You have an impressive resume that includes theater work. What made you first decide to get into the entertainment business?
I’ve been acting since I was a child. I started out performing in school and at church. As a kid, I was always writing plays, singing, dancing, you name it. And, my mother constantly kept me in performing arts programs during the summers. Eventually, I attended the Duke Ellington school of the arts in Washington D.C., for high school. While there, I got to travel all over the world singing and dancing. I finally stepped out on faith, decided to go to New York City and study drama at NYU. It was a huge step for me, because I knew, I was making a big decision to try to pursue arts and entertainment as a career, something most people only dream of. I prayed and asked God to lead my life and my career, and He’s done both in pretty incredible ways.
Speaking of, theater training is said to be the true chops of acting. What advantage did this type of training help you with today?
Having a theatrical background has been wonderful for me. Whether was playing a gangster on The Wire or Shakespearean princess in Henry IV– dramaturgy, music, researching characters, cultures, and historical periods, taking the stage and commanding the space physically and vocally, shape-shifting in and out of various roles. My theatrical background allows me to jump fully into the given circumstances of the script and transform. It also helps me appreciate fine acting when I see it, and implement technique and skill into my work. Acting is much more than saying lines in a “dramatic” way. It’s an art.
You’ve done a variety of roles playing various characters. Which types of roles do you gravitate to most?
I have been blessed to play a wide range of roles, but I think my favorite are the ones that really stretch me. I like a challenge! I think I gravitate toward characters that have depth and complexity. Facing a combination of external and internal obstacles, yet rising to the challenge.
With all the different projects that you‘ve worked on, you get to work with some of the biggest actors in the industry. Which actors would you want to work with down the line, if given the opportunity and why?
I’m really close with Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon. I just adore them both as people and as artists and producers. I’m really looking forward to us all working together artistically. And, of course, I am in love with Cecily Tyson and Meryl Streep. I just love powerhouse actors, and playing opposite another great actor takes everyone to the next dimension of truth, depth, and honesty in our craft. I just love when the best is pulled out of me by another great actor.
It’s one thing to be working, and another to be on a successful show. Were referring to HBO’s Treme, which was Emmy nominated. How does it feel to be a part of something that big?
Working successfully in the entertainment industry is a dream come true. And, working with acclaimed artists truly brings out the best in me as well. David Simon, the creator of The Wire, gave me my first TV show out of college, and then, we turned around and worked together again on Treme. I am very aware that it is a difficult industry, and a large percentage of people who pursue acting as a career don’t make it. It’s a harsh reality, but it certainly makes me more grateful, more humble, and stimulates me to be an inspiration to others who may have gotten discouraged along the way.
A far different role, is the one you currently play on OWN’s If Loving You Is Wrong. What initially drew you to signing onto this project?
I saw the movie Tyler Perry wrote and directed, Single Mom’s Club, and just loved how each of these women from different walks of life found themselves in similar situations and challenges, mostly dealing with the search for love. So, when If Loving You Is Wrong, the TV Series came along, I was definitely interested. My character is an adaptation of Nia Long’s role in the movie. And there’s hardly a woman I know that can’t relate to the storylines in IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG. I really enjoy playing the same character week after week and taking audiences through a roller coaster of experiences! It’s a great ride!
With all this TV and film work, do you have any plans on returning to the stage on Broadway?
Oh, I would LOVE TO! In fact, I was in the hair and makeup chair today, preparing for a talk show appearance, and the only thing I could do was belt out Broadway tunes, Nonstop! Aida, Ragtime, Color Purple, the list goes on! I was just singing one song after another, channeling a full broadway experience! I’m a little dramatic that way. And, this is all while the artist was putting my lipstick on and curling my hair! Lol.. Finally the whole room started joining in! It was great. I’m clearly feeling a broadway musical itch right now.
It seems like you don’t have much time to breath. However, when you do get some downtime what does a typical day for you look like?
Well, I am the co-founder of an organization called AbundantLifeU, and we are launching a school in Hollywood right now, The School For Life! So, when I’m not filming, I’m usually speaking, teaching, and empowering others who are desiring to live their dreams as well. We have a new program called #ArtistCEO- Business Bootcamp for Artists and Creators- that launches April 18th. Folks can sign up at www.abundantlifeu.org.
We’ve noticed how fashionable you are. Who are some of your favorite fashion designers?
Michael Costello, Badgely Mischka, Amanda Pearl, Swarovski, Adrianna Papell, Adrian Maddox, Jovani, and Charles Albert are some of my go-to designers for red carpet appearances, as well as daytime looks. I just love beautiful clothes and accessories, and they have lots of them!!
We look forward to seeing what 2015 brings for you. What other projects do you have coming up in the near future?
Thank you so much! The new season of If Loving You Is Wrong is now airing Tuesday nights at 9pm on OWN, and we go back to Atlanta film our second season soon, which should air in the fall. I have two more films in the can that should be out this year as well, Free in Deed (based on a true story) and Where Children Play.
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