HI! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS EBONY N MAYO IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
Essentially, I am a small town country gal from Danville, VA living in Los Angeles, who loves God and loves people. I’m the woman that’s going to call you “love,” “sweetheart,” “king/queen.” I’m the woman who is going to hug you when I see you, offer you something to eat/drink when you come over, be the person you can call for advice or some positive energy. I like to be described by my heart and spirit, not what I do. However, I just happen to be an actress & entrepreneur lol. I have BS in Psychology, with a concentration in counseling & clinical research. I have a film company called Mayo Productions as well as a cigar company called Mayio Cigars.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY FROM BEING A COUNSELOR TO BECOMING AN ACTRESS?
I was in a dual-degree program in grad school while working full-time as a counselor. I was loving it, but the type of counseling I did was very stressful and dangerous. I started acting as my way of detoxing from my career and quickly realized that I wanted to act full-time. I transitioned all of my clients, dropped out of grad school, and packed up my car to move to Atlanta (my parents were not the happiest with that decision lol). I knew nothing and no one in the industry, so I worked my way from the ground up. I knew I wouldn’t book projects right away, but I wanted to be immersed in the industry to learn from and connect with people. So, I started as an extra, then became a pa, then became one of the assistant directors, then became a post-production coordinator, and after that I ended up booking my role on Star that qualified me for the union. In December 2018, I moved to Los Angeles. My journey has been unfolding beautifully and abundantly ever since. It is really just getting started, but I’m down for the journey ahead.
YOU ARE KNOWN FOR YOUR ROLE IN STAR, SUSTAINED, AND THE LITTLE THINGS STARRING DENZEL WASHINGTON; HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE APPRECIATING YOUR WORK?
OMG!! It makes me feel really good! I love when people share with me they loved the way I portrayed a character or when they meet me they say “oh I thought you were going to be different because of the way you were on this or that.” Several roles that I play are completely opposite of who I really am so I love that people think my art is so believable. Believability is imperative.
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS SAID TO BE FULL OF STRESS AND PRESSURE; WHAT DO YOU DO TO TACKLE THE PRESSURE THAT COMES WITH YOUR WORK?
I pray!! Every day, all throughout the day I pray. There is no way I could navigate this industry, or even life without my relationship with God. I also ground myself with the earth, journal, and meditate often to release any negative energy and stress stimuli I may encounter throughout the day so I don’t contain it inside of me. I’m really big on self-care. I take time for myself daily and I go to a spa in LA called WJ Med spa monthly lol, which helps a lot lol. I surround myself with family and friends who challenge me, but also show me love and support daily. Basically, I don’t try to navigate this industry alone or with my own strength.
WHAT’S SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US?
Hmmm, let’s see I have over 40 plants all named after affirmations so when you come to my place and meet my plants you affirm yourself, (i.e. I am beautiful, I am worthy, I am abundant, etc) I also love horses, I have 4 horses in Atlanta, GA with my fam. I’m obsessed with them although I’m still learning how to ride lol! As I mentioned earlier, I have a cigar company. I love cigars, and full-bodied cigars at that lol!
ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS/ROLES YOU CAN TALK ABOUT?
I’m super excited about this comedy series created by Tyler Perry called BRUH on BET+. It’s out now with new episodes dropping on Thursdays. I play this character named Littia. I’m a super sweet and cool mixologist at the local bar with a criminal past and a slight temper when disrespected. One of the “Bruhs” on the show takes a liking to me, but as he finds out more and more about me, fear starts to kick in. I mean after all, I killed my ex-boyfriend lol! Although fear is stifling him, it’s definitely not stopping me from pursuing him. You should check it out! My character is introduced in Season 2! J
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR AN ARTIST WHO WANTS TO BREAK INTO ACTING?
My advice would be: It is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself and show yourself grace. Get comfortable with hearing the word “no” because you’re going to hear it a lot. You’re not going to book everything you go out for but just getting the audition is a win and a step in the right direction. Train and work daily on your craft. Take it serious, as far as being professional and about your business, but make sure you have fun!! And last but not least, no matter what it looks like or feels like, DON’T GIVE UP, usually people give up right before breakthrough happens.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
I can be found everywhere at: @ebonynmayo
