Tamara Bass Written by Mia Nicole
W
hen Tamara Bass walks into a movie set and flashes her big, infectious smile that lights up the room, any room - no one would ever believe the curly haired beauty looking every bit of twenty-five years old, was forty-three. Or that she was the director. That is, until she quietly sits in her chair and commands attention. The petite powerhouse is a triple threat – also conquering Hollywood as a talented actress and gifted screenwriter. Her body of work includes the heartwarming film Tamara wrote and co-directed, about a group of friends and difficulties in their world, called If Not Now, When? (The amazing cast – includes her business partner, the stunning Meagan Good), and the 2021 TV One Film which she also directed, Don’t Waste Your Pretty surrounding a circle of friends searching for love and happiness. Both must see movies give us a glimpse into Tamara’s creative genius. Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Tamara has always wanted to be an actress. “From the time I was 6 years old, I knew that I wanted to act. It was all I have ever wanted to do. It was like, ‘I want to be an actress and a child psychologist” she laughs. Acting has always been what I wanted to do.” While in high school, Tamara discovered writing and directing. “I am a theater girl, and I could never find a monologue that was appropriate for myself,” she said, “because monologues for teenage black girls were so few and far
Photography by Amina Touray 40
MAY 2021
