Check Out Zakiyyah BG’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zakiyyah BG. 

Hi Zakiyyah, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born June 28th in Lansing, MI. An energetic, charismatic, and witty kid. My passion for the performing arts grew only after being forced on stage to perform in an elementary school play by my mother. From there I continued studying acting and filmmaking. In high school, I became a thespian performing musicals, dance and studied at our local performing arts school: Ruhala. I’ve starred in local short films that have received awards including: Best Acting, along with her own film “Badnapping” which I directed, starred, and wrote; now has gone on to win 8 awards around the US. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest obstacle in my opinion is being consistent, the ability to keep putting in the work when no one is looking or praising you. A constant battle of believing in yourself and moving forward. The road itself is not an easy one, but I believe with hard work and consistency I will arrive–may not be on my time–but the right time. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an actress/filmmaker, I dabble in both but leaning more towards acting which was my original plan. I shot some music videos around the area and also directed two of my own short films. I’ve been acting since I was ten around the time, I got my first video camera. 

It was only recently around the pandemic when I made the commitment to pursue acting as a career, since then I have made over a dozen monologues showcasing my range and skill and starred in independent films around the Detroit area. I feel like my name is slowly getting out there and what sets me apart is my acting range, quality, and professionalism. 

Every project that I have been a part I gave my best. I’m beyond grateful for our film “Badnapping” that we took from script and brought to life with an amazing cast and crew, what I am most proud of is my Monologue Series “RespectthePlaywright/RespecttheScreenplay” it took me months and months of studying not only the lines but studying the writers and reading through the majority of their work to truly understand where the writer was coming from to best bring each character to life, and allowing myself to be displayed for the world to see whether I played the character right or wrong–it was learning experience for me rather than trying to entertain. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Honestly, I hope the industry will continue to keep using humans as actors rather than A.I. Movie theatres hopefully are still a thing and I hope people will continue to support and go out to see theatre and Broadway. 

I’m not sure what the next 5-10 years will hold for TV/Film, my job is to be adaptable and welcome change…for the better. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Zakiyyahbg.com
• Instagram: @ZBGBaby
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZakiyyahBG/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyaQnugxAH10J4xwk4shMGg

Image Credit
Last 3 Photos by Tyler Moncrief