December 28, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode of the 'Keep it Positive, Sweetie' show, host Chrystal Renee shares an anecdote about her challenging travel experience and emphasizes the importance of having supportive, prayerful people in one's life. She welcomes actress Terri J Vaughan, known for her roles on the Steve Harvey Show and Netflix's Miss Governor. They discuss their journeys in the entertainment industry, touching on faith, perseverance, and finding success despite numerous challenges. Terri reflects on her 20 years of pitching her show and the importance of living life fully, balancing career and family, and trusting one's inner purpose. The conversation concludes with a prayer for all attendees, asking for God's guidance, grace, and swift answers to their prayers.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Calling all my sweeties to the forefront. I'm your host, Christopher,
and this is to keep it positive. Sweetie show. Can
we just say thank you Jesus? That was not loud enough.
Can we say thank you Jesus? There we go listen.
I was I had to travel to New York yesterday
(00:21):
and I was like on the first flight out to
get back so I could hear Pastor say our preach
last night.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
And I get on the plane and this woman was.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I'm talking about saying a very fervent prayer.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
She was God.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
And I looked over. She's on my road, and I said,
we're gonna be all right. We're gonna make it. Because
it was storms all over and since January the year
has been yearing. Can we all agree on that?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
And I said, Lord, if there's a delay, I'm.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Gonna thank you for the delay because I just want
to make it there safe, whatever it is. And because
I used to get agitated, and I felt that agitation
creeping in.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
After two hours sitting on the ground.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
We finally get in the air and we're almost to it.
And so I gone to the bathroom on the plane
change clothes. I was gonna hit the ground running and
the pilot comes on the intercomm and says, what we're
gonna be in a thirty minute holding pattern in the air.
So I hit my team up and I said, y'all,
we're not gonna make it, and shout out to Big West,
one of my managers. Big fella, y'all don't put us
(01:19):
in church jail. But he bootlegged the sermons so I
could watch it because that's how thirsty I am for
the word. And I know if you're here today, it's
because you're also thirsty for the word. Shout out to
that praying woman who was praying like a grandmother on
that plane. We made it safely and I still got
the word. But it also goes to show who's on
your role. You know what I'm saying. That woman was
(01:39):
on my row, and I want you to always be
cognizant of the people on your role in your life.
Are they praying for you? Are they there for you?
Are y'all praying to the same God? You know what
I'm saying, Because there's a difference. And without further ado,
I want to welcome one of my sisters in Christ.
She is absolutely amazing. You may remember her as Levita
Alise Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show, or you may
(02:04):
know her from her new hit show on Netflix, Miss Governor, Ladies,
put it together, put your hands together for my sister,
Miss Terry Vaughn.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Yes, hey y'all.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
U, thank y'all. Hey, Joss, all.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Right, since it is so good to be here with you.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
When we were going over people that I could interview
for this moment, and hands down, you were the one.
And it was because of our recent conversations that I
knew I needed to sit down with you.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Terry and I, well, we met a lot.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
We kind of met a long time ago. I just
reminded her that in twenty ten we were in a
short film called This Time duracted by Matthew Cherry, and
I had one line. So I'm like, this kid trying
to get into the movie industry and he's a kid
making short films and here's the Terry Vine in this movie.
And I found the cover art for it and I
(03:14):
was like, do you remember this?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
And she was like, oh my gosh. I had one line.
Your table is ready and here we are and look
at her now right.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
God is good.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
But recently we were at a Sunday brunch at Tyler
Perry's house. And Tyler does these brunches where we screened
what he's the latest project that he's worked on. And
this particular Sunday, we were screening the first episode of
your show, mis Governor. And when I tell you, Tyler
saw it and I saw it as well. But Terry
was so full in that moment, and it was so
(03:49):
beautiful to see. And in that moment, Tyler looked at
me and he goes, that was you when sisters came
out and he said, y'all need to talk, and you
put it off for a little while and saying we
need to talk, and then finally you.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Like, I need to call you.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
And we had this beautiful conversation and I want to
start with that because we talk about the journey. Don't
you start?
Speaker 4 (04:10):
I know you see I'm looking around. I'm like, y'all
don't have tissue up here. I'm sorry. It's just that
kind of party. I was telling her about stage. I've
been on the verge of crind all day. I don't
know what it is. I do know what it is.
It's grateful.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Yeah, y'all might need to bring the clean nex.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Yeah, just yes.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
But in that conversation. I thought it was so beautiful,
how vulnerable you were to have started off on this
hit show. Everyone watched The Steve Harvey Show, and we're
going to get to the journey, but to where you
are now. It was like a completely new ground for you,
and you're like, how do I navigate this? Let us
know where you were in that moment.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So, first of all, thank you for choosing me. Okay,
it's always nice to be chosen. Yeah, So in that moment,
I was in the midst of a lot of press
for the new show for MS. Governor, and it was
everything was just so back to back to back to
back to back. And yes, I've been in this business
(05:08):
for a really long time. You guys have been in
this business for thirty years. But yet though I've been
pitching my own show for twenty years, say that again.
I've been pitching my own show for twenty years. Now
it is upon me and I have that show.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Thank you take it in.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
And it was it was a bit overwhelming, and I
have several conversations with God, and I know why it
took the twenty years, because feeling all the things that
come with being in this position. I wouldn't have been ready.
(05:58):
I wouldn't have been ready. I would have messed it up.
I would have freaked out or something. And now is
the time, and I'm like just looking for a little
direction or guidance because I don't want to mess up
the moment, right I don't want to because every everything
just got different. The people that call, the people that
(06:20):
don't call, the things being said, everything changed and I'm
still the same person though I haven't changed. Everything is still.
So I'm trying to navigate how to change, to move
in all the newness of it without losing myself, losing
my connection to my tribe, my real friends, my village,
(06:44):
and not getting caught up in the newness, the new calls,
the new, you know. And so I just was like
talking to Crystal about how she navigated when she first
got her show, and now everything is on her, the
light is on her, the calls are on her, and
(07:05):
just make it because it's a huge responsibility. You are
responsible for you know a lot of people. You're the
lead of the cast, so kind of your energy and
how you move affects everybody. And I'm a mama bear,
so I'm super protective. So I want to protect my
cast I want to make sure I'm standing up for them,
(07:26):
making sure I'm asking, you know, that they get the
things that I you know, I'm just trying to be fair.
We're libors too, so I'm always balancing this scale. So
I want, you know, everybody to be treated fairly and
all the things. So I just wanted to talk to
her and ask her how she navigated when she first
plopped into it, because when you PLoP into it, it
(07:48):
just like everything happens, and you want that one it's
not a build up. And so I was in the
in the midst of everything rushing at me, and I
was like, I need to I need to pause, and
I need to talk to somebody, And Crystal talked to
me and told me, you know, just share things that
(08:08):
she did to stay focused and grounded. And you know,
I'm very spiritual and you know, obviously getting in my
prayers and my meditation. So I'm like, I know who
I am. I know I'm grounded, but I also I
have to operate in a space that doesn't necessarily move
or act like me sometimes and not wanting to lose me,
(08:33):
but still have to navigate through it, you know. So
it was just nice to hear somebody else's perspective, somebody
that I could trust, because you can't really have these
kind of conversations with everyone. So it was just beautiful
that she opened up and we had a really great conversation.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
I love that. And what I think is so beautiful
about that about sisterhood is that you do have a
village and your tribe is so important to make sure
that you can have those moments where you say, hey'sis
I am struggling with this? Am I ready for this?
