March 7, 2025 • 36 mins
Charmin Lee brings her infectious energy and profound wisdom to a conversation about sustaining a thriving entertainment career spanning over 100 film and television credits. She reveals how her journey began at age five watching Shirley Temple, declaring to her mother, "I can do that," and how her mother nurtured her artistic spirit through dance lessons and music.
What makes this conversation exceptional is Lee's candid discussion about the reality of working in entertainment—an industry "filled with more rejection than exception." She shares her secret to longevity: bringing positive energy to every set, showing up thoroughly prepared, and leaving places better than she found them. "When I'm on recurring shows and return after weeks away, the reaction is always 'we missed your energy,'" Lee explains. "That's a real thing and part of what people think about when casting."
Lee doesn't shy away from discussing her faith, boldly addressing the misconception that Christianity must be downplayed in Hollywood. "Cancel my daddy? Let me see you do that," she says with characteristic charm. Her spiritual foundation provides the strength to tackle challenging roles and difficult subjects, including her current passion project—educating people about human trafficking through film.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway comes when Lee discusses how she maintains peace amid chaos by creating a sanctuary at home and investing heavily in personal development. "I bring a whole version and a healthy version of myself to everything," she says, a philosophy that's carried her through decades of success in an industry known for its brevity of careers.
Whether you're in entertainment or any competitive field, Lee's wisdom transcends industry boundaries. As she powerfully puts it, "If you actually took time to learn about how incredible you really are, nothing would ever stop you."
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I say this again with all humility, but when there
are shows, for instance, thatI'm say I'm a recurring actor on
right and so I may work thisweek and I may be off a couple
of weeks, and then I go back,when I go back, the vibe is oh
my God, we missed you, yourenergy, we missed you.
That's a thing, that's a realthing and that is part of what
(00:21):
people think of when they'recasting.
Because I do, you know, whenI'm on that side where I'm
requesting people, first thingI'm at and the reverse is true
there are people who will referpeople to me and I know about
their energy, and I'll say no, Iknow they're talented, but I'm
not dealing with it.
No, thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
I actually took time to learn about how incredible
you were.
Nothing would ever stop you.
If we only knew how incrediblewe really are.
Nothing would ever stop us.
That's a fact.
That's the truth and that's whyI put this whole series
together.
Hi, my name is James Adam.
(01:00):
Thank you for taking the timeand joining.
If you have not become a partof this community, we'd love for
you to do so.
Like, comment, share and, youknow, join us because I've had
some of the most amazingmessages, dialogues back and
forth, direct conversations withpeople about what they're
getting out of this, and this isa passion project because I
(01:22):
love to see people win, I loveto see people get better, I love
to get better myself, andthat's the environment that we
want to create.
But today I've got meet thathas done something at an
incredible high level.
I want you to meet this younglady because we're going to have
(01:48):
an incredible conversation, andthis is Ms Sharmin Lee.
Now, some of you may befamiliar with her work, but I
wanted to make this proper, so Ididn't know exactly the best
way to introduce her, so I letChatGPT do it for me and I
looked her up on ChatGPT, juston the whim of like.
(02:09):
What would they say?
This is what ChatGPT says aboutMs Sharmin Lee.
Okay, sharmin Lee is an Americanactress with a prolific,
important word career in filmand television.
According to IMDb Pro look ather putting her head down as of
January 2025, she has 106 actingcredits, including 31 film and
(02:31):
video roles and 66 televisionappearances.
Her notable works include filmslike Palmer 2021, just Mercy
2019, the Fifth Wave 2016, aswell as television series such
as Girlfriends 2000 to 2007 andDiagnosis Murder.
Everyone, please help me, just,really just.
(02:54):
This lady is so awesome andI've known her for almost two
decades.
And I'll tell you, sharman Lee,I'll tell you, when I read that
, I was, I was swimming withpride and I was blown away
because I know I've like, I,like, I've watched your movies,
(03:17):
a lot of people have seen you,but I did not know.
I did not know the, the, thecumulative effect of all of it
is the way I guess I should putit.
So I'm going to stop you for asecond and ask you a question.
Well, first of all, hi, how areyou?
Speaker 1 (03:33):
I'm wonderful.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
I'm doing great.
I'm so excited for this.
This lady is phenomenal.
