Making Her Mark and Minding Her Business – Netta Walker

These days, you can find Netta Walker hydrated, moisturized, and minding her business – taking Hollywood by storm, one episode at a time. The 25-year-old All American: Homecoming star may be young, but she has tons of experience, both in life and on stage. Hailing from the South, she credits an educator as the catalyst in activating her love for acting.

We’ve gotten to know Keisha, the HBCU student, but who is Netta Walker?

I was raised by my parents in Jacksonville, Florida, alongside three older brothers. As you could imagine, there was never a dull moment. I would try to be just like my brothers. I attended historically black institutions from primary school through 12th grade. It was such a rich experience being surrounded by black culture on that level.

What sealed the deal for acting to bloom into your career?

I started my freshman and sophomore years doing some minor acting in school productions. Then, I began getting into trouble, almost expelled. One teacher, Miss Shirley Kirby, challenged me to hone in on my acting and love for theater. She told me that I was going to do theater! She saw past my behaviors and chose to focus on the potential I held. Promising her I would pursue theater in college, after graduation, I moved to Chicago and really dove right in. I really am thankful for her dedication to teaching and her passion for her students.

What barriers have you overcome as a young black actress in the industry?

I think anyone that has intersectionality in their existence has met barriers that prevent us from doing the best work we can. While in college, I was told that I should relegate myself to the ¨stand-by¨ character, I would never be a leading lady, and I would never be as successful as my counterparts.

How did you overcome them?

I am thankful for Chicago and the love and encouragement from my fellow artists. I draw from the love and strength from my parents. Specifically, the wise words of my father. He was in the Navy. He worked his way from enlisting and retired as a Chief. He told me, “If someone tells you that you can’t do something, you now have twice as many reasons to say that you can.” As a black woman coming out in the industry, I was told what stories I was allowed to tell. I hold my father’s words close, and I continue to prove those wrong that told me what box I should fit my gift into. It is invigorating to prove them wrong and challenge the norm! Our normal is whatever we make it!

If you weren’t acting, what career could we find you thriving in now?

Wow! There are a couple of things I would be pursuing. I have always wanted to be an astronomer! When I was five, my dad bought me a telescope. From that point on, the stars became a full-fledged love! On the other end of the spectrum, I would be thriving as a Human Psychologist for war veterans. Growing up, I saw the benefits of therapy for my dad. In the Black community, mental health is often overlooked and even joked about. I saw my father’s life improve as he phased through his visits and reconciled with what he experienced while serving.

Often, we see life imitating art. If you could give your younger self advice, what would you say?

LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS! Spend more time with your family. Don´t take what others say about you personally. Have and maintain boundaries; don’t let people in your space. Have empathy.

How do you stay focused and motivated?

Well, I definitely surround myself with people that actively inspire me artistically, personally, and morally. I really strive to be the sum of the five people closest to me. I continuously ask myself, “What would Dad say?” After losing my father when I was 20, it became even more critical to make him proud. It has become that unattainable concept which propels me forward. I constantly am seeking ways I can exceed! I can hear his voice pushing me to keep going. I actually have the word ´proud´ in his handwriting tattooed on my wrist as a reminder.

You have graced many stages and played on many television screens. If you had to choose, what is your favorite role played to date?

Honestly, I have loved and connected to each role. However, if I had to choose, it would be the role of Jennifer in Yen, performed at The Raven Theater in Chicago. She was a young Welsh woman grappling with love and loss. This role was pivotal for me. I’d lost my dad eight months prior, and the role really taught me about that time period after loss. I love small, black box theater productions. So, that was a magical experience.

I really connected to my role as Keisha [in All American: Homecoming], as she has experienced the loss of a parent. Both she and Kam have to navigate life with such an unfillable void and support one another through loss.

Being a young black creative and entering the industry can be difficult. What are some nuggets of advice or encouragement you would pass to aspiring actors and actresses?

DO NOT try to be anyone that is not you! You are the most authentic version of yourself. There are some roles where I look back and totally cringe. You have to be okay with cringing at your strong and wrong decisions. Never do anything unless you love it! DO NOT take the no´s personally.

If you aren’t on set filming or researching for a role, what can we find Netta Walker indulging in during her free time?
If I’m in Chicago, of course, I’m seeing plays. I also like to play Pokémon on the Switch! Growing up, I wanted to be a lot like my brother. I picked up an interest in Anime from hanging around my older brother Eric since I was six. I watch when I get the chance because I LOVE the storylines and animation.