When I studied Product Development at FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) in Los Angeles, their resources and support system were amazing. However, I knew I needed to strategise how to stand out, as the fashion industry is incredibly competitive, and I was the only Deaf person at the school. I worked while attending school to build my network, made connections, and even did an internship to experience different areas of fashion. But even that was not enough. I had to be strategic with my classes to get a head start with my career after graduation.
One of the final classes was a final portfolio presentation class to showcase my skills, fashion collection, and creativity to demonstrate my qualifications for the industry. When I met with my counsellor, I insisted on taking that class a quarter early. My counsellor was concerned about the workload. However, since I had proven my capability with a heavy course load and consistently high GPA, they approved me to take 18 units along with the Portfolio class. I mastered it with an A and bonus points. I was excited to start my job hunting during my last quarter.
I applied to jobs and quickly got calls for interviews. That was very exciting for me because I kept telling myself, “Yes, this is going so well.” But many interviews resulted in the same reactions of, “Oh, you are deaf,” or the look of, “Umm, how this is going to work,” and me not being hired. I faced the harsh reality of discrimination as a Deaf person. I had the grades, the experience, and the passion, but it was not enough. It got to a point where I was willing to drive over an hour to a job interview, filled with optimism, only for the interview to end short. I was on the brink of, “What else can I do?”
Soon after, I received an email from my Portfolio class teacher saying she wanted to nominate my portfolio for the college’s portfolio contest. With hundreds of submissions, I was one of the 100 portfolios chosen! The contest allowed industry professionals to view the portfolios without meeting the person behind them, reducing potential bias. Thanks to this opportunity, I was hired as a product developer at BCBG MAXAZRIA. The revelation revealed the reality of bias, judgment, and the fear people have of those who are different. The person who hired me was very open and wanted to hire the best. She saw my talent, ability, and experience; she did not see a Black Deaf girl.
The challenge is that there are not many people like her. This experience encouraged me to continue having conversations in the workplace, advocate for access, and share my experiences, something I have done all my life. Ultimately, I am doing the same in Hollywood, where I continually advocate, break down barriers, and engage in tough, necessary conversations. The work is not done, but I find joy in the impact I am making.
From a young age, I stood out. As a Black, dark-skinned girl with a unique appearance, I often felt like an outsider. I remember hiding behind my eyeglasses, feeling awkward and out of place. These feelings only intensified as I pursued a career in Hollywood. I was repeatedly reminded of the industry’s formulaic approach to casting, which did not account for someone who looked like me. I started to internalize the industry's standards and doubted my worth because I did not fit the typical mould.
I vividly recall a conversation with a Hollywood executive who bluntly explained that no one looked like me in the industry (she said it in a positive light coupled with the sad truth). This revelation was both a burden and a liberation. It confirmed that my struggles were not just in my head but were real obstacles created by the industry.
In response to these challenges, I decided to take control of my narrative. In the fall of 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote, produced, directed, and starred in my first short film, The Multi. This film was a turning point, allowing me to showcase my talent by playing two distinct characters. The success of The Multi (accepted into 15 film festivals) opened doors for me as a writer. I joined the writers' room for the Starz/Warner Brothers’ Untitled Show with Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff, produced by ARRAY, an experience that underscored the importance of authentic representation in storytelling.
My journey up to this point had been filled with small victories that, in hindsight, were monumental. My first significant break came with Ryan Murphy's, The Politician on Netflix. Booking the role of Principal Karen Vaughn was a whirlwind experience. I was notified of the audition just a day before it was scheduled, and despite it being my first speaking role, I gave it my all. This role, though brief, was a milestone that validated my place in the industry.
Following The Politician, I continued to break barriers. I became the first Black Deaf actress to be seen as an animated character in Amazon Prime’s Undone and performed on Saturday Night Live with Coldplay. I returned as Hailey Cooper on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video game, becoming the first Black deaf playable character. My role as Hailey won me the “Best Representation” award from the GAConf Awards. More recently, I was the Creative Director and Lead Performer for Coldplay’s “feelslikeimfallinginlove” music video. These roles were not just personal achievements but significant steps forward in representing the Deaf community, Black people, and people of colour in the industry.
The world needs compassion, which is what art is about, and I believe the world is ready for new stories.
I have so many that sometimes I think, “I have done all of this, and it is still not enough.” But I try to celebrate these milestones/wins and remind myself that it is enough, that I am worthy. I have to continue saying these words of affirmation for me to say, "Oh my god, these milestones matter because others who look like me can see my success and say, 'If she can do it, I can, too.'"
When I look at my whiteboard with all my milestones, I imagine what it would be like to have a team and all the capital to say, “Next year, let’s do this and that.” There is so much fear and comfort studios have when they are unwilling to take a chance. The comfort of making the same film or show that flops, and somehow they still get capital, while someone like me cannot be afraid. I have to take risks and invest my own money to break the mould. The imbalance is just wild to me but I love what I do. That is why I keep going. The world needs compassion, which is what art is about, and I believe the world is ready for new stories.
That said, some of my milestones, include:
- Being the creative director and lead performer for Coldplay’s “feelslikeimfallinginlove” music video, which garnered over 35 million views and two MTV VMA music video award nominations
- Working on the second draft of my first feature film
- Working with SoundX (founded by Damien Quintard), the first artificial intelligence coupled with an innovative sensation (vibration) pack that allows the Deaf community to experience sound and music
- Acting and voicing as Hailey Cooper, the first Black deaf character in Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and the first playable Black deaf character in Spider-Man 2. Won “Best Representation” award from 2024 #GAConf
- Writing, producing, directing, and acting in my award-winning short film, The Multi, that was accepted into 15 film festivals, including Oscars, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Qualifiers
- Acting as Principal Vaughn on Ryan Murphy and Netflix’s “The Politician,” appearing in four episodes
- Hired as the first Black Deaf Staff woman Writer for Starz TV show, “Untitled Joshua Jackson & Lauren Ridloff”
- Taking the big leap to search for new representation (agent and/or manager)
Being an artist, writer, and storyteller started at a young age, but Natasha did not realize this passion would bloom later in her life. Her mom immigrated from Sierra Leone on the West Coast of Africa. At 18 months old, as a first-generation American, Natasha became deaf due to a fever. That did not scare her mother, who became Natasha's biggest supporter, and it shaped who Natasha is today as a proud Black, Deaf woman.
As a rising actress, Natasha was recognized for her breakout role as Principal Karen Vaughn in Ryan Murphy's Netflix series, The Politician. Natasha achieved historical milestones by winning the 2024 Game Accessibility Conference award for "Best Representation" for portraying Hailey Cooper, the first Black Deaf playable character in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 video game. She also played Hailey in the Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales video game. A Writers Guild of America West (WGA) member, Natasha was a staff writer on the Starz/Warner Brothers "Untitled Show" produced by Ava DuVernay's production company, ARRAY.
Founder of NIOVISION Productions, she wrote, acted, produced, and directed her award-winning short film, The Multi, which was accepted to 15 film festivals, with some being Oscars, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Qualifiers. In collaboration with Coldplay, Pulse Films, and Director Ben Mor, Natasha, as the Creative Director, developed the story and creative direction for the music video for Coldplay's first single, "feelslikeimfallinginlove," of their new album, Moon Music, and was the Lead Performer. The video was nominated for two MTV VMA awards: Best Rock and Video for Good.
A natural-born advocate, Natasha advocates for accessibility, authentic representation, and opportunities for the Deaf and disabled community, especially Black and BIPOC Deaf youth.
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