The Talented Ten Cont...

The person who inspired me the most in the past decade was none other than...

1.) Ron Milner- my father. My father was one of the only African American men to have a play on Broadway. My dad wrote and directed plays that starred everyone from Ruby Dee to Denzel Washington to Marvin Winans and Donnie McClurkin. He wrote our stories, our struggles, our victories and our pains and glories. My father was one of the most caring, loyal and honest men in the world and he LOVED his city- Detroit. Many times my father was offered deals that would have made him rich but meant selling his passion/art short and leaving behind the city he loved, wrote about and the people who he wrote for...my father was a true artist. He taught me to love true artistry...in everything from dance to music...it was my father who first made me watch all 3 of the Godfathers...I will never forget that he told me "if you want to be a great actor...you have to watch great actors work" and I stayed up watching Godfather until my eyes ached! That was my father. Everything that I know about acting, art, jazz, baseball, basketball, how men should treat women, what women should expect men to do, etc...came from my father. He was my first date...he taught me that a man shouldn't hold a door open for you but should in fact go out the door to first to ensure that nothing's waiting on the other side...he taught me how to stand up for myself...and taught me what love from a father to a daughter should be like. My dad showed me the beauty and ugliness of being an artist...but most importantly he taught me RESPECT. Respect for everyone! Not just people like me...some of my earliest memories of my father are giving money, food, rides and respect to the many homeless people in Detroit who all knew my father by name...he showed them respect...he wrote about them...my father's compassion for mankind is unparalleled in any other human being that I know. There are so many invaluable lessons I learned from my father while watching him write and direct plays, teach middle school, high school and college students...and most importantly while being his daughter. Many times in life I have shied away from my father's shadow because in the grand scheme of things my father has left very big footsteps for me to walk in...but needless to say as I embark on my career as an artist...I have never been prouder of the way that my father paved for me and so many other African American artists. And if you've never heard of him...do your homework :)...Without the efforts from people like him, August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry and other theatre pioneers...there would be no Tyler Perry, Spike Lee, Gina Prince Bythewood etc...etc...and thats nothing to shy away from. My father's legacy, love and lessons have and will never leave my heart or my memory...and that's why he's been my #1 inspiration in this last decade. He helped to make me the incredible woman I've grown (and am still growing) to be. :)

Info on Ron Milner- Educate yourself :)

Read some of his work

The Talented Ten

So as this decade comes to a close...I think it's time to shed some light on the ten people who have influenced me the most over this past decade...it was actually harder than I thought to narrow it down to just 10 people but here it is...

10.) Kenny Mitchell- Kenny was my teacher at the University of Minnesota- Guthrie Theatre BFA Actors Training Program. A little backstory about Kenny is that he was born with cerebral palsy and probably spent most of his life being looked at as in some way "retarded" or "incapable of being in this "regular" world"...BUT he wanted to be an actor...and was apparently a GREAT actor...but like so many other minorities...there are not a lot of roles written for "the handicapped"...and so I met him my freshmen year and I immediately fell in love with how much he gave and gave and gave to us students...all while taking care of his dying mother! When it comes to someone who is more than selfless...more than a teacher and more than a mentor...Kenny Mitchell is that person! I think the moment that defines him so clearly in my mind is that in my freshman year of college he directed a show called "Hot L Baltimore" which had a character in it that seemed to have a similar condition to Kenny's actual "disability" and I was so touched by his compassion for the process of his students that he would allow a student to portray something that he has dealt with his whole life...something that so many people have probably misunderstood...Kenny is a true personification of "no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care"...

9.) India Bradley- she's my little sister! hehe. She inspires me so much because I know she looks up to EVERY thing I do and say. She's my little shadow...right down to the clothes I wear and the music I listen to...thinking of her makes me check the way I carry myself and the decisions I make...and when I've felt like giving up...I always think of the look on her face every time she's seen me act...I can only imagine it when she sees me on a big screen.

