Amanda Seales, guest on the show Insecure, has a crisis of confidence. They talk about her comedy, music, and studies of hip-hop. Amanda's new comedy special focuses on civic engagement. They discuss the importance of understanding civics and the challenges of living one's own life. They also talk about the process and challenges of creating a comedy special and maintaining control over a project.
Amanda Seales emphasizes the importance of hip hop as a continuation of the African American narrative, highlighting her academic studies in African American studies with a concentration in hip hop.
Seales discusses her dissatisfaction with the commercialization of the music industry and her commitment to staying true to her authentic self and art.
Seales shares the joy and meritocracy she found in stand-up comedy, emphasizing the significance of authenticity and self-belief.
Deep dives
Amanda Seales' Journey in Entertainment and Hip Hop
Amanda Seales talks about her journey in the entertainment industry, starting with her role on the TV show My Brother and Me at a young age. She discusses her experience with spoken word and her involvement in the hip hop community. She also reflects on her academic pursuits, obtaining a master's degree in African American studies with a concentration in hip hop. Seales highlights the importance of her scholarship in understanding the significance of hip hop as a continuation of the African American narrative.
Shifting Focus and Moving On from Amanda Diva
Seales discusses her transition away from her stage name Amanda Diva and her involvement in the music industry. She explains how the changing landscape of music, including a shift towards more commercial and business-oriented approaches, led her to feel disenchanted. Seales also emphasizes her desire to stay true to her authentic self and her art, rather than conforming to the pressures of the industry.
Finding Joy and Identity in Stand-Up Comedy
Seales expresses her joy and fulfillment in engaging with stand-up comedy, remarking on the meritocracy she experienced in the field. She highlights the importance of authenticity and belief in oneself, rather than seeking external validation. Seales also touches on her growth as a comedian and the evolution of her comedic style, finding a balance between being unflappable on stage and being relatable to her audience.
Pursuing Academic Scholarship and Discovering Her Purpose
Seales shares her experiences in pursuing academic scholarship, including her graduate studies in African American studies with a concentration in hip hop. She discusses her passion for combining academia with her work in entertainment and how she used her platform to amplify narratives and stories that often go unheard. Seales speaks about the importance of critical thinking, authenticity, and self-discovery in her personal and professional journey.
Overcoming Challenges and Finding New Directions
The speaker discusses the challenges they faced while trying to create a project and how they navigated through them. Initially, they considered using their own platform, but their agent suggested that it may not be worth their time unless they did it themselves. They contemplated shooting a special, but realized they didn't have the resources. Instead, they utilized existing footage and decided to create a documentary, which turned out to be a stronger project than initially envisioned. This experience taught them the importance of listening to themselves and understanding their motivations behind their creative endeavors.
Rebuilding and Finding Happiness
The speaker shares their journey of rebuilding their life and finding happiness after experiencing a breakdown. They discuss the importance of prioritizing their own well-being and seeking help through therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and personal growth. The speaker reflects on the process of shedding self-doubt and embracing self-acceptance. They express their desire to evolve as a comedian, moving away from simply telling jokes and leaning towards more meaningful and purposeful performances. The speaker acknowledges the ongoing challenge of maintaining personal boundaries, but remains committed to their growth and happiness.
Amanda Seales was on the show Insecure, but only when she had an actual crisis of confidence did she feel like she could get control of her life and career. Amanda and Marc find out they have a lot of similar hang-ups and philosophies about creativity, despite their very different backgrounds. They talk about Amanda's comedy being rooted in her time with Def Poetry Jam, her life as Amanda Diva, her music, her studies of hip-hop, her first comedy special and why she centered her new special, In Amanda We Trust, on civic engagement.
