Today we’d like to introduce you to Quanie.
Hi Quanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
If I had to describe my journey, I’d say it’s been about becoming — learning myself, unlearning what wasn’t mine to carry, and finding peace in who I am as a human being first, artist second. I started in front of the camera — acting, music, storytelling — and very early, I realized my purpose wasn’t just to perform, but to connect. To tell truth. To feel deeply and reflect that back.
My early work — from MTV to creating inside the Nike universe, and later stepping into visual stories tied to artists like Big Sean and King Von — shaped me in ways I didn’t understand at the time . Those experiences gave me confidence, but they also humbled me. They showed me that talent opens doors, but heart, discipline, and grace keep you in the room.
Over time, my expression grew. Music became a space where I could process emotion and growth, especially through projects that explored vulnerability and healing . Film deepened my sense of empathy. And somewhere in that process, I found myself craving not just success — but wholeness. Stillness. Real alignment.
That’s when wellness entered my story in a bigger way — not as a brand idea, but as a survival tool. Slowing down, caring for my mind and body, finding ritual in the small things. Learning to be gentle with myself. That’s what gave birth to everything I’m building now: a space rooted in peace, intention, and remembering you deserve to take care of yourself.
I’m grateful for the partnerships that have trusted and supported that vision along the way — Fenty Skin, Hims, OUAI — brands who value authenticity and thoughtful representation . But more than anything, I’m grateful for the lessons: the quiet ones, the hard ones, the beautiful ones.
I’m still evolving, still healing, still growing into the person I’m meant to be. And I’m okay with that — with the softness, the honesty, the imperfections. I create from where I am, and I try to lead with empathy and intention.
Because at the end of the day, I don’t just want people to see the work — I want them to feel the heart behind it.
I’m human. I’m learning. And I’m grateful for every step that brought me here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a straight line — growth rarely is. There have been moments where I questioned timing, where things moved slower than I imagined, and where I had to learn patience and self-belief in real time.
In an industry that can be loud and fast, I’ve had to learn how to stay rooted, protect my peace, and not measure myself against anyone else’s journey. There were seasons of audition after audition, building my platform brick by brick, funding my own creative projects, and trusting that the work was adding up even when it wasn’t visible yet.
But honestly, those moments refined me. They taught me resilience, self-trust, and how important it is to create from a place of authenticity, not pressure. I’m grateful for the slow parts because they built character, clarity, and a sense of purpose that feels unshakeable now.
Every challenge brought me closer to who I am — and to the life I’m creating with intention.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist — I act, I create music, I host, and I’m building a wellness-driven lifestyle brand that reflects who I am at my core. Everything I do is rooted in intention and heart. I want people to feel something real when they experience my work.
On the acting side, I’ve been blessed to step into roles that honor culture and storytelling. Most recently, I had the opportunity to play Mars Blackmon in a Jordan Brand campaign with Nike — a full-circle moment for me as a performer and creative. It was a chance to honor legacy while bringing my own voice to it, and I’m really proud of that project.
Beyond acting, I use my platforms to connect through conversation and community. Every Monday, I host Quanie: The Podcast — a space for honest storytelling and honest reflection — and every Tuesday, IN THE KITCHEN WITH Q; where I explore life, food, and mindful living. Both are available everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Music and wellness are still huge parts of my foundation. My latest ‘Piece’ came from a place of vulnerability and growth, and my Friday newsletter continues that mission — offering grounding rituals, reflections, and inspiration for inner peace and creativity.
If I had to say what sets me apart, it’s the way I move — with presence and purpose. I’m not in a race; I build slowly, with love, discipline, and faith. I believe in soft ambition — leading with grace, authenticity, and alignment.
At the end of the day, my mission is to create art and spaces that feel healing, human, and intentional — and to remind people that you can chase excellence while staying grounded and real.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I always say nothing meaningful is built alone, and I truly mean that. I’ve been blessed with people who saw something in me even when I was still learning how to see it in myself. Their belief has been a steady foundation.
First, I have to honor my family and close friends — the people who love me beyond titles, bookings, or moments. They remind me of who I am at my core, and that kind of grounding is priceless. When you’re pursuing a creative life, that support — the late-night pep talks, the prayers, the “keep going, you’re meant for this” — it matters more than people realize.
I’m also deeply grateful for the creative partners and collaborators who have trusted me and helped shape my voice — directors, producers, photographers, and fellow artists who give from passion and integrity. Being surrounded by people who create with heart, not ego, is a gift.
And then there are the quiet supporters — mentors who have offered wisdom, teachers who poured into my craft, and peers who celebrate the wins as if they were their own. The kind of people who don’t just clap when things are shining, but who encourage growth, patience, and faith through every season.
I also hold a lot of gratitude for the community that’s been forming around my wellness work — readers of my weekly newsletter, people who show up for intentional living and inner peace. Knowing there are souls who resonate with that mission keeps me inspired. It reminds me that this journey isn’t just about me — it’s about building something that nurtures others too.
Honestly, every person who’s believed in me, supported my evolution, or simply spoken life into my dreams has played a role. I don’t take that lightly. I carry that love and encouragement with me in every step forward.
Because yes, I’m working — but I’m also being lifted. And I’m grateful. Always.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/quanieofcourse/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@quanie.
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/quanie-thornton
- Other: https://linktr.ee/quaniepr?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=f6b036c8-7b27-4b98-bf97-3a9d34cde1a4
Image Credits
Cameron Duncan (Black tank portrait)
Savanah Mears and Quanie (“Piece” music video still)
Still from Nike’s Jordan Brand “Unbannable” campaign (2025), directed by Stacy Wall. Role: Mars Blackmon.
On set of Nike’s “Unbannable” campaign — paying homage to the original Spike Lee x Jordan legacy.
