Meet Danielle Maner | Actress, Professional Mermaid, and a Black girl in Tech

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

Hi Danielle, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is a necessity to life. There have been studies where doctors say that being in the state of awe strengthens your brain and helps you to live longer. I’ve always been a risk taker; the excitement of going into the unknown can be scary but exhilarating for me. Skirting on the edge of life, adventure is my middle name. Nothing makes me happier than exploring new places, tasting new foods and trying new things; creating beautiful communities along the way. Just last year a started an entire new career path, took up professional mermaiding, and tried sky diving for the first time.

I think the main reason why I enjoy taking risks is because I have people in my life who were scared to live. They never really had any real desire to go anywhere, do anything, try anything new, or brave the unknown. They don’t have any interesting stories, their name has never been in a newspaper and anything outside their comfort zone is bad and shouldn’t be trusted. I saw them and made a vow to myself to NEVER live like that; I wanted to be like old lady Rose from Titanic- a home filled with pictures to coincide with stories full of world travel, adventure and love. I took a risky job being an actress. As actors they call us “emotional fireman,” where instead of running away from our emotions like most do, we run towards them to exemplify how the character feels so the audience can relate. The only way to do that is constant risk taking. It has to become a part of your life in order to replicate it successfully on screen.

The life of being an adult can hinder your risk taking. There are folks who are going to project their own fears and insecurities on you, ironically people you know and love many times are the main culprits. In addition to the responsibilities of being a functioning adult in America and a litany of other things. However, in the words in my favorite book “The Alchemist,” never forget your personal legend. It is NEVER TOO LATE to take a risk. Always bet on yourself. I’m learning to do it more and it feels so good.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Performing for me is like inhaling pure oxygen into my lungs. Its pure, God ordained and my happiest state of being. I have been acting since 8 year old. After college, I had a choice- to wait tables and hope to be discovered, or go the indie route. We have a saying among us Atlanta actors, “create don’t wait.” So that’s what I decided to do. In the beginning, we were a smaller market so we were forced to work with other indie artists to share our stories while creating traction for ourselves. Man, there were truly some crazy times! Everything from running from the police to get a shot for locations we couldn’t afford, to working all day and night in the cold for pizza and fruit snacks. All because I believed in the artists I worked with and they believed in me. Eventually those folks became my tribe. And through all the endless rejection we face in this industry (especially being a non stereotype) we continued to create. After a while people started to notice.

Now because of hard work, resiliency, faith and consistency I have been nominated for awards at the American Black Film Festival, won awards at the Bronze Lens Film Festival and had a film showcased in a very prestigious film festival in Cannes, France. I’ve had movies go viral and receive rave reviews from celebrities to Brazilian women living in the Favelas.

This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It has beat me up and dragged me for filth. this industry has tested my resolve in every way. The unpredictability of the work, the “false starts”, casting couch offers- you name it, I’ve experienced it in some way. But not compromising myself is something I’m also very proud of. It means my journey might take a little longer but I made peace with that long ago. I tell everyone if you are not passionate about this to the point of borderline insanity… don’t do it. I know I’m insane because there’s no way I would still be doing this if I didn’t love it more than anything. Show business is 90% business and 10% show, and that can be frustrating. I thought about quitting last year. It was rough; coming out of the pandemic with no stable income, no work coming in for me. I thought people just weren’t interested in seeing me. I gave it a valiant effort, but it wasn’t for me. I had been auditioning consistently for 3 years and gotten no bookings. However, a saying that I live by kept repeating in my head “movement is life.” You have to keep moving in order to survive- to win. So that spark–that deep spiritual love for my craft and some good ole’ fashioned soul searching- kept me moving forward. I now have a new short film coming out very soon called “Taste” and its some of my best work yet. I’m so proud of myself; where I have come from- being a stand-in on Vampire Diaries fresh out of college with every star in the Milky Way in my eyes- to a confident, refreshed and resilient working actor that has endured the fires of burnout rising victorious and more creative than I have ever been.

