Shakira Ja’nai Paye: Talks ‘Demascus,’ Creative Freedom, and the New Era of Black Cinema

While watching the sci-fi series Demascus, it’s impossible to ignore the magnetic pull of Naomi. There is something inherently intriguing about her—a quality that immediately grabs the attention of the lead, a man who seemingly has it all: the ideal job, the perfect life, and the “ideal” girlfriend. Yet, despite the polished surface, he isn’t happy.

Naomi enters his world as a catalyst. With her grace, her sense of freedom, and her commitment to her art, she offers him hope, a roadmap to reconnecting with his own passions and discovering what truly brings him fulfillment. She doesn’t just play a role in his life; she embodies the very spark he’s been missing.

There’s a certain kind of performer who doesn’t just inhabit a character; they expand what that character is allowed to be. In my conversation with Shakira Ja’nai Paye, that theme surfaced repeatedly. From her turn as Naomi to her work behind the scenes, it’s clear that Paye is chasing something far deeper than mere screen time. She is a purveyor of meaningful art, driven by a love for the creative process and the autonomy to build something meaningful. Whether on-screen or off, she’s pursuing freedom, creative, emotional, and personal, and seeking out the kind of roles that reflect that journey in full.

From Cinderella to Center Stage

Like many actors, Paye’s inspiration started early, as her father had her in roles as a baby for commercials, so she’s been around acting for pretty much all her life. But what were some of the actors that inspired her to keep going and to let her know that acting is something that she wanted to do?  She pointed to Brandy Norwood’s version of Cinderella, produced by Whitney Houston, as a defining moment. What stood out wasn’t just the performance; it was what it represented.

She stated, “Brandy got to be Cinderella, that was the first time that had ever happened. And also she had Moesha happening at the same time, which, you know, really was dynamic at that time, so when I was little, I do remember watching and seeing them on screen and Whitney Houston plays a perfect fairy godmother. I mean, it just was an inspiring movie and it’s about, you know, dreams coming true. It’s Disney, so. I think that was probably the first thing when I was young. I had already been getting into acting. From a very young age, I went to my first audition with my father when I was like an infant. You know, it wasn’t, it was always so, it was always in this, it was always in my orbit.”

For Paye, that moment showed her that storytelling could break rules and, more importantly, that she could exist within those stories without limitation.

Naomi in Demascus : The “Wild Feminine”

In Demascus, Paye plays Naomi, a character who could easily be reduced to a love interest, but she pushes against that. Instead, Naomi becomes something else entirely.

“She represents the wild feminine,” Paye explained. “She’s not held down by what the collective tells you you’re supposed to be.”

That idea shows up in how Naomi moves, fluid, artistic, layered, and unapologetically herself. Even as the story shifts through different realities, Naomi maintains agency, existing as multiple versions of herself without losing her identity.

It’s a performance that quietly challenges how women—especially Black women—are often written: simplified, contained, or overly defined by the men around them.

Paye also included, “I love that cause that’s like a part of Demascus where he’s like, wow, look at somebody standing in their truth. Look at somebody who’s not afraid to be themselves and not afraid to make people uncomfortable and not worried about the politics of how you’re supposed to show up as a good young lady, and that was one thing I loved about her. I think she’s just like goals as a human.”

Creativity, Fear, and Showing Up Fully

Outside of acting, Shakira Ja’nai Paye is also finding her voice through comedy on social media, though that didn’t come without hesitation. “I had a lot of fear about posting comedy,” she admitted. “Instagram feels like a popularity contest… everybody’s trying to be polished and perfect.” Instead of leaning into that pressure, she chose authenticity over perfection. “If you have fear around it, there’s a reason you should do it.” That mindset—leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it—mirrors the kind of characters she’s drawn to: messy, layered, unpredictable, and ultimately, human.

A Delayed Release—and a Test of Faith

Demascus wasn’t an easy journey. Originally set for an earlier release, the project was shelved, leaving the cast in limbo. For Paye, that experience was more than frustrating; it was deeply personal. “The fact that the world might never get to see it was one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve gone through,” she said. It’s a reminder of a harsh reality in this industry: great work doesn’t always guarantee visibility. But for Paye, it also reinforced something deeper, a belief in trusting the process, even when the outcome isn’t clear.

 The Future of Black Storytelling

When asked about the future of Black storytelling after the success of the award-winning film Sinners, Paye explained:

“I think we are in a very transformative time, I think. These tech companies that own all the shows, movies, and streaming for the most part are disconnected from the art of it. Of making films and of trusting the creative, and I think something like Sinners really proves that. We should be able to make our art, we are great, like these things need to exist, and we have to figure out how to.”

Her perspective is clear: “The industry is shifting, and not always in ways that prioritize creativity. But that shift is also creating space for something new—artists reclaiming control.

Birth them, to bring them to life. And I feel like this next era is going to be a lot of power to the people, collectively. Collective artist making the thing that the studio said no to. Us collectively coming together and making the art we want to see. And eventually, you know, regaining power in this industry as creatives. I think the shift is gonna be tough, but I think it’s happening in real time, and I think it’s happening because it has to happen.”

“A lot of folks, a lot of creatives don’t have outlets anymore. We used to be able to, you know, book this many roles on this type of thing, and this would guarantee this to this degree, and… You know, a show as great as Demascus can be shelved based on a company looking at its bottom line, not on its artistry. So that shows you, like, hey, we have to, like, figure out how to make our art. So I think the next season is definitely. Um… women, black women, black people, creatives, really bringing our stories to the forefront, and taking those risks, and just changing the dynamic of the industry.”

“I think the next era is power to the people… creatives making the things studios said no to.”

It’s a vision rooted in independence, collaboration, and risk-taking—especially for Black creators and Black women whose stories have often been sidelined. And while the path forward may not be clearly defined, Paye sees it taking shape in real time.

“So yeah, I think more is, more are gonna come out, and I think it’s just gonna, they’re gonna take shape, and I don’t actually have like.”

Building Her Own Stories

Paye isn’t waiting for those opportunities; she’s been working to create them. She sold her script, Regina Wants Her Ex Back, to Fox (a rare feat for a spec script), and while it didn’t move forward, she now has it back and plans to produce it herself. She’s also working on a new feature, September, a dramedy she describes as:

“Crooklyn meets Fleabag.”

It’s character-driven, grounded, and rooted in emotional truth, exactly the kind of storytelling she’s been advocating for. 

And yes, she’s open to a rom-com too. Y’all know how we feel about getting more Black rom-com’s out there. “I would love to be in a rom-com,” she said, smiling. Let’s get this done! 

The Women Who Inspire Her

When it comes to inspiration, Paye points to women who balance talent with authenticity, like Regina Hall and Regina King. But her influences aren’t limited to Hollywood. She also credits the women in her life, such as her mother, grandmother, and other family members, as foundational.

“I’m inspired by women every day,” she said.

The Bright Future for Shakira

Talking to Shakira Ja’nai Paye, what stands out is her clarity. She knows the kind of artist she wants to be, and more importantly, the kind of stories she wants to tell. Nothing stereotypical, because Black women are complex, not a monolith, and each has a story worth hearing, just like all Black people. And if Demascus is any indication, she’s only getting started.