3 Up-&-Comers On What It Means To Really "Make It"

For many career paths, the road to success can be winding — filled with plenty of bumps and roadblocks that seemingly get in the way of really “making it.” In the world of entertainment, this feeling of being on the cusp of success is practically unavoidable. That’s exactly what the Showtime drama series I’m Dying Up Here addresses. Starring Melissa Leo and Ari Graynor, the show follows a group of ambitious, aspiring comedians struggling to become household names in Hollywood.

Inspired by the show’s second season, the premiere of which is currently available to watch for free online, we partnered with Showtime to find out what it feels like to be a rising talent in the modern-day world of entertainment. Ahead, three up-and-coming female entertainers, Nikki Black, Taylor Simone, and Jeanté Godlock — whose careers span everything from comedy to music — discuss successes, sacrifices, and everything that's encountered along the way.