Niecy Nash-Betts: A Trailblazer In Entertainment And Advocacy

It’s hard to miss the force that is Niecy Nash-Betts. Whether you’ve witnessed her meteoric career trajectory, the multitude of dynamic characters she’s brought to life, or her authenticity in advocating for marginalized communities, you understand that her star power is unlike any other. Nash-Betts has consistently illustrated the importance of using one’s platform to lend her voice to those whose narratives aren’t always at the forefront of media. All that to say, it’s why her latest collaboration with Versalie aligns with her legacy of bringing awareness to subjects that impact many people’s lives worldwide. The Emmy award-winning actor and producer’s partnership with Versalie, a new, digital-first platform offering connections, support, and resources for all things menopause, touches on a personal note.

“I’ve been around the block two or three times, and some things are inevitable, like menopause. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I thought everything was just relegated to hot flashes because that’s what I heard my mom, grandmother, and aunties say, and it stopped there. Through this digital platform, I’ve begun to understand that so many more things and resources come with it. There’s expert content; there are menopause-trained clinicians. It’s a one-stop shop with a storefront where you can buy products that address your perimenopause and menopausal needs. I love that it was one place where all my friends, or anyone, could get the necessary resources for the journey. You’re going to go on the journey, but it’s the how that’s the most important part.”

When it comes to her experience as a Black woman who’s endured menopause, the storyteller has embraced leaning on other Black women for support in navigating it.

“For me, it was only relegated to one thing, and I didn’t understand that fatigue, as an example, is a part of menopause, but I don’t know one Black woman who’s not tired. We are all tired, and some of us are tired of being tired. So when you don’t know that that’s also a part of the journey, you don’t know how to treat it because you think, ‘Oh, it’s status quo. All of us feel this way.’ But we have conversations where we say, ‘Wait a minute, and what else is it? Oh, and this is a part of it, and that’s a part of it?’ So, there’s a sense of community, but it’s the sense of knowing what is happening to your body, so you know how to navigate the journey.”

As a veteran in the entertainment industry, Nash-Betts also has a wealth of knowledge on navigating the ebbs and flows of Hollywood as a Black woman. As the starlet continues to lay the stage for the next generation of Black women to come into the fold, her advice would be to be intentional with negotiating and camaraderie.

“Your biggest strength is going to be in what you negotiate. Negotiate for yourself what you want, what you require, and what you need. Because you don’t want to say yes and then get on the other side and be mad about what you said yes to, your peace will lie in negotiations. I would also say to find your community. Find the women who are going to tell you about an audition. Find the people that are going to help you with your self-tape. Find your community because it’s going to be necessary.”

The California native isn’t new to the concept of leaning into community, but she’s true to it. The storyteller has fiercely represented what it means to diversify her portfolio of work by excelling in a range of genres, including drama, comedy, and much more—something she attests to having a dynamic tribe of friends who lift her up.

“People met me as a comedian, so they thought they’d put me in a category and go, ‘Oh, we know what you do.’ And I’m like, ‘No, I can do more than that.’ I had to fight to prove I wasn’t just a one-trick pony. The key is surrounding yourself with people who see you how you see yourself. If you don’t, they won’t advocate for you to get a certain audition or a certain role when you go into these rooms because they don’t think it’s in your wheelhouse. I’m just happy that I’ve been able to taste all the disciplines. I’ve been a show host, I’ve been a dancing star, I’ve been on unscripted comedy, and I’ve also received Emmy awards for dramatic work. I am very blessed to be able to taste all the disciplines. What I’m most happy about is that now my peers know they can count on me. No matter what kind of project they have, I’m your girl.”

While she has a catalog of achievements and future projects to gush about, one upcoming endeavor is something she’s especially excited about—music.

“My better half, Jessica Betts, and a producer turned my Emmy awards speech from earlier this year into a song that will be released soon. It is so delicious, so fun, and I’m so proud of it.”