Beyond the Lens: Follower Edition - 3

Oct 3

4 min read

Updated: Oct 4

NEIL NAYYAR

Follow online Instagram @neilmusician & www.neilnayyar.com

When did you first start chasing the dream?

When I was around 11

What has your journey taught you the hard way?

My journey has taught me the hard way that talent alone is not enough. You can work incredibly hard, master your craft, and still face rejection, closed doors, and people who may not recognize your value right away.

What version of yourself did you have to outgrow?

I had to outgrow the version of myself that felt I needed to prove my worth to everyone.

What does “Beyond the Lens” mean to you?

There is a hope. Get up and Continue.

What would you say to someone trying to reinvent their life?

Continue from where you left off.

TRUMAINE LECESNE

Follow Instagram account @nyceguytre.

When did you first start chasing the dream?

I first started chasing the dream seriously when I was 17. I was flown to South Beach by SOBE Records, where I had the opportunity to be in a professional studio and have DJ Khaled come in and listen to my music. That moment changed something in me. I realized that this wasn't just something I enjoyed doing, I could actually see myself becoming an artist. From there, I spent years recording, performing, creating, and finding my way through the music industry.

What has your journey taught you the hard way?

It taught me that talent alone isn't enough. You can have the ability, the vision and even the right opportunities, and things still won't happen on your timeline. I've had moments where I was close to something I thought was going to change my life, only to watch it go another direction. I've learned that rejection, setbacks and detours aren't necessarily the end of the story. Sometimes they're teaching you how to survive long enough to get another opportunity. The hard lesson was learning to keep moving without needing every move to immediately validate me.

What version of yourself did you have to outgrow?

I had to outgrow the version of myself that was constantly trying to prove that I belonged. For a long time, I thought I had to convince people of my value before I could move forward. I've learned that confidence isn't about making everybody believe in you. It's about knowing what you're capable of and continuing to develop it, even when nobody is watching. I had to stop waiting for permission to become the person I already knew I could be.

What does “Beyond the Lens” mean to you?

To me, “beyond the lens” means understanding that people are seeing a moment of your life, not the whole story. A photograph, a performance or a role captures one version of you, but there's a person behind that image who has experienced the wins, losses, sacrifices, failures and growth that nobody sees. For me, it's about letting people see the person behind the performer, the journey that created the person they're looking at.

What would you say to someone trying to reinvent their life?

Don't be afraid to admit that the version of your life you're living isn't the final version of you. Reinvention doesn't mean everything you did before was wasted. You take the experience, the scars, the relationships, the lessons and the things you're good at, and you build something new with them. And don't wait until you feel completely ready. I spent years learning that sometimes you have to step into the next chapter before you have proof that it's going to work. Start. Stay consistent. Be willing to learn. And give yourself permission to become somebody you haven't been before.

LILIBETH DEWALL

Follow on Instagram @lilibethdewall.

When did you first start chasing the dream?

I started chasing my dream when I was 16 years old. After years of being heavily bullied, I felt a deep need to prove myself. At first, my motivation came from wanting to show others that I was capable of more than what they believed.

What has your journey taught you the hard way?

The biggest lesson has been that I’m meant to do what I truly love. If I didn’t genuinely love this path, I would have never persisted for this long. I had to learn to do it for myself, not for validation, applause, or other people’s approval. Passion is what sustains you when success feels far away.

What version of yourself did you have to outgrow?

I had to outgrow the shy version of myself—the girl with no self-esteem, who doubted everything she was capable of. I had to learn that I was allowed to dream big, regardless of where I came from or the circumstances I started with. Confidence wasn’t something I was born with; it was something I had to build.

What does “Beyond the Lens” mean to you?

To me, “Beyond the Lens” means remembering that there are real people behind the camera. People with struggles, emotions, fears, trauma, and insecurities—but also with joy, kindness, resilience, and hope. What you see in a photo or on a screen is only a small part of someone’s story.

What would you say to someone trying to reinvent their life?

I would tell them to keep the bigger picture in mind. Don’t get stuck focusing only on what’s right in front of you today. Reinvention takes time, and growth is often uncomfortable. Stay focused on where you’re going, not just on the obstacles that are directly in front of your nose.