Meet Nadia Butterfield | Actress & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nadia Butterfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nadia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
No risk = no reward. I like to have this outlook when pursuing different avenues within my career. One quote I often remember is from Virgil Abloh. He stated, “The only failure is not to try.” If you don’t at least try, which inevitably is the risk, then you will never know just how capable you are at achieving your dreams and goals.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a child, I have always loved the arts. I danced, sang, and even acted in my local theatre productions. It wasn’t until my life changed completely that I decided to fully pursue my passions. Months after graduating from Tennessee State University with my BS in Psychology in 2019, I was in a tragic car accident. In 2020, I underwent a lobectomy, having 1/3 of my right lung removed after being diagnosed with Stage 2b Lung Cancer. These life events forced me to acknowledge just how precious my life is. It made me realize that, up until that point, I had done everything that I was supposed to do… I got great grades, became a well rounded individual, and even made a name for myself at my alma mater. But what about what I wanted to do? I finally decided to take the risk and pursue acting and modeling full time while working for my father as his legal assistant.

There are many obstacles that I faced. A lot of them stemmed from my mindset and what I believed I could accomplish. I had been through multiple traumatic experiences in such a short timespan, and I needed to take time to heal not only my body, but my spirit. I read a lot of self-improvement books, dove deeper into my spirituality, journaled, meditated, went to therapy… anything you can think of, I’m pretty sure I tried it! And I am still evolving every day — the healing journey is never over.

I want the world to know that you can do anything you put your mind to even if the odds are stacked against you. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. Take my story and look at me if you need proof. I am a walking testimony of faith, patience and dedication.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So, we would probably start off light and grab a bite to eat at Breaker Breaker on the Atlanta Beltine. They have some amazing oysters and yummy drinks! I love going to the movies, so I’d recommend going to LOOK!, a dine-in movie theater with tasty eats and a full service bar. For an evening out, I’d make a reservation at Palo Santo — they have an amazing rooftop to catch the sunset and then dine at the restaurant on the first floor. If they’re wanting to hangout even later that night, I’d suggest Red Martini. They have a great DJ and fun atmosphere.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this to my outstanding support system. If it wasn’t for my loving family and friends, I would not be here, accomplishing things I used to daydream about. I am so thankful to have you all to lean on. I appreciate every single piece of advice and encouragement and receive it all with grace.

Website: linktr.ee/nadialadaven

Instagram: instagram.com/nadialadaven

Youtube: youtube.com/c/NadiaLaDaven

Image Credits
Carl Simmons