8.) Delena Turman- I have known her my whole life! I think perhaps the reason why she inspires me so much is because she has this relentlessness when it comes to life and goals. She comes from a situation that most people would rely on for the whole life- her father is a famous actor with friends in high places-but she works SO hard. She has this zest for life and love and art that I have only known in few people. She wants to be a writer...she's wanted that as long as I've known her...and she's never given up on that dream...she can admit when she's unhappy...and when she's just doing what she has to do to get by...she's that person who can just walk into a room and make everyone believe that she owns the place...I love her...she's amazing and inspiring

7.) Jada Pinkett Smith- " I thought this was gonna be only people you know personally..." you thought wrong. lol. Why does Jada Pinkett Smith inspire me so much? Well when I look at her...I see all the things I want to be. A great actress, a loving wife and a wonderful mother...and so many times in my life I have heard people tell me that at some point I will have to choose....that doing all three will prove to be too daunting of a challenge...but she defies all those critics. Yes...she has not done A LOT of work since she became Mrs. Smith...but the QUALITY of her work has not decreased with the quantity...she shows that you can find a man who is committed to loving you , taking care of you and helping you to accomplish your dreams...and a man who is strong enough to be a father and a faithful husband. She's beautiful, strong and smart...and when I sometimes think I'm asking too much of God (which is totally ridiculous because we all know there is nothing to hard for God) or of myself...I remember that there is a woman who is doing it all...Jada Pinkett Smith :)

6.) Michael Jordan- anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGE basketball fan...and one of my favorite athletes of all times is Michael Jordan...but I think what he stands for is something bigger than basketball...to me he shows endless possibilities when you love what you do...work hard...and are brave enough to take chances and leave your mark on this world. Jordan is easily one of the biggest celebrities this world has ever known! Shoes, clothes, movies, books, cologne...the list goes on and on. I have always said that I wanted to be the "Michael Jordan of acting"...the best who's ever done it...or die working at being the best...he showed greatness at its pinnacle...and what he did with BRANDING?! Ridiculous. His presence alone can bring tears to grown men's eyes...there are so many things to say about an icon like Jordan...he's inspired me in this last decade and he didnt even play for most of it...

5.) Lauryn Hill- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Enough said.

4.) Denzel Washington and Robert DeNiro- it's hard to choose between these two...their work has inspired me time and time again! These two play characters so intricately that it's awe inspiring...they BECOME....they don't act...they define TRUTH through their work. I have sat in many of theatres...or in many of living rooms...and have been brought to tears by their work...they are one of a kind actors with special, special ability...they have remained true to their passion and art...DeNiro pays tribute to his craft through the Tribeca Film Festival...Denzel launches young careers in his directorial pursuits...these two men inspire me to be a better artist.

3.) Marilyn McCormick- if you went to Cass Tech in Detroit...or have known me more than a few weeks...you've heard of MC...she's not just a teacher, mentor or director...she's a second mother to me...and is easily one of the biggest reasons I was accepted, attended and graduated from the Guthrie program in Minneapolis. Along with being a mother herself...she has mothered every single child who's come through one of the three programs she's ran at Cass Tech for the past 3 decades. She gives EVERYTHING to EVERY single one of us...I have no idea how she finds the time...she's at everyone's graduations...all over the States...she's sees shows...gives advice...gets people into college...and ALWAYS knows EXACTLY what to say...there will NEVER be another MC in my life...she has bought out her place in my heart forever!

2.) Judy Milner- you guessed it. She's my mom! There is SO much I can say about my mother. I have been with her through so many good and bad times in our lives. She's always there. Always knows what to say...for those who don't know...my mother was a professional dancer...and she gave up a lot to raise me to be the young woman I am today. I owe her so very much of my love and life...and she never makes me feel that way. She believes in me, prays for and with me...and she's been wonderful my entire life. In my eyes, she's the BEST mother in this entire world. I dont know where I would be without her...

So it's time for #1....you think I would give it to you that easy....#1 has inspired me beyond...BEYOND...he needs his very own post....and there are so many other people, actors, family and friends who've inspired me...but I have done a lot of blog posts about them all...with pictures and quotes and praise...

