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

Hi Kiandra, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?

Honestly, I feel that staying as focused as I can taking time throughout my days or my weeks to do things that make me smile bring me peace and joy really play a big part in my life. I’ve noticed in my career when I make a plan, meditate on the plan, pray for the plan and its execution, and when I believe in myself and the plan, I find that things flow better in my career life. Things don’t always go as specifically as you strategize, but having a plan gives you something to focus on and gives you something to believe in. I have also noticed in my personal life when I do more things that bring me joy like being out in the sun, eating meals that I enjoy, watching a good movie, spending time with friends and family, life flows better. It simply flows and it’s not forced, which is important to me. Force brings anxiety and fear, flowing means that you allow life to do its thing and you are content with what it brings because you’re at peace, and you know that all is well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I have been professionally recording music since I was 18. Singing is my first love. However, my career took a turn after I received a golden ticket to American Idol and simultaneously was asked to play Whitney Houston in a musical called “Born For This Born” a story about the life of Bebe Winans. I ended up turning down American Idol to play Whitney, and that musical took me to Los Angeles California, where I decided to stay after the show finished. It quite frankly was a tough seven months mentally. I was sleeping on a friends couch, working small promo jobs, and starting to feel depression for the first time in my life. My spiritual advisor said to me:

“Stay up, try not to be down. (Emotionally) These are the moments in the journey where you kinda have to suck it up and just tell God about it, but it’s going to turn around…”

So I began to spend my free time listening to Jazz music, singing around the house, meditating and visualizing myself performing, writing more goals in my journal, & posting sticky notes and drawings of affirmations and goals on the walls. In about a month I booked my first job singing background for Tyler The Creator on Tiny Desk. After that, I booked my second job, singing background for Beyoncé’s Homecoming Coachella performance. From there I was asked to tour with Beyoncé and Jay Z in the On the Run 2 tour. After that, I sang with Kanye West for about seven months in his Sunday Service Collective. While I was there, I ended up booking the role of “Yana” on the tv show Empire. Now I am playing on the show Kingdom Business as “CJ Jordan”, the daughter of Denita and Calvin Jordan, played by Yolanda Adams and Michael Beach.

I’ve seen first hand that if I stay the course and don’t give up, dreams will become reality.
I encourage people to be patient. Things will happen not when you think they should, but when you’re prepared for it.
Do things to keep your spirits high and lifted. Being out in nature is good for that. Don’t let depression, fear, or doubt take over you.
I am a living witness that if you trust God, and believe in yourself, everything you are wanting will come.

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?
So, if my friend came into town, I would first say we have to go to Tassili‘s and get some good kale based wraps. I would then take them to the Edgewood area because there’s so much history and so much culture there! I would want them to see how culturally rich the Atlanta area is. While there I would definitely have to stop by the Vitamin Lady’s store to get some soup and healthy goodies. Later I’d take them to see a movie at the IPIC theater in Midtown it’s a luxury restaurant and movie theater with great food and a great movie watching experience. On the next day I would take them to life bistro to get some good plant-based food. I’d also stay and enjoy the live music that they offer. On another day I would take them to see the Trap Jazz band, with Chris Moten and Stixx Taylor. They are amazing musicians. After that, I would definitely go to Rock Steady, first to eat dinner and then later to lounge upstairs in the club that they have. it’s a really good spot for good music and dancing! On another day I would go to the Painted Duck, a spot that has great food, live music and fun games like bowling. Other than that we would definitely chill at the house because I’m honestly more of a homebody haha. However, those are the places and things I would do in Atlanta if I had a friend here and wanted to show them a good time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that have helped me along my journey from the moment I started in school to even now. my theater and dance teachers, my vocal coaches, my piano teachers, my college professors. I even had people from my city, friends and their parents donate money to help me with showcasing my talent when I graduated from college. I would definitely shout out my community, my city, Warner Robins. I have a really big support system. My mother, my family, my spiritual advisers would definitely need a huge shout out. There are so many names I wouldn’t be able to list everybody here, but I would love for all who have supported me in any way to know that I am and will always be grateful and I love them!

Instagram: Kiandrarichardson

Facebook: Kiandrarichardson

Youtube: Kiandrarichardsontv

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.