist. I specialize in talking about love because you can never get enough of it. Specifically romance. To date, my short film “Hours.” and my book (published under my given name, Amaria Janelle), “Unbreakable” are what I am most proud of. Both final products were completed within days of one another. They don’t follow the exact same themes, but both explore what can happen if you decide to take a chance. I feel that a lot of people have become so fearful of heartbreak, that many won’t even try. My goal with my projects is to inspire people to explore romance again. Free fall into opportunities that may or may not last forever, but allow yourself to have an experience. Don’t be afraid to learn about yourself in the romantic process. Love may find you along the way.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
As fore mentioned, my good friend Latashia Gordon gave me my first shot as a director. Along with Will Moore & Antoine Turner they developed a studio in Houston, TX which helped shape my interest and expand my experience behind the scenes. Side by side with them and one of our producers, Cher-Ron Thicklin, I learned so much. It was there that I realized that if I wanted to take my career in production seriously. Also, my best friend and author/musician Micah Hamilton inspired me to go forward with my career as a romance novelist. He wrote two amazing books and helped me see that becoming an author wasn’t as far fetched of a dream that I made it out to be. I’m so grateful for everyone mentioned here. My story might have remained a dream without their insight and encouragement.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tigerAJray
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THELIFTWITHTIGER?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiger-a-j-ray-352362332?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tigeramajray?si=yQU8gj_PJWtypx8J
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Amaria-Janelle/dp/B0CX5M8TQ5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1UCSD5FMBWQWS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.az8CI9iOVsV3lNupHebmNg.omPTAVYOqHveyyDKf3CGhSWyj4p3qJktGrJpRHskdh0&dib_tag=se&keywords=unbreakable+amaria+janelle&qid=1734968393&sprefix=unbreakable+amaria+janelle%2Caps%2C503&sr=8-1
Image Credits
Kyle Meeks, Chinedu Oji
