- 19 hours ago
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00I need you to work a hand.
00:06Who better to learn from than an OG like me?
00:19Well, it is almost the one-year anniversary of the premiere of P-Valley.
00:24And so I want to start asking you, how has your life changed in this past year?
00:28Oh, my gosh. It's changed in so many ways.
00:32The anonymity of it all is over.
00:35I realize that my voice is more distinctive than I guess I knew.
00:40My best friend likes to tell me, don't talk when I'm out.
00:43She's like, don't talk, man. I'm like, OK.
00:47It's a blessing for me to be able to take care of my mom better now.
00:51The show has afforded me an opportunity to be able to do more for her as her caregiver,
00:56which is a complete blessing because that's truly my biggest thing is to be able to care for my mom
01:02and just live my dreams.
01:05Like, I'm like, I'm really doing what I want to do with my life.
01:09So it's just been a blessing.
01:10I'm so thankful to Katori Holland stars.
01:13Yes.
01:14And, you know, people love your character for a number of reasons.
01:17But I'm curious for you, you know, stepping into her shoes.
01:20What do you love most about Mercedes?
01:23I love Mercedes confidence.
01:26And I think I'm pretty confident.
01:28But Mercedes takes confidence to another level with her body, her dreams.
01:33Like she's not afraid.
01:35And so that confidence that Mercedes has, I try to bring into my world now as well.
01:41OK.
01:42And so I feel like you knew what you were going out for when you auditioned or did you?
01:47Did you know what it was?
01:48OK.
01:49You know what?
01:50I knew, but I didn't know.
01:51I knew that it was going to, you know, I knew I was playing the role of a dancer.
01:56I knew it was beyond just the dancing, but I didn't think that she was going to gravitate
02:03to so many people and so many people would see themselves in her.
02:07That part has been beautiful to watch from the mother-daughter relationship to both mother-daughter
02:14relationships with Mercedes being a mom to her having her own struggles with her own mom.
02:19And just that wanting a dream that we all can relate to wanting something in our life and
02:24trying to figure out how to get it.
02:26That part has been a wonderful journey to be on.
02:29But I wasn't all the way ready because I was like, I thought I had it, but I'm still
02:34growing at Mercedes.
02:36Now, what was your prep before the audition?
02:39Ooh, so much.
02:41Acting class was life-changing.
02:45I was taking class at Richard Lawson at the time when I first got the role.
02:49And I remember telling Richard that I don't like my legs.
02:53And it was just like, oh, you don't?
02:55I don't wear shorts every day.
02:57And he started making me wear shorts to class every day, getting comfortable in my body.
03:01And my mentor at the time, Robbie Reed, had me going to Burke Williams Spa in LA, just
03:06walking around.
03:07Because I was the girl that would go to the spa and put the towel on.
03:10She's like, you're not stripping now.
03:12You cannot just cover up.
03:13So just going into Burke Williams and being like, it's okay if grandmama's beside me.
03:18I'm just going to be here butt naked.
03:19Getting used to my body and being comfortable in it.
03:24The dialect was pretty, not to say that it's simple, but I'm from that world.
03:29Pussy Valley is a neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee.
03:32And our writer and our showrunner, Katori Hall, is from Memphis.
03:36So in that sense, it was coming out of the English teacher that I've been and being in
03:41Los Angeles.
03:41And then calling my homegirl Tia back in Memphis, being like, all right, man, just keep talking
03:46to me because we got to get this back together because I'm sounding like North Hollywood.
03:49So I'm just trying to get the actual back.
03:52I love that.
03:54And I'm curious.
03:55This is your first main and major role, but you've had a ton of credits before.
04:00What's your experience like on this set?
04:02And like you said, something that's about Memphis and where you're from and being with
04:07Black women on set, how is this experience different from other sets and films and projects
04:12you work on?
04:13Well, first of all, I've never been a part of something where it was so female-driven,
04:18which was beautiful.
04:19We have all-female directors.
04:22You've got a female showrunner.
04:24Last season, we had a female cinematographer.
04:27Just everywhere you turned, it was just that empowering, another woman empowering you,
04:33which was beautiful.
04:34So that was different.