And to everyone who's been following my blog faithfully for the last few months...especially the 100+ fans on Facebook...thanks a lot :) I really appreciate it...here's to 2010!

Sincerely,

@bestnewactress

Open Letter to my Brothers

Dear Black men,

This is not to make you feel generalized, bashed or underappreciated...in fact it's totally opposite all those things. It's to touch bases...to try to understand...to open communication. Because there's something missing...something truly missing. As news of Tiger's infidelity (wait wait now I said this was not to bash or to generalize...vibe with me) spreads across airwaves and we see yet another "icon"'s image tarnished and stained...I feel bad...for you all. Because whether I do it or not...the truth is...you ALL are GREATLY generalized, bashed, laughed at, mocked...and to be honest it's mostly by those who yearn to be like you, talk like you, walk like you...sleep with you. But you do it to yourselves...come on y'all, really? I, as a Black woman, love everything about Black men. I love the fact that the thing that can scare the coward in the room is also the thing that makes you all the sexiest creatures on Earth (next to Black women of course): your presence. You come in different heights, weights and skin tones...and when carried right...it all works. So why, oh why, do you allow yourselves to be continuously grouped together in a dark, dim, shiftless and tired piece of light? "ALLOW?" some of you may say...yes, allow. You allow it when you sit around with your boys and listen to them talk about all the different women they've conquered...showing no remorse for the many hearts they've broken...and congratulate them....You allow it when riding through a neighborhood with music that screams "i was brought up with no self respect" blasting through the speakers as women and children sit in windows...you allow it when you waste your days away thinking of new ways to get "in" instead of new ways to make a woman feel appreciated...you allow it when it's your time to speak up on behalf of others like you...and you stay silent...you allow it when you're afraid to stand out. "But aren't you saying we're all alike just like everyone else?" No. I'm not. I am saying that every human being is flawed...greatly flawed...but never has a group of human beings ever had their flaws so publicly exposed to the masses like Black men have...and with that knowledge...what will you all do to change it? Black women cannot continue to come to the aid of Black men...especially since some of us play a imperative role in bringing you down...you all must stand up for yourselves. Now if you're following me on Twitter you may have heard me say: "let Tiger's dick be great...stay out of his business"...and I mean it...if he wants to sleep with everyone in North America so be it...who are we to say he can't? And he doesn't owe any of us an explanation or an apology...HOWEVER...as a Black man (as far as I'm concerned Tiger's BLACKness is not up for discussion)...who knows all to well the picture painted of you all from centuries and centuries past...How could he make such a monumental mistake? Didn't he know all that was/is riding on him? Some may say, "Tiger doesn't even know he's Black"...no, Tiger knows, and THAT is the reason why he's run from it his whole life...self-hatred is a topic for a whole other blog post, but i digress...THAT is the reason he tried his best to distance himself from all the negativity that comes with being classified "Black"...and THAT is the real issue...

As Black men...you've gotta stand up...you've gotta SHOW that you're not all the same...not just say it...you've gotta be consistent in your differences and prove that being a Black man is not a curse but a BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL gift that only few are lucky enough to have. I love y'all. I appreciate y'all. And I'll fight for y'all as long as I see you guys fighting for yourselves.

Sincerely,

@bestnewactress

Tis the Season...the countdown begins

So it's almost that time of year...Christmas! We get together. We give gifts. We see people we probably haven't seen since LAST year this time. We eat. We laugh. We argue. We watch the NBA on NBC. We watch the Christmas movies. We tell the family gossip. We enjoy one another. I am sure this year will be the same for most people. Of course there will be a shortage of gifts for some...but the thought will still be there. So in keeping with the holiday cheer...I am gonna do a blog per day...sort of like a 25 days of Christmas thing..."Well, its December 8th, shouldn't you have started on the 1st?"....ummm....vibe with me :)

This is how we're gonna do this...imagine me in front of a fireplace...speaking in a British accent...hehe