If you, if you don't have achance to meet someone, if you
have a chance to meet someone,if you have a chance to meet
someone who's done incredibleworks and stayed so humble this
is Ms Sharman Lee.
She's so humble, but peopleneed to know your background
because you're a big time.
So please could you share abouthow you got this whole world
(03:59):
started for yourself in theentertainment world?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yes, I can.
But first let me say it's goodto see you, hello friend, and
I'm a little taken aback by thewhole chat GPT thing.
I did not know that.
But I have to say I just haveto take a moment out and thank
God, like you know, when I hearthat because I'm just living in
the moment and doing what I doand I don't normally hear it as
(04:27):
a cumulative thing, as youmentioned, and so when I hear it
it's even a little bitoverwhelming for me, but just
really reaffirms my faithbecause I'm very thankful to be
able to do what I've dreamtabout doing since I was five and
to like truly make a living atit.
I'm really trying not to beemotional right now, wow.
So yeah, my humble beginningswere at five, watching a Shirley
(04:52):
Temple show, and there was ascene where she started crying
and I turned to my mom who wasplaying cards with family and
friends right behind me.
Like you know the table, youknow how we do, and I'm sitting
in front of you, I'm watchingthis little girl and I said, mom
, I can do that.
I don't know if that reallyregistered for her or not, but I
(05:16):
do know that, uh, in Colorado,with there being limited
performing arts schools, therewasn't a lot to do to nurture
that.
However, we went to see acousin of mine when I was about
eight and she was in a dancerecital and I was like, oh, I
like that.
So she allowed me to starttaking dance classes, ballet,
tap, jazz, all of that which Iloved.
(05:37):
Um, and then later I waslistening to or I heard this
sound.
I didn't know what it was.
Uh, found out you know that itwas a lady, her name is Bobby
Humphries and she was playing aflute.
And I just mentioned to my mom,or I heard this sound.
I didn't know what it was foundout you know that it was a lady
, her name is Bobbi Humphriesand she was playing a flute.
And I just mentioned to my mom.
I was like, I like that soundand so she allowed me to learn
to play the flute.
So she was really good aboutnurturing the artist in me and
recognizing it and nurturing it.
(05:58):
And then it wasn't really untilI got into high school that I
started really acting andcoaching.
Ironically so, my godmother,who was our acting coach in our
forensics competition team, shetook ill my junior year and we
were some beasts out there.
(06:18):
We were still trying to compete, we were trying to figure it
out, and there was an Englishteacher that kind of stood in
for her, but she didn't knowwhat she was doing.
So I just kind of took over theteam and started coaching them.
So it's funny, because peopleoften ask me how long have you
been coaching?
And almost as long as I've beenacting Wow.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Wow, wow, wow.
But I didn't know about theflute.
Actually, yeah, I knew aboutthe dance, but I didn't know
about the flute.
Okay, describe to me yourbreakthrough moment, because you
told me once you said acting isthe only job where you have to
(07:02):
keep interviewing, and thatalways stuck with me.
But there had to be somebreakout or breakthrough,
whatever moment where it alljust kind of like you realize
you are ascending to that nextlevel.
What was that?
Speaker 1 (07:19):
In this business we have many breakthrough moments
and you have to.
You have to keep evolvingbusiness.
We have many breakthroughmoments and you have to.
You have to keep evolvingBecause we say, if you don't
love it like, love it likecrackheads love cocaine, if you
don't love it like that, thatyou really should do a different
profession, because it's, it'sa lot, it's a journey, for sure,
(07:42):
and fortunately my love for ithas sustained me and has also
kept me working.
But I will say this just I knowyou didn't ask this, but just
kind of an aside and then helpbring me back on track.
It's important to know multiplethings in entertainment if
(08:04):
that's the world you want tolive in.
So if you want to stay awayfrom and there's nothing wrong
with waiting tables or workingat the bank, nothing at all but
if that's not your passion, ifthat's not what you want to do,
if doing it eats away at thecore of you, then you've got to
learn multiple things as anartist so that you can live your
(08:24):
life as an artist freely.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
It didn't make sense, right?
Yeah, for sure.
So when you had your firstbreakthrough, what were you
doing to be able to eat andpursue the art?
Waiting?
Speaker 1 (08:42):
tables.
No, thank God, I've never hadto wait tables.
