Nzinga Imani is a name you may want to get familiar with. She is an actress, the owner of Nimani Boutique, a singer, and a plus-sized model who has wowed fans with her talent on social media and TV. She can currently be seen in shows including BET+'s All the Queen's Men, BET Her's Curves and a YouTube series, "Pretty for a Big Gurl." While she is steadily taking over the small screen, she's also using her social media pages to spread body positivity by proudly embracing her curves.
The first-generation Guyanase-American beauty has even addressed the criticism she has faced online for displaying her body and even spoke out about TikTok flagging her videos because of it. However, Nzinga has remained positive and continues spreading her light across social media. Besides landing TV roles on a major network, the actress just released her collab with popular online fashion boutique Fashion to Figure.
xoNecole caught up Nzinga with to talk about body positivity, her role on All the Queen's Men, and why she unapologetically takes up space as an actress.
xoNecole: You star in several projects on BET+, BET Her, and YouTube. How does it feel to see your stock literally rising in the acting world?
Nzinga Imani: It feels incredible. It feels affirming. It's everything I've been working toward these past several years. I decided a long time ago that I wanted to pursue acting, and it's been a steady climb ever since consistently working and being able to do what I love. There's nothing better than that—to see progression in the field—because as much as I've worked, a lot of times it felt like roadblocks were put up.
I'd get somewhere and then the project would be sidelined or I think I'm cast in a lead in a major production that's funded by this network and that network, and then they table the entire show even after we've filmed it. So, there's so many times that you'll think that you're moving forward and then the roadblock will hit, but it's in some ways connected to where you're supposed to be.
"As much as I've worked, a lot of times it felt like roadblocks were put up. There's so many times that you'll think that you're moving forward and then the roadblock will hit, but it's in some ways connected to where you're supposed to be."
Kaylin James of Howell Designs
In 'All the Queen's Men,' you play a character named Dawn, and you have a nude scene. What was your first reaction to finding out that you were going to do that?
I knew that the scene was nude when I auditioned for it. The moment I auditioned for it, I had some reservations for maybe five seconds and then I was like, 'Hey, it's an audition. I'm just gonna submit and see what happens.' When I got the call that I actually got it, I was first in shock because I was like, 'Really?'
Although they allowed me to audition for it, I still wasn't sure once they got the tape and physically if they would still [be] interested in using me. But I just had fun with the audition, and when they told me I got it, it was a little shocking, but I also knew I had killed that audition because it was a fun one.
Did you know this role would be a game-changer, as far as being a plus-sized woman having a nude scene on TV?
I absolutely knew that it was going to be a game-changer. I know, for myself, seeing all these shows and seeing how there's more and more nude scenes on television, a lot of the time, it's the stereotypical body that they show. It's the perfectly flat stomachs and the perfectly proportioned women and you don't see a lot of typical body types because 67% of women in the U.S. are plus-sized. But when we show that in the media, it's not reflective of what the reality is. You just see a bunch of what they consider perfect-type bodies on screen.
I had seen someone who was just barely plus-sized before in a sex scene, and I knew how much that meant to me to see her even though she doesn't really represent me or my culture, and she didn't look like me. Just the fact that she wasn't the stereotypical body type, it meant a lot to me. So, I was excited to be that for someone else and I've been receiving so many messages about what that meant to other women. To see me, 3XL body out there on TV and how they felt represented and seen—it was a big reason why I felt comfortable to do it and felt like it was something I could do and be proud of doing.
"To see me, 3XL body out there on TV and how they felt represented and seen—it was a big reason why I felt comfortable to do it and felt like it was something I could do and be proud of doing."
Kaylin James of Howell Designs
You're also a content creator who posts many photos and videos on social celebrating your body. While you receive lots of love, how do you rise above criticism?
I think that I always remember that there will always be someone who has something negative to say about what you're doing. No matter what you are doing, there's always going to be a group of people who hate what you stand for, and you just have to remember who you're standing up for and what your goal is. For me, it's just not to let something as benign as my weight stop me from doing everything that I want to do.
I've been part of a community that showed me that plus-sized women can be mothers, business owners, entrepreneurs. They can do anything. They are just powerful beyond measure. So often society tries to make us feel like we're less than if you're plus-size, then you're undesirable, but that's just not true.
I think [it's about] just kind of pushing [away] that stereotype and showing other women and girls like me that you don't have to listen to what they say and that you are desired and you are phenomenal and you can do anything despite your weight and that shouldn't even be such a big deal as people make it out to be.
You posted a video on TikTok calling the platform "fatphobic." Other TikTok creators have spoken out against TikTok in relation to censorship. What are some things you've experienced?
