Meet DenisèAnn Shields | Director & Artist

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

Hi DenisèAnn, how do you think about risk?
It is important to take risks. Playing it safe isn’t going to get you anywhere. You’ll think yourself into a hole and then eventually have to take a risk anyway to get out of it. If you are always worrying about what will go wrong, you will never see what goes right. And honestly, the biggest risk that you can take is going hard for yourself! When you take a risk on yourself and your dreams, there is no way that you can lose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I want people to know that I am an entertainment Swiss army knife! I am finally starting my production company, LIFE Productions, after casting, writing treatments, and directing music videos and photoshoots around Atlanta for over a year! But, I don’t know if I am more excited about my original music set to release this summer.

Born into a singing family, placed in ballet lessons at three years old, and joined the church choir at seven, my first love was always the stage. As a child, I would put on shows in my house performing Beyoncè, Usher, and OutKast songs, to rehearsed harmonies, and choreography made in the mirror. Funny enough, I am 23 years old and just now releasing original music as an artist.

My high school experience prepared me professionally. I attended Clayton County’s performing arts high school, Stilwell School of the Arts, where I studied theater, dance, vocals, and music technology. In 10th grade, I took Usher’s New Look leadership classes at Emory University and interned with HBO. During the internship, I learned the film and movie set operations. Once I graduated high school, I started modeling for fashion shows around Atlanta. Then went on to become a runway coach at Georgia State’s Infinite Appeal from the fall of 2018 until the summer of 2021. Those experiences made me understand how the entertainment workforce operated before I even stepped foot in the game.

All of this may sound great, and it is, however it took a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where I am today. A lot of people told me, “pick one thing to focus on” or “you’re all over the place.” It was discouraging because I disagreed. I didn’t want a box put on my creativity. I continuously had to go against the grain to pave the way to where I am today.

Going to school in Clayton County, there weren’t a lot of possibilities for us. I worked hard to find the opportunities and show up ready to soak up all the information available. Nothing just fell in my lap, I made the conscious decision to research, seek out what I wanted to do then continue to put myself in the room.

I need the world to know that you can make anything happen with hard work, research, and God.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For the first stop in the city, we HAVE TO go to Old Lady Gang, because the food buss! There’s nothing like a good southern meal when you hit the A! Next, we’d go shopping at the black-owned boutique, 29andUnder, near Cumberland. Everything there is just that, $29 and under! Grab a cute fit and then head to Cascade to see everyone show off their tricks around the rink, but we wouldn’t get on the floor unless my friend could skate for real. One day on the trip, we’d have to stunt in the club and go to the bars on Edgewood, or the bars of Buckhead depending on what type of night they’d want to have. If we’re lucky, the Cr8 Agency will have an event where we’d walk the red carpet. Catch some pictures at the high museum and Krog street tunnel then head to the airport.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this Shoutout to God. Over the past year, I’ve done a lot of transformative action mentally, spiritually, and physically. Thank you to my church, Kingdom Empowerment Center for keeping me on my toes. Thank you to my trainer Joshua Jackson at 4TH QTR Performance, for getting my body right. Thank you to Usher’s New Look Foundation for exposing me to opportunities in my adolescence that catapulted the building of my entertainment career. Thank you to my family for supporting me. Finally, thank you to the Founder and CEO of Malcmedia Photography and Videography services, Brandon Malcolm, for being my #1 accountability partner.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_deniseann/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise’ann-shields-299615196/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/genuinelyde

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beautiful.DeniseAnn

Other: Email: lifeentertainmentprod@gmail.com

Image Credits
Brandon Malcolm – MalcMedia Adrian Williams – BLKTicket Raphael Simien – TheCamKilla BelleVu Images