But I also went to school forjournalism, so I did radio news
for a while.
I actually, before that I didhome shopping network.
Yes, I did, I was hurt.
Hi, I'm Charmaine Lee and I'vegot a great setup for you all
tonight.
I've got these glasses going ata low, low price.
(09:02):
Super fashionable, goes withanything, for anybody.
We've got this head tie, thatkind of matches it, so we can
stay coordinated.
Ladies, you know how we do.
Stay tuned.
After this break I'll let youknow how low these are going to
go.
Oh my God, okay, that was myfirst on-air job.
Home Shopping Network in StPetersburg Florida.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Oh my God, leah, I did not know this.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Yeah, and then from there I left there because they
had a conflict with the factthat I was an actress and I had
booked Parenthood with SteveMartin in Florida.
And then I did the new Leave itto Beaver and they were like,
listen, you've got to choose.
(09:45):
And so I left home shopping.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
It's not much of a choice.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Yeah, you know, I was young and dumb, though, because
the money was great, but but itgoes back to that passion, like
I just refuse to do anythingthat eats at my soul or takes
away from what I feel like myheart wants to do.
So, yeah, I walked away fromand then I started doing radio
news, and that was aninteresting journey because I
(10:12):
found out I didn't know what itwas called then, but I found out
that I am very much an empathand so I couldn't do that long
reading the news.
It was it stuck, everythingstuck, and it's the kind of job
where you literally are lookingthrough the tape of bad news to
find out which bad news you gotto share with the rest of the
(10:35):
world, and there's so much thatjust doesn't even get out.
It was just, yeah, but theseare the jobs that I had in
between, you know, trying tothese breakthrough moments,
right.
And so when I realized that Ididn't, couldn't do that, um, I
started really taking teachingseriously, coaching, okay, um,
(10:56):
and that's when I think I reallystarted.
I realized that I'm completelyunemployable and that I should
figure out how to, but I get it,just I couldn't.
I couldn't do the job.
I don't know.
I don't know I don't mind theword boss I don't think, I just
I don't think, but I really.
So I went to a YMCA and theydid summer camps and I said, hey
(11:19):
, have you ever thought aboutadding an acting component to
your summer camp?
And they were like, well, no,but that could be cool.
And I literally just carved outa job for myself and they liked
what happened over the summerand they kept me on until I, you
know, left and moved to LA.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Okay, so 106 different works, what what?
Over over a very extendedperiod of time.
You know, one of the things youalso told me is that the shelf
life of a lot of people in theentertainment industry is very
shortened.
Right, they may have like alittle thing here, a little
(11:56):
thing there, but then they justkind of disappear.
To sustain at this level for solong versus, I mean maybe with
other people, or maybe notversus, but just how?
Speaker 1 (12:15):
have you been able to do it?
God first, honestly, like Ijust really cause.
I am blessed and I know it'squite a bit different, but not
but, and because of that,because I know it's a blessing
and an honor, I don't take itlightly.
I show up prepared.
You know what I mean.
I take a lot of pride in beingable to walk on a set, being
(12:41):
comfortable, making other peoplefeel comfortable, other people
feel comfortable and and leavingknowing that I left the place
better than it was before I gotthere, both as a talent and as a
person okay, okay, I get that,I get that.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
For you to get to the point where I know now it's at
a point where you're beingcalled.
Right now they're seeking youout.
We have this role, we want youto come.
I'm assuming right, we want youto come read for it, or
something like that.
So when you go from like you'refighting to get noticed, then
you're noticed, but then youhave to prove yourself.
But now you're being recruitedto roles where they know they
(13:25):
specifically want you, to roleswhere they know they
specifically want you.
How does someone get to thatlevel of like I'm hunting for it
versus I'm being hunted for inan industry that is it's.
It probably is the one of themost competitive fields on the
planet.
(13:45):
There are a lot of beautifulpeople, there's a lot of
talented people there.
I know you said you comeprepared.
I know and I definitely get theconversation of God first, but
is there anything else that youfeel that you have done mentally
that has kind of set you in adifferent way, maybe, versus
some other people?
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I'm very intentional and when I am coaching, one of
the main things I talk about iswho you're being and how
important that is, even morethan how you are acting or how
you are as a productionassistant or how you are as an
assistant like.
Whatever your role is.
