Nia Hill is an accomplished actress, entertainment executive, producer, and master of reinvention. Like many of us, her earliest attempts at reinvention happened after she started a new school in LA. She was immediately introduced to a new set of beauty and style expectations that were different from what was allowed at her prim and mandatory-uniform Catholic School. Growing up traveling between parents and cities, Los Angeles and Atlanta, provided her with the foundation to assess and adapt to new surroundings quickly. While her mother was...
Nia Hill is an accomplished actress, entertainment executive, producer, and master of reinvention. Like many of us, her earliest attempts at reinvention happened after she started a new school in LA. She was immediately introduced to a new set of beauty and style expectations that were different from what was allowed at her prim and mandatory-uniform Catholic School. Growing up traveling between parents and cities, Los Angeles and Atlanta, provided her with the foundation to assess and adapt to new surroundings quickly. While her mother was stricter in how she allowed Nia to self-express, her father, a well-known comedy agent, was more lenient. Her early exposure to the entertainment business, coupled with music video inspiration on BET, Nia quickly carved out her own path personally and professionally.
During our conversation, Nia shared that while she studied acting in college, her father dissuaded her from pursuing a career in acting. The Harlem Renaissance inspired her to move to New York during the early 2000s. After interning at the famous Apollo Theater, she embarked on a career as an executive and landed roles at Comedy Central, The Chappelle Show, and even MTV. Despite a successful career and blossoming relationship with her now-husband, Bill Burr, she was unfulfilled. She transitioned to a full-time stay-at-home mother, but still felt called towards creative work. Nia decided to invest fully in herself and her interests, only to find that she was the career of her dreams. Her current role, as a purveyor of the best in Black fine dining, is created in her image; truly original, funny, and endlessly entertaining.
Tune in as we discuss:
(5:40) Why Nia Isn't Pursuing A Professional Comedy Career
(6:30) Why She Didn’t Feel Beautiful Growing Up
(8:45) Growing Up Between Atlanta & LA
(9:08) Her Nepo Baby Experience
(10:30) How Summer School In LA Helped Reshape Her Identity
(11:15) Finding Style Inspo On BET
(11:45) Her Experience In Y2K Harlem
(12:10) How The Harlem Renaissance Inspired Her Move
(12:40) A Mild Diddy Run-In
(13:05) What Early 2000s Braid Shops Were Like
(14:10) Defining Her Second Wind Career
(15:00) From Acting & To Media Exec
(16:16) Recovering From Corporate Unhappiness
(17:50) Why She Felt Unfulfilled As A SAHM
(19:08) The True Cost Of Investing In Herself
(21:00) Why Vanity Inspired Her Public Rebrand
(25:08) Building Her Team With Personal Connections
(26:28) The Day-To-Day Stylist Rundown
(31:45) How People Responded To Her Evolution
(38:52) Invest In Yourself, Even If It’s Small
(39:59) Beginning Her Fine Dining Journey
(44:40) Why She Chooses To Highlight Black Chefs
(47:55) LA Food Lightning Round
(54:41) Nia's Advice For People Who Feel Stuck
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Products Mentioned:
Ami Cole Lip Oil
Makeup Forever Hydra Glow
MAC Chestnut Lip Pencil
EADEM Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm
Forlle'd Hyalogy P-effect Refining Lotion
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Lotion
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant
Purple Rain Prada Beauty
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