by Terron D. Austin

Moments of Truth with Yvette Nicole Brown

In the entertainment world, many stars discover by chance exactly what they are capable of. For television, film and commercial actress Yvette Nicole Brown, one chance quickly catapulted her into a successful career on the big and small screens. You might recall seeing those curly tresses and that signature smile in over thirty primetime commercials for Pine Sol and Big Lots. You’ve even spotted her honing her acting chops debuting on The CW’s now defunct hit sitcom Girlfriends and in her recurring role on Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh.

This July, expect to see Brown add to her impressive film credits with featured roles in the independent feature film 500 Days of Summer, romantic comedy, The Ugly Truth, and action/thriller, Repossession of Mambo with Jude Law and Forest Whitaker. Brown’s beauty blossoms with this month’s “Relationship Issue,” as the amicable, single and dating ‘thirty-something’ East Cleveland, Ohio native gears up for the cover shoot with style and discusses her inspiration, plans for her already serendipitous career and just how romantic she can be as she lives out her American dream.

Terron: How did you get your first real television role?

Yvette: Girlfriends was truly by chance. I had just been dropped by an agent so God had to be smiling on me. A post card with my pager number made it to casting director Robi Reed literally the week before casting and that got me an audition. I had no agent and no acting credits. I returned the call all unprofessional and ghetto. ‘Did somebody just page me?!’ (laughs) Two months later, I booked ABC’s The Big House which was my first pilot audition. I knew it couldn’t have been anybody but God ordering every one of my steps.

Terron: In these moments, what have you discovered about yourself accidentally?

Yvette: I’ve discovered that I’m a survivor. I came to L.A. with very little money, a dream and two duffle bags. I didn’t really know anybody out here. I kept finding ways to make it work. I never had to go back home and start over. Eating Ramen noodles and sleeping on couches until I saved enough money turned me into a real survivor. (laughs)

Terron: How exactly have you survived the business so far?

Yvette: That’s easy. I’ve survived because of Jesus. I tell people all the time that if you don’t know who you are and whose you are before you get into this business, you’ll look up one day and have behind you a career full of things you don’t believe in and never really wanted to do.

Terron: What haven’t you done yet that you’re anxious to try?

Yvette: I’m not an edgy girl. There are things I just won’t do. I’m thankful my agent knows and respects that. I want to continue to move forward in film and television and hopefully into syndication and get at least three to four years under my belt on a great sitcom. I’m anxious to try something really challenging and dramatic, but still family oriented.

Terron: Speaking of family, which relationships do you value the most?

Yvette: Besides my mom and older brother, I value my friendship with my good friend comedienne Loni Love. She is just a great wealth of knowledge on any and everything. She’s always reading up on something. Even if I call to talk about my 401K, she’s right there like, “Girl, this is what you do.”

Terron: What have you learned the most about relationships?

Yvette: I visited my grandmother in the hospital before she passed away and noticed that everyone there wanted to see people. It was all about seeing the faces of the people you care about the most when it looks like things are coming to an end. We spend so much time accumulating material things, but that’s not what really matters. As for romance, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you can never let someone else tell you who you are.

Terron: Can you describe what the current dating scene is like from your perspective?

Yvette: I’m not sure what’s happening so maybe you can tell me a little something. (laughs) I remember the days when you pined long and hard for someone. You had to get your game right first and do your research before the approach because you were genuinely interested. There’s no longsuffering now. People aren’t willing to hang in there. The moment someone messes up it’s like, ‘Okay, I’m out.’

Terron: How has that had an effect on your love life?

Yvette: I’ve always thought about how my life as a single woman has gone unwitnessed by the guy who’s the perfect one for me and much of his life has done the same. Some people say they don’t need anybody else, but why would you want to go through life and not have someone there to say, “Hey, do you remember when we?” or “What about that time we did this?” I mean, would you really not want to have that?

Terron: What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for someone?

Yvette: I got new seat covers for my high school boyfriend’s old Mustang, the kind with the head rests that lifted up. I had to cut the material so it fit and then sew it all back together to cover them just right. I did all that for him while he was watching a football game.

Terron: So what kind of man are you attracted to?

Yvette: Christian men who are funny, have an interesting take on life and can find a joke even in the darkest situations. I’m attracted to a guy who loves dogs and wants to get one so he can help me get over my phobia of not being a good dog owner. He really has to like me enough to not want to go out and fool around with anyone else, love children and have dreams of doing something great with his life.

Terron: Who or what inspires you?

Yvette: Being a good person. Finishing this race no matter how long it is and knowing that I haven’t brought harm to anybody along the way. And also people who have built something from nothing. All those people like me who’ve come from places where there’s not much opportunity for what they want to do, but they still find a way out and a way to keep dreaming. The dream is all we have to hold onto.

Terron D. Austin is a writer living in his native Cincinnati, OH. His work has been published in CiN Weekly Magazine & Cincinnati Magazine.

Credits:
Photography by JERRIS MADISON @ www.jerrismadison.com
Wardrobe Styling by J-MAD STYLING
Asst. Wardrobe Stylist: EDDINGTON
Makeup Artist: ALFRED MERCADO using MAC COSMETICS
for Management www.akamgmt.com
Hair: RYAN BROWN
Gown exclusively by IGIGI for www.igigi.com