I was so outspoken when I felt like I had no other choice. You know what I mean?
Like I had no other choice. You know what I mean? When I grew up, growing up
you know what I mean? When I grew up, growing up in a haitian household,
when I grew up, growing up in a haitian household, I was told to be nice, be nice,
be nice to a fault,
where I knew how to be nice,
but I didn't know
how to stand up for myself.
But I didn't know how to stand up for myself. So that was something
that I had to learn.
I had to grow and figure
out who I am.
And then, once I found out,
I haven't shut up...
[chuckling] ...Since.
♪
best piece of advice that
another celebrity has given me
came from jamie foxx.
Another celebrity has given me came from jamie foxx. I was going through heartache
when we were shooting
"the jamie foxx show,"
and he said, "you can love,
but always keep a little
for yourself.
But always keep a little for yourself. And I'll never forget that.
For yourself. And I'll never forget that. And that stays with me
and I'll never forget that. And that stays with me to this day.
-- Captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
♪
I wouldn't call my parents a divorce. My father went out to get milk
and never came back.
There wasn't a 7-eleven nearby.
And never came back. There wasn't a 7-eleven nearby. [ laughs ] so...
Listen, was it traumatic?
Absolutely.
But at three years old,
absolutely. But at three years old, my mom was everything to me.
I remember when she would sit up
front with my dad in the car.
That would make me upset because
I wanted her to be with me.
I just never really bonded
with my dad.
There was -- he wasn't warm,
and I never felt like he saw me,
there was -- he wasn't warm, and I never felt like he saw me, honestly.
And I never felt like he saw me, honestly. My mom got married three times.
Honestly. My mom got married three times. So my first three siblings
my mom got married three times. So my first three siblings are by one dad.
The second set
is by another dad.
And then there's me with my dad.
Is by another dad. And then there's me with my dad. What I remember about haiti
and then there's me with my dad. What I remember about haiti was I loved my country.
I still love my country.
Was I loved my country. I still love my country. I love the beauty, the colors,
the music, the food.
Every time I smell a tangerine,
it reminds me of haiti.
♪
oh, my god.
So I'm seven years old.
Oh, my god. So I'm seven years old. We leave haiti.
We fly to boston
we leave haiti. We fly to boston in the dead of winter.
It's January.
In the dead of winter. It's January. I don't speak a word of english.
I had never
really seen white people.
And then there was white stuff
all over the ground. [chuckles]
and then there was white stuff all over the ground. [chuckles] I didn't know
what was happening.
I thought my mom lost her mind.
What was happening. I thought my mom lost her mind. I don't know.
But it was just, you know,
it was a culture shock.
And I couldn't go to school
because
and I couldn't go to school because I didn't know the language.
Because I didn't know the language. So I learned english language
watching sesame street.
Counting with the count.
Watching sesame street. Counting with the count. Singing with big bird.
And then, when I did go
singing with big bird. And then, when I did go to school finally, I was
and then, when I did go to school finally, I was the only black kid.
To school finally, I was the only black kid. And I remember kids
touching my skin.
I remember kids, you know,
touching my hair
because they had never seen it.
Touching my hair because they had never seen it. They didn't know the texture.
Because they had never seen it. They didn't know the texture. They didn't --
they didn't know the texture. They didn't -- it was different.
It was different,
to say the least.
Never had aspirations
of being a model.
I didn't even know
you could do that.
I remember,
when I was 16 going on 17,
my mom had had it with
new England and the cold.
My mom had had it with new England and the cold. So we were moving to miami.
New England and the cold. So we were moving to miami. She wants to be closer to haiti
so we were moving to miami. She wants to be closer to haiti and family.
And, so, we moved to miami,
and a friend of mine said,
and, so, we moved to miami, and a friend of mine said, "do you want to be an extra
in an orange juice commercial?"
and I said, "what's an extra?"
and, so, he told me and he said,
"it's two days.
And, so, he told me and he said, "it's two days. You get $75 a day."
that was a lot of money back
you get $75 a day." that was a lot of money back then to me.
That was a lot of money back then to me. And, so, we did it.
Then to me. And, so, we did it. So they had, like, maybe five
and, so, we did it. So they had, like, maybe five or six principal actors
so they had, like, maybe five or six principal actors and one of them was this really
pretty black girl.
And one of them was this really pretty black girl. So, on the second day, I get up
the nerve to go up to this
so, on the second day, I get up the nerve to go up to this pretty black girl and say,
"I want to do what you're doing.
Pretty black girl and say, "I want to do what you're doing. How do I do that?"
honey, she was not having it.
She was not having it.
Honey, she was not having it. She was not having it. She didn't help me at all.
I found out
she didn't help me at all. I found out what agency she was with,
and it's irene marie
in fort lauderdale.
And it's irene marie in fort lauderdale. So I asked my mom
to borrow her car.
I drive up to fort lauderdale.
To borrow her car. I drive up to fort lauderdale. I don't have --
I don't have any pictures.
I don't have a portfolio.
I don't have an appointment.
I'm at a red light and I decide
to poke my head out
to check my makeup, right?
To poke my head out to check my makeup, right? A hand comes in the car and
scares the [bleep] out of me.
Right?
Scares the [bleep] out of me. Right? The woman who was at the traffic
right? The woman who was at the traffic light behind me got out of her
the woman who was at the traffic light behind me got out of her car, came to my car, and said,
"you should be a model."
and on the card,
it was irene marie agency,
where I was going without an
appointment, without anything.
Where I was going without an appointment, without anything. Divine intervention?
Appointment, without anything. Divine intervention? [ laughs ] right?
Crazy.
So now I show up, of course,
crazy. So now I show up, of course, and I'm like, I should be here.
So about eight months later,
you know, they help me get test
so about eight months later, you know, they help me get test shots, build my portfolio.
You know, they help me get test shots, build my portfolio. Eileen ford
of the ford modeling agency,
eileen ford of the ford modeling agency, who goes all over the country
scouting for new talent,
comes, and she says to my mom,
"she should move to new york.
Comes, and she says to my mom, "she should move to new york. All she needs is a toothbrush."
and my mother goes, "okay."
all she needs is a toothbrush." and my mother goes, "okay." now, this is a haitian mother
who they watch their
haitian daughters like a hawk.
Who they watch their haitian daughters like a hawk. So for her to let me go
to new york at 17 by myself was
so for her to let me go to new york at 17 by myself was just sheer I don't know what.
To new york at 17 by myself was just sheer I don't know what. Bravery,
whatever you want to call it.
Amazing.
Whatever you want to call it. Amazing. And that's how my career
amazing. And that's how my career started.
