New York Art Life is always excited to introduce you to some of the brightest and most amazing artists who are bringing change to the art scene in New York City. Without doubt artists such as performers and actors are some fascinating people with amazing stories of how they recognized their love for acting and performing. We are very excited to speak to Kenza Nejmi today. She is an actor and performer based in New York City who has greatly succeeded in acting and performing.
NY Art Life: Thank you so much for speaking with us, we can’t wait to speak to you.
Kenza Nejmi: Thank you, the pleasure is mine! I’m excited to share my journey with you.
NY Art Life: You’ve had so much success when it comes to acting and performing. You have a great connection to music, and you’ve worked across Canada and now in New York City. How does it feel to be so versatile and have so much range as well as depth in what you do?
Kenza Nejmi: Thank you for your kind words and for knowing about what I do. It is fascinating to be able to do what I love which is singing, performing, and acting. To me, the energy that is shared between the audience and the creators, as well as the actors is something that I can’t find in any other art medium. I feel very happy and fortunate to be able to share my passion with the world, you know. It’s a valuable gift and I will never take it for granted.
NY Art Life: That is very amazing. You’re currently performing live in different events such as entertaining children in different age groups. Tell us more about that experience.
Kenza Nejmi: It’s very refreshing to work around kids. I love watching them and seeing how their excitement grows with every performance. It’s also a very different experience for me. It’s great to see how children’s reactions are very spontaneous because of the nature of what I’m doing. But in a play, the audience’s reactions are much more filtered and contained because of how the story moves, and the nature of adults.
NY Art Life: That is fascinating. Speaking of youth, you knew that you wanted to be a singer since a very young age, and you’ve been singing since you were six years old. How did it feel when you had the moment of realization that singing and performing is your passion?
Kenza Nejmi: I knew that I loved singing and I wanted to be a pop star when I was six and further on I realized that I’m in love with musicals when I performed the role of Nala in The Lion King play. It was a very interesting moment when I was performing: I felt comfortable. I found energy on the stage that I never found anywhere else. It was a wonderful moment one that I will never forget.
NY Art Life: That is very beautiful. You have also had great recognition when it comes to performing and singing. You won second place at Secondaire en Spectacle which was a talent competition. It’s very impressive but it doesn’t end there. You were also the second runner-up in the singing category at Spotlight Awards. And not only that, but you also won two silver medals at the iPop awards in Los Angeles. What is your key to success?
Kenza Nejmi: I think there is one specific key to success which is there’s a lot of practice and understanding that this is not something that will happen overnight. With more practice, I’m able to unleash my true passion and share what I am meant to share but another great ingredient for success is just believing in yourself and being in touch with the right people. That means being in contact with people who push you to become a better version of yourself; a better artist and a better person. I’ve seen myself grow when I have done that.
NY Art Life: That is amazing. What are your thoughts when you are performing on stage, performing a role in a play?
Kenza Nejmi: I don’t have that many thoughts except trying to remember the way I feel. And the emotions that rush through me during the performance. As I said, the way that I feel on stage is something that is quite difficult to match. It feels like magic and I know that it doesn’t just come from within me; it is also connected to the audience and the strength of the script, and the hard work of a casting crew so I would say some of my real thoughts and feelings would be gratitude.
NY Art Life: That’s very fascinating to hear. If you could give advice to your younger self what would that be?
Kenza Nejmi: I would tell myself to keep going. When you’re young and you’re only starting your artistic career, you have a lot of doubt which is natural but sometimes you question what will happen in the future. I think that that doesn’t matter. Most people’s thoughts even when they are adults should be continuing their passion and persisting and doing what they love because that is all that matters. Success will present itself in its own time. I would also tell myself to keep doing the things that I love because that will nurture my passion even more, I’m glad that I did so even at a young age.
NY Art Life: That was very lovely. Finally, we are curious to know your relationship with this city.
Kenza Nejmi: New York is an extraordinary city, which enchants, amazes, and sometimes bores you, and at the same time stresses you. That excites, inspires, but above all that guides us all into the future. I love this city with its raw magic. I like the quote from Simone de Beauvoir the French philosopher who said: “There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.”
NY Art Life: How to not fully agree with these words Thank you for sharing so many beautiful words with us I think it would be a good idea to end on this note.
Kenza Nejmi: Yes, thank you so much for having me!
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