04:36And knowing that it was going to be so intimate and sexual, it felt safe to know that we had
04:41a woman there that understood, you know, they're going to let you know, hey, Brandy, we only
04:46got you from here up.
04:47So you don't have to suck in if you don't want to be like, this is a child.
04:50This is a child.
04:51Okay.
04:52You know, just having each other's backs and, you know,
04:57looking after each other, it was very different than on other sets.
05:00And it could be because of the type of work we were doing, but it was just beautiful and
05:06comfortable.
05:07Yeah.
05:08And I also love it.
05:09I think it's really strong visual and a strong message.
05:13Like your character's hair, like it's like it is now, which is beautiful.
05:16And we see, you know, natural hair is cute.
05:19It's cared for, you know, can you talk about that decision?
05:21Yes, that was episode two of fitting.
05:26And I went into the fitting with Rita and Alita, our amazing wardrobe costume designers.
05:31And I had a cape and that's that cape that you see Mercedes in, in the beginning of episode
05:36two.
05:36And I had an afro out because I wasn't working that day.
05:40And I was like, man, she looks powerful in this afro.
05:42And I had never imagined Mercedes with her natural hair because I thought she was just
05:46going to wear wigs.
05:47And I took a Tori a picture and I said, what do you think about Mercedes wearing her natural
05:52hair for episode two?
05:53And she was like, absolutely.
05:55And that was just, it was there, no more conversation.
05:58And then she was, she was able to see how that looked and she was open to me doing it other
06:03times.
06:04So I think I'm going to be able to do that in season two as well.
06:07And it was just beautiful, even for me, because I was one of those women before I went natural
06:11that was like, oh, I don't know that I'm going to be as pretty with my hair permed or, you
06:16know, do I need to put some tracks in it?
06:18And I'm just like, no, you don't.
06:20Just knowing that I can stand beside Miss Mississippi, who's gorgeous and Autumn Night, who's gorgeous
06:25and we all be different with different hair and still be beautiful.
06:29And that's the world.
06:29So that's what I really wanted to get across with Mercedes and even with myself as Brandy.
06:36And I only wear my natural hair in the press because I want girls to see that they're beautiful
06:40in their natural state too.
06:41Now, girl, you can put that lace front on if you want to, that's fine.
06:44But just know that if you just want to have your natural coils, that is beautiful as well.
06:49Yeah.
06:49Yeah.
06:50And what's your regimen?
06:51Because I see how healthy and shiny.
06:53I got props to my best friend, Sasha Marie.
06:58Sometimes I don't care.
07:01She's actually the one that kind of tried to convince me when we first met years ago about
07:06going natural.
07:07And I was like, I don't think I'll book.
07:08I can't believe I said that now that I'm thinking.
07:10You know, I just really didn't think that I would book because that's not what I necessarily
07:13saw on TV.
07:15And, you know, Sasha kept it cut and kept it healthy.
07:17Right now, literally all that's in my hair is leave-in conditioner.
07:22So she's not a big person on a bunch of product, just water leave-in condition, finger
07:26coiled it, and breaded it up in the back.
07:28Ooh, okay.
07:29I think we can all do that.
07:31Or try.
07:35And I read in a previous interview with Madam Noir, I think it was Tasha Smith's acting class
07:41aimed to do...
07:42Okay, so what was it about that class that drew you in?
07:46Oh, man.
07:46And I mean, who doesn't love Tasha?
07:48I remember going to...
07:51I heard that she had auditing because I didn't know what auditing meant.
07:54I was new to the world, but I heard that it was go to a class and, you know, sit there
07:58for free and watch a class.
08:00Child, I was done.
08:02I went there with my bestie, Sasha.
08:04Class at seven.
08:05It was supposedly in at 10.
08:07I remember looking at the clock at about 11 and I was still engaged.
08:10Like, I'm all in.
08:12Sasha was like, girl, I'm tired.
08:13I was like, I ain't leaving until Tasha say it's time to go.
08:16And that's when I knew that I was in love.
08:19I enrolled in the class after that and the rest has been history.
08:22And being that Tasha was able to come over and be our episode six director was a full
08:26circle moment.
08:28But Tasha definitely was the beginning of my acting career and made me fall in love with
08:33it.
08:34Okay.
08:35Now, so there was no...
