Meet Aslean Janelle Florence | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aslean Janelle Florence and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aslean Janelle, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite quote has to be “Every rejection is protection”. It is somewhat more of a mantra but it keeps me hopeful and grounded when I don’t get certain opportunities. Being an actor, it is apart of our job to be able to handle rejection and no one I know who has become successful in the business hasn’t had some kind of rejection. In fact, most of the greats I look up to such as Jennifer Lawerence, Angela Bassett, Kat Graham, and so many more were all told no at some point in time. Whether it was because they were not an extremely skinny size or had a specific hair texture or dark skin they still prevailed and all have now become house-hold names. I have had to learn to just put myself out there and be my best self and if one casting director doesn’t like it then it’s on to the next because some one else will.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We’ll what sets me most apart from others is my willing to accept what is for me and what is not. I’ve had some huge opportunities and some of them have worked and others haven’t but I grew seeing very little representation on my tv screen. So I want to be that representation to not only myself but to other girls that have aspiration to get into this industry. While I haven’t been in this industry long and I am still actively learning I have learned and accomplished a lot in a small manor of time. One factor in me getting to where I am today is staying true to myself. The world and social media will try and convince you that your are not enough but you are. I have had to remind myself of that for so long and I still do. This business or in passion you will be competitive and saturated with all different kinds of people but I had to remember that I am one of a kind. If I am being completely transparent the entire world will try to convince you that your dreams are too big and unreachable and for a moment you think they’re right. However, I have always known where my true passion lies and I can not see myself truly happy without being in the film/television industry. So, regardless of anything I have talked about always remember that your passion comes from within and no one can take that pure talent away.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Due to the pandemic I haven’t been able to go out that much and I’m sure a lot of other people can relate but in a pre-covid world I would definitely hit up some great places in Atlanta. I’m a night life owl and always late so we would probably start around 5:30pm right before golden hour so we can take some instagram pictures because who doesn’t love a good selfie? Then after pictures we would definitely be ready to eat so one fo my favorite restaurants in Atlanta is Houston’s. I’m not a vegetarian but I sometimes prefer the options it so I would get the veggie burger which if I may add is huge and worth every penny with a side of fries and a root beer float. Many don’t like root beer but I think it’s the most underrated type soda especially as a float. By the time were done eating it would be around 7. We would definitely hit up an open mic poetry slam and I’ve heard Kat’s Cafe has some great artists/poets that show up. After Kat’s Cafe we definitely would try and catch a drive in movie because I love a good classic movie to end the night. Lastly, we probably would get back close to midnight because I don’t stay out too late and end the night with making some TikTok’s or attempting to bake some cookies.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One place that helped shaped the person I am and saw the talent in me was the HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. For most of my adolescent school life I never had the courage to go audition for the drama club or or had the time to even try and get into acting. However, going into college I knew I wanted to get into the space whether it was helping with the crew or actually having a speaking role. So I signed up for my fall semester for an acting class that was for non-majors. In this class I met my professor, Vanecia Boone and her class sparked this massive flame in my artistry. It was just for beginners but she saw something in me and knew I could do more with my talent. So she proposed I audition for their semester casting call and I did. Not only was it Vanecia Boone but it was the entire department including the students that helped shaped me as an actor and believed in me when literally no one else did.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janelleflorence/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/asleanjflorence

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004552890649

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCmbTqWEXacnNifCMM2BedJw

Image Credits
Jerry Santiago