Posts tagged "Raina St. Patrick"

Meet Donshea Hopkins!

Photo credit: zxphilmz

When you UNLEASH your power, you light up the world  + actress/musical artist Donshea Hopkins is simply blazing bright! Not only does she play Raina St. Patrick on the hit Starz series POWER, she’s also letting her voice touch her fans through her beautiful vocals and empowering lyrics. Donshea Hopkins is making her mark across all platforms as an actress, singer, dancer, and model. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Donshea began her career as professional actress at the age of four and has since been on some of the biggest hit television shows including, Power, The Detour, Orange is the New Black, Nurse Jackie, Law & Order SVU, Sesame Street, “What Would You Do?”, Team Umizoomi, appearances in sketches on David Letterman, and an interview segment with Alyson Hannigan and Carson Daly on MTV’s TRL.  Donshea’s EP debut 3Point2 is available for digital download and streaming everywhere.  

 
Let’s get to know Donshea’s a little better…

Photo credit: @zxphilmz

You’ve starred in the biggest hit television shows including Power, The Detour, Orange is the New Black, Nurse Jackie, + Law & Order SVU just to name a few! What made you want to step into the acting world?
When I was younger whenever I saw kids on TV that were around my age, I would tell my mom that I wanted to do that. I started talking at nine months old, so when I would point to the television and tell her, she didn’t think much of it. She just thought that I wanted to do the ABC’s and 123’s since I was watching shows like  Sesame Street and Barney.

I was so persistent with wanting to become an actress that I would write my own scripts and commercials and perform them for my mom. On New Year’s Eve we have this tradition where we tell each other our goals and ambitions for the upcoming year. When I was 3 years old I asked her, “Why don’t you want me to be on tv?” And she said “It’s not that I don’t want you to be on tv, it’s that I don’t know what to do.” She began to tell me that when my birthday came around, she’ll figure out what to do and how to get me in the business. And the rest is history!

You’ve already accomplished so much at an young age! If you had to choose, what would be the biggest highlight in your blossoming career so far?
I’d say my music is definitely one of the biggest highlights in my career so far. Mostly because it’s my own project that I had complete control over, since I wrote/co-wrote and co-produced everything on my debut EP 3Point2. ( 3Point2 is available for download and streaming everywhere).

In your current role as Raina St. Patrick how was it to work with the cast of Power?
It’s one heck of a crazy exhilarating roller coaster ride, working with the cast of Power. Because everyone’s so different and unique and there styles and methods of acting are all so different that I learn something new every time I walk on set.

As you continue to travel on your amazing journey of dominating your craft, how do you deal with fame + being recognized? How do you stay grounded + focused?
I embrace it, because just how fast I got it, I can lose it. And I think it’s pretty freaking amazing  to be recognized for my work by fans. I’m just glad that my work has been memorable enough to be appreciated.To stay focused I start with the end in mind. I think about how hard I’m working and why I’m working hard, and then I think about how much my work is gonna pay off later. Whether that might be 5 months or 5 years, I know one day it’ll definitely pay off in a BIG way!

Photo credit: Zxphilmz


What advice would you give girls who want to follow their dreams and passions but are nervous or intimidated?
GO.
FOR.
IT!
You only get one life, so don’t be afraid to go after what you want.
And you’re not gonna get everything you want and that’s okay. Like for example if you go out on an audition and you don’t get it. Don’t be upset, because you got an amazing experience to audition for this company. And they might call you in for something else. Usually it’s not that they didn’t like you, you just didn’t fit the role or what they were looking for. So keep going and don’t be afraid!
Fear less, be FEARLESS!

We are all about empowerment, What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?

Empowerment means taking pride in your culture and who you are. Empowerment also means lifting each other up and as people I feel like we tend to forget that sometimes. Instead of empowering each other we tear each other down. Which isn’t right, if we want to succeed in this world we must help each other in this weird thing we call life. Fighting has gotten us no where, but back to the beginning.

Time for  FAVES! Celeb Crush? Music artist? Food? Movie?
Justin Bieber. Halsey, Paramore, Justin (obviously) Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Selena Gomez, Melanie Martinez, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, Florence + the Machine, Janine, Zendaya, and the list goes on! Popcorn/Vegan Sushi/ and anything with chocolate. The Princess and the Frog, Beauty and the Beast, The Professional, and Get Out.

Check out more Donshea here!

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