Before I left miami,
my mom went to a party.
And you know
how you go to parties
and you know how you go to parties and they give you party favors?
How you go to parties and they give you party favors? Her party favor was my father.
And they give you party favors? Her party favor was my father. So here he comes,
her party favor was my father. So here he comes, and we're having dinner.
And my mom was standing up,
and I remember he's sitting
and my mom was standing up, and I remember he's sitting across from me at the table,
and it was a small little table.
Across from me at the table, and it was a small little table. And I don't know him.
And it was a small little table. And I don't know him. So I asked my mom while she was
and I don't know him. So I asked my mom while she was standing up, I said, "mom, can
so I asked my mom while she was standing up, I said, "mom, can you pass me the fork?"
and he said, "you should
get the fork yourself."
that was the wrong thing to say.
Get the fork yourself." that was the wrong thing to say. From that day on, I never
really spent time with him.
I never really connected
with him.
I remember when I got my first
magazine cover, which was
"essence."
you know how the magazines
come out a month
before for the, you know,
for the month that's coming?
Before for the, you know, for the month that's coming? He went out
and bought the "essence" cover,
he went out and bought the "essence" cover, and it was the month before
mine, and he was showing it off
at work.
Mine, and he was showing it off at work. It wasn't me.
At work. It wasn't me. So...
That was hard. That was hard.
We never had a relationship.
Before he passed away,
we never had a relationship. Before he passed away, he wrote me a letter, and I
before he passed away, he wrote me a letter, and I didn't want to read the letter.
He wrote me a letter, and I didn't want to read the letter. My mom knew that I didn't want
anything to do with him.
And she threw out the letter.
Anything to do with him. And she threw out the letter. And if there's one regret that
and she threw out the letter. And if there's one regret that I have --
and if there's one regret that I have -- I don't have a lot of regrets --
is that I never read the letter.
I don't know how he felt about
me, and I'll never know.
>> beauvais: When I first came to america and moved to new york to model, I would say I'm from
haiti, and I would say with such
pride, and people would go,
"tahiti?"
and then, I'd go, "no, haiti."
and then, they'd go,
"doesn't everybody in haiti
have aids?"
I got so mad when people
would say that because it felt
like we all had aids.
Would say that because it felt like we all had aids. There was no compassion.
Like we all had aids. There was no compassion. There was -- there was nothing.
Or, "did you come on a boat?"
there was -- there was nothing. Or, "did you come on a boat?" you know, people would say that,
or, "did you come on a boat?" you know, people would say that, and it would drive me crazy, but
it never deterred me from saying
that I am from haiti and being
proud of where I come from.
>> beauvais: So I moved to new york city at 17. Don't know a soul.
New york city at 17. Don't know a soul. I'm living with eileen ford
don't know a soul. I'm living with eileen ford because the models' apartment
is full, which is crazy.
Because the models' apartment is full, which is crazy. Whose life is this, right?
Is full, which is crazy. Whose life is this, right? I'm living with eileen ford on
whose life is this, right? I'm living with eileen ford on madison avenue and 71st street.
Like, crazy.
Madison avenue and 71st street. Like, crazy. And they give you a list.
It's called go-sees,
and they give you a list. It's called go-sees, so you can go see photographers
it's called go-sees, so you can go see photographers to build your book.
So you can go see photographers to build your book. So I get a long appointment of
go-sees.
One of the girls
that they connected me with,
one of the girls that they connected me with, she said,
"we're going to the same place.
She said, "we're going to the same place. Let's take the subway."
and I go, "no, no, no,
let's take the subway." and I go, "no, no, no, I'm not taking the subway."
all I had heard were people
were thrown in front of the
subways when you go on the
train.
Subways when you go on the train. So I didn't want to get on the
subway.
She's like, "we'll be together.
Subway. She's like, "we'll be together. We'll be fine."
she's like, "we'll be together. We'll be fine." okay, so we're on the platform
we'll be fine." okay, so we're on the platform waiting for the train.
Okay, so we're on the platform waiting for the train. And I am scared, I'm looking
everywhere, I'm panicked,
and I am scared, I'm looking everywhere, I'm panicked, I'm sweating, and this guy
taps me on the shoulder,
and I scream like I was shot.
Taps me on the shoulder, and I scream like I was shot. Right?
And I scream like I was shot. Right? He wanted to know where the
right? He wanted to know where the e train was. [ laughs ]
he wanted to know where the e train was. [ laughs ] and the girl I was with,
she was like, "yeah,
you shouldn't take the subway."
so I would leave so early.
You shouldn't take the subway." so I would leave so early. I couldn't afford cabs,
so I would take the bus.
I would leave, like, hours
early so I could make it on time
for my go-sees.
Early so I could make it on time for my go-sees. First of all, a lot of models
start in new york
first of all, a lot of models start in new york and then they go to europe
to build their book.
And then they go to europe to build their book. I started working, getting
catalog work, advertisement,
which is what you want
because that's the money jobs,
but it's not the glamorous,
you know, on "vogue" covers.
But it's not the glamorous, you know, on "vogue" covers. But I remember my first fashion
show was for calvin klein,
but I remember my first fashion show was for calvin klein, and he was doing something
sort of extraordinary.
And he was doing something sort of extraordinary. We were in this building in
new york city where the models
we were in this building in new york city where the models come down the escalator
and then the runway begins.
Come down the escalator and then the runway begins. So my first big show,
I'm so excited, and then,
so my first big show, I'm so excited, and then, they come and say to me,
"you are number 10, and number
9 before you is iman.
"you mean iman, iman?!"
like, gorgeous, long neck.
Gorgeous woman.
Like, gorgeous, long neck. Gorgeous woman. I mean, like -- I'm like, no
gorgeous woman. I mean, like -- I'm like, no one's ever going to see me
behind her.
One's ever going to see me behind her. No one is going to see me.
Behind her. No one is going to see me. I -- knowing that iman
no one is going to see me. I -- knowing that iman was going to be in the show
and she walks in like a gazelle,
and everybody's like, "iman!
And she walks in like a gazelle, and everybody's like, "iman! Iman! Iman!"
and I'm just sitting there
iman! Iman!" and I'm just sitting there just going, "oh, my god."
like, it was incredible.
Just going, "oh, my god." like, it was incredible. It was incredible.
Like, it was incredible. It was incredible. ♪
it was incredible. ♪ I remember going to studio 54.
With the cool kids, right?
Trying to be cool myself.
And they usher me
trying to be cool myself. And they usher me to a table and,
and they usher me to a table and, you know, it's like rock stars
and beautiful models,
and they were doing coke.
