Yvette Nicole Brown
By William Dawson
Spend any amount of time with Yvette Nicole Brown and you’ll see her smile which comes as naturally as an early summer breeze. It radiates through our television sets via her sitcom Community and the many commercials that have made her a veritable ‘that girl’ over the years.
You can hear from Yvette daily, as she shares inspirational quotes and anecdotes on Facebook and Twitter. What shines through is her immense talent and her strong faith, but it all begins with that natural, genuine smile that makes you realize how comfortable she is in her own skin. That is what makes her stand out as a Madame Noire.
On a picture perfect afternoon at The Grove in L.A., I sat down with the actress and riffed on everything from her early days at Motown to her love for kids.
MN: What’s one thing everyone should know about you?
Yvette Nicole Brown: That I’m a Christian woman, first and foremost.
MN: Does that present a problem, working in Hollywood?
Love MadameNoire? Get more! Join the MadameNoire Newsletter
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
YNB: Not at all. I have a wonderful agent who knows that there are certain roles I won’t even audition for, let alone play. I remember, there was a role that almost every black actress in town was going for. I mean, every black actress. It was a great part… started out with the woman being a hooker and then progressing into so much more. At first I had to call my agency to see why they didn’t call me about the audition. When I spoke to them, they said that they knew I wouldn’t consider it since I’m a Christian. That’s when I knew I was in good hands. I’m definitely blessed.
MN: Tell us how you got started in the industry.
YNB: Well, I started out as a music artist, working at Motown with Michael Bivins as part of the East Coast Family. We put out a single and video. Back then, though, I was part of a singing group whose album was never released.
MN: Whoa, what was that like?
YNB: It actually wasn’t bad. In fact, this is how God works. My one promise to my mother was that I would finish college, and since the album wasn’t coming out, I went to Michael and told him. He was great about it and told me to go finish school and I’d have a job waiting when I finished. So I did, and came back after I graduated and worked in the Motown offices. It was one of the best experiences in my life. [After that] I was part of ministry group back in 2000, and David E. Talbert was looking for talent for his touring stage play. I was recommended, went and auditioned and ended up touring with the play for over a year.
MN: So it was an eventful year. Good. You got your feet wet. Acting was in your blood.
YNB: It was. And from there, I had no credits. I would send out post cards to the people I knew who worked in television, with just my photo and my name. That’s it. One of them landed on the desk of Robi Reed, who was casting for Mara Brock Akil’s show Girlfriends. They were casting for the role of Toni Childs’ sister. So here I was, no credits and just a postcard, and I got a call to come in and audition. And I landed the role! That was only God. I still bow down to Robi and Mara every time I see them for taking a chance on a sista. Out of all the things I’ve done, it’s the role that I most get recognized for.
MN: Your next big role was on (Nickelodeon’s) Drake & Josh, yes?
YNB: Yes. And what was supposed to be a one episode role as Helen turned into a great four years of steady work. Loved that cast and crew. And working with and being in front of kids was wonderful.
(As if on cue, a family of four–father, mother, two daughters–visiting The Grove stand to the side, waiting to get Yvette’s attention. They recognize her from Drake & Josh. Even behind the shades. Further evidence that it’s that smile. She poses for photos.)
MN: (Sitting back down) You’re not kidding that you’ve been extremely blessed. From there, you were able to book what seems like hundreds of commercials. To run down all of the companies would take all day (Pine Sol, Hamburger Helper, Citibank, Hallmark, The Home Depot, Dairy Queen, Time Warner, Nationwide, DiGiorno’s and many more). What’s your favorite commercial experience?
YNB: Being a puppet (in the Nike MVPuppet commercials as upstairs neighbor ‘Ms. Lewis’) was something I always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to work with the Muppets. This is as close as I’ve gotten so far and I loved it. I know they (the Muppets) have a movie coming out soon, so if anybody’s listening… call a sista (laughs)! My favorite commercial experience has to be my spot for Big Lots!, where it was just me and the camera. I had to make the character work as soon as they yelled ‘Action!’ There’s a rush that comes with that. A fulfillment when you do it.
MN: And now you’re on NBC’s Community, anchoring a Thursday night full of comedies. That’s a big deal. You were known by so many young people (as we just saw). How does it feel to be recognized more by adults when you’re out and about?
YNB: Oh, you’re assuming I get recognized. (laughs) No, but for real, it feels good that people see me and smile, or come up and say hello. I’m always open to that. I love people.
MN: Speaking of people, what’s it like dating here in LA?
YNB: It’s fine. It feels good to be free to date. I’m definitely receptive to meeting people. All I’ll say is that we must be on the same page spiritually, and they must appreciate a girl who eats. (laughs)
MN: Any projects you want to share to the Madame Noire audience?
YNB: Actually, yes. I think we’ve established that I love children. There’s a wonderful project called The Lollipop Theater that helps children that are confined in hospitals battling life-threatening illnesses become exposed to first-run movies. They get the red carpet treatment, and sometimes the actors themselves come by and act out some scenes. It’s just a wonderful cause that’s worthy of support.
MN: What makes you a Madame Noire?
YNB: I’m definitely a people person and I think it’s my love of people that makes me a Madame Noire. Too often we get caught up in our own stuff and tend to block out what others are saying. I’m a great listener and am genuinely interested in meeting and talking to folks and helping when I can.
