Check Out Onyx Simpson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Onyx Simpson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After graduating high school with an associate’s degree, I moved to California to attend Concordia University. This was a dream come true; I even had a track scholarship for hurdling. After a couple of months of living there, I got very depressed and suicidal. It was time for a change. I moved back to GA and eventually started a business while working at The Bakery – Atlanta. The community sparked joy within my soul and reignited my love for the arts. After years of booking the location out for filming and photography clients, I also created my own content. By creating a reel, this fast-tracked my acting career which led to booking commercials, short films, stunt gigs, and feature film opportunities. I eventually moved out to California to continue the pursuit.

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?
All in all, I would say it’s been a smooth road. If I wasn’t working on someone else’s production, then I was creating something for myself. At times, bookings were constant and that’s an exciting time. Other times, booking were slow. In those downtimes, I attended acting classes or redefined my answer of “Who am I?”. I do this by writing, reading, or meditating. My favorite way to pass the downtime is by longboarding, doing archery, or playing beach volleyball.

My biggest struggle is when I am desperate to get on set and I have to push this energy out through different methods of creativity. I’ve been creating clothes from collecting recyclables like covid masks, magazines, scrap fabrics, plastic bags, etc. In addition, I write scripts, create music and model in my free time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what sets me apart from others is my willingness to try anything that I feel called to do. I pick up new skills and create in different mediums other than my primary art of acting. I’m so proud of myself for picking up archery but creating outfits was a childhood dream that I didn’t think much about until sketching a lot of my ideas. At some point, I was like I should probably create some of these. I’m not sure what I’m known for, probably my fashion and longboarding/stunt performing. I’d like to be known for my acting, but I think the “modern artist” has to have lots of different ventures to keep up with the competition. We are all trying our best. It somehow feels like times are moving so fast with the quick pace nature of it all.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
A memory that sticks out to me the most [other than my track and field moments] are the walks I’d go on with my Aunt Bethany. We’d walk through the neighborhood and nearby trails, looking at the plants and bugs. She’d always call my younger sister “Lady Bug”, I thought it was so funny. We would admire everything. It was a swell time. One night, we went out to see the shooting stars. I think I was seven years old and I still vividly remember my three wishes. It’s astonishing the little things we remember and holds on to from our childhood vs. the moments we choose to forget.

Pricing:

• “Ready Now” Poem/Photography Book – $60

Contact Info:

• Website: onyxsimpson.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/onyxsimpson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onyxs.2573
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sonyxs

Image Credits
@bewaremyfuji – Tom Baumgaertel