Personal Life
Becoming Esme
“Taking it a step at a time towards her visions.”
Esme circa 2019
I initially dreamed of becoming a model or actress. I started small—doing background work in films and TV shows like The Leftovers and Oprah Winfrey: Fight for a Better Life. Along the way, I was fortunate to meet some of my idols, including John David Washington and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson while working as background cast in Ballers, and Jennifer Aniston, who was producing alongside her then-husband, Justin Theroux. I felt truly blessed to share space with such inspiring individuals. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with independent photographers who encouraged me, nurtured my growth, and deepened my desire to share my talent with the world.
“I have visions of the real me, awake and asleep.”
Jesme
Breaks but Never BreakUps
School & Life
I stepped back from pursuing a career in Hollywood, largely because of my fear of rejection—rejection rooted in being a dark-skinned woman in an industry that often favors a narrow standard of beauty. My mother, too, had her doubts. She once told me, “It’s not going to be easy for you because you weren’t born with their preferred complexion and features.” I was seventeen. It hurt—but it was also the truth. So, I followed her advice: I finished school, went to college, and pursued a career in the medical field.
Still, modeling and writing remained in the back of my mind—like an itch I couldn’t ignore. Eventually, I gave in. I began searching for agencies, but finding a legitimate one in Florida proved to be difficult. So I shifted my focus to another gift: writing. It became my escape, my outlet through the setbacks, the lessons, and the monotony of college life. Over time, my writing grew stronger, more refined, more confident. And so did I.
Now, I no longer carry the same fear or doubt I once did. That time away—those breaks to reflect and rediscover what truly drives me—were necessary. They brought me back to myself, and to the dreams I never really left behind.
“You were born to evolve. If willing, you die to be born again and die again to be born again. That is the true meaning of evolving. That’s the beauty of transformation.”
The Path Beyond
The road ahead for Esme
The many installments she has planned and prepared are no small feat—that’s the author in her at work. But beyond the creative grind, she finds purpose in her personal journey. She takes comfort in setting meaningful goals, speaking them into existence daily, trusting her intuition, and aligning her actions with the path she knows is meant for her. Esme holds a clear vision of the accomplishments she knows she’ll achieve. Her mind is open to the experiences and people she’ll encounter along the way. While navigating her passions and ambitions, she’s also determined to live fully—to make lasting memories and never let a meaningful moment pass her by. And thanks to her first milestone, we now have the chance to witness and follow her journey as it unfolds.