Because a lot of times we've gone through the twenty
years you know whatever that looks like. It may not
be twenty years for everyone, but you go through it
(09:11):
and then you get to the moment, and then you
start second guessing everything that God has put in your
toolbox to make you ready for that moment. Has anybody
ever done it self sabotages in the building?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Yeah, yes, right.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
I'm a big self sabotager, like I can get in
my own way, and I think a lot of us
do that. But what I thought was so beautiful is
that you knew that you could call you know, And
I think that's so important to be someone that your
girl can call or if you have a guy friend
that they can call and say, Hey, I'm struggling with
this and this is the position that I'm in.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
But I want to do right by it and steward
over it.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
How do I do that? And a lot of times
we forget that, like we are ready for that moment,
yeah you know, and yeah, so I want to go
back to when you first started. Let's walk to the
ti we're going to we started. It's like a movie
where they started the ending. Then we're going to go
back to the beginning. We're gonna mind so we can
go back to the be and tell us about that
journey and like the ups and downs and ebbs and
flows of that. Because you started off with Steve Harvey Show,
(10:05):
your big break.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Steve Harvey Show was definitely my big break I had.
I'm from San Francisco. I grew up in the Bay Area. Yes,
Bay love me, yep. And I was living in LA
for about five years, just you know, doing the actor thing,
background work, waiting tables, worked at Benetton, you know Benetton,
(10:30):
and so the people are like, what's Benette, Yes, the
colors of Benetta. I know, that's so long ago. Okay anyway, So,
you know, just the life of a starving actor and
just auditioning getting parts, and finally this audition came through
for The Steve Harvey Show. And when I remember getting
(10:51):
when I got that audition and I read the material,
I was like, oh my gosh, she's so fun. I
know her.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
It was like so easy.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
I was like, so I did the audition, got call
back and call back and call back and call back,
and it was like it was definitely the easiest up
to that point, the easiest audition that I had ever had.
It just felt easy. It felt right. She fit on
(11:21):
me and in me because I knew her, yeah, and
I really cared about her. We could tell I really
cared about her. And so finally I got a call
from my agents and you guys, so when you're when
you're testing for a series like that and you're getting
(11:42):
your callbacks over and over, the last audition you go
in for is with the directors and the producers and
the networks, so it's like tons of people in you
and you have to perform like you always have. And
to me, that was my worst audition out of the
(12:03):
whole journey of my Levita auditioning was the last one
because at that point, and I don't even know if
it still happens like this now, but when you do
your last test read, they give you your deal, what
your deal will be if you get this, You're going
to get this many episodes, this much money. So now
(12:26):
I have all this information. Right before, I didn't have
that information, so I was just free. So now I'm like, oh,
I got it. I can't make this much money, Like
I've never seen that much money. So now I got
all these other things in my mind instead of staying
focused just on her, so I kicked into my training.
I was like, nope, focus on her. The only thing
(12:47):
that matters is the role. The only thing that matters
is the role. But and I went in and I
just felt like it wasn't my strongest audition. I just
felt like it wasn't my strongest. So I go home
and I get a call from my agents and they're like, so,
how to go? And I was like, oh, it was okay.
I don't think it was my best, but I feel good.
(13:07):
And they were like, well, you must have did something
because you got the park And I just screamed in
my little one bedroom apartment, fell on my knees and
just cried. I just the tears, tears, tears. Why the
phone was on the floor by this time, and I'm
just on the middle of the floor crying because you know,
it's something that work. Yeah, so hard to work.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Yeah. And in our business, we're used to hearing no.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Yes all the time.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
We get up every day to hear no, literally literally
every day. But we still keep going because we know
we are in line with our purpose and we keep going.
We keep showing up for the nose, but still keep
going and to finally get that yes, it's it's just amazing.
(14:03):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
So you talked about like you get the deal and
you're like, oh my goodness, I'm gonna be making this
much money.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
A lot of time, is it running to lack of
financial literacy?
Speaker 4 (14:15):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (14:16):
What were some of those moments where you were like, Okay,
I got this money and.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
What now I was I'm cheap. I was cheap. I
didn't do anything. I was like, oh no, I got
that this, I gotta keep this. Nobody gonna take this.
So you know, I didn't really definitely didn't have any
financial literacy. I just was responsible I've always been a
(14:40):
responsible person, so I didn't really splur or spend a lot.
I know how to live in my means. I had
been acting for a while, so I knew that jobs,
you know, come far and in between. So when you
are working, you need to save safe, safe for those
long months when you're not working, you got to live
off of that money. So it's you know, it's it's
(15:01):
different than people may really think. So I didn't. I didn't.
I didn't mess up my money. I was able to
not ever have to go back and get another job
outside of our business. Yes, so that was a blessing.
But with the lack of financial knowledge, there are things
I could have done with that money that would have
(15:23):
been smart to set me up better for future. And
I didn't know that. I was just in a bank account.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
I'm just sitting, just sitting, and that's not good.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Yeah, Steve Harvey Show had an amazing run. And like
you said, the jobs come far and few between. What
was that transition like, because we hear about like athletes,
when what they go through when the basketball is done,
how do they like navigate life? What was that transition
like when you guys got the call saying, hey, this
is the last season, that last day on the show,
and then now it's like, okay, what do I do next?
Speaker 4 (15:55):
So for me, I was like, oh, the show was
in the that's okay, I'll get another show. I'll just
get another show. You know, Lavita's popular, people like her,
people like me. I'll get another job, crickets, so it
(16:16):
you know, it's just just go back to the grind.
But again, you know, I have been working, so i'd
save my money. I was actually married at this time,
had my first son. The last year of the Steve
Harvey Show, I was pregnant and so I had time,
and then eventually I did went on to Soul Food.
(16:40):
Thank God for Felicia Henderson, who because you know, because
of the role of Levita, she was very comical and
all the things that she was which I loved, I didn't.
I still didn't as an actress. I didn't want to
just be typecast as that kind of character. So I'll
aways Thankfulicia Henderson for giving me that job on Soul Food,
(17:05):
which was totally different than Levita. She was an executive,
you know, it was she was just a totally different
character on a drama series. So that was a blessing.
And I think you just have to stay true to
yourself and just focus and the things will come. You know,
I didn't panic. I just stayed the course. Stay the course.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
That is so good. So you built a family. You
have three beautiful children, Yes I do.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
You're married.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
What was that building of the family life for you?
Because you did you take a little time off between
soul food and like really to really hone it on
your family.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
No, so not really. I didn't necessarily need to purposely
take time off. It's in our business. We just have
time off. Yes, But you know, I learned a long
time ago, and I'm really thank you for this message
from one of my early acting instructors. She always told
(18:06):
us to never put our personal lives on hold for
the business. She said, never put your personal lives on
hold for the business, because the business fluctuates and it
doesn't love anyone. It's not protecting you. It's just the business.
So you have to make sure that you're living your life.
(18:29):
And also, just as an artist, it's important to live
your life because it makes you a better artist because
you're experiencing life. So, yes, I knew what it was
like to get married. I knew what it was like
to have a baby. I knew what it was like
to do these new different things because I'm living my
life and now I can put those things into the
(18:49):
characters that I play. Yes, and so yeah, that's one
thing I definitely tell all the aspiring actors, Well.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Where were you when I started my career?
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Girl a lot, I'm telling you now, but you do
live your life, You travel, you do things.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Yeah, I live, but I've put off the family, you know,
because on purpose. Yeah, because I didn't know if I
you know, like you having this in you. I don't
know if you guys like this, but you have in
your mind, like I don't have time to take off
to have a child. And it wasn't even until this
year seeing my castmate kJ Smith, ye be pregnant work
while you know how we work, like we shoot fast
(19:25):
and tile Fair studios. And it was in that moment
where I actually saw where I was like, wait, I
could do this, but now it's like can I do this?