And beautiful models, and they were doing coke. Now, I've never done coke.
And they were doing coke. Now, I've never done coke. I don't know what to do.
Do I act like the cool kids?
Do I not act like the cool kids?
And they're like,
do I not act like the cool kids? And they're like, "do you want some?"
and they're like, "do you want some?" and I'm like, in a split second,
I'm like, "yeah, sure."
like with your high-pitched
voice, which obviously I'm
not comfortable.
Voice, which obviously I'm not comfortable. So I went to try it,
and I spilled the whole thing,
so I went to try it, and I spilled the whole thing, and they said, "never mind."
[ laughing ] and I said,
"thank you, god,
thank you, god."
and I never tried it.
Thank you, god." and I never tried it. I never tried it.
And I never tried it. I never tried it. While I was in new york,
I would get music video offers.
And I remember I got a music
video offer from peter wolf, and
and I remember I got a music video offer from peter wolf, and michael mann was directing it.
Video offer from peter wolf, and michael mann was directing it. Now, I didn't know who
michael mann was at the time.
So we're doing this video
where I play his love interest.
And they had asked me, they
said, "hey, can you drive?"
and they had asked me, they said, "hey, can you drive?" and I said, "yeah."
they said, "we're getting an
amazing ferrari for you to
drive."
I said, "sure."
so get on set.
We're shooting, shooting,
shooting.
Now it's time to do the car
scene.
It's supposed to be wet,
it's supposed to be night.
And it's a stick shift.
It's supposed to be night. And it's a stick shift. No one asked me if I knew how to
and it's a stick shift. No one asked me if I knew how to drive a stick shift.
So you can imagine
the producers are freaking out
so you can imagine the producers are freaking out and, "what do we do?
The producers are freaking out and, "what do we do? What do we do?"
so they ended up towing the car
what do we do?" so they ended up towing the car and me pretending that I'm
driving.
And me pretending that I'm driving. Right?
Driving. Right? And, so,
right? And, so, that was interesting to me.
Then michael mann gave me a part
in "miami vice,"
then michael mann gave me a part in "miami vice," which wasn't a speaking part,
but it was, you know, it's --
now I know who michael mann is.
But it was, you know, it's -- now I know who michael mann is. And, you know, "miami vice" was
the hottest thing at the time.
And then I got, you know,
other parts like
and then I got, you know, other parts like "the cosby show"
and "coming to america."
now, "coming to america,"
every beautiful
black actress, model,
everybody was vying for, you
know, to play lisa, the lead.
Everybody was vying for, you know, to play lisa, the lead. And, so, I had no business
whatsoever auditioning for the
and, so, I had no business whatsoever auditioning for the lead whatsoever.
Whatsoever auditioning for the lead whatsoever. So I auditioned and, of course,
I didn't get it.
But john landis was cool enough
and he called my agent and said,
but john landis was cool enough and he called my agent and said, "listen,
if she wants to be an actress,
this is a great way to" --
you know, we're offering her one
of the rose bearers.
You know, we're offering her one of the rose bearers. She'll be around it.
Of the rose bearers. She'll be around it. She'll get to see it.
She'll get to know it.
And and we said, "yeah."
she'll get to know it. And and we said, "yeah." so, then, I showed up on set and
and and we said, "yeah." so, then, I showed up on set and there's eddie murphy and arsenio
and all these beautiful
black faces.
And all these beautiful black faces. To me, I thought,
"this is hollywood."
to me, I thought, "this is hollywood." like, you know, it's always
going to look like this.
Like, you know, it's always going to look like this. It's always going to be amazing,
beautiful black people.
Which wasn't the case.
Beautiful black people. Which wasn't the case. Every woman on that set
which wasn't the case. Every woman on that set was trying to date eddie murphy.
He was the hot commodity.
Was trying to date eddie murphy. He was the hot commodity. And we dated.
We dated,
and we dated. We dated, I think, for a year off and on.
And, you know, it was...
How do I say this?
We had a really great
how do I say this? We had a really great connection, we really did.
I loved, you know, obviously,
him, his mom, his family.
Like, you know, we were dating.
Him, his mom, his family. Like, you know, we were dating. So...
I once double booked, though.
I once had a date with eddie and
then I forgot I had a date with
somebody else.
Then I forgot I had a date with somebody else. This was in the early beginning
when we first started dating.
And, so, they showed up
at the same time
and, so, they showed up at the same time and I didn't know what to do.
At the same time and I didn't know what to do. One was downstairs ringing
my bell and one was in my house.
So it was -- yeah.
>> beauvais: When I was a kid, I wanted to be a flight attendant because I loved the uniforms and
I loved that they got to travel.
Because I loved the uniforms and I loved that they got to travel. And then, journalism has always
been what I wanted to do.
So, for me, acting was a way,
like, okay, after modeling,
so, for me, acting was a way, like, okay, after modeling, let's try this acting thing.
Like, okay, after modeling, let's try this acting thing. That's really how it came about.
Let's try this acting thing. That's really how it came about. I didn't set out to be
that's really how it came about. I didn't set out to be an actress.
I remember being on
"the fresh prince of bel-air."
first of all, it was the hottest
show at the time.
First of all, it was the hottest show at the time. Will smith
couldn't have been better.
And what I learned
from will smith,
and what I learned from will smith, I take with me to this day.
From will smith, I take with me to this day. Will smith is the epitome of
a movie star.
Even then, right?
A movie star. Even then, right? He would walk on set.
He would know everybody's name.
No one was beneath him.
No one -- he didn't treat
no one was beneath him. No one -- he didn't treat anybody like "I'm will smith,
no one -- he didn't treat anybody like "I'm will smith, and you're lower than me."
and I watched that, and this
is what I'm going to do.
And I watched that, and this is what I'm going to do. And I've stuck to it
because I've been on other
and I've stuck to it because I've been on other people's shows where
the star doesn't talk to you.
People's shows where the star doesn't talk to you. They, you know,
they mistreat you.
They don't even see you, so
will smith taught me
they don't even see you, so will smith taught me a great lesson.
Will smith taught me a great lesson. >> will! Will!
A great lesson. >> will! Will! >> beauvais: Yes, I dated
will smith.
I was a young ingenue in
hollywood, and it was really
brief.
Hollywood, and it was really brief. I remember one time, will was
driving somewhere, and I guess I
was calling him to figure out
where we were going to meet up,
if we were going to have dinner
or whatever.
If we were going to have dinner or whatever. And, you know, he was on
speakerphone in the car.
