Who or what inspired you to become an actor…

I always knew as a kid, I used to watch Rudy Huxtable and think “I can do that. I’m going to be on TV when I grow up!” I bought a book at the school book fair in 2nd grade called A Day in the Life of an Actress by Betsy Covington Smith. I knew the journey would be hard from an early age just from reading that little thin book.

My favorite role so far is…

Mama Stills on the YouTube award-winning series “Love at First Night”. I portrayed the estranged mother of a gay son who was navigating a new relationship. I returned to his life, shocked to find out he’s gay. It was a lot of drama and comedy, a dramedy, lol.

Three actors I want to work with are…

Jenifer Lewis, because I often audition for motherly roles and Jenifer is the GOAT of Black television moms. Mo’Nique, because she’s a powerhouse actress with range as proven by her performances in Precious and The Reading, etc. She made a comeback after what some may call being blackballed by the industry. Samuel L. Jackson, because he is soooo gifted and he overcame drug addiction. Plus, his major fame came in his 40’s. Some may consider that late, but his body of work proves that when you have talent to share, age should not be a deterrent and neither should bad choices. He had more work after 40 than many career actors had in their 20’s.

If I could be in any Broadway show, it would be…

I can’t sing or dance and it would have to be an ensemble role, not a lead. It would have been cool to have been a part of “What’s Love Got to Do With It”. I would love to play mother of Tina Turner.

The most challenging aspect of being an actress is…

So much competition, there’s always someone putting in just as much work as you to get the role. A lot of practicing, running lines and acting classes. You have to stay ready to compete for the role! Also, image and building a brand takes work. Things like maintaining a certain appearance or weight can get tough. Those things matter for most of us actors.

My favorite childhood memory is…

I was a daddy’s girl, I can’t pick a favorite time. Just know my daddy was involved. Riding in his Cadillac listening to old school music, headed somewhere for me to play with my cousins or to New Orleans with my mother and father for a day of leisure.

The celebrity death that hit the hardest was…

Whitney Houston, I remember the exact moment the news hit the radio. I was deep cleaning and throwing out old things in my room.

My favorite movie is….

It’s a tie between The Color Purple and The Five Heartbeats, lol.

A place that brings you peace/joy is…

My family homestead (grandmother’s house) in Mobile, Alabama. 

The memory I keep going back to is…

My aunt dying silently and not telling any of us she was sick until it was too late. After her death, we found out from her coworkers that her demeanor at work had become saddened. One noticed her in deep thought one day smoking a cigarette in the courtyard at work. I wasn’t there, but the image of her in that courtyard knowing she didn’t have much time left haunts me. She must have been so scared.

Everyone can keep in contact with her on social media:

@therealronnettaronnetta on Instagram.