You know? So going to the doctor trying to find
out if I can even carry, you know, because I
put my life on hold, and I have that story.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
So many of my peers have that story, and so yeah,
it is important because you can. I mean, there are
no limits to what God, God is gonna do. And
if God blesses you with a family and it's not
gonna stop you right doing, you'll still you can do both. Yes,
I always tell you can do both. You can have
(20:03):
a full family life and a full, beautiful, prosperous career
because I love them both equally too, I couldn't. I
love what we do. I love it for many reasons.
The stories we get to tell, the images we get
to represent. I love that my daughter can turn on
a television and see people that look like her, that
(20:25):
talk like her. That's really important. That my grandmother, who's
ninety five, she can turn on something and you know
it resembles her. That's important. Yes, And for me in particular,
I love to bring comedy into people's lives on purpose,
because there's so much trauma and heaviness in the world globally,
(20:52):
not to mention into our individual lives the things that
people are dealing with. So if I can be a
part of bringing some joy, some life, even for thirty
minutes of your day where you just laugh and forget
about that be all or whatever, and you've forgotten. You're laughing,
and you're laughing and you get those endorphins and you
have some sunshine for thirty minutes. That's good, that's good stuff.
(21:15):
And then life is still there. It's fun. They come
back next week and watch it thirty more minutes and
laugh again. But that's important to me, And it's just
important to me as I'm there for my kids, and
you know, and God gave me, You'll give you the
kids that fit your life. You don't have to fit
(21:36):
their life. They fit your lime on.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
She reaches it to yourself because she's reaching to me.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Okay, oh man.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
That's good.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Yeah, because I think a lot of times for me
at my career started late in life. You know, my
dream career started late in life. So I was talking
to Sarah about this Thursday night. She was like, Chrystal,
are you resting? When do you have time to rest?
How are you bound? And she's like, do you ever
feel like feel like you're missing out or like if
you don't take if you take a break, that you're
going to miss out in a moment because you have
(22:07):
to strike while the iron is hot. And I was like, wow, yeah,
I have had those moments, yeah, for sure, but I
feel like now I'm more intentional about Okay, I have
to pencil in the rest. You know, God, you have
made my plate very full, and I'm grateful because this
is what I asked for. But now I have to
intentionally schedule in. Okay, these days I'm going to go
on vacation or Okay, I can't do it because sometimes
(22:30):
my team will be like, all right, we get in
on this day and we're gonna shoot a podcast episode
on this day as soon as we get back. I'm like,
I can't do that. I know my limits now, very good,
and I love y'all for obliging. Now that's very good.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
You have to listen to yourself. Yeah, you have to
trust your instincts. That's number one. That's God talking, that's
your intuition. That's the connection. It's not the talk and
chatter outside of you, it's the talk inside.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Yes, that's so true. Yeah, it's funny.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
I went to the doctor probably two weeks ago, a
fertility doctor and a guy who i'd only met one
time through ryhanda our costume designer, had sent me a
DM and he said, hey, God gave me a word
for you give me a call. And I was like, okay,
we've met like one time. What word did God give
you for me? So I said, hey, I'll be free
(23:20):
at this time. Just called me. So I was journaling
that morning, and I was journaling about God protecting me
and covering my womb all these different things and asking
God to give me the desires of his heart. I
was like, God, whatever you want from me, give it
to me, and give me the discernment to know what
you don't desire for me. So as soon as I
put the pencil down, the guy calls me and he
(23:41):
told me the first part of it and he said, yeah,
I was wrestling with this and he said, cause I
don't know you like that. And then he's like, but
then this morning I woke up and he gave me
an addendum to the word and I was like, really,
what's that? And he said, expect a miracle. And y'all,
when I tell you, I just started bawling because I'm
forty two years old, and I got look you, I
started bawling crying, and I said, you have no idea.
(24:03):
I was like, I just went to the doctor and
I'm in my word. I'm reading about Sarah and Abraham,
and my pastor, Pastor Deare Sinius, always tells us the
Bible still applies. You're just the character now, you know.
So replace Sarah's name with Crystal, you know, or whoever
is out there wanting a child. And I said, you
(24:25):
don't know what I just wrote down in my journal
and he was like what. And I was like, I
just went to the fertility doctor and I said, I
got a great report back. But I was asking God
to protect my womb. I was like, thank you for
protecting my family, but protect my womb. I said, and
let it happen in your time, in your way, because
I want to do it in the proper order. And
I was like, this is just like that's how quick
God answers like I literally had put the pen down
(24:46):
and I was showing it to Chornelle our hairstyles this morning.
I said, do you see this wet drop on the page?
I said, that was my tears and she goes, oh,
my goodness. And when you really really get into your
word and really have that intimate and cultivate that into
a relationship with God, he literally answers, how I call hey, Terry, Yes,
Crystal that's how fast God will answer you. And it
(25:08):
keeps showing up, so you're absolutely right, Yeah, it'll happen.
In God's simon, It's going to be perfect for you. Yes,
thank you. I received that, and I hope you guys too.
Were there ever any moments in this journey where your
faith was tested where you're like, all right, Lord, now
things are moving in that twenty years wherever moments where
(25:29):
you were like, all.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Right, absolutely in the thirty years, yes, wow, Absolutely. There's
been several times when I was like, because because my
entry into this career wasn't something that that I pursued.
It was something that was offered to me. Because I
was going to school for advertising. I thought I was
(25:51):
going to work in the advertising agency, and I was
invited to participate in this pageant. One of the judges
of a pageant with a producer of a play that
they were casting the tour of the country, and he
asked me if I want to audition for his play.
So I had never pursued it just on my own.
It was offerings that I just kept saying yes to.
(26:15):
And so in those many, many times where it has
been dark moments when I felt like God this industry
is not for me. I'm not why am I here?
What am I doing? I didn't even ask to be here,
So this is me talking to God. I was like,
I didn't even ask to be here, so you brought
(26:37):
me here. So you need to fix it. You need
to make something happen because I didn't ask to be here.
I could have been at Grades Advertising in San Francisco.
And so that conversation has happened several times along this
journey because it's tough, and I'm telling you, the only
(27:02):
thing that keeps me going and actually joyful and fulfilled
in going is because I know I'm living in my purpose.
I know it. I know it. That's the only way
I kept going with pitching in my own show for
twenty years because even though everybody kept telling me no
for twenty years, I kept feeling the yes on the inside.
(27:26):
I kept feeling it. So I'm like, I'm just gonna
listen to that and I'm just gonna keep going. They
could keep telling me no because they just don't know.
But I know there's a yes inside.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Yeah, Loo, It's good. I love that I know there's
a yes inside. How many of you all can resonate
with it, right, if you don't have to be in
the entertainment industry to realize, wait, this is what I'm
supposed to be doing. And I think a lot of
times we talked about this backstage, how often and how
quickly we give up.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
And I think sometimes, like you said, that.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Giving up is and it's actually an indication that you
may not be running after your purpose. Because if it's
something that you are supposed to be doing, we keep
going no after no, after no after no, because we
know there's a yes, you know what I'm saying, Yes,
come on, that's right, I'm preaching you all, But no,
(28:21):
there is.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
And I think a lot of people give up way
too soon.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Yeah, yeah they do. I mean, and like you said,
it's whatever you want to do in life. And again,
you know, even our loved ones, people that really love
us and care about us, they give us guidance and
advice from their best, yes, from their best, but my
(28:46):
yes inside of me is not in them, so they
don't know. They're just they don't give me advice based
on their experience, their life, their limitations of what they
think can happen. And they are they're being you know,
loving and think they're being supportive. But who am I
(29:09):
gonna trust to? You know, am I gonna listen? Because
my mom says she's never done this, like this is crazy.
