Devale Ellis – 20 Years into Manifesting his Moment

Cox: Man your character Zac just can’t get a break.

Ellis: You know some people need to realize that just because someone is trying to change doesn’t mean everything around them will allow for that change. Zac has these friends and family members who want him to be the version of himself they are used to. This is the most difficult thing for him. 

Ellis (contin.): Zac is also a work in progress. He isn’t mature enough yet to handle all the things that come from having money now and a girlfriend. It’s like they say, when you get a girlfriend that’s when all the other women want you. This is exactly what Zac is experiencing. I like to applaud Tyler Perry because Zac with all his flaws and actions doesn’t get an easy out even when he is trying his best. This makes him a relatable character rather than an unbelievable one who is going to always make the right decisions, because that’s just not real life. 

Cox: Can you relate any parts to Zac? 

Ellis: Hell yeah! Hell Yeah! Let me tell you something and I say this all the time. This past October marked twenty years I’ve been with my wife. There was this time when I went from college straight to the NFL. I felt like Zac because I was on this rise. Just like him, I thought I had everything figured out. 

Devale said how between the ages 19 and 24 he made so many mistakes just like we see with his character Zac. He stopped asking for advice from his peers because at that stage in his life you couldn’t tell him anything. Those choices he would later have to answer for and make up for them between the ages 25 and 30. 

Cox: So when you read the script for Zatima and where Zac was going to go outside of his usual role in Sistas, could you relate to him even more?

Ellis: My brother, any man that comes into money and now has access to anything they could want in life can relate to Zac. 

Cox: Is there more pressure for you now that Zac is one of the lead characters?

Ellis: Can I be honest?

Cox: Yeah.

Ellis: Twenty years ago I went on my first date with my wife Khadeen Ellis. We were in my dorm room watching Martin. I looked at her and told her ‘I want to do that!’ I want to have my own TV show. I want to make people laugh, cry and tell stories. So when I got the opportunity to be the lead in Zatima, it was 20 years of me manifesting this moment. 

Devale said he was ready for it and he walked into it knowing that this was for him. Of course this is even more added pressure, but he was more excited than anything. He wants people to receive his art. This opportunity he said is the dopest feeling in the world and he is just very thankful.

Cox: 20 years later Devale you have put in the time, effort and patience for this moment.

Ellis: Michael, let me tell you something that I heard when I was younger. It takes 10 years to be an overnight success. I want to be iconic in this industry and I know it will not happen tomorrow. So I always remember that when I think I’m not exactly where I want to be in my career. I’ve already put two doses of 10 years in and I’m prepared to put in the equal amount of years to get to the next level.

“You only focus on what you can control because all the outside noise will not help you be the best version of yourself.”

It’s all the mindset for Devale with this industry. His professional sports background gives him the mental discipline to stay the course and never give up. He said in sports, it’s you did or you didn’t and that’s the same with acting. It’s about the performance and he is always going to make sure he is well prepared to deliver what’s requested of him. 

Cox: Devale you are someone who shows a positive image of a Black father and husband on social media. You are authentic, transparent and vulnerable. 

Ellis: Thank you and you know I have to say it’s because I found a great partner. From the time I was 18 to now, I have been with my beautiful wife Khadeen. That time I told her ‘this is what I want to do’ when we were watching Martin in my dorm room, her words were “So how are we going to get it?” She said it jokingly but was also serious. Khadeen could hear the passion I had in my voice. 

Ellis(contin): I can’t sit up here and act like I have it all figured out. There are so many days where I’m like there is so much on my plate. It’s Khadeen who centers me and makes sure I prioritize things. She will always ask me what is the most important thing at this moment. I chose to spend the rest of my life with a partner that is of service. 

Cox: So what advice would you give to someone who just isn’t landing anything? 

Ellis: It happens. I got cut three times in the NFL and didn’t get certain roles. That just meant it wasn’t for me. I know it sounds cliche but I have to be honest. I can’t force anyone to sign me to a team or pick me for the part. So in my mind, I have to realize that it was for someone else. But it also means that the thing that’s for me is around the corner. So I have to continue to work on myself for when that moment comes. Nothing is worse than when your moment comes and you aren’t ready!

Cox: People now see you on the screen but they were originally introduced to you through social media, which you do an amazing job of.

Ellis: I’m actually a classically trained actor but many don’t know that. They see me as the social media guy and podcaster who now wants to be an actor. I was tired of hearing no or that they only saw me fit for  roles such as thugs, gangsters, and ex-cons because of my tattoos and muscles. I used all these tools to get my foot in the door my way. So I used social media to get people to pay attention to my art. 

Devale will be a forever student of his craft. One thing is for sure, with each opportunity he is honing in and refining his craft so that he is forever ready for what’s to come next. And if opportunities aren’t presenting themselves or he is being told No we know he will create them himself. He might walk in faith and patience, he isn’t patiently waiting for anyone to give him the life he desires.