Although I do have a nude scene on BET+, I have not posted anything nude or in any way sexualized, to me, on my platforms. I don't violate community standards. I don't post sexual content. So, for them to continually take down posts and the content that I spend sometimes hours creating because of "nudity" or "sexually explicit" content and it would just be me in a crop top, it kind of got to the point where I just was overwhelmed and just irritated that they were consistently able to take down my content that wasn't hurting anyone. It was only promoting self-love—never anything sexual. They were consistently taking it down for violations that didn't exist.
Meanwhile, other people can wear the same things, if not less, than me and their page is not taken down. People can say horrible things and be mean on there, and they don't suspend them or block those pages, but in the meantime, they take down my posts. So, it just became very [irritating] to see that kind of behavior repeated over and over again. So many of my videos were deleted. So many of my videos were banned, and there was even a moment where I thought my page might get taken down. When you put so much time into a platform, to know that your page can be taken down—[due to] no fault of your own, just based on someone else's bias—I was done.
We see so many people talk about body positivity, more now especially with celebs like Lizzo in the forefront, but what does body positivity mean to you?
To me, body positivity is just loving yourself where you are right now. It doesn't mean that you can't be working toward a different body goal or you can't be disciplined. [It also means] not letting other people's opinions or biases affect the way you move throughout the world because there's always going to be people who look down on you or have something to say, but if you can stand up tall with your chest out and really defend yourself and not let their negative comments affect you, I feel like that's what the whole body positivity movement is about—having that community to back you up so you know you're not alone.
You know you don't deserve less and just having a support system—I think it's what the whole movement is here for. When I was growing up, I didn't really have that around or I didn't know there was this community of plus-sized people who were killing the game and successful in every avenue of life. Once I grew up and was introduced to that world, it made me realize I don't have to settle. I don't have to hide.
"If you can stand up tall with your chest out and really defend yourself and not let their negative comments affect you, I feel like that's what the whole body positivity movement is about. Once I grew up and was introduced to that world, it made me realize I don't have to settle. I don't have to hide."
Kaylin James of Howell Designs
What do you want people who are following your journey to take away from it?
I would just like to be an example of how resilience and authenticity can put you in the places where you want to be. I'm just trying to be 100% myself all the time, showing my personality whether it be a goofy day, a sexy day, whatever it is because we're not one-dimensional.
So, just being authentic with my audience, I feel has given me the momentum I need to feel confident when I walk into those rooms and when I walk into those auditions and I hope that my audience continues to see that authenticity in me and my performances, and my characters. No matter who they are, I always try to bring a little of myself into the characters to find that truth, because we all have that in common.
For more of Nzinga, follow her on Instagram @nzingaimani and on YouTube or check out her website is NzingaImani.com.
Featured image courtesy of Kaylin James of Howell Designs
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The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
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Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
Aside from this trip, I’d only been to Vegas once — and it was quick. I was speaking on a panel in LA for CultureCon during Juneteenth weekend when I realized Usher’s residency had a date when I’d be nearby. I bought a last-minute (expensive, but worth it) ticket and flew in for less than 24 hours just to see him. Worth every dime. This time, though, I was curious to see what else the city had for me.
As a guest of Caesars Entertainment, I was invited to experience the softer side of Vegas, specifically their first-ever spa buffet experience. We often look at Vegas as a place for casinos, elaborate shows, world-class dining, and nightlife. Now I won’t debate that all of that is true — but there’s so much overlooked relaxation tucked away in every corner.
Let’s Talk Accommodations
I stayed at Caesars Palace and my suite in the Augustus Tower opened to sparkling views of the Strip, with the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the distance. My itinerary was filled with champagne dinners, luxury SUV car service by Caesars Entertainment (that knew how to navigate around the Strip traffic effortlessly), and hours indulging in their new All You Can Spa program at The LINQ — a playful twist on the buffets the city is so famous for.
Honestly, my first thought of Caesars Palace was Think Like a Man Too, which was filmed here. But walking into the property myself, it felt bigger, grander. Like I’d stepped out of the country without leaving the desert. Caesars Palace was originally built to bring the grandeur of Rome to the strip— and it worked. The first time I experienced Rome was as a teenager, and staying here felt like I had some of that nostalgia with me, only a four-hour flight away.
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From my room, I could see the Eiffel Tower glittering across the way. All of it, as designed, felt very royal. My dad has called me the Princess of Zamunda since I was little (so much so that I thought Zamunda was a real place lol), so it was very on-brand for me to stay at Caesars Palace for her first full weekend in Vegas.
