“I am a spiritual being having a human experience”: Interview with Cleopatruuh
By Angie Nova
Everyday I am blessed with the opportunity to sit down and speak with different artists and creators. In this interview, I was graced with the presence of Jamaica Carter, also known as Cleopatruuh. Jamaica is exactly what we at Contagion Media think of when we hear unity and rebirth. Cleoptrauuh is an interdisciplinary artist, a jack of all trades, and a master of introspection. Jamaica is truly an inspiration and a one-of-a-kind artist.
Modeling by Cleoptrauuh, Photography by KBR, Assisting by Angie Nova
My first question is…what mediums of art do you create in?
Ooh… my mediums range from hair makeup, photography, videography modeling, set design for job styling, coaching, jewelry making, design, painting, music - literally anything.
Is there a medium you find yourself continuously coming back to?
Make up, most definitely. I'll always come back to makeup because I do it every day, it's not too hard to get into it, and I don't need a lot of inspiration to do it.
How did your art journey start for you?
My art journey actually started in high school when I was rebranding my Instagram platform. I was like, “Okay, I'm going to change my name to Cleopatruuh.” I was a theater kid too, so I really felt like that fit. Since I was a really big thrifter at the time, my instagram started out as a fashion blog. As I progressed, I got into cosmetology school to do hair. Then by my senior year, I decided I wanted to get into make up. I was like, “Heck yeah, let’s do it all!” and combined all my skills.
What were your biggest inspirations?
Some of my biggest inspirations definitely would be Janell Monae, Erykah Badu, Grace Jones, Janis Joplin, and other iconic women that did things that were against the grain.
I always loved fashion shows and thought, “Damn, it would be tight to do something wild with fashion because I feel like they always do simple and basic stuff and I'm like, “Nah, I want to be weird.” Like the fashion shows in Paris! They have creative freedom. The hair, makeup, and outfits are always outrageous. Or the fashion shows in Tokyo! That’s what I want to be a part of.
A lot of my inspiration is also from my mom. She did not have a filter. She would do whatever the hell she wanted - especially when it came to her appearance - and had just the weirdest hairstyles. At the time, I didn’t get it. I would be like, “Mom, what are you doing?” Eventually I came around and thought, “Actually, that's actually kind of cool.”
Modeling by Cleoptrauuh, Photography by KBR, Assisting by Angie Nova
How did your mom encourage your creativity?
My mom always gave me the freedom to express myself. If I wanted to do something crazy, she would say, “Alright, let’s do it!” When I was growing up, she’d instill in me to not be a follower, be a leader. Do whatever it makes you happy.
Has your mom always been a supportive figure?
Not the entire time. I’m very experimental and free, so I don’t always do what’s normal. There would be times where my mom was judgmental or projected her insecurities. She grew up in Louisiana, you know? There were lots of rules and restrictions, especially for a black woman. She was worried about how I would be perceived. But she’s learned over the years that I am going to do what I want anyway.
How do you deal with feeling like you’re not being supported by your loved ones?
I have found ways to self validate and make sure that when I’m doing something, I’m following my heart and my intuition. I can’t live for other people, so if they don’t support me, that’s okay. That’s just where they’re at. I’ve definitely felt like I haven’t always had support so I’ve made my online platform my community. It’s where I showcase who I am, my rawness and my authenticity. The right ones will find me. It’s not always easy, but if I didn’t do the grit work, then I wouldn’t have as much character as I do now. When I was in cosmetology school, people would talk crap about my makeup and judge me. It’s whatever though, I’ve had to learn that how people perceive me is not my business. Like, who cares? That’s definitely been a big part of the process.
That’s a really great attitude to have. My next question is where are you from?
I’m from Vallejo, California, but I’ve been in Arizona since I was 7 years old. I always joke with people and say I’m from the universe because I feel like my spirit is from a lot of different places or from a past life.
Do you feel like you still have roots in California, or more so in Arizona?
Definitely in California - all my family is there or in Louisiana. My little brother and I are the only ones here in Arizona. I like to say we are on an extended vacation.
I love that. How would you describe your dream project?
Behind the Scenes Photo from the Interview and Photoshoot, captured by Angie Nova
My dream project would be set in a huge, art gallery-type, exhibition space with high ceilings. The architecture would include fancy carved marble, and it would be white everywhere. I would have a model with a thousand inches of hair - I’m talking Rapunzel length hair - and she would be on a freaking tall ladder with a tarp underneath because I’m about to make a mess. Then I would start dumping different colors on her head and let it cascade down her hair. At the bottom of the ladder, I envision professional ballet dancers, or something like that, wearing white and mixing with the colors. Maybe have my friends come and throw more colors and splashing paint everywhere. I could hear theatrical music, maybe a Japanese tyco drumming performance. Everybody would be there wondering at the edge of their seat, what’s gonna happen next? Then it’ll be over. I want people to react like, “What did I just experience?” I’m just really here for the shock value. It would be a once in a lifetime artistic experience.
Very avant-garde!
Behind the Scenes from the Interview with Cleopatruuh, Questions by Angie Nova, Video by KBR
Yes, that’s my specialty! Literally my whole artistic profile.
As an artist, how do you manage work-life balance?
For one, if I feel like it’s not adding value to my life or causing me high stress, I will quit a job. I have no issue leaving a company that doesn’t resonate to me because I know I bring a lot of value in so many different ways. As soon as I feel like I will figure it out, I take leaps of faith like nothing. I’m always working on something whether it’s a creative project, working on myself or multiple jobs, so if something has to go, I have no problem with letting it go. I choose to work a corporate job because it feels good to have that security, but my artistry can support me if I were to put the same amount of time, energy, and structure towards my business. When I’m not working a job, I always think, “How can I be working towards my goals and make sure I’m in alignment?”
So well said.
This corporate system isn’t going to gaslight me. If I need a mental health day, I am not coming in.
Lastly, what are your other interests outside of your craft?
Spirituality is my main thing. Without my spiritual experiences and awakenings, I feel like I wouldn’t be able to make or share my art. All my art has been from the perspective of things that have happened in my life personally or witnessed my mom go through, or even in society. I take all my spiritual experiences and interweave them into my art. My poetry and music, for example, is about the different breakthroughs that I’ve had through rebirth, and connecting with myself. I know people say this alot, but I legitimately feel like I am a spiritual being having a human experience. My purpose is to ground spirituality into the human realm so that people can remember how important it is to connect with God, Goddess, the Universe, whatever you want to call it. Making sure you have that connection will save your life, and it impacts everything we do.
Modeling by Cleoptrauuh, Photography by KBR, Assisting by Angie Nova
Heaven on earth, that’s what we’re here for. How do we create that? It’s not always external either. People are going through wars everyday - whether it’s mental or physical. If we don’t have some sort of grounding or connection to make sure we’re self aware, we’ll get lost in the sauce. I know because I’ve done it so many times. I’ve played like it doesn’t matter but no, it definitely matters. I understand that along my path, it’s important to me to invite people into the essence of spirituality whether they want to make it religious, or they want to hug trees, just do whatever you want to do and be a good person. Everything we do has an effect. How are you going to behave when things aren’t going our way? Are you going to move out of fear or are you going to move out of love, trust and faith?