08:36Or was there, like, as a kid, did you ever think about acting or was it dance at the
08:41time?
08:41Oh my gosh, no one's ever asked me that.
08:44I did, but I didn't think I could do it.
08:47So I went to a performing arts school called Overton High School.
08:50So it was like the famed school.
08:52But I did creative writing and I became a high school English teacher.
08:56But I remember every time the drama department would come on the stage, I was so drawn to
09:01it.
09:01And I knew how I felt about movies and TV.
09:04Like, I'm that girl that before the pandemic, I would be at a movie.
09:08I'd go to a movie all day.
09:10Like, and I would just jump movies, like, just watching and studying.
09:13So I knew that there was something about it.
09:15But I remember I would always say, how can you remember lines?
09:18Like, I remember watching people and being like, I would never be able to do that.
09:21And then when I changed that mindset, joining Tasha's class, and I realized it's not even
09:26necessarily about memorizing the lines.
09:28It's so much deeper.
09:28But deep down, I've always wanted to do it, but was afraid.
09:33Okay.
09:34Okay.
09:34Dreams realized.
09:36Yep.
09:37And tell me about getting the caller, finding out that you all were renewed.
09:42Oh, man.
09:43I still remember standing in front of that mirror in the bedroom, bawling.
09:48Because it came at the last minute.
09:51They stressed us out, child, like the last day of our contract.
09:54And we knew the show had done well, but you never know.
10:00There have been some amazing shows on TV that have been canceled.
10:03And you're just like, why?
10:04So I didn't know what was going to happen.
10:06I was just praying.
10:07And I was like, God, you know what I need.
10:09You know what my mama need.
10:11Because season one was get out of debt for me.
10:13I don't know about everybody else, but I was like, I'm still driving the same little
10:18old raggedy for a fiesta.
10:20But I was like, it's paid for.
10:23I just knew I wanted to do this more.
10:26I didn't want it to feel like I got lucky in a sense.
10:30Because like I said, now that y'all know, like I didn't know if I could act, if this
10:35was for me or and I was afraid.
10:36And then once you get a taste of it, I'm like, oh, this is what I want to do with the rest
10:40of my life, I love it.
10:42And I was just like, I really pray I get another season or another moment to really
10:45work even harder.
10:46So I'm just really grateful that we got picked up and I'm ready to play.
10:50Yes.
10:51And I feel like it also was just a bright spot.
10:54I mean, in the pandemic, like to have this, to have a new show, people loved it.
10:58You know, what was it like for you just kind of going through that time?
11:02That was everything I needed.
11:03I remember the entire cast, because we're all close.
11:07And I remember us being on the phones with each other like, man, they didn't put
11:10stress again or, you know, is this going to come out?
11:13And then we're like, well, great.
11:15Now we in a pandemic, you know, but it was the perfect timing.
11:20I know for me, I was going through no caregiver because I couldn't trust anybody to come in
11:25the house with my mom.
11:26So now I'm a full-time caregiver for mama.
11:29And the only time that even I had two of like just something for me were those Sunday nights.
11:35And it was just like Valley coming on, you know, literally, I can only imagine what
11:43other people felt because this is one of those shows that even if I wouldn't have gotten
11:46the role, I would have just had to be like, okay, you imagine get that role, but they're
11:50killing this show, Brandy, you know, because it's such a good show.
11:54So it was perfect timing.
11:56It was, it was therapy.
11:57It was a beautiful moment to sit with my mom and reflect and all of that.
12:02So it came at the right time.
12:04Yeah.
12:05And I want to ask, you know, about caregiving.
12:07My, my cousin cared for her mother when she had dementia.
12:11And I think as a family, we didn't realize how much, how taxing that was for her even.
12:17And just the support she needed in that time.
12:20So I'm curious, you know, for you just managing that and balancing it, what it, what it's been
12:24like for you.
12:25Um, it's been a lot, um, a lot, um, but I just feel like, you know, I, I truly believe
12:33in what the Bible says, honoring your parents and you only get one mom.
12:37And even with P Valley, I had a toxic relationship with my mom growing up, but that forgiveness
12:44for us has, has come.
12:46So I forgive her.
12:47She's forgiven me for whatever.
12:48So I'm sitting in the gratitude of being able to, to have her with me in whatever capacity
12:53she's in, in this space.
