Rising Stars: Meet Janelle Marie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Marie.

Hi Janelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started in 3rd grade. I’m kidding, but I moved to Los Angeles out of college from Riverside, CA. So I’m a homegrown Cali girl. I started modeling first and tried the video vixen thing but that wasn’t for me I’m much more of a goofball. I started taking Acting classes and absolutely fell in love with the craft. Most recently, I’m a lead in the film noir “Mr Weekend” which has made some festival rounds and will be available on Amazon very soon. I am a writer and do standup comedy however since the lockdown, I have become a Ticktocker with some success. I have accumulated some millions of views from my own living room. There is a lot of power in just being yourself. In tapping into my authenticity, I have also created my own company called 24karatSoul and am a certified yoga teacher.

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?
The road has been bumpy and turbulent however the divine path has always been there. My struggles ranged from family issues, financial difficulties, toxic personal relationships, mental health issues, having a corporate job for 10+ that was stealing my joy, and just dealing with my own self-worth and self-love. I believe most of my struggles however were in relation to how I viewed the struggle. I have come to realize that we are all presented with a set of circumstances to overcome. I truly believe in divine purpose and for me the struggle has shaped my character for the best. 24karatsoul is a direct reflection of me actively becoming a better person and shifting my perspective. Taking ownership of the struggles and finding a way to use them to help others.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a creative and for me that means being authentic and having my authentic voice be seen and heard in many facets. From acting to writing, to telling jokes, to poetry, to directing, to being a healer, speaker, yoga guide and creating my business 24karatsoul that allows for others to tap in and find their authentic voice. There is a quote that says “God doesn’t call the qualified he qualifies the called”. I’m most proud of letting go of the narratives that I had told myself for so long and finally stepping and owning my true purpose which is to just be me.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I think COVID has helped me to be comfortable being uncomfortable even as I write this now there is still so much unknown and letting go of the idea that we have to know how or what but to again just be. COVID helped me to be still and very grateful for what I do have which is always enough. I know for a fact I wouldn’t be who I am right now without having gone through the last year.

Contact Info:

• Email: inquiry@twentyfourkaratsoul.com
• Website: twentyfourkaratsoul.com
• Instagram: iamjanellemarie, 24karatsoul
• Other: IMDb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5961282/, Tiktok- iamjanellemarie

Image Credits
Photo credit for the main picture is Tanisha Pope; photo credit for the smiling headshot is Paul Smith