Amplify Black Voices - Mermaid Danielle Houston

Welcome to the first post in a new series devoted to amplifying the voices of Black creators in fantasy and magical fields. My first guest speaker is mermaid performer Danielle Houston, and here is her story.

Thanks to Greene Spiro for letting me use her art in this poster.

My name is Danielle Houston AKA Mermaid Aziza. I graduated in 2017 with a BA in Theatre Performance, and have been in countless play and short films. I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina and work as a professional dancer. I am trained in more than 10 dance styles, and have trained with instructors and professional dancers from all over the world. I am also a singer and model, and spent a few years traveling the states and shooting with many amazing photographers. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, scuba diving, aerial silks, reading, shopping, and eating great food. I have performed my entire life on the stage and in the spotlight. During the daytime, I work at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections in an attempt to influence change within the community by getting people excited to vote for change! I enjoy meeting new people and exploring new worlds!

Tail: Finfolk Productions

Top: Siren Allure

Photographer: LosAngelesMermaid

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your work as a mermaid, how you got started?

            Oh my goodness, there’s so much to say! I have been a performer my entire life, and I have never been afraid to be on stage and have the spotlight on me. I have always had a love and adoration for mermaids, and when I got older I decided it was time to put my talents to the test, and monetize my passions. 

What first drew you to the world of magic, wonder, and enchantment?

            I have always loved to read; I have never had a tv in my room (I know, shocking, right?), and I decided that reading was a much better alternative. I was able to read about far away lands and dream past what society would deem as acceptable, especially for a small black girl. I wanted to bring that to life!

Photo:Boundless Perception

Who are some of the people and what are some of the stories that inspired and influenced you?

            I would say that my biggest influences in my fantasy entertainment journey have been Abby and Bryn, and the rest of the team at Finfolk Productions. They welcomed me in so graciously and called me a friend. They were kind, loving, and so open to understanding different perspectives. I remember when they asked me to model for them a few years ago, I was elated! The team and I have been friends ever since! Their story of being two women who sacrificed so much to pursue their dream, and then decided that they wanted success. They made it happen. I admire them as titans of the mermaid industry!

Are there any stories you want to share about the difficulties you may have faced as a Black artist in a genre historically largely defined (in the Western world) by white stories and mindsets?

I think the biggest incident that I can remember was the casting of Halle in the new live action Little Mermaid. That really brought an unfiltered view of how other mermaids in the community more than likely view me being there. However, that just meant that I had to reach the top faster. What people don’t understand is that mermaids have existed in African culture since just about the beginning of the time. Disney tends to try to make different parts of history “cute” but it’s still vastly inaccurate, and doesn’t always help with dismantling toxic ideologies (think Pocohantas, for example). When you consider figures like Yemaja or Oshun, deities that people still honor to this day, you have to know that these influences were settled long before any of the people of ideals that we have come to know existed. It’s important to keep an open mind because there is way too many things about the world that western culture (and US citizens) are ignorant of. 

What do you love about being a Black mermaid? In what ways have you found joy from the spell of fantasy performance?

            I love that I am different than what you typically see, it makes me automatically stand out. I also have a vastly different cultural perspective about mermaids than most in the field, and I definitely use that to set me apart. My degree and experience in performance make me a force to be reckoned with, and I know how to put on a good show. Not trying to toot my own horn BUT…… *toot, toot*

Tail: Finfolk Productions

Camera: LosAngelesMermaid

How do you make your voice known in the fantasy community, and what do you wish was different about the community?

            I have made my voice known by getting myself out there; I have performed at Renaissance Festival, I attend mermaid events (when I can), and I have made connections and built relationships with big names in the business. Never underestimate the power of building connections, they were a big part of me getting to where I am today. 

The Black Lives Matter Movement is extremely important. Do you want to share any thoughts about it? What do you want to see white people who want to be real allies do better?

            YES. Black Lives Matter is not anti-white; we are saying that our lives are so precious and valuable, and that we should not be killed unjustly. We want human rights because we are human. We are tired of the injustice that we have suffered through for so many years, and we are willing to fight for our humanity. Our very existence has been politicized; at one point in time, we were actually considered 3/4ths of a human being. Just sit and think about that for a moment. We don’t understand why history has been so against us for so long, but we will fight to make a change. You are either with us or you are against us, you can’t be on the fence about whether we deserve to be treated with honor and respect, and that is that. 

What will we be seeing from you in the future? What are some of your dream projects?

            You will be seeing a lot more from me with Finfolk Productions, I was recently added as a brand ambassador and am so excited about that! I am also eager to get back to work because I joined a delightfully wonderful mermaid company called Wands and Wishes, based in Colorado, and they are a spectacular team of mermaids that perform at aquariums across the US. The virus put a hold on so many things, so they aren’t performing at the moment, but they will be back and I will be joining them! (Follow them in IG @ wwmermaids)

Tail: Finfolk Productions

Top: Siren Allure

Photographer: LosAngelesMermaid