12 minute read
Trisha Mann Grant
Woman of Many Hats
Interview by Lissha Sadler
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Trisha Mann is an award-winning film, television, and stage actress, writer, motivational speaker, and talk show host. I’ve had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Grant many times over the years, so when I asked her to be the featured cover and interview for my first print magazine, she was all for it. She has also worn the hats of producer and director on various stage and film productions and hosted a live U-streamed radio show called Gospel Rhythms for eight years. Trisha created a talk show for men to have a platform called MANN TALK in 2009. She also wrote and mounted a stage production called MAMA’S WILL that she later turned into a film. This former Beauty Queen and Ebony and Jet Magazines print model grew up in Chicago, moving to Los Angeles, California, in 1997, where she would pursue her acting career. Trisha has landed roles on Cold Case, The Parkers, Eve, All About The Andersons, Love Thy Neighbor, and other television sitcoms and series. She toured on National stage musicals such as David E. Talbert’s, His Woman His Wife, and two of Priest Tyaire’s productions, Mrs. Independence and Momma’s Boy. She also toured with Changes, Something Miraculous, and The Clean Up Woman. Trisha starred in numerous films such as Reunion and Who Can I Run To, including the theatrically released, The Man In 3B, which can also be seen on Netflix and BET along with The Last Fall. Trisha is on the board of HELP ME HELP U, an organization that gives aid to people experiencing homelessness. In addition, she and her husband, actor/singer Tony Grant are the U.S. Ambassadors for BAFOL (BOOKER AUTISM FOUNDATION OF LEARNING). Currently, Mrs. Grant is on the hit BET show The Family Business, where she plays Dominique Le’Roe.
Lissha Sadler: A black woman who writes is powerful. What does that power mean to you?
Trisha Mann Grant: It means having a voice and pinning words that are in print forever. That’s awesome to me. Something that can be turned into film, television, or a visual story, influencing, inspiring, and making a difference are things I greatly desire to do, even in my everyday walk.
LS: What intrigues you the most about writing and storytelling?
TMG: Writing is healing for me, to be honest, because I write to make a difference. I love making characters come to life, even if it has truth to them or something I make up. Being able to combine those two worlds alone is fascinating to me. I enjoy that. I go into another world when I’m writing—like when I play the piano. I drift away from reality. And I’m able to relax.
LS: Your book, “Amazing Testimonies,” is a significant change from acting. Talk a little about your book and the importance of creating this book.
TMG: In 2000, the Lord spoke to my spirit and heart to write a book that tells true stories of people’s trials and tribulations. And in my spirit, I felt God meant all people. There was no difference in race or gender because so many have been through so much in their lives. But I procrastinated because I didn’t think I could do it. I’ve done print work with Ebony and Jet, been on the runways, put out a record, and been Miss Black Chicago, but there was still that fear. I said to myself, “How do I write a book? I don’t even know where to begin.” I was confused. And so I started and stopped, then started and stopped again. Finally, in 2015, I decided I would get this done, so I started getting out and having interviews with people, and then two weeks later, I had a stroke. For the next six months, I had panic attacks every 30 minutes. I remember sitting in a wheelchair the day I had my stroke, half of my body was shut down, and one of the paramedics said, What’s your name? Where are you from? When’s your birthday? I could not get past the first question. After that experience, there are no ifs, and, or buts. And when I was able, I sat in that bed with my computer for months, determined to get it done. I found a publisher, but a year later, I decided to self-publish, which I encourage everyone to do.
LS: How do your creativity and inspiration flow into your writing?
TMG: Oh, my goodness. So a script I just finished a few days ago called “I’ll Go.” I made up the whole story. But there were aspects of people in my life that I used either their name or their personality. And I did write a treatment for it, but that’s always good to go back to add this or that part. But as I’m writing, I don’t need index cards. Some people have index cards, and some have their scenes written out. I see it play out in my head, like watching a movie. I’m thinking from the audience’s perspective of watching it, not just the writer’s or producer’s. Sometimes I’m writing from a director’s standpoint. As the camera pans through the clouds, you can see the top of the church’s steeple, and then it comes down and enters the front door. I so love that God has given me the ability to write.
LS: Do you ever get discouraged, and why?
TMG: The only thing that discourages me is when people call me while I am focused, or there’s a distraction, like a dog stops barking. That discourages me. A few times, I had slight writer’s block. I will admit that, but it wasn’t long. What I will do when I have a writer’s block moment is I will walk away from it for a few minutes or an hour, or even a couple of days if I need to. But the most important thing is that I pray for the Lord to intensify my anointing to create and write so that there are messages in here that the audience or the reader get and that will help them in their life or journey. And I always get back on track after.
LS: What have writers influenced you the most?