It's the first entry in my Christmas blog posts and I'm gonna focus on the gift of:

FAMILY

It's Christmas and so that means there is no shortage of movies detailing the love and joy of having a huge family to go home to on the holidays. Lots of singing and big dinner scenes with family showing up bearing gifts...ugly holiday sweaters...some type of big family argument all tied together with a bow at the end...showing us the lovely importance of spending time with family on the holidays....awwww....

the truth of the matter is we all dont come from "Hollywood Christmas" families...I know I don't. We dont wear ugly sweaters. People dont pop up with their boyfriends/girlfriends that we've never met. There is no big dinner and very few gifts. And the arguments that happen at Christmas are never resolved by New Year's but what we do have in common with those families...is the love. We care for one another...even the cousin who we dont trust around our purses...we love him AND her. ha. We love the things about us that make us so NOT a picture of perfection. We show up late. We bring the dude from down the street who no one likes. There's always a family member who brings up something we all decided to try to forget for the sake of the holidays. And someone ALWAYS gives a lecture about the problem with us "young kids". But all in all, it's classic. It's priceless. And my family's version of Christmas has shaped some of my fondest memories of being a kid during the holidays. I wouldn't trade it for anything...ok maybe...nope...not anything :)

One of my favorite Christmas movies back in the day :)

He wasn't a joke...meanie :(

I Want The Title?

I should have done this blog a long, long time ago but I didn't...this has nothing to do with anything going on in my life just something I've discussed with friends so many times:

"do titles in relationships still matter?"

I've heard many different answers to this question...some people say "the only title that matters is wife/husband" and others think "a title is a necessity because it establishes expectations" I've even heard "no titles matter because commitment doesn't mean what it used to mean"...what do I think?

I'd have to agree with the second quote...I think having a title helps to define what you expect from that person...if titles weren't important there'd be no need for the terms "doctor" or "lawyer" or "mother" or "father"...we'd all just be "people". Each one of the titles in that list tell you what to expect from the person you come in contact with...I mean I wouldn't go to the "doctor" for legal advise because that's not what his title suggests, right? And if you have no title at all, how am I to know what to ask of you? Title-less relationships say to me one or both of the people involved are not sure about how they feel and that needs to be resolved before the "relationship" goes ANY FURTHER. If you dont know what to introduce that person as...chances are you're not ready to have anything real...because when you are...a title won't feel like a burden...it will feel natural...you'll want the world to know that this person is yours...no question or room for doubt. Some people may say "well as long as it's define between me and the person I'm with, what does it matter to others?"...and I once again say...when it's the right person you'll want everyone to know for sure that he/she is yours...no excuses...no gimmicks...no secrets.

That's my shpill on "titles"...but keep the conversation going...if you're a woman who's somebody's "untitled" and you want more...speak up...if you're a man who's someone's "ummm yeah this is my...this is *insert name*" and you want to know the deal...ask her...

Just my thoughts ;)

Sincerely,

@bestnewactress

What about YOUR friends?

Well in the month of December we all start thinking about the year that has passed so quickly, Christmas lists, Christmas gifts (or lack thereof...recession anyone?), trips back home, etc...but the holidays always make me think about the people who I love most in the world: my friends and family. But by the title I'm guessing you all know which group of people shall feel all bubbly inside after reading this: my friends!

I hear so many women say: "I dont have a lot of female friends", "I don't like girls", "Women don't like me"...and honestly in most cases I can relate to those feelings but I am lucky to have some of the coolest, most caring, most fun, most inspiring, beautiful, talented women AND men in the world as my friends.

They are always there for me. They support me. They love me when I'm right. They tell me when I'm wrong-and love me then too. They let me cry on their shoulders...on their pillows...in their cars...on their daytime minutes...lol. They are closer to me than most of my family. They are there when I fall in love and neglect them. And when I fall out of love and nag them. They are my friends. And there is no greater gift in the world. I love you all...nothing I won't do for you. Happy Happy Happy Holidays.

A Little Old School Love for my friends..:)