Because the legendary Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace was under renovation (I can’t wait to return when it opens), I had the chance to try The Spa at The LINQ — home of the new All You Can Spa experience. And truthfully, every treatment felt curated just for me. Guests are given four hours to build their own spa “buffet,” choosing from facials, scrubs, wraps, and massages.
Here’s every service I had:
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- 80-Minute CBD Mud Wrap with Foot Massage My first mud wrap ever. The therapist guided me through it, even letting me feel the clay, and ended with a foot massage I’m still dreaming about. She was so sweet and a local who gave me the 411 on how to experience the Strip the way locals do.
- 50-Minute Signature Facial I was paired with a Black esthetician who understood my skin. She gave me thoughtful recommendations and sealed my treatment with a serum that left me glowing and ready for a night out. She even complimented me on my daily skin care.
- 50-Minute Body Scrub I’ve never been a scrub girl (I had a Turkish scrub once that turned me off), but this one converted me. My skin felt renewed, and she even warmed up my lotion.
- 80-Minute Mind & Body Massage with Hot Stones + CBD I love firm pressure, and my therapist delivered. She let me choose an aromatherapy blend called Love, and the hot stones melted every ounce of tension.
All of my therapists were women of color, and that intentionality mattered to me. Each service ended with an affirmation card, and I left every treatment feeling cared for in a way that was personal.
Between services, I had a champagne lunch that felt like an episode of Girlfriends. I remembered watching those spa-day scenes growing up, thinking I couldn’t wait to have moments like that as a grown woman. Sitting there in my robe with my best friend beside me, sipping champagne and catching up on life before we got into the action and excitement of Vegas is a moment I’ll always remember. That and how crisp those grapes were that they had on our charcuterie board.
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My Black Girl Luxury Vegas Recs
- Nobu at Caesars Palace My welcome dinner and the perfect kickoff to the weekend. Yellowtail jalapeño, wagyu beef, spicy tuna, shishito peppers, and a 24K gold-draped dessert you’ll only find in Vegas. Pure decadence. I also peeked at the Nobu Hotel tucked inside Caesars. If I came back, I’d definitely stay there.
- Rock + Roe at Caesars Palace I’m more of a R&B girly than rock-and-roll, but after some Veuve Clicquot and two caviar bumps, I was singing along to Stevie Wonder’s "Superstition," making friends with strangers (I had a very funny chat with a couple next to me who thought I was stood up and then discovered I was a journalist on a work trip and loved that for me) and I ended up staying until they closed at 2 a.m.
- Flamingo’s GO Pool Cabanas The go pool just underwent a $20 million renovation - and they truly spared no expense. My cabana felt more like a living room by the pool than a daybed, complete with couches, flat-screen TVs, IV drips, and a swim-up bar. I loved being close enough to the energy but tucked away enough to nap in peace, and I appreciated that they offered both cocktails and mocktails.
- Bacchanal Buffet One of the best brunch restaurants in Vegas. I went for the crab brunch, with short rib benedict, hashbrowns, eggs, seafood towers, and southern breakfast options that rival my favorite spots when I visit family in the deep South.
- Caramella at Planet Hollywood Their king crab scampi with fresh capers changed my life — and I was literally whisked into their speakeasy hidden behind a wall that looked like a candy shop. I thought the manager was just offering me a sweet for the road, but instead I ended up in a stunning club with some of the best music I heard all weekend. My only regret? Not staying longer because I had tickets to DISCOSHOW at The LINQ which was also fun! It felt like I was being transported back into the 70s and each floor had their own speakeasy bar.
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What I Love Most About Vegas: It’s A Side Quest Playground
You could start your day at a crab brunch, end up in a salt cave by 3 p.m., and then find yourself in a beach club at 3 a.m. screaming every word while Jeezy performs. That kind of spontaneity felt healing in its own way.
As we get older, side quests become things we tell ourselves we don’t have time for. But the truth is, we need them more. Life gets heavier, and joy becomes an act of radical self-care. A reminder that you deserve to rest deeply and play wildly. There’s room for both.
Black women are leading leisure travel spending in the U.S., yet simultaneously report some of the highest daily stress levels. That’s why side quests aren’t indulgent for us. They’re necessary. Escapes filled with 24-karat gold desserts, naps in luxurious cabanas, healing waters, and spa days with our best friends aren’t frivolous — they’re what keep us grounded and remind us that rest and joy can coexist.
Black women don’t always get the mental space to play. Even if we have the financial means, so many of us don’t have the time or permission to just… daydream. To imagine. To follow a whim. Vegas gave me that space — and reminded me how much I deserve it. I can’t wait for my next side quest, whether it’s in Vegas or halfway across the world.
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