He picked up the phone
and he said, "hey."
he picked up the phone and he said, "hey." and I said, "hey, are you good?"
and he said, "yeah."
and trey, who was, I guess,
in the car seat in the back,
said, "is that jada?"
and I was like...
Said, "is that jada?" and I was like... And then, that's when I realized
that I wasn't that important
and then, that's when I realized that I wasn't that important in his life.
That I wasn't that important in his life. ♪
all right, so, "models, inc."
I am now living in la,
going back and forth
to new york modeling
because that's my day job.
To new york modeling because that's my day job. And I remember having an agent,
and he said, "hey, there's a
and I remember having an agent, and he said, "hey, there's a show coming up about models
and you'd be great for it."
and I thought, "awesome."
so I go about my life.
And I thought, "awesome." so I go about my life. A couple of weeks later, I go,
"hey, whatever happened
a couple of weeks later, I go, "hey, whatever happened to that audition?"
and he goes, "they're not
seeing any black models."
and I went, "wow.
Seeing any black models." and I went, "wow. Okay. Disappointed."
that night, I go to bed
okay. Disappointed." that night, I go to bed and I have a dream.
That night, I go to bed and I have a dream. In my dream, I am sitting
and talking to aaron spelling.
You know, I'm from haiti.
And talking to aaron spelling. You know, I'm from haiti. We're superstitious.
That dream meant something,
we're superstitious. That dream meant something, and I'm going to follow through.
So I decide to find out
where the spelling office is.
I put a package together,
I put some pictures, I put,
you know, a couple of tapes --
[ laughs ] right.
You know, a couple of tapes -- [ laughs ] right. 8-track tapes --
together in a package, and I go
to 5757 wilshire.
Together in a package, and I go to 5757 wilshire. So I walk in,
I go to the seventh floor,
so I walk in, I go to the seventh floor, and it's a black receptionist.
I'm like, "sweet!"
right?
So I walk up to her and I said,
"hi, I'd like to see
so I walk up to her and I said, "hi, I'd like to see mr. Spelling."
and she goes, "do you have an
appointment?"
and I go, "no."
and she goes, "honey,
it doesn't work like that.
And she goes, "honey, it doesn't work like that. Right?
It doesn't work like that. Right? And, so, I talked to her
right? And, so, I talked to her for a little bit and I said,
and, so, I talked to her for a little bit and I said, "listen, he's casting this show.
For a little bit and I said, "listen, he's casting this show. I think I'd be great for it.
Can you give him this package?"
four days later, I get a call
can you give him this package?" four days later, I get a call from the casting director.
Four days later, I get a call from the casting director. I go in and read for her,
and then I have a callback.
I read in front of
aaron spelling, and I booked the
part of cynthia nichols on
"models, inc."
where I got those balls, I have
no idea.
Where I got those balls, I have no idea. I have no idea. No idea.
No idea. I have no idea. No idea. I had no fear.
"down low," r. Kelly.
That was a big deal.
At the time, music videos
that was a big deal. At the time, music videos weren't shot like movies.
This is one of the first ones
that was shot like a movie.
We shot over four days.
That was shot like a movie. We shot over four days. But it was really cool
we shot over four days. But it was really cool for my career, you know?
It was sexy, it was, you know,
what people --
it was sexy, it was, you know, what people -- you know, when people used to
call in for videos,
used to call in.
Call in for videos, used to call in. I remember when I auditioned
for "the jamie foxx show,"
I was sitting in the lobby
with all the other actresses,
and jamie was coming down the
hallway, and he walked and he
sort of doubled back
and came to me, and he goes,
"you don't know how many times
I requested that 'down low'
video." [ laughs ]
I'm sure that helped me
get the part, I'm sure of it.
First of all, I knew jamie
from "in living color."
first of all, I knew jamie from "in living color." I didn't know him.
From "in living color." I didn't know him. You know, he wasn't a movie star
or anything like that.
And I remember getting
the audition.
So, fly out, do it.
The audition. So, fly out, do it. They call me back for another
so, fly out, do it. They call me back for another audition, and I was like,
they call me back for another audition, and I was like, "I'm leaving town,
I have a job, I have a booking."
and I remember my agent going,
"this is a big deal, you know.
And I remember my agent going, "this is a big deal, you know. Are you serious about this?"
so I said, "yeah, I am serious.
I'm going to show up."
so I show up, and that's when,
you know, I meet jamie.
So I show up, and that's when, you know, I meet jamie. And I wasn't competing to be
funnier than him.
She had to be the straight man
to his funny, and I
she had to be the straight man to his funny, and I really think that's what it was.
To his funny, and I really think that's what it was. And then, our chemistry
was through the roof.
You couldn't buy it,
you couldn't fake it.
We just had great chemistry
right out the gate.
Playing francesca "fancy" monroe
was iconic.
I didn't know was
going to be iconic to my career,
but it became iconic
because the show was such a hit.
But it became iconic because the show was such a hit. I mean, we thought,
if we got 13 episodes,
we were golden.
If we got 13 episodes, we were golden. We ended up doing 100 episodes.
We were golden. We ended up doing 100 episodes. And at the time, wb had
we ended up doing 100 episodes. And at the time, wb had just started.
And fancy became, you know,
the short little skirts.
My legs were twigs.
The short little skirts. My legs were twigs. And it was just a fun show,
my legs were twigs. And it was just a fun show, a family show
and it was just a fun show, a family show that people could watch.
A family show that people could watch. And I think that's why it
resonated with so many people.
♪
jamie and I had a pact that
we weren't going to fool around,
although we did steal a kiss
one time backstage.
Although we did steal a kiss one time backstage. And I believe it was
gladys knight who came around
and I believe it was gladys knight who came around the corner and she saw us.
Gladys knight who came around the corner and she saw us. And I remember
being so embarrassed.
And she must have thought,
"oh, for sure.
Something's going on with him."
but that was a one-time thing.
So we had made a pact we were
not going to mess anything up.
We had a good thing, we're not
going to mess it up by dating.
So, two weeks before we wrap,
I get engaged, and I remember
so, two weeks before we wrap, I get engaged, and I remember foxx coming into my room going,
"you couldn't wait?"
and I was like, "I love him."
and he saw me go through
the journey of
falling in love with mike,
and then, we broke up
because we came at a crossroad
and mike wasn't sure.
Because we came at a crossroad and mike wasn't sure. And then we got engaged.
And mike wasn't sure. And then we got engaged. And, so, jamie was a little
and then we got engaged. And, so, jamie was a little bitter about it.
But I remember the hundredth
episode was a big deal.
You know, warner bros.
Episode was a big deal. You know, warner bros. Brought out a huge cake
you know, warner bros. Brought out a huge cake during rehearsals.
