Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Degraff.
Hi Erika, 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?
Wow, what a question. How did I get started? A journey it has been for sure! I’m originally from Bartlett, Illinois which is a small town outside of Chicago, Illinois. I began my career in fashion, obtaining my BA in Fashion Merchandising Management. After graduating from college, I started a company called French Vendette’ which was a fashion styling company. Brands, Photographers, Creative Directors, Hair/Makeup artists would reach out to me to creatively style their Commercial, Editorial and High Fashion photo shoots, throughout Los Angeles, New York, Chicago; then moving on to working in Paris and London. After about three years of working in Chicago as a freelance stylist, I decided to move to New York. As crazy as it sounds, I literally moved to New York with three suitcases, $60 and a Dream! How I made it, only God knows! I guess when you truly believe in your talents, you will do anything to ensure it becomes your reality.
After moving to New York, I was truly in the heart of fashion. I lived it, breathed it at times tasted it..(laughs) it was a gritty taste that’s for sure. In seven years of living in New York, I was able to work with so many brilliant artists within fashion (Vogue Italia), entertainment (Ozark-Netflix, Off-Broadway plays and musicals) and music (Twista-hiphop, Avant (R&B) and many, many others) and really began to make a mark within the industry; not just for my work, but for my street style. When I think about those days especially during fashion week, I can’t help but laugh. It was the craziest, most fulfilling time ever. Running from show to show, changing three times in 1 day bringing to the streets the trends and the art of fashion, but ultimately the goal for many of the fashion elitists was to end up in the biggest fashion magazines/blogs highlighting being “the best” in fashion for the season. Huge shout out to all of the amazing designers and street style photographers who literally helped shape my career and put me in magazines/blogs such as Vogue, Harper’s Baazar, Essence and the list goes on! Thank you for seeing me and letting the streets know my name.
After 8 years, I decided to trade the designer outfits in for scripts. Many people ask the question of “Why would I step away from fashion to become an actress? “Why step away when you were seemingly at the brink of your career?” My response is you have to do things that feed your soul, you can’t do it for the fame and definitely not for the money, you have to do it because you should want to leave an impact and legacy. Fashion allowed me to do that in such a large way in a short amount of time that I knew it was time for me to step back and let others step forward. It was time for me to branch out and explore other gifts and talents, thus an actress I became.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say it started out as a bumpy road, but over these 4 years it has become smoother and smoother and I think that’s due to just adapting and evolving.
The biggest struggle that I had when I first started as an actress was the rejection aspect of the industry. That was something that was very hard for me. It really hit my ego because I was at the top of my game in fashion, everyone knew me and now have to start from the bottom, oh that was a hard pill to swallow. I had to quickly learn to not take it personal. As I grew as a person and as an artist, I started to look at the industry as a business and learn that some things are beyond your control. It has nothing to do with you or your skill level but everything to do with timing, staying ready and focusing on your own lane. In this industry, it is so easy to compare yourself to someone else and constantly measure their success against your own success. I think once you realize that everyone’s journey is different and the journey that you are on is specifically tailored for you, the road becomes smooth and easier to navigate as you continue on.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actress best known for my work in theatre and most recently my work on BET’S American Gangsta as well as my work in lead and supporting roles in film and television where I can be seen on Amazon Prime and Tubi. I am also known for my insane work ethic, I wake up at 4:30am every day and work on many different things spanning from reading scripts to helping actors with auditions to writing. I have some really great things that I am working on that will be announced later this year so just stay tuned!!
What sets me apart from others is just my longing to truly see everyone win. It’s not about being in competition it’s about recognizing people’s talents and goals and helping them obtain their goals while you obtain yours. I always tell many people that I work with that “iron sharpens iron” we are only as good as those we surround ourselves with, who we are able to learn and grow with.
I am most proud of my ability to keep fighting especially when so many odds were against me from the time that I breathed my 1st breath. Without going to much in-depth, I was very premature and wasn’t expected to live past a few weeks old, I had a speech impediment and didn’t learn how to read until I was in 2nd grade (how I got that far, again I owe it to God), fast forwarding to internal struggles that many of us have during adolescences with trying to “figure it out.” Leading to adulthood and moving to NYC with $60 to now living in Los Angeles living in my dream as an actress. I am proud that I never gave up and that my story is still being written to be able to inspire others to also never give up.
How do you think about luck?
I wouldn’t say I believe in luck. I think that our lives have already been predestined for us and with each day you are given it’s up to you to find out the reason you were placed on this earth. Every good thing or “bad” thing that has happened in my life and career I’ve always learned from the experience. It ultimately made me better or wiser and every closed door led me to an open door. I wholeheartedly believe that all of the success that I have obtained in my life in such a short amount of time is a gift from God and a reward for the many sacrifices I’ve made for him and his people. It is a very narrow road, a hard road to follow, but very fulfilling.
So in all, there is no such thing as good or bad luck in my book only lessons and blessings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erikadegraff.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchvendette/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FrenchVendette
Image Credits
Professional headshots: Sean Kara Photography Vogue: British Vogue Fashion Magazine shots: liveinreverie-Andrew Morales Fashion Walking Shots: Denton Taylor Green Dress Shots: Fatima Asif
