Daily Inspiration: Meet Mya Richardson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mya Richardson.

Hi Mya, 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?
My story has definitely been a little all over the place (in the best way). I have moved around eight times, I have an identical twin sister who knew she was going to be a nurse and now I pretend to be people for a living. I’ve always been incredibly close with my family. They’ve been a huge part of who I am and have supported me through every version of myself and every crazy endeavor I go after.

Creativity has always been a big part of my life. Outside of acting, I love to paint, create abstract artwork, and watch films with my mom, who has great taste in film and TV, but, I actually own a small business with my dad where we paint and customize motorcycles. Working alongside my dad has been such a special part in my life. It’s completely different from acting, but at the same time, I think they come from the same place as me. I genuinely love creating things to make people feel, relate, and something real.

Acting, though, has always been the thing that has pulled me in the strongest. I fell in love with being able to step into someone else’s world and tell stories that make people feel something. I began training under the methods of Meisner, Stella Alder, Improv, and Lee Strasberg. I have been in the industry for almost eight years, continuing to hone in on the craft. That training taught me how important it is to listen, stay present, trust my instincts, and represent the character.

Over the years, I have starred in many independent films, short films, TV mini-series, and music videos. I also started working on independent projects and other productions and every set taught me something different about the creative process and craft.

I’m an actress, a painter, a small business owner, a daughter, a twin sister, and someone who will always have creativity going on.

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’ve definitely faced my share of challenges and obstacles through my life. I’ve moved eight times since I was a little girl and constantly having to adjust to new environments, new people, and new versions of “home” wasn’t always easy. I’ve gone through personal experiences and difficult moments during those times and recently, but they have shaped me in ways I probably didn’t fully understand at the time.

As I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve realized that some of those experiences have become a huge part of the way I connect to my creativity. I think when you’ve experienced change loss uncertainty or difficult chapters in your life you develop a deeper understanding of people and emotions. As an actor I’ve learned that I don’t have to hide those parts of myself, that I can use what I’ve lived through, to understand a character, connect to a story, and hopefully create something that feels truthful rather than simply “performed”.

I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about art. Something that may have been painful or confusing in your life can eventually become something you can create from and someone watching it might recognize a piece of themselves in it. To me that connection is everything. I want people to see the messiness, vulnerability, humor, pain, and realness of Being Human and the characters and stories I create.

I wouldn’t say I’m grateful for every difficult thing I’ve experienced because some things are simply hard. But I’m grateful for the person and artist I’ve become through them. I think they’ve given me more empathy, more resilience and a greater willingness to be vulnerable in my work. It is something to me if I make even one person feel understood or a little less alone that means a lot to me.

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?
At the heart of everything I do, I think I’m a storyteller and a creative person. Acting is my biggest passion in the career. I’m continuing to build the creativity that shows up in pretty much every part of my life.
As an actress, I’ve spent years training and working to develop my craft. I’ve had the opportunity to work across independent films, short films, commercials, music videos, and other productions. Some of the projects I’m especially proud of include, Vessel and Come Outside. My work has also received recognition through film festivals, including Best Actress Awards and other Acting Honors. Those Awards mean a lot to me, not necessarily because of the title itself, but because the acting is something I’ve put so much of myself into. Having someone connect with a performance enough to recognize it, is incredibly rewarding.
I’m also a filmmaker and being involved behind the camera has made me appreciate acting even more, I love understanding the entire process of writing, producing, directing, working with equipment, helping on set, and seeing how all of those individual pieces eventually become one story.
But I think what sets me apart is that my life outside of acting, is just as important to me as my work. I’m very hands-on and artistic, I paint, I work on motorcycles,I can take them apart, help them build them, ride them. I love that I can go from being on a film set or working on a character to being in my shop with my dad getting my hands dirty and creating something completely different
Family is a huge part of who I am. I have an identical twin sister who is a nurse and I’m incredibly proud of her. We chose completely different career paths, but we’ve always supported each other through them . I remember helping her study while she was working towards becoming a nurse.Just like she has been there for me through auditions, films, and all the uncertainty that comes with pursuing acting I think having that relationship has taught me a lot about showing up for the people you love.
That idea of showing up for people extends into my community as well. I volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and being able to mentor and be there for someone else has been really meaningful to me. I think it’s easiest, especially in an industry centered so heavily around yourself, your additions, your career, your next opportunity, to get caught up in your own world. Staying connected to my family and community keeps me grounded, and reminds me that there’s so much more to who I am and what I am than what I do for work.
I’m proud of the awards and the acting accomplishments, but, I think I’m most proud of the life I’m building around them. I could be an actress and a filmmaker, paint something, work on a motorcycle with my dad, have quality time with my twin sister, volunteer in my community and still have so much more to learn.
I don’t necessarily want to fit in one box, I think all those different sides of me are what I bring to my acting. The more life I experience, the more people I connect with the more I draw from as an artist and ultimately I think that’s what makes my work feel like me.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Whether I was performing a mini concert for my parents or the neighborhood, making up something, or coming up with the next big idea, I always had a creative outlet. Looking back now, it always makes sense that I ended up pursuing acting and filmmaking because, apparently, I’ve been trying to get an audience since I was a kid.
I was also very much a tomboy and wanted to be the “cool girl”.I loved skateboarding, sports, being outside, and pretty much anything active. Recess was definitely my favorite subject. I’m a massive Lakers fan and absolutely loved Kobe Bryant. I also loved that edgy different effortlessly cool kind of style think Jade from Victorious mixed with a little beachy skater girl energy. I never really wanted to be exactly like everyone else, even when I was young, I liked having my own thing and expressing myself differently.
I’ve always been a go-getter too, if I wanted to try something I wanted to jump in and do it, I think a lot of that personality has stayed with me as I’ve gotten older. I’m happiest when I’m creating, trying something new, being a little adventurous, or making people laugh.
Family was also a huge part of my childhood, especially growing up with an identical twin. We’ve always been extremely close and I’ve always been very protective of her. Having a twin is such a unique relationship, because you essentially grow up with your best friend right beside you. We’ve been very different in a lot of ways but that bond has always been a constant in my life.
when I look back at myself as a kid, I honestly don’t think she would be very surprised by what I’m doing now. I’m still the girl putting on a show, creating things, getting my hands dirty, wanted to do something a little different, and probably trying way too hard to be cool the only difference now is, I get to call some of it work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https;//myarichardson.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myaraerichardson?igsi=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dadtaughtmemoto?si=32028s1BjGQb_4SU
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/mobile/name/nm12613429/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
Michael Roud