It was beautiful.
During rehearsals. It was beautiful. It was emotional.
It was, you know,
it was emotional. It was, you know, jamie singing to me.
I mean, it brought
all the feels,
not a dry eye in the house.
All the feels, not a dry eye in the house. It was the most beautiful thing.
Not a dry eye in the house. It was the most beautiful thing. It almost felt like we were
it was the most beautiful thing. It almost felt like we were getting married for real.
But I had
my real engagement ring on.
I remember him seeing it at one
point and he kind of, like,
just looked away.
Point and he kind of, like, just looked away. [ chuckles ]
♪
we built this really great
friendship,
and I think the friendship
was important to us.
And I think the friendship was important to us. I mean, if you ask him, he might
say something different.
But I feel like...
Say something different. But I feel like... No, sometimes do I regret not
but I feel like... No, sometimes do I regret not giving it a try?
Yeah, but I love, I love, love,
love, love our friendship.
I've seen him grow as a man.
Love, love our friendship. I've seen him grow as a man. I've seen him become
an amazing father.
My kids hang out with his kids.
An amazing father. My kids hang out with his kids. I mean, it's beautiful.
I think, if we had messed
around, we probably
wouldn't be friends now.
Around, we probably wouldn't be friends now. ♪
I remember getting the audition
on the last day of shooting
"the jamie foxx show,"
our hundredth episode,
and the audition came in,
and I had planned
to go celebrate in jamaica.
And I had planned to go celebrate in jamaica. We had a trip planned,
and, so, my agent goes,
we had a trip planned, and, so, my agent goes, "you should go on this.
And, so, my agent goes, "you should go on this. It's a great show."
and I knew the show.
And I was like,
"yeah, but we have a trip."
and I was like, "yeah, but we have a trip." you know, silly little girl.
And he goes, "you should go on
it," and I said, "okay."
and he goes, "you should go on it," and I said, "okay." so we changed our trip.
It," and I said, "okay." so we changed our trip. And I went on the audition
and I remember walking in.
I didn't know steven bochco
was going to be there.
And I knew of him.
Was going to be there. And I knew of him. And I knew the show
and I knew of him. And I knew the show was a critically acclaimed show,
and I knew the show was a critically acclaimed show, had won emmys and everything.
Was a critically acclaimed show, had won emmys and everything. So I walk in and he's there.
Had won emmys and everything. So I walk in and he's there. So that ups the game.
And he was so cool.
He was like, "thank you for
and he was so cool. He was like, "thank you for coming in."
he was like, "thank you for coming in." I'm like...
Coming in." I'm like... Right? You're steven bochco.
So I sit down,
right? You're steven bochco. So I sit down, and he tells me a little bit
so I sit down, and he tells me a little bit about the character,
and it was a four-episode arc,
and I ended up doing four
seasons on "nypd blue."
>> beauvais: The talk show world has always been my love. That's where I feel the most
comfortable.
That's where I feel like this
is what I meant to do.
So I thought, how do I do that?
Is what I meant to do. So I thought, how do I do that? I kept on, you know,
so I thought, how do I do that? I kept on, you know, co-hosting here and there,
but I really needed something
that would solidify
that I can actually do it,
that it's not a one-time deal.
That I can actually do it, that it's not a one-time deal. So "hollywood today live" comes.
That it's not a one-time deal. So "hollywood today live" comes. I have a meeting with
so "hollywood today live" comes. I have a meeting with stephen brown,
who's an executive at fox,
to talk about the talk world.
Who's an executive at fox, to talk about the talk world. I want to get into the talk
world, how do I do it?
And he said,
"well, there's a show
and he said, "well, there's a show called 'hollywood today live.'
we have really some young hosts.
Called 'hollywood today live.' we have really some young hosts. I would love for you to come,
you know, come and play with us,
you know, for a week
or a few days if you want to."
and I said,
"yeah, I would love to.'
now, mind you, there was
a black girl that had the job.
Now, mind you, there was a black girl that had the job. I assumed she was on vacation
and I'm coming in to fill in
and play.
And I'm coming in to fill in and play. And I didn't realize
that I was replacing her.
Like, I had no idea.
That I was replacing her. Like, I had no idea. No one told me that,
like, I had no idea. No one told me that, "oh, if you like this job,
no one told me that, "oh, if you like this job, you're replacing someone."
so, you know,
that's always hard.
So, you know, that's always hard. But "hollywood today live"
was amazing for me.
It didn't pay very well.
Was amazing for me. It didn't pay very well. But that wasn't the point.
The point was letting people
but that wasn't the point. The point was letting people see me in that position.
But I loved it. I loved it.
See me in that position. But I loved it. I loved it. I was in my element.
I was talking to guests,
I was researching,
and it was -- it felt
like where I wanted to be.
And it was -- it felt like where I wanted to be. Now I'm going
to go back a little bit.
So I was in haiti doing
some charity work with my kids,
so I was in haiti doing some charity work with my kids, and I got a call
that they wanted me to come
and co-host for "the view"
for a week.
And co-host for "the view" for a week. Huge, right? Huge, huge, huge.
For a week. Huge, right? Huge, huge, huge. Great.
I'm in the wardrobe room at
great. I'm in the wardrobe room at "the view" and nicolle wallace
and I are in there.
So I thought I'd strike up
a conversation.
You know,
I knew she had kids, and I said,
you know, I knew she had kids, and I said, "oh, so you have kids?"
and she goes, "uh-huh."
and that's it.
And she goes, "uh-huh." and that's it. She says nothing back like,
"do you have kids?"
she says nothing back like, "do you have kids?" nothing. So I'm like,
okay, shut up, garcelle.
Nothing. So I'm like, okay, shut up, garcelle. Mind your business.
Okay, shut up, garcelle. Mind your business. Go back to my room.
A couple of days in,
go back to my room. A couple of days in, I am on set.
We're doing our thing, you know,
I feel like I got a good rhythm.
I'm not really sure.
I'm talking, I'm making my
point, I'm setting it up.
I'm talking about it.
Point, I'm setting it up. I'm talking about it. I get kicked under the table
by rosie perez.
It wasn't a kick where, like,
oh, she's crossing her legs.
It was a kick where it was
intentional.
And, so, at the end of the show,
I say nothing.
I grab my stuff and I leave.
And the next day, there's a
knock on the door, and it's
and the next day, there's a knock on the door, and it's rosie.
Knock on the door, and it's rosie. And she said,
"can I talk to you?"
and she said, "can I talk to you?" and I said, "yeah."
she goes, "alone?"
so my makeup artist leaves
the room, and she said,
"I kicked you because
I wanted you to stop talking."
that's not how you do it.