We spend 12, I just finisheddirecting a project and my
(14:32):
shortest day was 15 hours.
So when you spend that amountof time with people, it's got to
be people.
You want to be around, and I'mthat girl.
People want to be around me.
No, but that's a huge, huge,huge part.
I say this again with allhumility, but when there are
(14:53):
shows, for instance, that I sayI'm a recurring actor on Right
and so I may work this week andI may be off a couple of weeks,
and then I go back, when I goback, the vibe is oh my God, we
miss you, your energy, we missyou.
That's a thing, that's a realthing and that is part of what
people think of when they'recasting.
Because I do.
(15:13):
You know, when I'm on that sidewhere I'm requesting people,
first thing I'm at and thereverse is true there are people
who will refer people to me andI know about their energy and
I'll say no, I know they'retalented, but I'm not dealing
with it.
No, thank you.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Okay, okay, that is, thank you.
We talk, I've talked to peopleabout personal development and
you've always been someone who'shad your nose in some book.
As long as I've known you, youyour ear listening to something
positive, reading something,absorbing it.
(15:52):
I know you've taken courses onpersonal development like you've
.
Actually, as long as I've knownyou, you've invested yourself
into personal development.
Can you just kind of speak tothe role that that has played
for you, maybe in performance,just maybe in life, just in
general?
Speaker 1 (16:11):
well, yeah, when you have, um, the type of career
that is filled with morerejection than exception, that's
your word.
Um, you gotta you.
Well, you don't have to.
But if you want to go throughit and maintain your peace and
your joy, you have to deal withself.
(16:32):
And I have been aself-development junkie for the
better part of my life, becauseI've always just sought to
understand, and understandingthat I don't want to feel chaos
in my heart or in my thoughts,or you know.
And how do I avoid that?
There's got to be a way.
(16:52):
So, as a young person, it waschurch, and I grew up in the
Catholic church, but it wasn'tresonating with me.
And then one time, at 13 yearsold, I got to go to a Baptist
church with my bestie and I wenthome.
I was like mom, can I please?
I'll go to Catholic church onSaturday If you let me go to
Baptist church on Sunday please.
And she did Right.
So my weekends was church.
(17:13):
I didn't care, I just needed it.
I needed something that I couldunderstand.
And then it's just evolved fromthere.
I've learned more about the, theart of attraction, the law of
attraction, with, as you know,abraham Hicks, and I love the
guy who talks about the Bibleand how the conversations with
God.
Oh, my God, that was one of mybreakthroughs, you know,
(17:34):
listening to that back in theday, but I'm still listening.
I just got a book recentlycalled Prayer Partners by John
Maxwell, which is justoutstanding.
And then I'm also listening tobooks about relationship,
because you know y'all are atrip sidebar.
Yeah so, but yes, but I, but Ilisten to it from the space of
how can I bring the best versionof me even to that in terms of
(17:55):
a relationship?
How can I make sure that I'mbringing a whole version and
healthy version of me toeverything?
Um so, yeah, and I sleep bettera whole version and a healthy
version.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Wow, that's a quotable.
Um, I don't have something towrite it down with, but that is
stuck.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
A whole version and a healthy version if you make
t-shirts, give me a cut heredone, done, 50, 50.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
And you, you said something before.
I didn't quite get it.
You said about the chaos, likeI think, managing the chaos or
something like that, when you'regoing through this whole
process.
But this is not.
This isn't just the theory,this isn't just a world of
entertainment, this is just lifestuff that you're talking about
.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, yeah, because entertainment has its own chaos,
so you've got to be able tomanage things like.
For me, having my home life acertain way is really important,
right?
Because that I can be familiarwith that.
I know I come home and it's asafe space and it's a peaceful
(19:00):
space, and you know what I mean.
Like I tell people all the timewhenever I'm out and about, my
favorite part of any event isgoing home, so that's important
to me.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Yeah, charmin, you know I have so many directions.
I can go just with anything yousaid in the last like minute
and a half, but I am going to godown this direction because
that point about being whole, um, you're being whole but you're
(19:37):
taking like.
I've seen some of the workyou've done and I know there's
some things that you're workinggetting produced right now and
these are like very emotionallycharged roles and I've never
understood how someone could nottake that with them, with some
(19:58):
of the things that you have tosay on camera.