You got to get a job. You need to go
do this, you need so I stop and go get
a job. Because my mom doesn't feel that burning yes
inside of me, Terry, No, I still got to follow
(29:29):
my yes. So sometimes it's really scary because you're you
feel like you're alone, and you are. You're alone with
your alone because it's yours alone, because it's yours alone.
It's not for my mom, it's not for my sister,
it's not for them. This is mine. And because I
(29:49):
followed what was mine. Look what I get to do
and who I get to talk to and how I
get to live and y'all get to laugh. And you know,
if I didn't do that, there wouldn't be the things.
There wouldn't have been a Levita, there wouldn't be a misk,
you know, if I didn't listen to that burning yes yes.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
Oh my goodness, Oh.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
This is good.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
I love it. Now you are in a place now
where you're starting your own production company, TJV Enterprising Enterprise
Enterprise y'all.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
That means multiple things happening.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
Okay, I love it, Yes, tell us about that.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
What else do you have going on?
Speaker 3 (30:34):
So?
Speaker 4 (30:34):
You know, we of course our show mis Governor on Netflix,
but we have more shows that I am actively pitching.
It never stops, it never, oh lord, it never stops. Uh.
So we're doing that. Yeah, we're just creating, you know,
(30:55):
I don't I don't know. I have a slate of
things that I want to do. It's like, I'm sure
you do. Like the list is long, Yes, so you
grab about three at one time and trying to pursue
the first three. See what happened? So yeah, So we
have movies and television series. I'm just really inspired to
(31:16):
tell stories that feature women of color in leading roles
and comedic roles. And you know, because a lot of
times we're the girlfriend of somebody, or the neighbor or
the dad. I'm like, nope, I want our stuff to
be us telling these stories from our own mouth. Come on,
laughing at ourselves and all of our you know, our
(31:38):
flaws and all. You know, we're not perfect, but that's
what makes the world so great and interesting. And I
want to be able to feature women of color in
those leading roles. So all of our projects pretty much
are that I love it.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
I love it like you. I'm getting more into the
producer side of things.
Speaker 4 (31:55):
Yes, I was.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Having a conversation with my friend Woody maclain from Hour
and Yeah shut Out with he and he's working on something.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
He's been public about it. He's working on a rom
com and.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
He had done a podcast and he broke down crime
because he has twins on the way and he was like,
I don't want my daughters to see me in that
light as the character that I'm playing. And I felt
him in that moment because I want to see different
content that shines a different light on us, you know.
And in that moment, he was like, y'all want you
to epe this with me? And I was like, I
(32:26):
bet I'm down, but I'll say it's crazy you're calling
me because I want to start creating the content that
I want to see. It's only so much I want
to see something different then make it, you know. So
I love that you're doing that. Yes, And that's the
path that I'm forging next as well.
Speaker 4 (32:42):
So yeah, we have to It's very important and it's
for us, and that's the thing. It's all purposeful, right,
It's a part of my ministry is to bring this
to y'all. I want you to be filled with joy.
I want you to I want you to think and
(33:02):
be challenged and reconsider or whatever it is that you
know is needed in the moment. I want to create
images that look like you, that are helping you through
that navigate. I just I think it's really important and
I totally believe that laughter is healing. Yes, it is
(33:22):
healing for your soul to laugh. Literally, it's medicine.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
It is speaking of lazard medicine. MS Governor is a
show that have you guys watched mis Governor on Netflix? Yes,
it will have you cackling.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Okay, Yeah, What was the inspiration behind it?
Speaker 1 (33:40):
How did it feel when you.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Saw the ratings on Netflix all the things?
Speaker 4 (33:44):
So the inspiration actually started about eight years ago. My
girlfriend London Breed became the first black Hey Bay Area,
became the first black female mayor of the city of
San Francisco, Go and the city with bananas. It was crazy,
so much pushback and drama she got being in that position,
(34:09):
and they did so many things that she had to
like jump through these hoops and do a special election
and all the things, and she still ended up winning.
And when I watched my sister do that, like and
this is a girl from the hood, Like we grew
up in the hood, and I'm watching her as she's
climbing the political chain and she became the mayor of
(34:31):
one of the richest cities in the nation, the first
black woman to do that. I was inspired. Yeah, and
so the character of Antoinette, and Antoinette is named after
one of my childhood friends. So I always pull from
my real life my stories. So the character of Antoinette
was inspired by London's win for the mayor of San Francisco.
(34:58):
And of course, you know, we changed the story to
be getting more saucy and made it south and made
a governor instead of mayor and all the things. But
that's where the inspiration came from. So that's been like
seven years in the works of pitching, restructuring, partnering, meeting
and finally landed with our silent ferry and that yes
(35:22):
and so yes. So now it's on Netflix. And you know,
I love my cast. I have an amazing cast. These
are so funny and lovely, great human beings and talented
and we get to tell these stories and get to
play with each other. And the ratings were great, so guys,
(35:43):
please keep watching. We are hoping to get a second season,
so please watch it, watch it, watch it. Spread the
words so we can get that second season.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
Yes, please definitely watch it. Support Support, Support, I love
it so well. This year's theme is a race to freedom.
So in closing, I'm going to tell you what my
race to freedom is and what I'm working towards, and
then I would love for you to share with us
your race to freedom. Okay, for me, when I leave
Women Evolved this year, I want to be free from
(36:18):
self sabotage, the spirit of self sabotage. I want to
be free of understanding that things that are out of
my control they're simply out of my control because I
get worked up.
Speaker 4 (36:32):
So mine is very similar. I want to be free
from judgment of myself. I'm really hard, yeah, So I
want to free myself of having to set a certain
bar for everybody, myself, making sure everybody's pleased, and I'm
(36:55):
taking care of everybody in it and you know, making
people happy, being nice, and you know it's the thing
in this business. It's like I don't want to lose
who I am, because that's just who I am. But
it can be very very stressful carrying that and judging
yourself if you feel like you've done something wrong. So
(37:18):
it's very similar to what you're saying. I want to
give myself grace. I want to release the things I
have no control of. I cannot control what people say, think, do,
even though I if I put out my best intentions,
it doesn't matter. Yeah, So I want to free myself
with that.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
I love that. I love that. Do you mind if
we close off in a prayer because I know everyone
who was here they came for a reason and I
just want to pray over you guys before we leave.
Is that okay? All right? I mave o our heads,
Heavening Father. We just want to thank you for this day,
Dear God. We thank you for safe travels. We want
to thank you for every woman that is present in
(37:56):
this room who is thirsty for your word, who was
thirsty for you, your presence, Dear God, and yearns for it.
I ask that whatever is on her or his heart,
I ask that you answer it and be very clear.
I ask that you move with swiftness, Dear God, whatever
it is, if there's a sickness, if there is hurt,
if there is trauma, whatever it is, or God, I
ask that you heal them from that. I asked that
(38:17):
every person leaves this conference change with a new perspective
and knowing that you are a gracious God. I ask
that you allow us to give ourselves more grace the
same way that you do, because I know, even myself,
I'm hard on myself, but as I studied your word,
I know that you are a good God. You are
a gracious God, and every time we fall, you are
there to pick us up. So I want to just
(38:38):
thank you for this moment. Thank you for allowing me
to use this platform to spread your word.
