Today we’d like to introduce you to Julienne Marié
Hi Julienne, 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 am an actress, dancer, and writer. It began at the age of four in my hometown Silver Spring, MD. I saw my older sister dancing and knew I wanted to as well. And boy did I dance. I wanted to learn everything. Every style. Every step. I wanted to compete, but most importantly I wanted to create. I used dance in my middle school and high school years as a sort of therapy. When I was stressed, sad, or devastated, I would dance. This began my journey with storytelling. I began training in theatre in high school at a performing arts high school. While there, I got the best of both worlds. I got to act and dance all day long. My vision of what I wanted my life to be was set by the end of freshman year. I wanted to be a professional performer. I went to a performing arts university in Philadelphia, where I got to really perfect my craft; but through those four years something was missing. I knew I loved acting and dancing but as an artist, I didn’t know who I was, and sadly I was tethered to the other few black actresses in my class and guided to be more like other people instead of being encouraged to find myself. I graduated school in 2020 at the start of the global pandemic which shook the world including my university. While the pandemic was tragic and tied into the Black Lives Matter movement creating an emotional and challenging time; what it gave me was a much-needed pause. I was given a year essentially to breathe. To work on my mental health and to answer for myself who exactly is Julienne Marié’s authentic self? I began training with notable acting studios in Los Angeles and kept my theatre skills sharp by participating in three virtual plays over the pandemic. As I began to reconnect with my craft I also gained the bravery to make bold choices in my acting and the discovery of who I am. I discovered that I love doing comedy and I learned how I like to storytell. I’ve been writing up to this point for years but the stories had no throughline and felt like ideas instead of fully realized visions. With thought and practice, I realized my love for writing dark comedies, which I workshop with my amazing writing partner in the form of sketch comedy. And I realized that I love writing indie dramas. I am currently writing a future film, and the process of creating it has truly been emotional and one of the most incredible and authentic writing experiences that I have ever had. I moved out to Los Angeles i 2021 and since then have gained a commercial agent and manager. Being in LA feels like home I’ve truly worked on so many amazing projects here and am excited to look back on myself from years past to see the strength and diligence I have absorbed. The story of my life is still being written, but I can truly and honestly say that I can’t wait to see where I go next.
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?
As an artist, you are so connected to the work you put out there that it’s incredibly easy to feel worthless if enough people tell you you aren’t good enough. I’ve felt this feeling for so much of my life and it wasn’t until I took a much needed pause that I found my worth.
I also had a friend pass away during my college experience which showed me earlier than I expected how fragile life is. It hurt for a while and she will always live with me, but she was also one of my biggest supporters. When I think about what I’m capable of I remember that she’d want me to think even bigger and reach for even more because I am worth it.
Moving to Los Angeles was honestly a challenge. It took me about eight months to get comfortable and until I did I was lonely, depressed, broke, and didn’t know how to be an artist with all of that negativity weighing on me. It wasn’t until I actively started trying to make a better life for myself and I got a beautiful and nurturing group of friends that things started to change for the better.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an actress, I do a lot of commercial work. I’ve been on so many different types of sets. Pool shoots, business shoots with teleprompters, beauty shoots, and much more. Most recently I was on the reality show The 1% Club hosted by Patton Oswalt on Fox. But I also write. I’ve also done a variety of short films. My manager and I’s current goal is to add onto this and focus on more film and TV which is fun for me because being on sets like that gives me inspiration to write.
I also still dance I’ve taught at a couple of different dance studios since I’ve been in LA and even get to dance sometimes for commercial projects. Like earlier this year when i did a promo shoot for the BobMarley Movie One Love and got to dance on a giant Piano. That was one of my favorite shoots ever. And I got a free shirt. Score!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
It’s not easy being an artist. But if this is your passion and you’re willing to work hard don’t give up. I choose this career and this life every day and wouldn’t have it any other way. Art is so powerful and joyous and I love that I et to be a part of that world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/ef52c8bc-94c4-11ec-83ea-b7992444895c
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuliennemarie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliennemariej
Image Credits
Pictionary: FOX Network
No Makeup Makeup: No Makeup Makeup Socials
