Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamya Jamerica.
Shamya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. I fell in love with acting at the innocent age of one. My parents said that I tried biting the character Ike from my first favorite film, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” starring Angela Bassett and Lawerence Fishbourne. I attended Carver Elementary. I was accepted to the magnet program, where I learned more about dance, instruments, music, and my favorite of them all “DRAMA”. I continued my journey at Baldwin Middle, where I quickly discovered that the environment of the middle school wouldn’t work for me. It was very diverse, and the work became too much. Although I loved the arts, I was missing the culture, I felt very overworked and out of place. Little did I know this place was preparing me for life… I told my mom that I wanted to go to Brewbaker for the remainder of middle school. At first, she was hesitant, but she allowed it. Brewbaker didn’t have as much access to the arts, but I felt like I belonged. I participated in anything regarding performing that was available to me. It continued through high school. During my senior year, I was scared that I wouldn’t live out my dreams, so I decided to apply to a community college and study nursing. My mom was disappointed in me, but my fearful speech had no care. Until I saw her get really emotional about it. My mother had so much faith in me, faith that I couldn’t feel at the time. One day, I talked to Ms. Hines, my high school history teacher, about college. She made me sit at the computer and apply to Alabama State University, and I couldn’t get up until I was done. ASU was my dream school; they had an immaculate theatre program. I was intrigued by every play and dance show we saw on the field trips there. I was accepted into my dream school! I graduated from The Alabama State University, Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in Visual and Performing Arts.
During my time at ASU, I was awarded Best Actress in a Drama for the play Flyin’ West by Pearl Cleage and Best Make-Up Artist for a Musical, Rent by Jonathan Larson. I graduated on December 9, 2016, my plans were to move to Atlanta and start my acting career. On January 27, 2017, my plans were interrupted by the devastating news of my mother having stage 3 breast cancer. I quickly made the decision to stay by my mother’s side. It was a gut-wrenching and depressing yet a triumphing journey. As of August 18, 2018, my beautiful, courageous, and determined mother beat breast cancer. Something about that day felt off, we were happy, but my intuition told me that it wasn’t over. On March 1, 2019, I started the enrollment process for New York Film Academy, and I found out that the cancer had metastasized to my mother’s lungs… We geared up for the second round of this fight. I worked to save and be prepared to move to LA for grad school that fall while being there for my mother. As we approached move day, her cancer numbers were the lowest they had ever been since the beginning of the fight. She was back working and being her normal self. I was finally able to go off and chase my dreams.
During my attendance at the academy, the cancer mutated. My grandmother told me to come home; I was confused because I talked to my mom every day. It was crushing her because she wanted me there with her, but she also wanted me to follow my dreams. A month after coming home, she passed…… I lost myself; I didn’t want to act anymore. I dealt with depression, anxiety, ptsd, and substance abuse terribly for about nine months. The hope was dead, so I thought. One day, I received a random call from a friend telling me to get out of my funk and that God was about to bless me. A few weeks later, a college friend of mine reached out with a production assistant opportunity at Tyler Perry Studios. It changed my life! I learned so much and made wonderful connections while working there. One in particular that led me back to LA. While filming “A Jazzman’s Blues” by Tyler Perry, I met Ms. Denise Woods, a vocal coach who has worked with plenty of individuals, including Academy Award winners/ nominees. This woman became my mentor, a second mother, and more. She blessed me with the opportunity to come out here and work for her. Which gave me another chance at living in LA since losing my mother. Now I’m back in the city and being intentional about all of God’s promises through the trials and tribulations of the strike and everyday triumphs.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In December of 2018, I said a prayer that changed my life. “God, I always make a plan and give it to you, what is your plan for my life?” From there, things fell apart. I lost my job, Mom’s cancer came back and everything I planned shattered. It wasn’t until God reminded me of the prayer that I realized this was his will. Although everything was in shambles, so I thought, looking back it all worked out. Living in LA, I was forced to get close with God. With my mom being sick, she wasn’t able to help as much. I struggled! Financially and emotionally. I lost my car and left terrible debt behind in LA. When I first moved to Atlanta, I had to stay with family and friends. Once I got my apartment in November 2021, I thought everything would be ok… It actually became worse. Holiday depression kicked my butt, it became hard to find work due to the spike in covid numbers, and I started having car problems. With all of this happening, God was the only thing that brought me peace and motivation. This year has been the best for me since saying that prayer, I let go of some bad habits and strive to be better than the day before. I still deal with problems; that’s life. My mindset is shifting by the minute to help me exceed my problems and be successful.
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 am an actress that specializes in dramedy. I would say I’m a comedic actress, but that would be categorizing myself, and I’m far too talented for that. I’m known for my funny videos that I post. At the end of 2020, I needed something to help me fight depression, and making those videos made me happy. I’m most proud of my ability to make tea when life gives me lemons or “getting the better from the duck” my college professor Brian Martin would say. I don’t let anything stop me or keep me down for long. Also, I’m very proud of the miniseries I started on Instagram titled “Many Men”. Many Men is a short comedic Instagram series that goes on a dating journey with a young lady named Shamya. I was so sick when Insecure stopped so I came up my own vision of the show in honor of Issa Rae. My dream/goal is to pitch it 50 Cent himself, to add some feminine drama to his iconic lineup of gangsta classics. My ability to be my authentic self is what sets me apart. I’m not afraid of my truth and if God is allowing me to go through it, I’m ready for it!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My mom loved the song “Love” by Keyshia Cole. “Mya, I wanna learn the words!!” she said through a laugh. I remember like it was yesterday. “Let’s write down each line then go back and sing it” We went to get the bootleg, sorry Keyshia, got our pins, pads and she started dinner. My mommy was so excited. It made her so happy to spend time with my brother, D’Anthony, and I. The smiles and laughs we shared that night are unmatched. I feel them every time I hear the song.
Pricing:
- IG Reels – $100 a post
- IG Story – $50 a post
- Tik Tok – $200 a post
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamyajamerica/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShamyaJamerica/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamya-jamerica-26b13b242/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShamyaJamerica
Image Credits
Micheal Justice – Hollywood Headshots