Like there's this BlackjackChristmas.
There's one scene when you wereon the beach and if you haven't
seen it, blackjack Christmas,go watch it BET Plus and it was
(20:19):
like a very charged moment.
How do you jump in and jump out?
How do you jump in and jump outand be normal?
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Preparation again, right.
So my homework prior to thatinvolved me tapping into
personal experiences.
I'm not personally, thank God,have not been addicted, but I
have lost two out of three of mybrothers as a result of
(20:52):
addiction, and so I know whatthat you know.
I have a familiarity with that.
But also, you know, acting canbe so therapeutic, because at
that time when we shot that, myfather had not long passed and I
had not really dealt.
I didn't have time.
In fact, when Victoria Raulcalled me about the role, that
(21:15):
was one of those offers which Iwas so grateful for, and I think
my dad had just passed, maybelike a week before, and I wasn't
even sure if I was going topick up the phone because that
was still in that bubble, right.
And I was like it's Victoria,I'm going to pick it up, you
know.
And she goes, you know how youdoing.
And I'm like I'm, I'm making it.
(21:35):
And she's like no, wait aminute.
And I love that she was sopresent that she didn't just
fire hose me with what shecalled for, right.
She's like wait a minute, Ihear something, what's going on?
And so I shared with her and Istarted.
She's like oh, charmin, I'm sosorry.
She's like I was calling aboutthis movie, but I can call you
back.
I said, oh, that's the exactdistraction that I need right
now, right.
(21:56):
So she starts telling me aboutit.
Anyway, I'm like, yes, I agreeto do it, I want to do it.
And now, from that time to thetime we shot the movie, I'm in
caregiver mode, right I.
That time to the time we shotthe movie, I'm in caregiver mode
, right, I'm looking out for mymom and my siblings and it's
just what I do.
So I hadn't taken my own timeto really mourn him.
So that was my opportunity tocommunicate with him, to mourn
(22:21):
him and because I did feel like,man, you left right before you
got a chance to see me be aleading lady in a movie.
I've done multiple movies, butthat was like my movie.
But then I realized on thebeach that day that he was
absolutely experiencing thiswhole thing with me, like what
(22:41):
are you talking about Right here, right now?
So that particular scene wasvery emotional and therapeutic,
yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
One of the.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
I could see that because that was.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I mean because you know, we sat around, obviously
we watched it and my oldestdaughter was like wow, I just
remember her saying wow at thatscene.
So whatever you were channelingclearly came across.
And I just thought about thisbecause you weaved it in.
(23:19):
You're in an industry where Idon't know if it's.
I mean, I've seen peoplecanceled.
I guess they call it canceledover expressing their faith.
And yet throughout, like I'veheard, you always thank God and
God, and you know how does thatin the world that you're in
(23:44):
right now is that a thing, or isthat just in my head?
Is it a thing that you don'ttalk faith, or is that just more
my perception than it isreality?
Speaker 1 (23:54):
I mean, I think some people are still sensitive about
it.
I'm just like I don't careabout those people.
Do they not know how dope mydaddy is?
Like what?
Tell me, I can't give my daddylove every day, all day, because
he's running things like youain't running anything.
I do not care this.
Cancel stuff is whatever.
Cancel my daddy.
(24:15):
Let me see you do that.
Ok, that's all.
But no, I post pretty much everyday something about you know
faith on my story, some kind ofquote, something like that, some
kind of scripture About youknow faith on my story, some
kind of quote, something likethat, some kind of a scripture,
and it's amazing.
I'll be honest with you.
I remember when I chose to doit, it was kind of like, let's
(24:37):
see how this is going to goRight.
There was a thought.
But then the response, like thepeople have been like there is
a really strong spiritual, faithfilled Christian, whatever you
want to call it community inthis industry, that is coming
(24:57):
more to light and I think,because of what you just said,
people think that they got to below key about it, but there are
way more of us that actuallyhave faith than those that don't
, and so I'm just, you know, I'mputting mine on blast, I ain't
scared, let's go.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Well, part of this.
This leads to my next point,because you have a major passion
project and you know, when youtalked to me about it and about
the world of the trafficking andthere's a whole lot, we had
this whole conversation.
You know, share as much as youwant to share, but I find it
(25:37):
really interesting that this isreally becoming more.
