Meet Ryan Arthur | Artist, Digital Creator, Actor, Music Artist, Model, Entrepreneur

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

Hi Ryan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe that risk taking is essential or even necessary with ANYONE really, not only entrepreneurs, CEO’s, creators, etc, but with anyone focused on doing anything. There are unlimited forms of risk taking, not just with starting a business. People sometimes confuse risk taking with extremely uncomfortable action taking, when in all actually, we take some form of risk almost every day. From going outside, trying new food, pitching yourself for a certain position/role, saying good morning to a stranger, even purchasing a sandwich from your local deli. So many things can go wrong, but so many things can go exactly as planned, or even better, things can go right and even EXPAND/GROW for the better. Imagine how much opportunity, experience, wisdom, strength, and. eye opening chapters of your life can happen from simply doing things with purpose, and intention, instead of feeling like everything is a high risk, and there is always a chance to “fail”.

The role risk taking has played in my life, and career have been good. One, because I had to learn that I view “failure” differently than a lot of people. Failure, to me, isn’t only a negative detrimental occurrence after having faith, and vision go. wrong, So I’ve taken so many risks over time, with the dream, or intention of financially changing my life and my world. Over multiple business ventures, opening shops, creative studio spaces, clothing brands, and more, I’ve had incredible learning points, I’ve gained skill, wisdom, tenacity, resilience, professional contacts, and I’ve even expanded my brand as a visual artist, creator, musician, actress, model, and more. So for me, taking risks has been challenging, fun, and tricky, but I will say, I’ve not had any experience terrifying enough to never take a professional, high end risk again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
She’s Ryan, or simply Ryan is a multi-hyphenate creative force.

I am a music artist. I have written, recorded, and performed music for over 10 years now. I write and create pop, hip hop, R&b, and dance music. I work with world wide brands for music advertisements and placements for commercials, TV shows, and more. I am a performer, and visual artist by nature, so when I’m on stage, or on camera, I create an experience. I don’t just show up to perform, I perform to leave the viewer forever remembering who I am.

I am a model. I’ve been published in magazines, galleries, billboards, and created a viral platform for myself on the internet. The purpose of my modeling is to show that there is no one way. Everyone and anyone can model, and should feel confident in the body they have. Whether you’re with an agency or not, being confident in front of the camera is a total game changer, and it shows in your everyday life. I create the mood when I model. I set the tone. I am bold, free, and quite frankly, iconic.

I am an actress. Being comfortable on film was tricky at first. Unlike modeling, the movement of your body is a skill, and so technical when it comes to delivering lines on the screen that are believable to the viewer. Acting is technical, challenging, and fun. I pride myself in being so absorbent and vulnerable when I’m in character, because I am physically, and literally, pushing myself to play someone else. It is definitely an art form I’m passionate about.

I am a media personality and digital creator. I have a big personality. I am funny, so I vlog, and speak on camera and social platforms simply to speak. I enjoy showing people how it is okay to be unapologetically you, & how it is okay not to be perfect. I speak on what I’m most passionate about which is life experience, positivity, paying it forward, mental health, black and brown community, LGBTQIA+, and more.

I’m really just most proud that I made this far. Writing the answers out to this interview is definitely an eye opener for me. It reminds me of my tenacity, strength, power, respect, resilience, positivity, and my faith to never give up. I never gave up, I never stopped, and I don’t plan to. This is what I’m most proud of.

I am most excited about exploring a life of freedom. My goal isn’t fame, or success. I feel as if I’m already famous and successful. My goal is freedom in every way. Freedom to work on creative projects that I want to work on. Not because of the paycheck, or how good the collaboration will be for my career in entertainment. the freedom to leave the country and travel anywhere in the world that I’d like to go, without hesitation. The freedom to break down stigmas, and boundaries that are set by people and corporations who have no idea what it’s like to live a life of a black person, and the freedom to change the lives of the people I love most. I’m excited to one day see everyone around me win.

I got to where I am today by trial and error. By making mistakes, and sometimes not being able to fix them, and by simply taking risks. It was not easy. But I flourished. I came out in the end, literally being able to live my dream. I do not do any work that I don’t want to do. I am able to make my own schedule. I am living a beautiful life where I get to breathe in fresh air everyday, eat the food I want, live where I want, and it gets better and better everyday. If I would’ve given up on myself because of challenges such as finances, comparing myself to peers further along and more successful in there careers, denial, discouragement, poor decision making, procrastination, and the list goes on and on, I wouldn’t be here today.

The lessons I’ve learned are keep going, to stop being so hard on yourself, celebrate your small wins, and my favorite of all time, what people think of you is none of your business, so why not just do your best and don’t look back.

I want the world to know that everyones path or journey is unique and different. There is no one way to win, there is no special formula for success, and once I’ve personally learned this, my life has never been the same, and I mean that in the best way possible.

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.
honestly, respectfully, I don’t have the bandwidth to be a tour guide for a whole week for anyone lol, my loved ones understand, that isn’t happening….but for a day, I live in Harlem, and love it here. So likely this is what we’d do:

10am – Morning jog and breath work meditation in Central Park

1pm – Brunch at Ricardo’s Steak House

4pm – Drunk thrift shopping to let the alcohol wear off a bit, also, ITS FUN.

6pm – Oyster bar for bite sized meal and ice cold martinis

And after that….I’m too tired to function.

On a day to day, I’m usually just working, so when it comes to a solid day of fun, I’m so exhausted even just after a really good lunch. That’s pure joy for me lol

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank my mom for giving birth to a beautiful force.

I’d like to shout out Tarik Carrol for referring me to this interview and platform, also for being one of the most supportive creatives in my circle for 10 years now with everything he’s done with me from curated photoshoots, to now, music.

Slim, who is a musical producer, engineer, and business owner for introducing me to the professional life of being a musician and recording artist over 10 years ago, and for really giving me a chance to learn, grow, and flourish in the music industry. He is the producer of almost every song I have out to this very day.

Neriah Mcbain for capturing my vision through his photographic lens for over 12 years now. He has supported and pushed my modeling career, and created viral storytelling images of me, non stop, for over a decade now.

My friends Camille, Oniel, Naima, Skip, Charlie, Matthew, Destiny, Eve, Edwin, Lunden, and everyone else I haven’t mentioned for literally just putting up with me.

Sheldon for being my personal stylist when no one supported me, up until this very day. Also, for being an awesome creative director for my brand when no one saw it for me. And still til this day, when he’s not working on his own life, will gladly help out with mine without hesitation.

Tommi Truthz who is my former drummer, and a forever friend, musical genius, and lover of positivity.

TT The Artist for being my backbone, my rock, biggest supporter, and for being one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. She’s also one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met, so she has sparked motivation in me, which is EXTREMELY hard.

Website: www.ShesRyan.com

Instagram: @shesRYAN

Twitter: @LyinAssRyan

Image Credits
Neriah Mcbain Aston Watson TT The Artist Josef Jasso