TMG: There is, of course, Rick Warren and his book “The Purpose Driven Life.” I’m in a book club with a few ladies from my church. We not only read my book, but we’ve read other books, primarily female authors, but I love Rick Warren. I believe he did another version of The Purpose Driven Life, which we read. I truly enjoyed it because he broke down. What is your life like? What does your life mean? And how do we look at ourselves? What are we doing with our lives? Because our lives are not just about ourselves. Another author that has influenced me is Stormie Omartian. She wrote a book called The Power of a praying wife. Now, before I got married, there were a few challenges. I started to read this book. And she doesn’t just tell the aspect of you praying. She tells us why you should pray. She gives examples of other people’s lives. These are just two writers off the top of my head right now.
LS: How have you grown in your craft over the years?
TMG: When I think about 25 years ago, when I moved from Chicago, my first play, Nima Mark Burnett, was directed, and I played the Civil Rights character Ida B Wells. I didn’t know how to give the character color and layers at that time. I knew I was angry. She toted a gun, had something to say, and you would hear it no matter what. And I just played her with all this anger. But at that time, I was so green and acting. I didn’t think find all the nuances, flavors, and personalities she genuinely embodied as a woman and a black woman. My God, what did she have to face back then? So when I look at myself today, I don’t pick up a script and learn the lines. I go into the back history of this person. What are they experiencing? What are they feeling? Who are they, and why are they the way they are? What makes them who they are? And where are they going? And when you do that, you can give that character of fullness that others may not be able to explain. And that’s how I play every role I have now. I make sure I go deep, deep into who this person is.
LS: What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
• Never compromise your beliefs or your standards.
• Don’t just act because the audience will feel what you feel when you feel what your character feels.
• Don’t pretend. Always be who that character is. Also, if the tears don’t come out, don’t force or fake them. It’s okay because it’s better to have a sincere emotion than a fake one.
• Your audience is always smarter than you think. Let me say something about the stage real quick. What I love about theater is that I can feel the energy in the room from the people. I can feel whether they’re with you or whether they’re not feeling. But you don’t want to focus on that. Let that be secondary. The focus should be on what you’re conveying as a character. What is the character’s message that you can thank if you are so busy focusing on who’s in the audience or who might be watching it? Or who’s in the room while you’re filming? You can’t give your character 100% unless you genuinely connect to who your character is.
LS: If you could change anything about the film and television industry, what would it be if it were in your power?
TMG: There needs to be more substance because of what we’re dealing with. I love comedy. I am a comedy girl, and one of the plays I produced called Mama’s World, which I’m turning into a book now, has lots of comedy, but there is also a message of hope, inspiration, and change. We need more inspirational content influencing people to do better, not be worse. I would change the content and add many more African American women behind the scenes and in front of the camera.
LS: Let’s talk about Carl Webers The Family Business. Why do you think this show has been such a hit?
TMG: There are a lot of great actors and actresses in the show, and Carl Weber seems to turn everything to gold that he touches. He is a great person, an extremely talented writer who already has a following for being a dynamic author. So now his fan base has increased because he’s been able to bring his writing to life on screen. It’s a hit, and people love drama. Folks love the cartel, bad guys, and bad girls. Also, Tri Destined Studios. Nikaya “N.D.” Brown, a sorority sister of mine and one of the show’s main producers. She and Trey Haley, the director, have been working on films with their production company for years. And you can’t help but succeed when you team up with those guys. It’s an honor to be able to work with them all.
LS: Tell us about your character Dominique Le’Roe.
TMG: That’s crazy. Oh, my gosh, you know, it’s funny because, the first couple days of me shooting, I walked by Carl and said, “I’m working on finding Dominique. I have to find her.” I wanted Dominique to be different. She shines bright like a diamond honey. And I needed to find that edginess and vulnerability of her character because she is a little bit cray cray. In the following seasons, I know that Dominique is unpredictable. She will dominate.
LS.: You are an accomplished actress and author, now adding the title of Co-Executive Producer. What prompted you to go behind the camera? Tell us about “Because We’re Done?”
TMG: So I’ve produced a few things in the past, but I decided to invest this one in “Because We’re Done,” written by Reggie Gaskin, now available on Tubi. Reggie and I have been friends for 25 years. I met him when I first moved out here to L.A. He called me for a role in the movie, and I decided to invest. I believe in him, I believed in the project, because there are a lot of couples out there, that after they’ve been together 10, 15, 20 years, one of them or maybe both of them may lose that spark, or there’s some adultery that happens. Many people are hurting that handle it one way. So even though this is drama, there’s some comedy, but it gives you a different perspective, from both points of view, of what happens when a marriage goes south. But I can tell you this. She does kidnap him. She keeps trying to make him fall back in love with her. She’s like. You’re not going to leave me. And what happens after that? It’s different. You have to see the movie, but I enjoyed this role. He did a great job.
LS: Make sure you listen to the entire interview on Hardcore Grind Magazine Podcast.