It's becoming more of aconversation today, but it's
still a conversation that's solike people don't want to touch
it.
It's almost like it's too hotto handle.
So, you know, I would love foryou just to share what this is
that you've been working on andjust what you've seen, just that
(25:58):
whole experience, because it isso awesome what you are working
to do.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
It is, it is, it is.
Uh, it's a heartbreakingpassion, which is to educate
people about human trafficking,and in doing that, that means I
got to learn a lot about it, andthe more I learn, the more my
heart breaks.
However, I am thankful that Iwork in a space where I can use
(26:30):
my power for good and enlightenmany so that hopefully, we can
have less Green.
About six years ago, and thereason you still haven't seen or
(26:56):
heard of it is because peopleare afraid of it.
They really are.
The trafficking industry makesso many billions of dollars that
there's a lot of peopleinvolved that don't want to be
put on blast, and that's frompoliticians to law enforcement,
(27:18):
to educators, to the guy thatowns the cell phone store.
Like, it's really interestinghow and it's often people that
you trust right, there's just somany levels to it.
So I put together this series.
We're starting to get a littlemore momentum.
I think people are starting tohave a palette for it, but in
(27:41):
the interim, I had an educatorfrom North Carolina reach out to
me and ask me if I wouldproduce and shoot a 30 minute
movie about human traffickingfor their school systems,
because they have a mandate outthere where they have to teach
and educate these kids abouthuman trafficking from middle
(28:02):
school.
Oh, james, adam, that makes myheart so happy, like that just
filled me, like, yes, it'sbeginning, because we got to
teach them.
We got that they are the oneswho have to know what to do,
what not to do, what to look outfor, et cetera.
So I told her, absolutely, um,we're going to shoot that, uh,
the first week in April.
(28:22):
Um, so so excited and I'mshooting it.
Um, I'm shooting it like a fullon feature.
That, um, I'm shooting it.
I'm shooting it like a full onfeature that I'm expecting God
to make nationwide because everyschool should be learning about
this.
All of our babies need to knowwhy.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
You already said why, but we're parents on here, so I
just can't get my mind aroundwhy there'd be any resistance
from anyone with a soul to getthis word out, because this
(29:09):
isn't a cultural, this isn't arace issue, this isn't a
political issue.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
This is just kids, and you know Boys and girls,
let's be clear, Right, both.
So, yeah, I'm happy that thatis at least one green lit
project that we know will startthe process of educating, and
I'm prayerful that you know,through this work our series
(29:41):
will actually also get produced,because that that one is
probably more for I mean bothchildren and adults, but more
for the adults too, becausegrown folks got to realize what
to look out for too, on bothsides, you know.
So, yeah, yeah.
I could go on and on about that, so stop me.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
No, no, actually I don't want to.
I want, if there's anythingthat I want to happen, for
people to realize that when youhave like the platform that you
have, you know, like I love thatyou're doing something with
this platform, you'reenlightening, you're
entertaining, you're educatingand really, but it's about
(30:27):
making a difference and you knowI'm going to be in absolute
support and prayer for yourproject to be in every school
system and all that because,like, there is zero value in
having something that can makethat big of an impact and that
(30:47):
big of a difference, somethingthat could make that big of an
impact and that big of adifference and suppressing it
for some some, I don't even knowwhat the word is we in jamaica
we call it caca, some cacareasons.
You know, whether it's politicsor whatever, like at some point
we have to like know what'swrong.
It's obviously wrong and nothave to get a committee for a
(31:11):
committee to say we think thatthis is wrong, like some stuff
is just obviously wrong.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
James, it's so deep man.
You know we also we reallyforget about the indigenous
community.
They take in those littlebabies and I mean it is horrible
.
Places like Idaho.
I think Idaho is beatingAtlanta now in terms of being,
like the number one place Likestuff we don't know.
You know what I mean?
It's like it's in the pockets,it's hidden and there's just so
(31:40):
many ways, people, that ithappens.
It's everything from I'mholding this modeling audition
because everybody wants to be amodel and put me on camera,
watch me, watch me.
So I'm holding this auditionand you go, they got you, they
got you.
It is that easy.
There was a situation wherethese girls went and the
audition they had the lights andsomething's kind of set up like
in a warehouse type thing.