Speaker 3 (38:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
I'm so undeserving. Thank you God, but you let me
know every day that I deserve it everything that you
have put in my life, and I appreciate that. I
want to continue to keep this humble heart. I asked
that you continue to bless this platform that we can
continue to spread your message. And I ask it everywhere
I go that they see your light In Jesus name,
we pray Amen, Amen,
Calling all my sweeties to the forefront. I'm your host, Christopher,
and this is to keep it positive. Sweetie show. Can
we just say thank you Jesus? That was not loud enough.
Can we say thank you Jesus? There we go listen.
I was I had to travel to New York yesterday
(00:21):
and I was like on the first flight out to
get back so I could hear Pastor say our preach
last night.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
And I get on the plane and this woman was.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I'm talking about saying a very fervent prayer.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
She was God.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
And I looked over. She's on my road, and I said,
we're gonna be all right. We're gonna make it. Because
it was storms all over and since January the year
has been yearing. Can we all agree on that?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
And I said, Lord, if there's a delay, I'm.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Gonna thank you for the delay because I just want
to make it there safe, whatever it is. And because
I used to get agitated, and I felt that agitation
creeping in.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
After two hours sitting on the ground.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
We finally get in the air and we're almost to it.
And so I gone to the bathroom on the plane
change clothes. I was gonna hit the ground running and
the pilot comes on the intercomm and says, what we're
gonna be in a thirty minute holding pattern in the air.
So I hit my team up and I said, y'all,
we're not gonna make it, and shout out to Big West,
one of my managers. Big fella, y'all don't put us
(01:19):
in church jail. But he bootlegged the sermons so I
could watch it because that's how thirsty I am for
the word. And I know if you're here today, it's
because you're also thirsty for the word. Shout out to
that praying woman who was praying like a grandmother on
that plane. We made it safely and I still got
the word. But it also goes to show who's on
your role. You know what I'm saying. That woman was
(01:39):
on my row, and I want you to always be
cognizant of the people on your role in your life.
Are they praying for you? Are they there for you?
Are y'all praying to the same God? You know what
I'm saying, Because there's a difference. And without further ado,
I want to welcome one of my sisters in Christ.
She is absolutely amazing. You may remember her as Levita
Alise Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show, or you may
(02:04):
know her from her new hit show on Netflix, Miss Governor, Ladies,
put it together, put your hands together for my sister,
Miss Terry Vaughn.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Yes, hey y'all.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
U, thank y'all. Hey, Joss, all.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Right, since it is so good to be here with you.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
When we were going over people that I could interview
for this moment, and hands down, you were the one.
And it was because of our recent conversations that I
knew I needed to sit down with you.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Terry and I, well, we met a lot.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
We kind of met a long time ago. I just
reminded her that in twenty ten we were in a
short film called This Time duracted by Matthew Cherry, and
I had one line. So I'm like, this kid trying
to get into the movie industry and he's a kid
making short films and here's the Terry Vine in this movie.
And I found the cover art for it and I
(03:14):
was like, do you remember this?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
And she was like, oh my gosh. I had one line.
Your table is ready and here we are and look
at her now right.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
God is good.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
But recently we were at a Sunday brunch at Tyler
Perry's house. And Tyler does these brunches where we screened
what he's the latest project that he's worked on. And
this particular Sunday, we were screening the first episode of
your show, mis Governor. And when I tell you, Tyler
saw it and I saw it as well. But Terry
was so full in that moment, and it was so
(03:49):
beautiful to see. And in that moment, Tyler looked at
me and he goes, that was you when sisters came
out and he said, y'all need to talk, and you
put it off for a little while and saying we
need to talk, and then finally you.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Like, I need to call you.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
And we had this beautiful conversation and I want to
start with that because we talk about the journey. Don't
you start?
Speaker 4 (04:10):
I know you see I'm looking around. I'm like, y'all
don't have tissue up here. I'm sorry. It's just that
kind of party. I was telling her about stage. I've
been on the verge of crind all day. I don't
know what it is. I do know what it is.
It's grateful.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Yeah, y'all might need to bring the clean nex.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Yeah, just yes.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
But in that conversation. I thought it was so beautiful,
how vulnerable you were to have started off on this
hit show. Everyone watched The Steve Harvey Show, and we're
going to get to the journey, but to where you
are now. It was like a completely new ground for you,
and you're like, how do I navigate this? Let us
know where you were in that moment.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So, first of all, thank you for choosing me. Okay,
it's always nice to be chosen. Yeah, So in that moment,
I was in the midst of a lot of press
for the new show for MS. Governor, and it was
everything was just so back to back to back to
back to back. And yes, I've been in this business
(05:08):
for a really long time. You guys have been in
this business for thirty years. But yet though I've been
pitching my own show for twenty years, say that again.
I've been pitching my own show for twenty years. Now
it is upon me and I have that show.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Thank you take it in.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
And it was it was a bit overwhelming, and I
have several conversations with God, and I know why it
took the twenty years, because feeling all the things that
come with being in this position. I wouldn't have been ready.
(05:58):
I wouldn't have been ready. I would have messed it up.
I would have freaked out or something. And now is
the time, and I'm like just looking for a little
direction or guidance because I don't want to mess up
the moment, right I don't want to because every everything
just got different. The people that call, the people that
(06:20):
don't call, the things being said, everything changed and I'm
still the same person though I haven't changed. Everything is still.
So I'm trying to navigate how to change, to move
in all the newness of it without losing myself, losing
my connection to my tribe, my real friends, my village,
(06:44):
and not getting caught up in the newness, the new calls,
the new, you know. And so I just was like
talking to Crystal about how she navigated when she first
got her show, and now everything is on her, the
light is on her, the calls are on her, and
(07:05):
just make it because it's a huge responsibility. You are
responsible for you know a lot of people. You're the
lead of the cast, so kind of your energy and
how you move affects everybody. And I'm a mama bear,
so I'm super protective. So I want to protect my
cast I want to make sure I'm standing up for them,
(07:26):
making sure I'm asking, you know, that they get the
things that I you know, I'm just trying to be fair.
We're libors too, so I'm always balancing this scale. So
I want, you know, everybody to be treated fairly and
all the things. So I just wanted to talk to
her and ask her how she navigated when she first
plopped into it, because when you PLoP into it, it
(07:48):
just like everything happens, and you want that one it's
not a build up. And so I was in the
in the midst of everything rushing at me, and I
was like, I need to I need to pause, and
I need to talk to somebody, And Crystal talked to
me and told me, you know, just share things that
(08:08):
she did to stay focused and grounded. And you know,
I'm very spiritual and you know, obviously getting in my
prayers and my meditation. So I'm like, I know who
I am. I know I'm grounded, but I also I
have to operate in a space that doesn't necessarily move
or act like me sometimes and not wanting to lose me,
(08:33):
but still have to navigate through it, you know. So
it was just nice to hear somebody else's perspective, somebody
that I could trust, because you can't really have these
kind of conversations with everyone. So it was just beautiful
that she opened up and we had a really great conversation.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
I love that. And what I think is so beautiful
about that about sisterhood is that you do have a
village and your tribe is so important to make sure
that you can have those moments where you say, hey'sis
I am struggling with this? Am I ready for this?
