Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi James.
Hi Brandi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was very young, maybe around the age of 4, I always had small parts in church plays. Whenever I went to church with my grandmother, I was always entered into some sort of theatre or speaking activity. At 8 years old I wanted to be on a show called “Double Dare”, but I knew my parents wouldn’t take me to California. I don’t know why, but that show inspired me.
I can remember watching “Night Court”, “It’s a Living”, “Mel’s Diner”, “WKRP and Cincinnati” and “Sanford and Son” when I was a child. Sheryl Lee Ralph was so beautiful to me. I wanted to be just like her! Beautiful, and on television.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the 8th grade, I entered my middle schools Oratorical contest. I never thought in a million years that I’d win it. But I did. I will never forget the feeling of feeling so alive on that stage. It’s an unexplainable feeling.
However, not too long after that big win. I came home from school to a letter on the refrigerator. It read “Something bad happened to your Daddy. Call aunty Tonya, she’ll explain”.
That was a very hard phone call for a 12 year old. I had just learned that my father had been shot multiple times and was unconscious.
When he finally came out of his coma, we realized that he had no feeling in his legs and he was now a paraplegic. We were devastated. Our entire lives had changed overnight.
I never thought about television or performing again. I went into survival mode and my mother had suddenly became a single parent. It was a traumatic time.
Fast forward to the age of 23/24. I began feeling the need to perform again. I was young and beautiful. I began traveling back and forth to New York for acting lessons. My life was amazing! However, there was a problem. I had acne and Hirsutism. There was no way I’d book any jobs with my skin like that. Times were different back then. You had to be either a model type or girl next door type to book jobs. Heavy makeup wasn’t a thing back then. Women were more natural during those times.
Throughout the years I’ve always written something, took a class or read books just to keep my instrument oiled.
Auditioning wasn’t an option at that time because I just didn’t think I was physically ready and I was married.
I just felt the time wasn’t quite right.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have five upcoming projects: “H Block”, Season 2 where I play “Ms. Netty”, “Money Over Boyz 2” where I play “Miss. Shauntay”, “Back Outside”, where I play “Miss G”, “Juke” where I play “Detective Riley” and “Loose Ends” where I play “The Benefactor”.
I am proud of all of these projects. I look forward to the world seeing them.
My available projects are: “Cons and Cougars” where I play “Ruby Warner”, “Street Legal”, Season 2 Episode 4, where I play “Tamika Brewer”, “Gutta Detroit”, where I play “Mama Dukes” and Money Over Boyz where I play “Miss. Shauntay”.
These projects are so versatile. You get to see my range. None of these characters are alike.
I am also a writer. I have been writing since my senior year of high school and I have never stopped. I have written plays. I’ve written one book, currently I have three completed scripts out of four scripts.
I plan to cast in the Spring and in the Fall of next year for two of my projects. One project is a six episode series and the other project is a movie.
I have also teamed up with two talented individuals, Moe Millionz, Tommy DAMN Trayler.
These two people are so talented, and I am so grateful to be in their space and be creative with them. I look forward to the future content that we have planned.
I consider myself an artist and I have found ways of work for myself and explore my creativity, comfortably. Entrepreneurship has its advantages and disadvantages. If you know, then you know.
Some of my readers may remember me from my store “Prissy Paw Palace”, that was what I was originally known for.
I am forever grateful for the community supporting me when my store was open. I still have customers asking about my return. I am in limbo with the answer. Just know that if I do, I will make sure the announcement is LOUD!
Today, I am proud of all of my accomplishments. I am living my dreams, as my aunt, Janet always says.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
When it comes to happiness, I am my own best friend. I trust me. I love me. I know that I can be counted on.
It took a very long time for me to get to this point in my life where I knew and understood what happiness was and is.
I am truly happy and truly grateful for the family that I have; or for that matter, of what I have left. I have a really small family and getting together is like winning a prize. I don’t get to see my extended family often. But I truly enjoy there company.
I can truly say when it comes to film and my immediate family, I am at my ultimate, most highest self. Happiness is the cherry on top.
Whenever I am filming, I always envision my father being on set with me. He was my sidekick and cheerleader. I lost him in 2001. That loss forever changed me. But I can say that when I have those thoughts, I smile until my face hurts because I know he’d be so proud of me. I just know it!
I still have my mother and it’s the funniest thing watching her, watch me on screen. She loves my work! She gets so excited! It’s so cute!
I never thought in this lifetime that I would know what it was like to be proud of myself. I never thought that I would feel proud because others were proud of me. It’s a beautiful thing.
Because of these things, I can say that I am truly happy.
And yes, I do this for you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: MsBrandiJames
- Facebook: Brandi James
- Twitter: MsBrandiJames
- Youtube: Brandi James
- TikTok: iamBrandiJames
