Meet Angelique Henderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelique Henderson.

Angelique, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York (affectionately called Bed-Stuy), I have experienced quite the journey as a creative. I’m primarily an actress, but I also enjoy writing, public speaking, directing, and producing creative content. My parents came to the United States from Guyana and Suriname in South America.

As a product of public school, I’ve had many wonderful educators pour into my life. After being the valedictorian in elementary and middle school (P.S. 44 and M.S. 113 respectively), I faced my most challenging grade school years at Brooklyn Technical High School, one of New York City’s specialized high schools, as a Law and Society major.

Thankfully, I heard the gospel articulated clearly for the first time at 17. After years of finding my worth in accomplishments and other people, I took great comfort in the good news that God beautifully made me, allowed His son Jesus Christ to die for my sins, then rise from the dead to rule eternally, so that I could victoriously live this human life as a daughter in His family, and live with Him in eternal bliss beyond this existence. That has been my foundation ever since. Shortly after becoming a Christian, I was accepted to Harvard University, where I majored in Economics and minored in Theater and Spanish.

All throughout school, I thought that I wanted to become a lawyer, settling on pursuing entertainment law. Junior year, I realized that “I didn’t want to represent the entertainment, I wanted to BE the entertainment,” and that changed everything.

I moved my entire life from New York to Los Angeles in December 2018. Since then, I’ve taken commercial classes at Killian’s Workshop and Hey I Saw Your Commercial Studios. I’ve been on the hunt for a commercial agent and trust that the agency I’m supposed to be with will come to fruition. I’ve been on several TV shows, better learned how things work on set, and got to host on a red carpet. I got to ask Steve Harvey a hilarious online dating question, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/c2s5xDWFD6Y

I Assistant Directed a short film titled Rayne Dayes, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/4vDdYlBMRjE

Things have changed a lot with pursuing acting during the coronavirus pandemic. I’ve still found creative opportunities, learned more about how to write and create my own projects, joined a wonderful writers group (helping with Zoom Table Reads of TV pilot and feature film scripts), and was a part of a music video that will be released through the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

I want to create long-lasting art (especially TV shows and movies) that captures the breadth of human emotion, challenges certain thinking, and shares the gospel. I look forward to all that this lifelong journey has to offer and to give all I have to offer to others.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It absolutely has not been a smooth road. Pursuing a career as a creative is hard, and I’ve grown to understand why so many don’t or simply give up. My transition adjusting to Los Angeles took longer than planned with getting my own apartment and car, both of which I have now, thank God! I’m comforted by the fact that I can be a creative until my last breath on this earth. There will always be opportunities to be creative, and I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself. There’s so much peace in that. Spending time reading the Bible, praying, staying close to supportive family and friends, and finding a wonderful church family in Los Angeles has kept me lifted in this journey called life. I’m also thankful for mentorship from actors like Courtney B. Vance and other writers, directors, and creatives who have provided resources, insight, and encouragement along the way.

It has also helped to inspire others along the way. I’ve given speeches, including graduation speeches and keynote addresses. Some of those speeches can be viewed on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/lovelyA14

One of the most important things I’ve done is become more involved in mental health advocacy and reform while navigating my own experiences. I’ve partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in different ways and even spoke on a virtual panel moderated by Actress DeWanda Wise, which can be viewed here: https://m.facebook.com/weriselosangeles/videos/278141660049365/

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My faith in God is most important to my success. With God, all things truly are possible and apart from Him, I would not have had the blessings that I’ve had. Faith in God combined with a work ethic that produces excellence when put to the task has truly kept me going.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @_Love_Angelique
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hendersonangelique
• Twitter: @_Love_Angelique
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/lovelyA14

Image Credit:
Cristina Boyd, Leroy Ogungbeje, Dorothy Shi, Shootville, The JSpot Photography.

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