Because a lot of times we've gone through the twenty
years you know whatever that looks like. It may not
be twenty years for everyone, but you go through it
(09:11):
and then you get to the moment, and then you
start second guessing everything that God has put in your
toolbox to make you ready for that moment. Has anybody
ever done it self sabotages in the building?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Yeah, yes, right.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
I'm a big self sabotager, like I can get in
my own way, and I think a lot of us
do that. But what I thought was so beautiful is
that you knew that you could call you know, And
I think that's so important to be someone that your
girl can call or if you have a guy friend
that they can call and say, Hey, I'm struggling with
this and this is the position that I'm in.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
But I want to do right by it and steward
over it.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
How do I do that? And a lot of times
we forget that, like we are ready for that moment,
yeah you know, and yeah, so I want to go
back to when you first started. Let's walk to the
ti we're going to we started. It's like a movie
where they started the ending. Then we're going to go
back to the beginning. We're gonna mind so we can
go back to the be and tell us about that
journey and like the ups and downs and ebbs and
flows of that. Because you started off with Steve Harvey Show,
(10:05):
your big break.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Steve Harvey Show was definitely my big break I had.
I'm from San Francisco. I grew up in the Bay Area. Yes,
Bay love me, yep. And I was living in LA
for about five years, just you know, doing the actor thing,
background work, waiting tables, worked at Benetton, you know Benetton,
(10:30):
and so the people are like, what's Benette, Yes, the
colors of Benetta. I know, that's so long ago. Okay anyway, So,
you know, just the life of a starving actor and
just auditioning getting parts, and finally this audition came through
for The Steve Harvey Show. And when I remember getting
(10:51):
when I got that audition and I read the material,
I was like, oh my gosh, she's so fun. I
know her.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
It was like so easy.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
I was like, so I did the audition, got call
back and call back and call back and call back,
and it was like it was definitely the easiest up
to that point, the easiest audition that I had ever had.
It just felt easy. It felt right. She fit on
(11:21):
me and in me because I knew her, yeah, and
I really cared about her. We could tell I really
cared about her. And so finally I got a call
from my agents and you guys, so when you're when
you're testing for a series like that and you're getting
(11:42):
your callbacks over and over, the last audition you go
in for is with the directors and the producers and
the networks, so it's like tons of people in you
and you have to perform like you always have. And
to me, that was my worst audition out of the
(12:03):
whole journey of my Levita auditioning was the last one
because at that point, and I don't even know if
it still happens like this now, but when you do
your last test read, they give you your deal, what
your deal will be if you get this, You're going
to get this many episodes, this much money. So now
(12:26):
I have all this information. Right before, I didn't have
that information, so I was just free. So now I'm like, oh,
I got it. I can't make this much money, Like
I've never seen that much money. So now I got
all these other things in my mind instead of staying
focused just on her, so I kicked into my training.
I was like, nope, focus on her. The only thing
(12:47):
that matters is the role. The only thing that matters
is the role. But and I went in and I
just felt like it wasn't my strongest audition. I just
felt like it wasn't my strongest. So I go home
and I get a call from my agents and they're like, so,
how to go? And I was like, oh, it was okay.
I don't think it was my best, but I feel good.
(13:07):
And they were like, well, you must have did something
because you got the park And I just screamed in
my little one bedroom apartment, fell on my knees and
just cried. I just the tears, tears, tears. Why the
phone was on the floor by this time, and I'm
just on the middle of the floor crying because you know,
it's something that work. Yeah, so hard to work.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Yeah. And in our business, we're used to hearing no.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Yes all the time.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
We get up every day to hear no, literally literally
every day. But we still keep going because we know
we are in line with our purpose and we keep going.
We keep showing up for the nose, but still keep
going and to finally get that yes, it's it's just amazing.
(14:03):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
So you talked about like you get the deal and
you're like, oh my goodness, I'm gonna be making this
much money.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
A lot of time, is it running to lack of
financial literacy?
Speaker 4 (14:15):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (14:16):
What were some of those moments where you were like, Okay,
I got this money and.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
What now I was I'm cheap. I was cheap. I
didn't do anything. I was like, oh no, I got
that this, I gotta keep this. Nobody gonna take this.
So you know, I didn't really definitely didn't have any
financial literacy. I just was responsible I've always been a
(14:40):
responsible person, so I didn't really splur or spend a lot.
I know how to live in my means. I had
been acting for a while, so I knew that jobs,
you know, come far and in between. So when you
are working, you need to save safe, safe for those
long months when you're not working, you got to live
off of that money. So it's you know, it's it's
(15:01):
different than people may really think. So I didn't. I didn't.
I didn't mess up my money. I was able to
not ever have to go back and get another job
outside of our business. Yes, so that was a blessing.
But with the lack of financial knowledge, there are things
I could have done with that money that would have
(15:23):
been smart to set me up better for future. And
I didn't know that. I was just in a bank account.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
I'm just sitting, just sitting, and that's not good.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Yeah, Steve Harvey Show had an amazing run. And like
you said, the jobs come far and few between. What
was that transition like, because we hear about like athletes,
when what they go through when the basketball is done,
how do they like navigate life? What was that transition
like when you guys got the call saying, hey, this
is the last season, that last day on the show,
and then now it's like, okay, what do I do next?
Speaker 4 (15:55):
So for me, I was like, oh, the show was
in the that's okay, I'll get another show. I'll just
get another show. You know, Lavita's popular, people like her,
people like me. I'll get another job, crickets, so it
(16:16):
you know, it's just just go back to the grind.
But again, you know, I have been working, so i'd
save my money. I was actually married at this time,
had my first son. The last year of the Steve
Harvey Show, I was pregnant and so I had time,
and then eventually I did went on to Soul Food.
(16:40):
Thank God for Felicia Henderson, who because you know, because
of the role of Levita, she was very comical and
all the things that she was which I loved, I didn't.
I still didn't as an actress. I didn't want to
just be typecast as that kind of character. So I'll
aways Thankfulicia Henderson for giving me that job on Soul Food,
(17:05):
which was totally different than Levita. She was an executive,
you know, it was she was just a totally different
character on a drama series. So that was a blessing.
And I think you just have to stay true to
yourself and just focus and the things will come. You know,
I didn't panic. I just stayed the course. Stay the course.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
That is so good. So you built a family. You
have three beautiful children, Yes I do.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
You're married.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
What was that building of the family life for you?
Because you did you take a little time off between
soul food and like really to really hone it on
your family.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
No, so not really. I didn't necessarily need to purposely
take time off. It's in our business. We just have
time off. Yes, But you know, I learned a long
time ago, and I'm really thank you for this message
from one of my early acting instructors. She always told
(18:06):
us to never put our personal lives on hold for
the business. She said, never put your personal lives on
hold for the business, because the business fluctuates and it
doesn't love anyone. It's not protecting you. It's just the business.
So you have to make sure that you're living your life.
(18:29):
And also, just as an artist, it's important to live
your life because it makes you a better artist because
you're experiencing life. So, yes, I knew what it was
like to get married. I knew what it was like
to have a baby. I knew what it was like
to do these new different things because I'm living my
life and now I can put those things into the
(18:49):
characters that I play. Yes, and so yeah, that's one
thing I definitely tell all the aspiring actors, Well.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Where were you when I started my career?
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Girl a lot, I'm telling you now, but you do
live your life, You travel, you do things.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Yeah, I live, but I've put off the family, you know,
because on purpose. Yeah, because I didn't know if I
you know, like you having this in you. I don't
know if you guys like this, but you have in
your mind, like I don't have time to take off
to have a child. And it wasn't even until this
year seeing my castmate kJ Smith, ye be pregnant work
while you know how we work, like we shoot fast
(19:25):
and tile Fair studios. And it was in that moment
where I actually saw where I was like, wait, I
could do this, but now it's like can I do this?
