Life & Work with Danyol Jaye of Los Angeles Proper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danyol Jaye.

Hi Danyol , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started in music and theatre at a very young age. Probably seven or eight. I’ve always wanted to be in the entertainment field and pursued it heavily, both as a singer and an actor. However, at the core of who I am, I think that I have always been a storyteller. Whether through being an orator, a songwriter, a poet, or even a playwright, writing and telling stories has always been a passion for me. Those skills launched me into the social media space in my 20’s and 30’s. Today, I am a name and voice that people recognize when they hear those inviting words, “Hey Puddin! How doin’?” When they hear that, they know they’re in for a witty perspective on social events, entertainment news, life reflections, or simply my overall opinion about a topic that is near and dear to my heart. My goal is always twofold: Help people discover their true, authentic self and help people heal through the traumas that prevent them from discovering that truth, authentic self. I’m not a therapist or a licensed professional, but I do believe that storytelling and oral narration can put people in the right mindset to start asking themselves the right kinds of questions that lead to that self-discovery.

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?
This question is always so layered because those who know my story know it has absolutely NOT been a smooth road. Getting to be the speaker and persona that I am today, the one that people feel connected to or inspired by in any way, has taken years of fighting and struggle, from being bullied to self-unaliving ideation to homelessness, sexual abuse, and other things. The person that people see today is the result of over 2 decades of work! I’m not a celebrity; I’m not some notable star that people can Google, but I AM influential. My voice carries. And part of that is because of those bumps that I’ve had to overcome and persevere through on my way to where I am.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Most people know me as a social media influencer, but there is a large part of my following that knows me as a singer and entertainer. Currently, I’m known for my wit, my intellect, and my ability to educate while being both funny and candidly sincere as a content creator online. Most people would associate me with educating the public on Black and brown LGBTQIA+ issues or just giving really funny and witty commentary on various topics like relationships, TV/movie reviews, or just the harsh reality of dating as an Afro-Latin gay man. However, I’m an advocate at heart. I want to see equity, opportunity, and a rise in financial stability for Black and brown LGBTQIA+ folks, and the only way that I believe that can happen is if people have the knowledge to know what needs to be changed and then being able to execute plans to actually change those things. I’ve been doing community work for over 20 years. I’ve helped orchestrate protests, community closets for the underserved communities, and food drives for homeless youth; I’ve created programming for Black & brown and LGBTQIA+ youth throughout Los Angeles, and I’ve done my best to be a mentor and resource to those who need access to medical care, housing, or whatever it is they need to survive in this world.

I know that hundreds of thousands of people out there do what I do. Many who do it and can do it on a much grander scale than I am. However, I think what sets me apart is my ability to educate WHILE being entertaining. When it comes to feminine-presenting individuals who land on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, we’re not often seen in a variety of roles. You either see us being SUPER entertaining with not a lot of focus on our substance, OR you have people who are really smart and educated, but also really damned boring to listen to. No connection, no personality whatsoever. I think I blend those two things really well. Plus, I’m gorgeous, so that helps!

Who else deserves credit in your story?
When it comes to my music, ABSOLUTELY! The biggest credit goes to my best friend and writing partner, Grammy-nominated engineer and producer, Octavia Landix! We released my latest project, I’m Ready, completely independently, and people have really fallen in love with what we’ve done. We’ve been friends for over 20 years at this point, and we have really curated a magnificent friendship and collaboration in music.

As it pertains to my social media persona, ALL of that credit goes to my Puddin’s! That’s what I call my supporters. Without their shares, comments, and likes, I wouldn’t have the platform that I have. And without the platform, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to experience some of the opportunities that I’ve had along the way. I do want to give credit to one specific woman who has supported my content AND given me opportunities along the way, and that is Tami Roman. Tami has always been a supporter of my channels and content, and she has always reached out with projects that she felt I would be great for over the years. She’s always been consistent, and if she never does anything else for me, I’ll always remember how she showed up for me early on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danyoljaye.substack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danyoljayeofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanyolJaye/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanyolJayeOfficial
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@danyoljayeofficial

Image Credits
All pictures are personal pictures or creations of my own making and require no official photographer credit.