Actress Tiffany Daniels On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
Don’t overconsume your life with a single desire to “make it” in this business. Make sure there are other aspects of your life that bring you joy and make your heart sing. You have to be more than just an actor to make it in this biz today.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Tiffany Daniels.
Dancer, producer and actress Tiffany Daniels stars as the lovable, jingle-writing mom ‘Trish’ on Nickelodeon’s comedy series “That Girl Lay Lay”. Tiffany’s stage credits include a national tour of the musical Aida, “Squeak” in the 1st National Tour of Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple, “Lorraine” in Jerry Mitchell’s production of Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl and she originated the role of “Liz” in SURF the musical at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas. Tiffany danced her way to the big screen in the feature films: “LA LA Land”, “Gangster Squad” and “Make your Move”.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
It’s a pleasure and an honor to be joining you, so thank YOU! I’m born and raised in San Diego, CA. I grew up in a single-parent household with my mother. She worked full time, so I was basically bred to be the independent woman I am, since birth.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
My mother put me in dance classes when I was three years old and realized very quickly that I loved attention, and the stage became my second home. Every opportunity that I could perform I said “Sign. Me. Up!” I danced all throughout high school and my love affair with the stage continued throughout my Hospitality studies at Cornell University as well. There was no denying that I was destined to pursue an artistic future and everyone in my graduating class voted me “Most likely to not use my Bachelor of Science…at all.” HA! They were not wrong.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
There are so many, but there is one pivotal week that shifted the entire trajectory of my career. I had just finished my season as a LA Laker Girl, and in the same week, I was given the opportunity to audition for Christina Aguilera’s “Back To Basics” World Tour and Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple” First National Tour. During callbacks for Christina Aguilera, I made it down to me and one other dancer for the last spot on the tour. I left everything I had on that dance floor but ultimately, did not get the gig. Later that week I flew to NYC for ensemble callbacks in The Color Purple, and I came home with an offer to join the company as not only a member of the ensemble but also as an understudy for one of the principal roles! This is the opportunity that changed my life forever. It scared the sh** out of me…but it was time for this diamond to step out the background to find my sparkle and shine! It has been said that mistakes can be our greatest teachers.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
While I was dancing for the LA Lakers, I also auditioned to be a LAKERS TV HOST; hosting the live pre-game show streamed throughout the arena as well as hosting all the contests and audience participation throughout the game. There were a LOT of words to memorize for these shows and a LOT of eyeballs watching. To this day, my most embarrassing moment is freezing, deer in headlights, legit roadkill during my very first segment. I said about 5 words and then blacked out…no clue what happened next… but I do know that it wasn’t good. Somebody, somewhere still has this moment caught on VHS and when I find this person, we are burning that sh** together! LOL! It was one of the most teachable moments for me however because I still had 28 more minutes of show to finish. I had to work thru the hurdle of my perfectionism on a very public platform, pick my crumbled ego up off the floor, and just keep going whether I wanted to or not.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now, I am playing the role of “Trish” on Nickelodeon’s “That Girl Lay Lay.” This is my first series regular role, and we are in the middle of filming our 2nd Season. The show has captured the hearts of families in the U.S. and internationally and it is such a gift to be a part of something that is bringing so much joy to so many people. “Trish” is super fashionable, and an extremely competitive former athlete. She writes jingles for a living with her husband and best friend, Bryce. She thinks she is incredible at everything she does, but apparently, her family hates her cooking! Rude! You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging.
Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
You can only Fail if you never try! Rejection is a huge part of this business, and we all experience it some way or another. I never let the rejection define my artistry, but instead push me to deepen my understanding of the business and as well as my desire for success. We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry.
Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
I think it is important that the television and films that are presented to the world represent an accurate depiction of what the world actually looks like. I think it is important to normalize diversity and inclusion so that eventually it becomes more than just a buzz word or hot topic. I hope that one day everyone feels seen, heard and we don’t have to fight so hard for compassion & respect because it has just become the new normal.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- This sh** ain’t easy. There are going to be really really hard days. Set a timer, allow yourself to be sad until the timer goes off…then pick your a** up and get back out there. No one is gonna make this happen for yourself but YOU!
- There is no “one way” to make this career happen for yourself. Comparing your journey to anyone else’s is pointless. I am a Scorpio, envy is in my DNA, but I try to use it to inspire and motivate me to discover my own personal greatness.
- You cannot do any of this alone, so find yourself a community of like-minded colleagues that you can trust, support, and ask to be your self-tape readers. You gon’ need those…TRUST!
- Don’t overconsume your life with a single desire to “make it” in this business. Make sure there are other aspects of your life that bring you joy and make your heart sing. You have to be more than just an actor to make it in this biz today.
- Celebrate EVERYTHING big and small. Being humble is so early 2000’s.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
It is imperative to know and remember that you are a BOSS and you are the BOSS of your business. You have the power to turn down an audition if it doesn’t feel right, you have the power to say NO. You can’t run a successful business by saying “yes” to everything. If you need a moment, take it. Hollywood ain’t goin’ nowhere! I promise. #BookTheTrip
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
The movement or shift that I am personally working on right now is getting out of my own way in my social media presence. I overthink everything, I question the relevance or necessity of my content, and I find myself so envious of those that post so fearlessly & free. Social media can be an incredibly powerful tool if we want it to be and let’s face it…It ain’t goin’ nowhere. I want everyone to feel levity and freedom in their personal content creation…so my new hashtag is going to be #JustPostit. Who’s With Me? None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way.
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Jeffrey Brooks, my manager and one of my dearest friends. Jeffrey was my first acting teacher in Los Angeles and the first person to believe in my dreams. I knew that I was capable of great things…but Jeffrey saw and created the roadmap to get me there. At the development level, manager/client relationships are often rooted in working with the agent to procure as many work opportunities for the actor as possible. Jeffrey works differently, he is the friend I can phone when I am stumped and the industry lifeline that makes everything make sense. I trust him with my career and my life…and we are in this thing for the long haul. “Get It Done Baby!”
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
There is one quote that has gotten me thru some really difficult rejections along my journey, it’s gotten me off the floor during my darkest times of despair, it has reminded me that I bring just as much to the table as the rest of ‘em…and it goes a little something like this: ”Fckk Deez Hozz” LMAO! This probably won’t make it to the article…but lemme tell you, it WORKS, and I wouldn’t be here without it.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Viola Davis. I am almost done reading her memoir “Finding Me” and I have fallen so deeply in love with her story. I have the highest respect for those that were not born into privilege, for the underdogs that fight, claw and earn their way to the top. Success looks and feels different for people with a hustle like hers, and I know that one day my story will become someone else’s survival guide too!
How can our readers follow you online?
Instagram: @ItsMeTiffD
TikTok: @It.sMeTiffD
Twitter: @ItsMeTiffD
Website: www.TiffanyDaniels.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
