Malinda Williams
Actress and co-host, Aspire’s “Exhale” talk show
What inspired you to become an actress?
It was something I seemed to be naturally good at. My parents saw something in me that I guess they thought needed to be developed … so they took me to NYC and I started out modeling and doing television commercials as a child.
What actors do you study for style and character?
I try not to study any one actor’s style. I think what we all offer as individuals, our uniqueness is what this industry could use a lot more of. I study real people … I find real life is much more compelling to watch than TV. I’m much more fascinated by and interested in watching the ladies who work and shop in the local mall than I am in most characters I see in film and on television.
What inspires you to show up to work every day?
Umm … well first, paying the rent. Let’s start there. That provides a wealth of inspiration to continuously find and show up for work … but seriously, I truly enjoy what I do. It’s an extremely rare day that I have to drag myself from the bed to show up to work before sunrise and work a 14-hour day. When you love what you do, every day seems like Christmas.
How did you determine your acting career path?
I set goals for myself and draw certain lines that I will not cross. I am more inclined to take a job or role based on the type of personal and professional experience I think it’s going to provide. Having been in the business so many years, I realize that jobs are always going to come. Being able to add a unique and fun life experience is where the value really lies for me.
What other industries connect to your career choice?
I have found that advertising and marketing both play key roles in determining the climate our industry. I try to keep up with marketing trends to better understand why certain choices are being made with respect to the “business of entertainment.” At the end of the day, I know that “if it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense” and if I can keep my head wrapped around that, then I will always make good business choices.
Describe the skill sets that are essential to future business leaders and innovators?
Communication is pretty important to success. I try to always work on having a clear vision and being able to communicate that vision and source the right individuals to help me pull it together. It’s not always what you know but who you know and how you are able to leverage the people and resources in your network that can make the difference.
What information and increased skill methods do you use?
Web programming, photography, videography
Name you favorite role model?
Dr. Benjamin Carson, neurosurgeon and author
Describe the voice of success that you hear in your head?
Well … first of all she sounds exactly like me. Never raises her voice … she’s is always calm, yet firm with me. She’s constantly telling me to keep going, don’t worry about what people think or how you will be judged … just do it.
What role does technology play in your daily life?
Not that it’s a good thing, but God forbid I don’t have a Mac or a touch-screen device of some sort at my fingertips. I recently traveled abroad and broke my phone in the airport when I arrived overseas. Though it was a very short trip, I felt so lost and untethered without my connection to my network. I definitely feel like we have become a bit too dependent on machines, devices and wireless connections.