My best advice to anyone coming into this industry in any aspect; it takes an average of 10 years to make an overnight success. TEN YEARS. So figure out what you are going to do in the interim so sustain yourself. How are you going to pay your bills in those years? How are you going to invest in yourself and your craft? Only a select few like waiting tables and can do it well enough to sustain. If that’s not you, the best thing you can do is figure out what you want to do for that interim period. No one told me about the interim period. I was never prepared for it. We are part of a microwave generation; the people who dwell in the land of instant formulaic gratification. And booooy did life kick my behind. Hard. By the grace of God, I was blessed with supportive parents who were there for me in times of need. So if you don’t have to go through that… don’t.

Finally, I want everyone to know I am here to stay. I am born for this and this is a major part of my purpose. I will be a household name and be a beacon for my people and others everywhere until I transition from this plane. So get comfy with me honey, I got a lot more to do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love being from Atlanta. This is something that happens to me often, because I live in the heart of the city and I was raised here. So here are my recommendations:

Monday: You’re going to be starving as soon as you finish playing the Hunger Games at Hartsfield, so I’ll take you to food terminal for some comfort food to ease your spirit. Food terminal is a Malaysian restaurant in midtown and is hands down one of my favorite places to go. Good for people with dietary restrictions as well. Then afterwards we can walk the food off at Centennial Park. Go home, take a power nap then… you can do Controllerize at Monday Night Brewery- its a cool party with a few DJ’s, people playing video games, others watching anime, vibing, vendors and food. Plus all the different kinds of beers Monday Night has to offer. Then off to MAGIC CITY MONDAYS. The wings are some of the most fantastic in the whole city.

Tuesday: You’re waking up at noon after the night before so today you can take it easy and see an attraction. You can go to the aquarium or the Ferris wheel if you can stomach it. Then we’re going to Tin Lizzy’s on Memorial to sit on the rooftop for tacos. Its a beautiful view of the city. Later that day we can go shopping but we’re going to perimeter because we value our lives and I’m not going to Lenox. That night we can show off our outfits at dinner and dancing at Rock Steady.

Wednesday: Middle of the week, so its a recharge day. We can go hang by the waterfall at Vickery Creek in Roswell, then hit Jeju for a spa day. Don’t forget your Publix sub for the hike!

Thursday: Breakfast at First Watch. Then the civil rights museum, the MLK memorial or the Coca-Cola museum. Later that evening go to Nobu for Happy Hour then on to a Hawks game! I’ve been going since I was a kid and I love spending time in the arena watching our boys play.

Friday: TGIF! We’ll grab a smoothie from Arden’s Garden for breakfast. Then that evening we’ll go to the High Museum for jazz at the high. We can see all the artwork in addition to drinks and jazz. A total vibe.

Saturday: Lets go for a stroll in Little 5 points. Its always an interesting place. Then we can have lunch in Colony Square. That night we’ll hit the Battery and hang out around the Braves stadium. There’s tons of great food, drinks and more over there and not as hectic as the city.

Sunday: Happy Sunday Funday! You know ATLiens live for a good brunch. Brunch at Le Petite Marche for mimosas and some of the best brunch food in the city. You’ll be full and feeling good on the flight back home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so lucky and blessed to be able to grow up in a very strong, tight knit, familial unit. It is full of laughter, singing, dancing and endless love and support. In addition, although its taken many years, finding your artistic tribe is integral to survival in this industry. You have to go where you’re celebrated not tolerated. Not to mention people who really love you hold you accountable and push you to be the best version of yourself.

So this is dedicated to my family: my mother who is my #1 cheerleader and personal stylist, my sister who is my confidant and my forever on call medical professional, and my father who taught me the business of the game. And to my tribe: you didn’t let me give up and constantly push me to be the best version of me. And my life has been such a light since then.

Website: www.daniellemaner.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/daniellemaner and www.instagram.com/theatlantamermaid

Facebook: www.facebook.com/daniellemaner