Today we’d like to introduce you to Kanasia Riley.
Hi Kanasia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I first started doing comedy 2 years ago, to get over my social anxiety. I stepped out on faith. I have battled with social anxiety for so long I never thought I’d be here but because of the compassion, I have to help and heal people I push myself daily. I’m now booking shows in and outside of DC as well as waiting on a movie release, I’m so excited to have played a role in called Da Lot, releasing in October. I think that I’ve gotten here by not letting anything stop me. Doubt or fear is not a part of my plan
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has definitely not been a smooth road for me. I battle with depression and anxiety really bad. I want to back out of a show every time I book 1, the day of. I think that the compassion I have for helping and healing people is what motivates me to keep going. I also lost my adoptive mother in May and that really changed things for me. I actually wanted to quit comedy. It opened my eyes to a lot. Family fell apart. Friends I thought would be there for me were not. Not even the person I was in a relationship with for 6 years was barely there for me. Things that I lost helped me to regain myself, to control my fear, to accept the things I couldn’t change about myself. I appreciate every lost
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m known for my witty raw unfiltered but yet conservative style of storytelling. I am most proud of overcoming my fear of social anxiety, kicking depression in the face, and not letting anything stop me from my dreams. I’m literally about to watch myself on a big screen and about to start filming another movie next month. I’m just getting started
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t let you stop you… let alone anyone else. No dream is too big and if you think it’s too big, dream a gigantic dream. We can sometimes be our own worst enemy just by having fear and doubts. Those 2 things played a major role in my life, I now don’t even know the meaning of fear or doubt. Surprised I even spelled it right. Lastly… everybody else’s time is not your time… no matter how long you’ve known them or how tight-knit you think your circle is nobody will truly be as proud of you more than you are of yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: comedian_kanasia
- Facebook: comedian_kanasia_riley
- Other: SHAREZO.com/comediankanasia
Image Credits
Big Mo
