Susan Kelechi Watson Learned This Important Lesson On The Pursuit Of Her Dreams
Recently, Susan Kelechi Watson sat down with OprahMag.com to give us a deeper look into her journey as an actress and as a faithful dream chaser on the pursuit of her purpose. Many of us adore her role as Beth on the hit show This Is Us, but she's also been a familiar face from playing roles in popular shows like Law & Order and NCIS. However, what some may not know is that Susan's origin story is no walk in the park.
Born in Brooklyn to Jamaican immigrants, Susan would later earn degrees from Howard University and NYU, studying fine arts. She also studied Shakespeare at Oxford University on a scholarship funded by Phylicia Rashad and Denzel Washington, an opportunity one would think would put her on the elevator of success. But with all her knowledge and accolades, she still faced the reality of being a struggling artist, working her desk job during the day in order to manifest her desired reality during her scarce free time like many of us:
"I worked at the front desk at a gym. And here's the thing about when you're a struggling artist: You're not eating, you're not buying fresh clothes, your hair's not on point, so I was probably the worst person to welcome people into a gym when I just wanted to crawl under my desk."
Her hard work paid off when she was cast in the comedy series Louie. However, this victory was not as fulfilling as she had expected it to be. Her next big opportunity would come in the form of an audition for This Is Us, which was totally on a whim; a surprise, if you will. It was one that she didn't attach an outcome to, as she was more focused on the role that she thought was bigger and better. To her surprise, the project she auditioned for that wasn't the highest on her priority list ended up being her big break:
"What a life lesson that was: Go where the love is. Because at the time I was so focused on the one door closing that I wasn't even looking for the one opening. Finally, the universe had to be like, 'Hello, this door is wide open!' Clearly, in the end, I'm where I'm supposed to be."
Susan never gave up or gave in, and now she is able to provide diversity and representation to the screens of many just as Phylicia Rashad has done in her role as Claire Huxtable. She does not take her role in This Is Us lightly and takes every chance she gets to display layers and multidimensions of Black women, starting with her style:
"I went natural myself in 2012, and I had my own hair journey. So I know that for Beth to be authentic, her hair is always going to be changing because as Black women, hair is such a big part of our lifestyle. That's also why I make sure each style looks like something she could have done herself as a working mom and wife."
"Beth is [an] every woman. She's extraordinary in her own right, yet everybody can see themselves in her, because she's just a mom in New Jersey. But she's also proud of being Black, and proud of rocking her natural hair."
When it comes to putting your power into your purpose, Susan suggests you hone in on your naturally given talents and recognize that though they may seem familiar to you, they are gifts to be shared with the world:
"Everyone has a gift—like yours is writing, someone else's might be care taking; mine, I've known from a young age, is acting. But gifts are meant to be given away. If you never have the opportunity to give it away, it saddens you; you don't feel whole. So the fact that I'm able to share my gift on such a large platform is the bee's knees. It's everything."
Susan Kelechi Watson's journey is a true testament to the power of persistence, alignment, and positive energy. When it comes to dream chasing, no one said it would be easy or quick and, it takes a lot of hard work.
But, if you trust yourself and the process while going through the motions it takes to get to your desired destination, know that your time is coming too, Queen! It won't be as long as it's been.
To read the rest of Susan's interview with OprahMag.com, click here.
Featured image by Getty Images
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
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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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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