You know? So going to the doctor trying to find
out if I can even carry, you know, because I
put my life on hold, and I have that story.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
So many of my peers have that story, and so yeah,
it is important because you can. I mean, there are
no limits to what God, God is gonna do. And
if God blesses you with a family and it's not
gonna stop you right doing, you'll still you can do both. Yes,
I always tell you can do both. You can have
(20:03):
a full family life and a full, beautiful, prosperous career
because I love them both equally too, I couldn't. I
love what we do. I love it for many reasons.
The stories we get to tell, the images we get
to represent. I love that my daughter can turn on
a television and see people that look like her, that
(20:25):
talk like her. That's really important. That my grandmother, who's
ninety five, she can turn on something and you know
it resembles her. That's important. Yes, And for me in particular,
I love to bring comedy into people's lives on purpose,
because there's so much trauma and heaviness in the world globally,
(20:52):
not to mention into our individual lives the things that
people are dealing with. So if I can be a
part of bringing some joy, some life, even for thirty
minutes of your day where you just laugh and forget
about that be all or whatever, and you've forgotten. You're laughing,
and you're laughing and you get those endorphins and you
have some sunshine for thirty minutes. That's good, that's good stuff.
(21:15):
And then life is still there. It's fun. They come
back next week and watch it thirty more minutes and
laugh again. But that's important to me, And it's just
important to me as I'm there for my kids, and
you know, and God gave me, You'll give you the
kids that fit your life. You don't have to fit
(21:36):
their life. They fit your lime on.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
She reaches it to yourself because she's reaching to me.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Okay, oh man.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
That's good.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Yeah, because I think a lot of times for me
at my career started late in life. You know, my
dream career started late in life. So I was talking
to Sarah about this Thursday night. She was like, Chrystal,
are you resting? When do you have time to rest?
How are you bound? And she's like, do you ever
feel like feel like you're missing out or like if
you don't take if you take a break, that you're
going to miss out in a moment because you have
(22:07):
to strike while the iron is hot. And I was like, wow, yeah,
I have had those moments, yeah, for sure, but I
feel like now I'm more intentional about Okay, I have
to pencil in the rest. You know, God, you have
made my plate very full, and I'm grateful because this
is what I asked for. But now I have to
intentionally schedule in. Okay, these days I'm going to go
on vacation or Okay, I can't do it because sometimes
(22:30):
my team will be like, all right, we get in
on this day and we're gonna shoot a podcast episode
on this day as soon as we get back. I'm like,
I can't do that. I know my limits now, very good,
and I love y'all for obliging. Now that's very good.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
You have to listen to yourself. Yeah, you have to
trust your instincts. That's number one. That's God talking, that's
your intuition. That's the connection. It's not the talk and
chatter outside of you, it's the talk inside.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Yes, that's so true. Yeah, it's funny.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
I went to the doctor probably two weeks ago, a
fertility doctor and a guy who i'd only met one
time through ryhanda our costume designer, had sent me a
DM and he said, hey, God gave me a word
for you give me a call. And I was like, okay,
we've met like one time. What word did God give
you for me? So I said, hey, I'll be free
(23:20):
at this time. Just called me. So I was journaling
that morning, and I was journaling about God protecting me
and covering my womb all these different things and asking
God to give me the desires of his heart. I
was like, God, whatever you want from me, give it
to me, and give me the discernment to know what
you don't desire for me. So as soon as I
put the pencil down, the guy calls me and he
(23:41):
told me the first part of it and he said, yeah,
I was wrestling with this and he said, cause I
don't know you like that. And then he's like, but
then this morning I woke up and he gave me
an addendum to the word and I was like, really,
what's that? And he said, expect a miracle. And y'all,
when I tell you, I just started bawling because I'm
forty two years old, and I got look you, I
started bawling crying, and I said, you have no idea.
(24:03):
I was like, I just went to the doctor and
I'm in my word. I'm reading about Sarah and Abraham,
and my pastor, Pastor Deare Sinius, always tells us the
Bible still applies. You're just the character now, you know.
So replace Sarah's name with Crystal, you know, or whoever
is out there wanting a child. And I said, you
(24:25):
don't know what I just wrote down in my journal
and he was like what. And I was like, I
just went to the fertility doctor and I said, I
got a great report back. But I was asking God
to protect my womb. I was like, thank you for
protecting my family, but protect my womb. I said, and
let it happen in your time, in your way, because
I want to do it in the proper order. And
I was like, this is just like that's how quick
God answers like I literally had put the pen down
(24:46):
and I was showing it to Chornelle our hairstyles this morning.
I said, do you see this wet drop on the page?
I said, that was my tears and she goes, oh,
my goodness. And when you really really get into your
word and really have that intimate and cultivate that into
a relationship with God, he literally answers, how I call hey, Terry, Yes,
Crystal that's how fast God will answer you. And it
(25:08):
keeps showing up, so you're absolutely right, Yeah, it'll happen.
In God's simon, It's going to be perfect for you. Yes,
thank you. I received that, and I hope you guys too.
Were there ever any moments in this journey where your
faith was tested where you're like, all right, Lord, now
things are moving in that twenty years wherever moments where
(25:29):
you were like, all.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Right, absolutely in the thirty years, yes, wow, Absolutely. There's
been several times when I was like, because because my
entry into this career wasn't something that that I pursued.
It was something that was offered to me. Because I
was going to school for advertising. I thought I was
(25:51):
going to work in the advertising agency, and I was
invited to participate in this pageant. One of the judges
of a pageant with a producer of a play that
they were casting the tour of the country, and he
asked me if I want to audition for his play.
So I had never pursued it just on my own.
It was offerings that I just kept saying yes to.
(26:15):
And so in those many, many times where it has
been dark moments when I felt like God this industry
is not for me. I'm not why am I here?
What am I doing? I didn't even ask to be here,
So this is me talking to God. I was like,
I didn't even ask to be here, so you brought
(26:37):
me here. So you need to fix it. You need
to make something happen because I didn't ask to be here.
I could have been at Grades Advertising in San Francisco.
And so that conversation has happened several times along this
journey because it's tough, and I'm telling you, the only
(27:02):
thing that keeps me going and actually joyful and fulfilled
in going is because I know I'm living in my purpose.
I know it. I know it. That's the only way
I kept going with pitching in my own show for
twenty years because even though everybody kept telling me no
for twenty years, I kept feeling the yes on the inside.
(27:26):
I kept feeling it. So I'm like, I'm just gonna
listen to that and I'm just gonna keep going. They
could keep telling me no because they just don't know.
But I know there's a yes inside.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Yeah, Loo, It's good. I love that I know there's
a yes inside. How many of you all can resonate
with it, right, if you don't have to be in
the entertainment industry to realize, wait, this is what I'm
supposed to be doing. And I think a lot of
times we talked about this backstage, how often and how
quickly we give up.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
And I think sometimes, like you said, that.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Giving up is and it's actually an indication that you
may not be running after your purpose. Because if it's
something that you are supposed to be doing, we keep
going no after no, after no after no, because we
know there's a yes, you know what I'm saying, Yes,
come on, that's right, I'm preaching you all, But no,
(28:21):
there is.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
And I think a lot of people give up way
too soon.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Yeah, yeah they do. I mean, and like you said,
it's whatever you want to do in life. And again,
you know, even our loved ones, people that really love
us and care about us, they give us guidance and
advice from their best, yes, from their best, but my
(28:46):
yes inside of me is not in them, so they
don't know. They're just they don't give me advice based
on their experience, their life, their limitations of what they
think can happen. And they are they're being you know,
loving and think they're being supportive. But who am I
(29:09):
gonna trust to? You know, am I gonna listen? Because
my mom says she's never done this, like this is crazy.