I'm in your house, but that
kick said a lot, a lot to me,
and I didn't want to be in that
environment.
And I didn't want to be in that environment. I had heard a lot of stories.
Environment. I had heard a lot of stories. By the end of my week,
I had a meeting with one
by the end of my week, I had a meeting with one of the executives, and she said,
"how did it go?"
and I said, "it's not for me."
I didn't want to be in an
environment where I felt like
that's not how you handle
things.
That's not how you handle things. And, also, if I had the
opportunity to have that job,
and, also, if I had the opportunity to have that job, it would change --
you know, I'm divorced.
It would change -- you know, I'm divorced. My ex-husband is hands on.
You know, I'm divorced. My ex-husband is hands on. So he -- you know, he wasn't
my ex-husband is hands on. So he -- you know, he wasn't going to just let me take them.
I would have to fly back
and forth.
It would be a big adjustment
for my family.
So, a big
adjustment for my family
so, a big adjustment for my family and that kind of environment,
it wasn't for me.
And that kind of environment, it wasn't for me. What made me decide
to join "the real housewives
what made me decide to join "the real housewives of beverly hills"?
To join "the real housewives of beverly hills"? Timing is everything.
Of beverly hills"? Timing is everything. I was traveling a lot,
timing is everything. I was traveling a lot, flying all over the place.
My kids now are becoming
teenagers.
They're going to go to middle
school.
I want to be around more.
School. I want to be around more. I need to be around more.
So when my manager called me
and said, "hey, they're
so when my manager called me and said, "hey, they're interested in you in
beverly hills," he goes,
"we're going to pass.
Beverly hills," he goes, "we're going to pass. But I just want to tell you
because you know everybody."
but I just want to tell you because you know everybody." and I was like,
"hold on, hold on, hold on,
give me a couple of days."
and he's like, "garcelle,
you're not doing this.
And he's like, "garcelle, you're not doing this. You're on a roll.
You're not doing this. You're on a roll. You're doing great.
You're not --
you're doing great. You're not -- you want to do reality?"
you're not -- you want to do reality?" and I was like,
"it's not about reality.
And I was like, "it's not about reality. Give me a minute."
and I called my manager back
give me a minute." and I called my manager back and I said, "gordon,
you're going to think I'm crazy,
but I want to do 'housewives.'"
he was like, "I don't think it's
a good idea."
I said, "you know what?
A good idea." I said, "you know what? I want to be home."
and he said, "okay."
and let me tell you this.
And he said, "okay." and let me tell you this. I have never gotten
more attention
than when they announced that I
was going to be a housewife.
Than when they announced that I was going to be a housewife. This show has fans
that are diehards.
I mean, they watch everything.
That are diehards. I mean, they watch everything. They're -- it's unbelievable.
I never thought --
they're -- it's unbelievable. I never thought -- but let me tell you, it's the
hardest job I've ever done.
But let me tell you, it's the hardest job I've ever done. There are cameras in my house,
cameras in my car.
You know, the concept
of the show being based on drama
you know, the concept of the show being based on drama is not what I'm used to.
Of the show being based on drama is not what I'm used to. You know, if I don't like you,
you're not in my life, right?
But it's a different type of
thing.
I mean, scrutiny.
Thing. I mean, scrutiny. People are watching.
You're in a fishbowl.
I'm in a fishbowl
you're in a fishbowl. I'm in a fishbowl being on a reality show.
And it's one that's a big hit.
Being on a reality show. And it's one that's a big hit. People feel like a snippet
and it's one that's a big hit. People feel like a snippet of a scene on a reality show
people feel like a snippet of a scene on a reality show is exactly who you are
in your entire life.
Is exactly who you are in your entire life. It's hard. It's hard.
In your entire life. It's hard. It's hard. ♪
it's hard. It's hard. ♪ I think the fans can relate
that I'm real.
You know, they have a housewife
that they can relate to,
you know, they have a housewife that they can relate to, you know what I mean?
That they can relate to, you know what I mean? Although there are
lots of glamorous parts
although there are lots of glamorous parts to the job, but I'm also
like hands-on with my kids.
To the job, but I'm also like hands-on with my kids. I'm also -- I say it like it is.
Like hands-on with my kids. I'm also -- I say it like it is. I don't --
you know, I don't mince words.
♪
sheree zampino,
I love her energy,
I love her spirit.
I just love who she is.
We connected through
my assistant, tazz, actually
we connected through my assistant, tazz, actually because tazz worked for her.
My assistant, tazz, actually because tazz worked for her. And we connected
and we hit it off,
and we connected and we hit it off, and then, we found out that
we had will smith in common.
And then, we found out that we had will smith in common. [ chuckles ]
we apparently like
the same things.
We apparently like the same things. [ laughs ]
but she's a great girl.
And, you know, she wasn't
married to him at the time.
So there's no angst about that.
Married to him at the time. So there's no angst about that. We joke about it.
But, yeah.
So, when I did "housewives,"
but, yeah. So, when I did "housewives," you know, I was tired of being
so, when I did "housewives," you know, I was tired of being the only black girl in the room.
You know, I was tired of being the only black girl in the room. You know, I was tired of it.
The only black girl in the room. You know, I was tired of it. And, so, when the producer
you know, I was tired of it. And, so, when the producer said to me,
and, so, when the producer said to me, "we'd like for you
to bring on a friend,"
I said, "I know exactly who."
she's getting used to it
because she's very spiritual,
she's very religious.
Because she's very spiritual, she's very religious. So she's brought out god a
couple of times, and those
so she's brought out god a couple of times, and those women are not having it.
>> beauvais: Yeah. I mean, my first marriage, I think I was, in a way,
rebelling.
I met him, we knew each other
two months, and then we got
married.
Two months, and then we got married. I mean, we really
didn't know each other.
And then we had our
beautiful son, oliver,
and then we had our beautiful son, oliver, and we were
married for six years,
which is pretty cool considering
we really didn't know
each other.
We really didn't know each other. I love being married.
Each other. I love being married. First of all, let me say that.
And I didn't plan on remarrying.
It wasn't in my head, it wasn't
and I didn't plan on remarrying. It wasn't in my head, it wasn't something I was out to do.
But mike and I were friends.
Something I was out to do. But mike and I were friends. He was a young, upcoming agent
but mike and I were friends. He was a young, upcoming agent at caa.
And I remember he called
my manager, and he said,
and I remember he called my manager, and he said, "hey, I'd like to have lunch
with garcelle."
and she said, "let's set it up,
but don't ask her out.
