D’Kia Anderson doesn’t shy away from hard truths—whether she’s embodying complex characters on screen or speaking candidly about her own life. The Baltimore-born actress is carving a path in Hollywood not only with her talent but also with a growing platform rooted in mental health advocacy.
Anderson appears in “Beauty In Black,” Tyler Perry’s new drama streaming on Netflix. The series explores identity, ambition and emotional survival through the eyes of two women from vastly different backgrounds. Anderson plays Leslie, a gritty, emotionally charged character whose storylines required her to dig into difficult memories.
“Sadly, I remember specific instances of that happening with a friend of mine and her mom doing some things like that,” she said. “Tapping into those past traumas, if you will, was necessary.”
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Beyond Netflix, Anderson portrays strong, impactful characters in feature films streaming on BET, ALLBLK and Tubi. Her commercial work is equally notable, with over 20 national and international campaigns on her résumé.
For Anderson, acting has always been more than performance—it’s emotional excavation.
“The characters that resonate with me are the ones that are a little off the beaten path,” she said. “I love getting into the grit of building and developing characters that don’t look like me.”
But even the most transformative roles, she said, often reflect parts of herself she’s still coming to understand.
“Honestly, the secret is those characters are me deep down inside,” Anderson said. “It’s just a little bit of digging and pulling that out.”
That process can come with emotional weight. When the camera stops rolling, the lines between self and character don’t always fade immediately—especially when working on tight deadlines for auditions.
“Breaking out of character for me is a little more challenging with auditions because it’s such a shorter period of time,” she said. “I have to hurry up and jump into this character, record it, and then just check out and be back to D’Kia. It’s like tucking those hidden talents of the psychosis back away.”
To cope, Anderson has developed a wellness routine that helps her stay grounded amid the industry’s ups and downs.
“Mental health is so important,” she said. “For me, it’s working out, talking myself out of feeling down, or being sad about things not moving as quickly as I want them to. Having a relationship with God or the universe—whatever that means to someone—is important.”
Her journey hasn’t always been this clear. When she first arrived in Los Angeles, she struggled with insecurity and self-doubt.
“I was really insecure—still just trying to find my footing, learning to become an adult,” Anderson said. “Looking back, that was kind of a hindrance because it made me shrink myself instead of showing up as D’Kia in all spaces.”
Everything shifted, she said, once she embraced her full identity.
“Once I understood authenticity and what that looked like for me, that was the biggest adjustment I’ve ever made.”
Today, Anderson builds her days around consistency and care. She works out five to six days a week, studies acting, eats well, and focuses on delivering her best in every audition.
“Eating well, maintaining mental health—it’s all part of staying ready,” she said.
Now, Anderson hopes to use her voice to empower others—particularly young Black women navigating mental health challenges and personal trauma.
“I want to show them that regardless of past experiences or childhood traumas, you can push through, succeed and accomplish your dreams,” she said.
Her message comes during National Stress Awareness Month and National Counseling Awareness Month, a time dedicated to promoting mental wellness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations about emotional health. Anderson, both on and off screen, is helping lead that conversation.
