Photo by Vital Agibalow for Hensel
Dress - Casablanca
Necklace & ring - Meri Lou Jewelry
Stacked rings - Cindy Kleist

PHOTOGRAPHED BY VITAL AGIBALOW for HENSEL
MAKEUP BY THYNNA WAGENBLAST
HAIR BY YULIYA HAKIMI
BRAID HAIRSTYLING BY MIRNA JOSE
STYLING BY JANET IGAH
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - SAGE LITTLEJOHN
DIRECTION - NOVA LORRAINE
COORDINATOR - MURRAY BLEHART

Monique Coleman is an actress, producer, and Daytime Emmy Nominated host best known for playing Taylor McKessie in Disney’s High School Musical franchise (and will reprise her iconic role in the upcoming season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series for Disney+).

Recent projects include Lifetime movies Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story, and A Christmas Dance Reunion. She can also be seen starring in the BET movie Love, Marry, Kill.

Balanced with her passion for acting, Monique has an unshakable belief in the power and potential of today's youth. As the first-ever United Nations Youth Champion, she has traveled to over 24 countries and spent the last decade advocating for women and youth across the globe through movements such as the UN Foundation's Girl Up campaign and her executive-produced Discovery Life series, Gimme Mo' - for which she garnered a Daytime Emmy nomination.

Photo by Vital Agibalow for Hensel
Hat - Rosa Isela
Dress - Baruni
Rings - Cindy Kleist
Shoes - Deiji Design

RAINE: What was the initial spark of creative inspiration that led you to pursue a career in the arts?

MONIQUE COLEMAN: I came out of the womb singing and dancing. I can't remember a time when performing, storytelling, dancing, and being creative weren’t the most important things in my life. I read the phone book like it was a novel and was constantly putting on performances for my family members. In third grade, I had an amazing teacher who recognized that my inability to focus in class (and extremely talkative nature) were likely linked to the fact that I was actually an artist! I began training in multiple disciplines. Thirty-five years later, I love it just as much as I ever did.

RAINE: How did your initial career as an actress expand over time and broaden out to include several other creative pursuits and projects?

COLEMAN: Acting was initially an outlet for my emotional expression. It allowed me to explore parts of myself that I didn't feel safe enough to express in my "real” life. Over time, I came to recognize the limitations around only portraying the roles that were available to me. I also wanted more control over the stories I was telling. That led me to expand into other avenues that would allow me to have a greater impact, including writing, producing, hosting, and directing.

RAINE: What's the one piece of advice you would give to any aspiring creative looking to make it within their chosen field?

COLEMAN: Instead of focusing on “making it”, focus on the work and your passion for why you do what you do. Pursuing a creative field will have many challenges, and when you place more significance on your destination instead of the journey, you'll never be satisfied. Cultivate a strong work ethic, build a supportive community, and never stop learning or growing in your respective field.

Photo by Vital Agibalow for Hensel
Top - Pleats Please by Issey Miyake
Bralette top & Skirt - Simone Ellis

RAINE: You have built a large portfolio across acting, activism, and philanthropy. What are the key factors you are looking for when choosing which projects to endorse or devote time and effort towards?

COLEMAN: Purpose. I like to choose projects that are either personally meaningful, or empowering to young people, women/girls, or the planet.

RAINE: Do you have something you are working on right now that you have a particular passion for?

COLEMAN: At the moment, I'm really passionate about self-development and integrating the lessons I've learned over the years to discover how I can use my experiences to make a difference in any and all things I pursue moving forward.

RAINE: How does it feel coming back into the High School Musical fold for the upcoming season of the Disney+ series with its meta take on the franchise?

COLEMAN: Honestly, it was an incredible experience to be back on the set of High School Musical! I had the most fun, and it truly felt like a celebration of the original series and the characters that we gave so much of ourselves to. The cast of actors in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series are all incredibly talented, and I couldn't be happier with Disney's decision to reference High School Musical from a real-world point of view instead of simply revisiting East High as we know (and love) it from the movies.

Photo by Vital Agibalow for Hensel
Jumpsuit - Elmadawy New York
Necklace & Bangle - Solomeina
Rings - Cindy Kleist
Shoes - Mia Becar

RAINE: With so many creative outlets available to you, what are your best strategies for avoiding burnout?

COLEMAN: I do my best to prioritize self-care, which includes hydrating, meditating, exercising, and doing things that bring me joy. I also try to communicate when I'm feeling close to approaching burnout and ask the people I'm working with to extend grace.

RAINE: What do you see the future holding for you both creatively and professionally?

COLEMAN: I have SO many aspirations that range from improving my martial arts, breaking into action comedy, directing projects for kids, and landing a beauty campaign! I care more about the quality of the work I do and the impact that I make, rather than the specifics of what those projects are. I hope to lead a life that is creatively fulfilling and inspiring to others!

Power and Grace - An Interview With Monique Coleman