Dominique Fishback Opens Up About How She Uses Journaling As A Manifestation Tool
Dominique Fishback shares how the practice of journaling has been instrumental in shaping her life and her career.
The star --whose passion for acting began in elementary school-- has been involved in the entertainment industry since 2014 after receiving minor roles in various projects, including television shows and music videos.
Fishback's career skyrocketed in 2017 when she became a regular cast member on HBO's The Deuce, which aired on the network for three seasons until 2019. The actress' success didn't stop there. In addition to the hit series, Fishback solidified her spot in the entertainment industry through her critically acclaimed roles in The Hate You Give, Project Power, Judas and the Black Messiah, and most recently, Swarm.
In the cover story for Essence magazine, Fishback recalled her life journey, the struggles she faced before becoming an actress, and how journaling each moment helped manifest her dreams into a reality.
Dominique On Journaling
During the June interview, the 32-year-old shared that her love for the arts began in second grade after discovering TADA!, a theater company for children. Fishback revealed that although she auditioned numerous times to join the program, she got denied.
Despite the rejection, Fishback continued to look for other ways to accomplish her goals. One of which included applying to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York when she was 15. The Night Comes On star's efforts again fell short when she didn't get into the prestigious school.
Instead of giving up, Fishback searched online for "free acting programs in New York City." After finding a company that met her requirements, she began attending classes. Fishback claimed that the overall experience would ultimately change her life because she went on to study theater at Pace University and graduated in 2013.
Throughout this journey, Fishback journaled everything from the setbacks to what she wanted to achieve in her career. In the discussion with Essence, the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts star disclosed that having the physical proof of what she aspired to be and speaking it into existence showcases how powerful words are.
"There's something about having proof that you spoke your life into existence or you manifested your dreams," she said.
"It's one thing to tell people, 'Oh, yeah, I thought about this. I talked about this when I was a kid,' but it's another thing to have the evidence, in written form, that you did speak into being the specific thing that you are now experiencing. It just contributes to the power of the mind, the power of the written word, and it's also a tool to reflect and say, 'See where I've grown, and how I've grown?'"
Dominique On Why She Also Journals About Her Characters
As the topic shifted to Fishback's memorable roles, including Dre in Amazon Prime's seriesSwarm and how she connects with those characters to bring them to life onscreen, the actress explains that she goes through the entire process by journaling.
Fishback claimed that she often tries to find similar interests between herself and the characters but said it was difficult in her recent role in Swarm -a psychological thriller about a crazed fan-- because the pair had different morals.
"I approach all my characters similarly—I try to find the through line of what I have in common with them. But Dre is harder because we morally don't agree," she stated.
Fishback added that despite the differences between her and Dre, she tried to connect with her by focusing on what the character loves.
"So I had to discover another connection—which is love. I know what it's like to love my sister. I know what it's like to love an artist. Not in the way that she does, but love is still love," she said. "If I can grab onto that, that means that the audience can grab onto that. I also had to journal, as myself, to remove any blocks or fears that I had about playing this character—because I didn't want the camera to pick up a war between Dominique and Dre."
Toward the end of her interview, Fishback also shared that another thing that has been helping her deliver the true essence of her characters is by praying.
"Every time I take on a role. I always pray that I can be a vessel, a clear vessel for the energy and truth of that character to come through," she stated.
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Feature image by Mike Marsland/WireImage
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford are one of those couples who like to live their lives outside of the public eye. Unlike many celebrity couples, we don’t really hear a lot of details about their relationship in blogs and social media except for when Kendrick raps about it. Whitney has even been featured on many of her fiancé’s songs, but it was his last album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he was the most vulnerable.
Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS