Nzinga Imani has never stayed in one lane. The actress, singer, plus-size model and entrepreneur has built a presence that goes far beyond any single title. Most fans know her as Angela on Tyler Perry’s Zatima, but she has been quietly expanding her reach for years. Her debut single “Drown” is already making noise, her clothing line Nimani serves curvy women who want bold options, and a baby is on the way. Imani is stepping into the most defining chapter of her life not chasing reinvention, but simply letting all of herself show up at once.
How did you first get into singing, acting and modeling?
Singing was my first love. From the time I was about 3 or 4, I knew I wanted to be a singer. Growing up, I was in the choirs, served as a praise team leader and did every talent show I could find. Me and all my sisters sing, so music was always woven into our lives.
Acting came later, through a course teacher in high school who introduced me to musicals. Once I discovered I could combine singing with stepping into a character, everything changed. That world just took over, and I’m so grateful it did.
Modeling, on the other hand, was completely out of left field. It wasn’t planned at all I just liked to dress, and I built solid relationships with designers along the way. They would see me at events and say, “That walk? I need you on a runway.” My younger sister is a professional model, so she guided me through a lot of it. Eventually, the doors opened, and I walked through them. Then, after all of that, I was able to circle back and say, hey, music I didn’t forget about you.
What can fans expect from Angela this season on Zatima?
This season, viewers get to see Angela in a much more vulnerable place. She faces new challenges, including health issues, that will completely flip the character. For so long, Angela has come across as confident and bold someone without many visible insecurities. All of that is about to be tested.
Since season one, she has shifted a great deal. She started as a loving partner, then got her heart broken and transformed into a wild woman. As much as fans love that version of her, Angela is now working through a deeper question is she the lover girl, the wild woman, or just someone moving through heartbreak?
She figures all of that out on screen, in front of everybody. Meanwhile, she still tries to show up for her friends and offer advice. Honestly, she may not be the most qualified person for that right now, but her heart is always in the right place. I love playing her it’s genuinely so much fun.
How has working under Tyler Perry sharpened your instincts as an actress?
Everything moves fast on a Tyler Perry set, and the intensity pushes you to just lean in. Overthinking is not an option. More often than not, you get one take, so you have to arrive ready, stay locked into your character and adjust on the fly.
Beyond the pace, you truly never know what your castmates will do. Deval loves to ad-lib, and many others on the cast enjoy keeping you on your toes. As a result, the reactions you see on screen are often completely real. That authenticity is exactly what viewers connect with they can’t always tell what’s in the script and what isn’t. Those unscripted moments make the show and the characters so much more lovable. In short, it’s like a boot camp, and then suddenly you’re done.
Where can fans watch Zatima, and how can they support the show?
Zatima arrives on Paramount+ for the first time on May 12th, and we need everyone to show up. This is a new streaming home for us, and building those numbers matters. Two episodes drop on launch day, followed by one new episode every Tuesday after that.
In the meantime, fans can binge the first four seasons, which are still available on BET+ until the transition happens in June. To stay connected, follow me on social media at Nzinga Imani N-Z-I-N-G-A-I-M-A-N-I. The cast goes live regularly, hosts talkbacks and answers fan questions, so there is always something happening beyond the episodes themselves.
What emotional truth were you tapping into when you recorded “Drown”?
Being playful, sexy and fun is just natural to who I am whether online or in real life. On top of that, being Guyanese meant I also wanted to bring Caribbean flavor and spice into the music. Together, those two things made “Drown” feel like the perfect way to introduce myself in this lane.
Everything in the music video was intentional. From the outfits to the locations, I chose it all. My partner directed, shot and edited the video, so it naturally carries a first-person perspective from his point of view. Throughout the visual, you see the flirting, the vulnerability and the intimacy because that is exactly what the song is about. Bringing that to life felt honest and completely right.
What did singing the national anthem at the Atlanta Hawks game affirm for you?
Atlanta raised me, even though I was born in New York, so being invited to sing at a Hawks game meant everything. Standing in front of that crowd, singing a cappella and representing my city it felt like an out-of-body experience.
“Drown” is a fun record, but it was never meant to show my full vocal range. That performance gave me the chance to show what I’m truly capable of as a singer. There is real power behind my voice, and I want people to know that. More music is coming that will reflect that depth, so that Hawks moment was truly full circle for me.
How would you describe the sound and story behind your upcoming EP?
The EP spans several genres, and that is completely by design. There are ballads, Afrobeat-influenced records and even a country song in the mix. Rather than fitting neatly into one box, the project is meant to introduce all the different sides of who I am.
There are about 14 Nzingas living inside of me, and they all need room to breathe. So instead of one fluid narrative, this EP is an open invitation come explore with me, have fun and see what shows up.
How has modeling shaped your confidence stepping into acting and music?
Modeling taught me how to walk into any room prepared. When you feel your best when the styling is right, the fit is right and you’ve thought through every detail your performance reflects that. On set, those things matter more than people realize.
As a plus-size artist, wardrobe can be a challenge. Stylists don’t always know how to dress curvy bodies, and their options tend to narrow quickly. Because of my modeling background, however, I learned early how to advocate for myself and come in with clear ideas. I could look at what was available and redirect when needed. Ultimately, if you don’t feel the character, you can’t play the character and modeling gave me the foundation to always feel ready.
Tell us about your clothing line, Nimani. What inspired it?
Nimani started about four years ago out of a simple frustration. Most plus-size stores carry the same things florals, paisley, boxy silhouettes and the options feel designed for a much older customer. That has never been my experience of plus-size women.
In reality, we want bodycon fits, two-piece sets, legs out and midriff out. We are not a monolith, and our wardrobes should reflect that. A few years back, I designed a collection with Fashion to Figure, and every piece sold out. That response confirmed the demand was real. Right now Nimani operates as a boutique, but the long-term goal is to design and manufacture original pieces. Shop at ShopNimani.com S-H-O-P-N-I-M-A-N-I and check out the current closet sale, where you can shop items I actually wore on different shows, available by item or as a mystery bag.
How has stepping into motherhood reshaped your definition of success?
Honestly, motherhood hasn’t reshaped my definition of success so much as it has affirmed it. Family has always been central to who I am, and the idea of raising a child who watches their mother create, take risks and show up fully that feels magical.
Fortunately, my schedule is flexible enough that I’ll be present in ways many parents simply can’t be. My partner is also a freelancer, so we’ll tag team and stay fully tapped in together. Throughout this journey, his support has been unwavering. Of course, there will be things neither of us can fully prepare for, but I feel confident. As long as I stay intentional keeping my work visible, showing up consistently and holding onto my identity outside of motherhood everything is going to be just fine.
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