12:55Um, but it's, it's been a lot, a lot to juggle trying to, you know, be one of the leads on
13:01the show, do the best acting.
13:03But at the same time, you know, I'm, I might have my mom on a live camera while I'm filming
13:08and during water break, you know, I'm checking the camera.
13:10Okay.
13:10Caregiver got that.
13:11Okay.
13:12Boom.
13:12That's how season one went.
13:13I'm very excited that season two is going to be a, a less stressful working environment
13:18for me.
13:19Um, I've been afforded the opportunity to be able to leave my mom in Los Angeles with two
13:23amazing caregivers this season.
13:24But last season I would literally wrap the, an episode or a night and we might wrap at
13:30two, three, maybe even four in the morning.
13:32I would come home and then be changing diapers or feeding mama and, you know, trying to figure
13:38out, okay, get a couple hours of sleep, go back to set.
13:40So it was very, very hard, but I just tell myself, you know, seriously, God doesn't put
13:45more on you.
13:46And if I could do that last season, what can I do this season?
13:49You know, with more help.
13:51Yes.
13:53Amazing.
13:53And obviously we want to see you on P Valley for seasons and seasons to come, but I'm curious
14:00also, you know, you said this is now what you want to do, you know, for life.
14:03So have you thought about other roles or other kinds of parts you love to play or genres?
14:08Yes.
14:09I'm still over here holding out faith.
14:11They say, you just say it.
14:12I want to be on Panther y'all.
14:14Okay.
14:15Oh, okay.
14:16Yes.
14:17I really want to be on Black Panther.
14:19I really want to work with, you know, Issa Rae, Regina King, Angela Bassett.
14:26Oh my God.
14:26Please Lord.
14:28But I just have so many dreams now.
14:30I love comedy.
14:32And what's funny is what I was most afraid of, I got thrown into, which was drama.
14:37And with P Valley, there was no, you know, there was no getting away from the drama and
14:42the tears and the fights and all of that.
14:44So, but what I really enjoy also is the comedy and the action of it all.
14:49Like I want to do some action and all that.
14:52I want to be a little Black superhero.
14:54So whatever comes, I'm very excited.
14:58And I think P Valley prepared me to tackle anything, honestly.
15:02Yeah.
15:03And then, you know, lastly, I want to ask, I'd read, you know, in a previous interview
15:06too, you talked about just the difficult time before you moved to LA, you know, with
15:10Ms. Karen and your husband being deployed, you know, at that time, did you see this light
15:16at the end of the tunnel?
15:18No, I did not see this light.
15:21And I know, I want to say I continue to keep faith only because I didn't give up, but I didn't
15:28know what was coming.
15:29And I guess we never do.
15:30Um, I, you know, I just, I was in a dark space.
15:33Like my daughter has, has, has passed away.
15:36Um, after my husband got deployed, he ran off.
15:39I'm just like, okay, wait a minute, wait for the book.
15:45Um, but, but, you know, being able to deal with that, but I know that there are also so
15:50many other women.
15:50I know that other women have, have dealt with stillbirths, um, when dealt with, you know,
15:55their husbands, you know, leaving the home for mistress and things of that sort.
15:59So I honestly do what Meryl Streep says.
16:02I take my broken heart and I make art now.
16:04So that's, that's where I am.
16:06And I'm, I'm using that.
16:08And now I see too, um, I see why God put me through all of that as well, because I had
16:15to be strong enough to care for my mom and things of that sort.
16:18And just, and still I'm learning about so many things because I didn't even have groceries
16:22in the refrigerator.
16:23Robbie Reed had just sent me money to get groceries, um, when I got P-Bally.
16:27So it was enough food for mama to eat through my friends and my village, but I wasn't eating
16:32when I got this show.
16:33So just very grateful.
16:34I didn't have furniture or anything.
16:36So P-Bally really changed my life.
16:39Oh, I love that.
16:40And I'm gonna ask a silly question, but I'm like, are you, are we dating in Hollywood or how
16:44do you feel about that right now I just want to take care of my mom, um, and live my dreams.
16:52Now, if God sends me someone, I would be very grateful.
16:56Um, but right now I'm just enjoying where I am right now.
Comments