You got to get a job. You need to go
do this, you need so I stop and go get
a job. Because my mom doesn't feel that burning yes
inside of me, Terry, No, I still got to follow
(29:29):
my yes. So sometimes it's really scary because you're you
feel like you're alone, and you are. You're alone with
your alone because it's yours alone, because it's yours alone.
It's not for my mom, it's not for my sister,
it's not for them. This is mine. And because I
(29:49):
followed what was mine. Look what I get to do
and who I get to talk to and how I
get to live and y'all get to laugh. And you know,
if I didn't do that, there wouldn't be the things.
There wouldn't have been a Levita, there wouldn't be a misk,
you know, if I didn't listen to that burning yes yes.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
Oh my goodness, Oh.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
This is good.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
I love it. Now you are in a place now
where you're starting your own production company, TJV Enterprising Enterprise
Enterprise y'all.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
That means multiple things happening.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
Okay, I love it, Yes, tell us about that.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
What else do you have going on?
Speaker 3 (30:34):
So?
Speaker 4 (30:34):
You know, we of course our show mis Governor on Netflix,
but we have more shows that I am actively pitching.
It never stops, it never, oh lord, it never stops. Uh.
So we're doing that. Yeah, we're just creating, you know,
(30:55):
I don't I don't know. I have a slate of
things that I want to do. It's like, I'm sure
you do. Like the list is long, Yes, so you
grab about three at one time and trying to pursue
the first three. See what happened? So yeah, So we
have movies and television series. I'm just really inspired to
(31:16):
tell stories that feature women of color in leading roles
and comedic roles. And you know, because a lot of
times we're the girlfriend of somebody, or the neighbor or
the dad. I'm like, nope, I want our stuff to
be us telling these stories from our own mouth. Come on,
laughing at ourselves and all of our you know, our
(31:38):
flaws and all. You know, we're not perfect, but that's
what makes the world so great and interesting. And I
want to be able to feature women of color in
those leading roles. So all of our projects pretty much
are that I love it.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
I love it like you. I'm getting more into the
producer side of things.
Speaker 4 (31:55):
Yes, I was.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Having a conversation with my friend Woody maclain from Hour
and Yeah shut Out with he and he's working on something.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
He's been public about it. He's working on a rom
com and.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
He had done a podcast and he broke down crime
because he has twins on the way and he was like,
I don't want my daughters to see me in that
light as the character that I'm playing. And I felt
him in that moment because I want to see different
content that shines a different light on us, you know.
And in that moment, he was like, y'all want you
to epe this with me? And I was like, I
(32:26):
bet I'm down, but I'll say it's crazy you're calling
me because I want to start creating the content that
I want to see. It's only so much I want
to see something different then make it, you know. So
I love that you're doing that. Yes, And that's the
path that I'm forging next as well.
Speaker 4 (32:42):
So yeah, we have to It's very important and it's
for us, and that's the thing. It's all purposeful, right,
It's a part of my ministry is to bring this
to y'all. I want you to be filled with joy.
I want you to I want you to think and
(33:02):
be challenged and reconsider or whatever it is that you
know is needed in the moment. I want to create
images that look like you, that are helping you through
that navigate. I just I think it's really important and
I totally believe that laughter is healing. Yes, it is
(33:22):
healing for your soul to laugh. Literally, it's medicine.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
It is speaking of lazard medicine. MS Governor is a
show that have you guys watched mis Governor on Netflix? Yes,
it will have you cackling.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Okay, Yeah, What was the inspiration behind it?
Speaker 1 (33:40):
How did it feel when you.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Saw the ratings on Netflix all the things?
Speaker 4 (33:44):
So the inspiration actually started about eight years ago. My
girlfriend London Breed became the first black Hey Bay Area,
became the first black female mayor of the city of
San Francisco, Go and the city with bananas. It was crazy,
so much pushback and drama she got being in that position,
(34:09):
and they did so many things that she had to
like jump through these hoops and do a special election
and all the things, and she still ended up winning.
And when I watched my sister do that, like and
this is a girl from the hood, Like we grew
up in the hood, and I'm watching her as she's
climbing the political chain and she became the mayor of
(34:31):
one of the richest cities in the nation, the first
black woman to do that. I was inspired. Yeah, and
so the character of Antoinette, and Antoinette is named after
one of my childhood friends. So I always pull from
my real life my stories. So the character of Antoinette
was inspired by London's win for the mayor of San Francisco.
(34:58):
And of course, you know, we changed the story to
be getting more saucy and made it south and made
a governor instead of mayor and all the things. But
that's where the inspiration came from. So that's been like
seven years in the works of pitching, restructuring, partnering, meeting
and finally landed with our silent ferry and that yes
(35:22):
and so yes. So now it's on Netflix. And you know,
I love my cast. I have an amazing cast. These
are so funny and lovely, great human beings and talented
and we get to tell these stories and get to
play with each other. And the ratings were great, so guys,
(35:43):
please keep watching. We are hoping to get a second season,
so please watch it, watch it, watch it. Spread the
words so we can get that second season.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
Yes, please definitely watch it. Support Support, Support, I love
it so well. This year's theme is a race to freedom.
So in closing, I'm going to tell you what my
race to freedom is and what I'm working towards, and
then I would love for you to share with us
your race to freedom. Okay, for me, when I leave
Women Evolved this year, I want to be free from
(36:18):
self sabotage, the spirit of self sabotage. I want to
be free of understanding that things that are out of
my control they're simply out of my control because I
get worked up.
Speaker 4 (36:32):
So mine is very similar. I want to be free
from judgment of myself. I'm really hard, yeah, So I
want to free myself of having to set a certain
bar for everybody, myself, making sure everybody's pleased, and I'm
(36:55):
taking care of everybody in it and you know, making
people happy, being nice, and you know it's the thing
in this business. It's like I don't want to lose
who I am, because that's just who I am. But
it can be very very stressful carrying that and judging
yourself if you feel like you've done something wrong. So
(37:18):
it's very similar to what you're saying. I want to
give myself grace. I want to release the things I
have no control of. I cannot control what people say, think, do,
even though I if I put out my best intentions,
it doesn't matter. Yeah, So I want to free myself
with that.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
I love that. I love that. Do you mind if
we close off in a prayer because I know everyone
who was here they came for a reason and I
just want to pray over you guys before we leave.
Is that okay? All right? I mave o our heads,
Heavening Father. We just want to thank you for this day,
Dear God. We thank you for safe travels. We want
to thank you for every woman that is present in
(37:56):
this room who is thirsty for your word, who was
thirsty for you, your presence, Dear God, and yearns for it.
I ask that whatever is on her or his heart,
I ask that you answer it and be very clear.
I ask that you move with swiftness, Dear God, whatever
it is, if there's a sickness, if there is hurt,
if there is trauma, whatever it is, or God, I
ask that you heal them from that. I asked that
(38:17):
every person leaves this conference change with a new perspective
and knowing that you are a gracious God. I ask
that you allow us to give ourselves more grace the
same way that you do, because I know, even myself,
I'm hard on myself, but as I studied your word,
I know that you are a good God. You are
a gracious God, and every time we fall, you are
there to pick us up. So I want to just
(38:38):
thank you for this moment. Thank you for allowing me
to use this platform to spread your word.
Speaker 3 (38:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
I'm so undeserving. Thank you God, but you let me
know every day that I deserve it everything that you
have put in my life, and I appreciate that. I
want to continue to keep this humble heart. I asked
that you continue to bless this platform that we can
continue to spread your message. And I ask it everywhere
I go that they see your light In Jesus name,
we pray Amen, Amen,
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