Tracey Cherelle Jones [Interview]

Hello Folks! I hope this Friday finds you healthy, safe, and not so stir crazy (yet). Today we have a wonderful interview with an even more wonderful actress. It’s Tracey Cherelle Jones! Tracey has had a wonderful career in and out of the world of performance. On a personal level, I sought Jones out because she appeared in one of my favorite comedies of all time, and arguably one of the greatest parody films of all time, which would be the great Don’t Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. Hardly a week goes by where I don’t think about the “poem” that she reads to Shawn Wayans and it always brings a smile to my silly face.

We are so excited that Tracey was able to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us here at TWS. She is an incredibly sweet and kind human being, and we are honored to have her join the TWS family. A family that, if I might add, has grown by almost immeasurable amounts, and is becoming all the better for it. With that in mind, while you are locking yourself up indoors and looking for absolutely anything to entertain yourself, check out this wonderful interview below, and dig into some of the back catalog of this incredible actress. So without further babbling and ado, please enjoy these incredible words from the great Tracey Cherelle Jones!

******

When did you first discover that you had a passion for the world of performance? I know you got into the business at a very young age, but when was it that you decided that this was the life for you?

I love performing for and moving an audience.  I started acting lessons at the tender age of 8 years old.  It was super fun, and the icing on top was becoming different characters.  Being able to get an audience to feel what I was feeling always fascinated me.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affect your work to this day?

My first paid role was in a McDonalds commercial.  It was my first audition I ever had and I booked it.  Well, when my Mother and I arrived to the set we noticed another little girl on camera, saying my lines, who was a shade or two darker than me.  We were told that I didn’t look “Black enough”, I would be paid for the day and was not needed.  I didn’t understand what “Black enough” meant because I WAS black, how much blacker could I be?  Needless to say my Mother (Bless her soul!) cussed out everybody on the set….including the director, assistant director, school teacher, the crafts service person, the wardrobe lady, the security guard…..everybody…..lol!!!  The hard lesson I learned was that Hollywood is a fickle beast!  I was slightly jaded after that experience but kept going knowing that I could always be replaced at any moment for any reason, so just have fun with it!

Your performance in the hit 1996 comedy Don’t Be A Menace…. was the sort of stuff that comedic dreams are made of. You were wonderful in it. I am curious to know how the filming process for such a silly film? Was it has much fun to work on as it is still for me to watch to this very day? Anything notable or interesting from working on this project?

First of all, thanks for the compliment!  That was such a fun shoot.  Most of the main cast are comedians so jokes flowed non stop.  Scenes were constantly adjusted to “find the funny”.  I learned so much from that shoot, and it was a joy going to set each day.  Marlon kept me in stitches and the fact that a few friends I knew from growing up in L.A. (Chris Spencer, Alex Thomas, and Darryl Heath) were working on the film made it even more fun.  That was a once in a lifetime experience and I’m grateful for it!

Another incredible project you worked on was 2001’s Baby Boy, along with our new friend of the site, DeJuan Guy. Same sort of question, but more about your experience working under the guise of the recently dearly departed John Singleton? What made this experience a worthwhile project to work on?

I had known John (Bless his soul!) for several years before Baby Boy, so working with him was like working with an old friend.  He was so cool, and really allowed the actors to just roll with it……loved that!  I also had known Taraji from a previous acting class and I became an instant fan of hers from the first time she put up a scene in class.  She is an AMAZING actress.  The opportunity to work with her and John together was something that I will always treasure.

If you were handed the opportunity to portray any legendary figure in American history, who would it be?

I actually would like to portray a legendary figure of African History, Inari Kunate, the wife of Mansa Musa.  Mansa Musa, an African Ruler, is the richest person to have ever lived, and you know what they say…..behind every good man is an even better woman!

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

I currently have several Interior Design clients….yes I am a Designer!  I will also be launching my line of perfume oils this year, “Tracey Alexander Fine Perfume Oils”, and my show Grown Folks, season 1, is currently streaming on UMC, so check it out!!

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Cleaning out my file cabinet today I found my son’s prayer book from when he was a little guy.  I read through it and the kindness of his prayers, made me smile and proud!