And she said, "let's set it up, but don't ask her out. Everybody asks her out."
and, so, he said, "okay."
everybody asks her out." and, so, he said, "okay." so the three of us went
and had lunch.
So the three of us went and had lunch. And I just thought he was smart
and he had great ideas.
And I didn't want to be --
like, I didn't want
and I didn't want to be -- like, I didn't want to be signed to him.
Like, I didn't want to be signed to him. So we struck up a, you know,
a friendship.
And we were friends
for maybe a year.
I was dating someone else.
For maybe a year. I was dating someone else. Every now and then, I would call
him and ask him -- you know,
every now and then, I would call him and ask him -- you know, pick his brain about things.
Him and ask him -- you know, pick his brain about things. And one weekend, he said,
"do you want to go to a barbecue
and one weekend, he said, "do you want to go to a barbecue with me?"
and I said, "sure."
and I was kind of falling out
with the guy I was dating.
And I was kind of falling out with the guy I was dating. And, so, we're
driving to the barbecue.
We get to the address, and we're
in the car about to get out.
And he kisses me out of the blue
and I'm like, "oh..."
and he kisses me out of the blue and I'm like, "oh..." like, I like his friendship.
And I'm like, "oh..." like, I like his friendship. I don't want anything --
you know, I didn't want it to
mess up because I wasn't
thinking of him romantically.
Mess up because I wasn't thinking of him romantically. So once the kiss happened,
I started thinking about things,
so once the kiss happened, I started thinking about things, and I just liked who he is.
And I had a son.
And I just liked who he is. And I had a son. I was a single mom.
I wanted a guy who was safe,
and he felt safe to me.
Boy, was I wrong.
And he felt safe to me. Boy, was I wrong. Anyway, so we got married two
boy, was I wrong. Anyway, so we got married two and a half years later.
♪
we were trying to have babies,
trying to have babies,
trying to have babies.
Trying to have babies, trying to have babies. I had already had a baby.
Trying to have babies. I had already had a baby. I thought I could have a baby.
I remember a friend of mine
who had a child and was having
a hard time getting pregnant
bring a book over to my house,
like, how to get pregnant.
Bring a book over to my house, like, how to get pregnant. And I was like, "girl,
I know how to get pregnant."
and I was like, "girl, I know how to get pregnant." have you met oliver?
Like, I can do this.
Have you met oliver? Like, I can do this. No big deal.
I'm older, mind you, now.
So we were having a hard time
trying to conceive, and I was
so we were having a hard time trying to conceive, and I was really down on my body.
Trying to conceive, and I was really down on my body. I was jealous of women
who were pregnant, and it felt
like every other woman was
pregnant, right?
Like every other woman was pregnant, right? I felt like I was seeing
pregnant women everywhere,
which was giving me a hard time.
Pregnant women everywhere, which was giving me a hard time. I had a lot of miscarriages.
Which was giving me a hard time. I had a lot of miscarriages. I had fibroids
that had to be removed.
I almost died
from the fibroid surgery.
And I'm very spiritual
and I believe the energy
and I'm very spiritual and I believe the energy you put out is what you get in.
And I believe the energy you put out is what you get in. I really believe that.
You put out is what you get in. I really believe that. And I felt, at one point, I was
being too negative on my body.
I felt like, as a woman,
I had failed mike
or I was failing him because
I couldn't give him a child.
Or I was failing him because I couldn't give him a child. And also, being haitian, that's
a big part of your marriage,
and also, being haitian, that's a big part of your marriage, is being able to bear
a child for your husband.
Is being able to bear a child for your husband. So there was a lot of history,
a lot of angst,
so there was a lot of history, a lot of angst, a lot of heartache
and just frustration.
A lot of heartache and just frustration. So when I decided,
you know what?
You need to change this around,
your your energy is off.
It's negative.
Your your energy is off. It's negative. It's not serving you.
At that time,
it's not serving you. At that time, "playboy" came back around
at that time, "playboy" came back around 'cause they had come to me,
like, years before.
They came back around.
Like, years before. They came back around. Mike wasn't on board,
they came back around. Mike wasn't on board, by the way.
He wasn't on board at all.
By the way. He wasn't on board at all. I thought about it,
he wasn't on board at all. I thought about it, and I thought, you know what?
Let's honor your body.
And I thought, you know what? Let's honor your body. So they're giving me a cover,
let's honor your body. So they're giving me a cover, which is a big deal.
Not a lot of black women
get the cover.
They say I can shoot it
anywhere in the world I want,
they say I can shoot it anywhere in the world I want, right?
Anywhere in the world I want, right? Anywhere.
Right? Anywhere. So me and my glam team, we're
anywhere. So me and my glam team, we're thinking, "do we shoot it in
so me and my glam team, we're thinking, "do we shoot it in africa?
Thinking, "do we shoot it in africa? Do we shoot it in australia?
Africa? Do we shoot it in australia? Where are we
do we shoot it in australia? Where are we going to shoot this?"
where are we going to shoot this?" at the time, I'm going through
infertility treatments,
and if anybody knows what that's
like, it's a roller coaster
ride.
Like, it's a roller coaster ride. You're giving yourself shots.
Ride. You're giving yourself shots. You're going to the doctor
you're giving yourself shots. You're going to the doctor every other day.
I have estrogen patches
on my stomach.
And because of the infertility
treatments, instead of shooting
and because of the infertility treatments, instead of shooting it in africa, in australia,
we shoot it in long beach.
It in africa, in australia, we shoot it in long beach. Because I have to be
close to my doctor.
[ laughs ]
we shoot it on the queen mary
in long beach,
which I found out was haunted.
In long beach, which I found out was haunted. And being haitian,
I spent a night there.
I didn't sleep a wink because I
thought, they're coming to get
me.
Thought, they're coming to get me. We got a great photographer,
and I decided
we got a great photographer, and I decided I'm only going to show my top.
And I decided I'm only going to show my top. I'm not going to show my bottom.
I wasn't okay with that.
And, so, I shot "playboy,"
and they had to airbrush the
and, so, I shot "playboy," and they had to airbrush the estrogen patches on my stomach
because I wasn't going to take
them off because being pregnant
was really important to me.
Them off because being pregnant was really important to me. And I got pregnant right
after that
and I got pregnant right after that and gave birth the next year.
After that and gave birth the next year. ♪
ay yi yi. Crazy man.
Crazy. I mean, I thought
I won the lotto in husbands.
I mean, he was attentive.
He was there.
If I had a flat tire.
I remember I had a flat tire
if I had a flat tire. I remember I had a flat tire on mulholland.
