We’re looking forward to introducing you to Darian Smith. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Darian, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building the new version of myself since losing my brother in November 2022. His passing completely changed my life he was my best friend, my person, and he believed in my dreams of becoming a filmmaker, producer, and actress even more than I did.
This journey has been long and deeply personal. At 30 years old, I’ve had to reintroduce myself to life without him, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. As of today, November 8th, I’m proud that I no longer let fear or other people’s opinions silence me. I’m learning to see the beauty in his transition that he’s finally free and in that freedom, I’ve found my own. This new Darian is confident, visible, and no longer afraid to take up space.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Darian Smith, a 33-year-old filmmaker and actress from Dallas, Texas. I’m the creator of the award-winning web series Others, which highlights the experiences of Black people and people of color navigating the workplace. The series won Best Comedy Web Series in 2019, and it continues to be one of my proudest creative accomplishments.
As a Black woman, I’ve always had a deep love for TV and film not just as entertainment, but as a powerful form of storytelling and representation. That passion led me to start my own digital production company, Girlfriend Productions, named after my all-time favorite show Girlfriends, created by Mara Brock Akil. The name is a tribute to sisterhood, creativity, and the legacy of Black women who paved the way in television.
Through Girlfriend Productions, I’m dedicated to showcasing stories that center and celebrate Black women their complexity, resilience, and humanity. Right now, I’m working on a short film about a Black woman’s journey to self-discovery through the decision to divorce her seemingly perfect husband. It’s a story about freedom, acceptance, confidence, conflict, family, religion, and tradition.
I’m collaborating with my incredible production team Barbie, a producer based in Austin, Texas, and Jori, a talented Director and we’re gearing up to begin crowdfunding next month. I’m really excited about what’s ahead and about continuing to build space for authentic Black storytelling through film.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My brother. He was four and a half years younger than me, and he passed away on November 3, 2022. He believed in me in my creativity, my vision, and my purpose long before I ever believed in myself. I try to draw from that belief every day, especially on the days when I feel sad or unsure.
My brother had a rare lung condition and was on oxygen full-time. When I was filming my web series Others, we lived far away from the place I was filming , but he still made the trip to support me. He brought his portable oxygen machine and stayed for both days of filming. That moment embodies who he was his love, his faith in me, and his willingness to show up, even when it wasn’t easy.
He saw me completely my thoughts, my writing, my heart. I’m an empath; I care deeply about the world and even study sociology just for fun because I want to understand people better. He understood that side of me without judgment. He was my safe space, the one person I could talk to about anything and feel completely seen.
Experiencing my brother’s love taught me how to love myself. Losing him was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, but knowing that someone saw me so clearly and believed in who I was becoming continues to guide everything I do.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being seen of truly being perceived.
I’ve loved film and TV since I was little. My dad always says I used to grab his shirt and recite Forrest Gump before I even understood what embarrassment was. But as you grow up, that fearless joy fades. You start worrying about how people will see you.
For me, being a plus-size Black woman made that fear louder wondering how I’d be received, how I’d be judged. I’ve been “chronically online” for years but only recently started truly showing up and speaking out.
Letting go of that fear has been one of my proudest accomplishments. I’m finally allowing myself to be seen and celebrated exactly as I am.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I have to be myself I almost feel sick when I can’t express who I really am.
As I talk more on TikTok and share my thoughts and opinions, I remind myself that I’m not for everybody, and that’s okay. I cuss, I’m opinionated, and I’m not going to change that just to fit a brand or appeal to a certain audience.
I show up as the same person online that I am offline. I don’t say things I don’t believe, and I don’t perform for approval. If you connect with me, you do and if not, that’s fine too. But what you see is always the real me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most peace when I’m on set. There are moments where everything just slows down — I’m watching the cinematographer, the actors, the crew all these people who chose to believe in something that started in my head.
It’s a surreal feeling, realizing that a vision that once lived only in your mind is now alive in front of you. In those moments, the noise fades, and I feel this deep sense of peace a quiet kind of happiness that reminds me I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darianquanai?igsh=Nmo5MTBueXJ4ODhq&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@darianq?si=Rrmb7Ca_4F8bFZdl
