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having respect for people . Now-a-days , there is pride and this boastfulness that people carry around like “ I ’ m this , I ’ m that ” mentality . As long as you remain graceful , gracious and appreciative of somebody ’ s time and presence that ’ s the most important . I ’ ve built such great relationships because I ’ ve been prepared when I come to work and people know and respect that . Also , being respectful which a ton of people are lacking these days . One person that I admire and had the pleasure of working with is Kevin Hart . What you see on TV with Kevin is really what you get . He doesn ’ t discriminate with who he ’ s friends with from the gaffer to the producer of the show to the network . He ’ s friendly with everyone and treats everyone with respect that he would want for himself . Which is just some good ole ’ home training . So , with every opportunity I get to work on I just try my best to show God ’ s light and exude that as much as possible . Be your authentic self and you ’ ll make several friends .
MADE : So , we ’ ve heard Jada Pinkett-Smith and Kevin Hart so far . What influential entertainers have shaped the actress you ' ve become ?
BW : Of course , Ms . Taraji P . Henson . She is amazing as another person who came from my region , the DMV area , and attained large success . I remember wearing my hair like Taraji ’ s Baby Boy character and Kerry Washington ’ s straw set in Save the Last Dance . I mean I really wanted to be them senior year of high school . I really manifested who and what I wanted to become as an entertainer . I remember tearing out everyone ’ s articles from Ebony , JET and Essence magazines and putting it above my bed . Black women and movies really made an impact on me . Seeing my dreams on screen was amazing for me . Also , the beautiful Meryl Streep and wanting to be comically intelligent like Whoopi Goldberg . Another one of my favorites is Tracey Ullman . I grew up watching her one woman shows . I remember thinking she ’ s so funny and so quirky and so much like me . These women really made an impact and made me strive to be the artist that I am and hope to be . Also , Sanaa Lathan and Regina Hall as well . It ’ s such an amazing feeling to not only look at them but talk to them and call them friends .
MADE : Can you share with us 3 tips that prepared you to stay afloat as a working Hollywood actress ?
given as a position to respect black people on screen . Study . Study the craft , take a class and get focused . And focus . A lot of people come to LA and think it can just happen and in most instances , it doesn ’ t happen like that . Focus on your goal and visualize your success and trust that your time is coming .
MADE : Lastly , you ' re co-starring alongside Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins in NBC ' s newest sitcom Marlon . What can fans expect from the show this season ?
BW : The show is called Marlon and it ’ s starring
You hear “ No ’ s ” all the time , but it ’ s getting that “ Yes !” that really makes it worth it .
PHOTO CREDIT Patrick Adams
Marlon Wayans . Marlon plays a new single parent who has just divorced his long-life partner Ashley , played by Essence Atkins . The show really deals with the village that it takes to raise a family in a new setting . We are aware and are trying to bring the new normal of family to the big screen . If I could compare it to any show back-in-the-day , it ’ d be 227 where everyone had a say in raising the children . I play Ashley ’ s best friend , Yvette and we run an interior designer business together . Yvette plays the friend that still has not figured anything out . I ’ m not married , I don ’ t have kids and I can only take care of me which is a lot because I ’ m high maintenance .
BW : Respect . Respect of the person , respect of the craft , and respect of the moment you ’ ve been
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