He left caa and came to make
sure I was safe on the side of
he left caa and came to make sure I was safe on the side of the road.
Sure I was safe on the side of the road. Like, I mean, he was the epitome
of, like, a guy who was there,
like, I mean, he was the epitome of, like, a guy who was there, there for me, there for my
family, there for my friends.
There for me, there for my family, there for my friends. I never would have thought
that he was doing anything
outside of me.
That he was doing anything outside of me. So when I found out,
literally the rug
so when I found out, literally the rug was pulled out from under me.
Literally the rug was pulled out from under me. Literally I never saw it coming,
had no idea.
It changed my life.
Had no idea. It changed my life. It changed my life.
My kids were three.
And it was just a time
my kids were three. And it was just a time that no one wants to start over
and it was just a time that no one wants to start over at this point in your life.
That no one wants to start over at this point in your life. We tried to have babies for five
and a half years,
we tried to have babies for five and a half years, had infertility problems.
And a half years, had infertility problems. All the while, you know, things
were going on behind my back.
So I had to figure out
how to move on
so I had to figure out how to move on with two little boys
that are looking at me,
two little boys that love
their father so much.
Two little boys that love their father so much. And I couldn't hate the man
that they love so much.
That was
the biggest thing for me.
I can't hate him
because they love him so much.
And that's what I did.
Because they love him so much. And that's what I did. I strapped on my boots.
I went to therapy.
I got a life coach.
I...
I put my kids first.
And in doing so, they're great.
He's at my house all the time.
He's there for thanksgiving.
He's there for christmas.
Which is great for the boys.
But you know...
That was the toughest time
but you know... That was the toughest time in my life, honestly.
>> you know, garcelle, I'd be
remiss not to say, you know, you
and I knew each other.
Like, we met at, like, some
arbitrary hollywood event, but
we really got to know each
other testing together for a
situation on
"the meredith vieira show" on
nbc.
>> beauvais: Yes.
>> and I think, after that, we had so much fun working together that we started
encouraging each other
and really pushing each other
because both of us wanted
to work in the talk show space.
Because both of us wanted to work in the talk show space. And, so, as you mentioned,
you know, kind of putting you
and, so, as you mentioned, you know, kind of putting you on the pathway to "the real"
and encouraging you
through that, and then --
>> beauvais: Can I just say, you
are the most encouraging person
I've ever met in hollywood.
Are the most encouraging person I've ever met in hollywood. So many times, people don't want
to give their all because they
so many times, people don't want to give their all because they want it.
To give their all because they want it. You helped so many of us.
Want it. You helped so many of us. You really need your props
you helped so many of us. You really need your props and I want to give them to you
you really need your props and I want to give them to you because you're an exceptional,
exceptional talent.
Because you're an exceptional, exceptional talent. >> well, maybe the next chapter
will have us producing
something together.
Will have us producing something together. >> beauvais: Put it out there.
Something together. >> beauvais: Put it out there. You know I believe in the
universe, putting it out there.
>> or we can just become
the black kelly and ryan.
>> beauvais: And ryan! [ gasps ]
I would do that in a heartbeat.
In a heartbeat.
>> beauvais: As a mom, your number one job is protecting your child at all costs.
Number one job is protecting your child at all costs. And oliver started going down
a path that wasn't good.
You know,
hanging out with the wrong kids,
you know, hanging out with the wrong kids, having problems at school.
Hanging out with the wrong kids, having problems at school. He was just struggling.
Having problems at school. He was just struggling. And we tried everything.
We did a lot of things.
And they weren't working.
I was scared a lot.
I was scared to turn
on the news.
I was scared
every time the phone rang.
I was scared
when I didn't know where he was.
It was a dark time.
When I didn't know where he was. It was a dark time. It was a dark time.
And, you know, there were
it was a dark time. And, you know, there were times everybody was praying.
My mom was praying,
my sisters were praying,
my mom was praying, my sisters were praying, everybody was praying.
My sisters were praying, everybody was praying. And god heard our prayers.
Everybody was praying. And god heard our prayers. He really did.
And, so, it was great
he really did. And, so, it was great to see him come through.
♪
seeing oliver become a man,
seeing him become a father
was something that I didn't
even have time to dream
because I was so worried
about him for so long.
Because I was so worried about him for so long. And, so, seeing him be
accountable and be present and
and, so, seeing him be accountable and be present and love this little boy,
it saved him.
Love this little boy, it saved him. It saved him.
It saved him. Hi. Guess who's back
it saved him. Hi. Guess who's back at "the real"?
I am so excited to be back.
At "the real"? I am so excited to be back. Okay, first of all, I have a
friend named john murray
okay, first of all, I have a friend named john murray who called me immediately
when he heard that tamera
was leaving the show and said,
"are you going to throw your hat
in the ring?"
and I was like,
"I should do this."
and, so, I called my agents
and my managers,
and they were like, "you're
already on their list of people
that they want to see,"
which was great.
That they want to see," which was great. And then, we had a chemistry
test, you know, and there were,
and then, we had a chemistry test, you know, and there were, I believe, maybe six other women
that was vying for the chair.
And I remember having
my chemistry test,
and I remember having my chemistry test, and it felt like we were
at a bar having cocktails
and talking.
At a bar having cocktails and talking. There was great chemistry.
And talking. There was great chemistry. There was great banter.
The girls were welcoming.
I left it up to god.
And then, I found out, I think,
the next day or two days later.
Two days later, that I got
the job, and I was screaming
two days later, that I got the job, and I was screaming and jumping, and the kids were
like, "what happened?
And jumping, and the kids were like, "what happened? What happened?"
I was so happy.
I was so happy and still am.
♪
when writing my memoir,
"love me as I am,"
I did a letter to myself,
and when I got to the part of
how my mom was brave enough,
as a single woman,
to come to the states,
bring her kids,
and letting her girl
go to a big city to live
a dream that we didn't even know
about this dream.
A dream that we didn't even know about this dream. And, so, I'm forever, forever,
forever, forever
and, so, I'm forever, forever, forever, forever indebted to my mom.
Forever, forever indebted to my mom. Because she saw it before I did.
Indebted to my mom. Because she saw it before I did. ♪
because she saw it before I did. ♪ love what you want to do.
Love it.
Love what you want to do. Love it. Rejection is going to come.
You're going to hear a lot more
no's than you're going to hear
yeses.
Show up. Know your craft.
Be professional.
Be kind, be nice.
That goes a long way.
So many times, the person you're
riding up in the elevator
with is the director
or the producer or someone.
And if you're not nice
to that person
and you walk in that room,
it's not going to help.
Be nice.
♪