(32:00):
Bebe, they put those girls in avan right there in the
warehouse, from the camera tothe van, same room, gone right.
Then there's I'm at a party,high school or college.
That's why my daughter, shecan't stand it.
I'm like any party.
Let me talk to the parents andthen I'll know if it's not a
(32:21):
legit party, because then she'lljust be like nevermind, I won't
go.
Yeah, nevermind, it's nevermind, because it's as simple as hey,
the after party's atso-and-so's house.
Come on, hop in the car, let'sroll over there together.
Got them there's.
There's teachers that are,we're going to do an afterschool
(32:41):
study group.
Hop in the car.
I got like there are so manythings that seem trustworthy
that we just willingly.
People got to see it, they gotto know it and and honestly, at
first I was saying I don't wantus to not trust each other.
I'd rather you not trustanybody than trust everybody and
be taken so screen them all.
(33:01):
You know what I mean.
Like back in the day when itwas do not talk to strangers.
Stranger danger.
Anybody.
Try to talk to you, call it out, you know.
So, like I told you, don't getme started.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
Stop it.
No, look, I'm over here, myhair is standing up and my kids
often wonder, all of them, youknow, boys and girls wonder,
(33:34):
like the oldest Jamel, you knowhe's still got to text me when
he gets home, like it's like,and I don't think he'll really
understand right now.
But, um, I just appreciate you,I appreciate you, I appreciate
you, I appreciate what you'redoing, thank you.
I appreciate what you'vealready done, thank you what
you've already done with whatyou've already done with.
But I'm, I'm, I'm appreciatingthe evolution that I'm seeing in
(33:54):
, like the difference you'remaking and it is so awesome.
So, for the folks who want tofind you, charmin Lee I mean
there aren't a whole lot ofCharmin Lees running around.
The rest of them are a bunch offakers.
You know what would be the bestway?
If someone wanted to reach outand even find out they could
support, or just anything, whatwould you recommend?
Speaker 1 (34:16):
the best way.
My website is CharminLeeorg, sothat will let you know
everything about me as an actorcoach director and what else is
going on for people who areinterested in working with me as
an actor coach director andwhat else is going on for people
who are interested in workingwith me as an actor.
All of that is on there Just asa sidebar.
Yes, I only do privates becauseI realize that every person has
(34:41):
individual needs and if you'regoing to pay me for something, I
want to approach your needsspecifically.
And no, I'm not cheap, but Iwill say this because I'm a
different kind of coach.
I'm coaching you to come andwork for me.
So most of my talent will tellyou that when I'm shooting stuff
(35:03):
, they get to come on set.
So I'm not saying it's a pay toplay, but I'm saying you know I
coach you so you can get somemoney back in your pocket as
well.
So I'm worth it or I'm not,it's up to you.
You know, but on social media Iam Charmin, noel Lee, on all
the platforms CharminC-H-A-R-M-I-N.
(35:25):
Just like the tissue, noel likeChristmas, because that's my
birthday.
Last name Lee like Bruce.
Speaker 2 (35:37):
That's such a charming.
Okay, yes, all right, msSharman, I appreciate you.
I want to say thank you, I wantto say I can't wait to see
whatever it is that you produceand I can't wait to hear about
all the great things you'reabout to do.
And thank you for.
Thank you for staying true toyou, thank you for loving and
(35:58):
expressing your love for God inthe entire process of all of it
and for the work that you'redoing for not just your family,
but for families that may haveno idea of what you're doing,
but it's going to make adifference when they see those
films and be able to educate andall of that.
I just want to say I'm gratefulfor you.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
Thank you, Jeremy.
I'm grateful for you too, sir.
Thank you for having me.
I'm excited to see you.
Speaker 2 (36:25):
No, thank you for making time.
You're filming stuff and doingstuff right now.
I know you're about to go onset later, so I appreciate you
taking time.
You're a big deal.
106 things on IMDb Pro.
Ah man, Thank you.
If you actually took time tolearn about how incredible you
were, nothing would ever stopyou See, the definition of sight
(36:47):
is the faculty or power ofseeing.
I say this again with all humility, but when there
are shows, for instance, thatI'm say I'm a recurring actor on
right and so I may work thisweek and I may be off a couple
of weeks, and then I go back,when I go back, the vibe is oh
my God, we missed you, yourenergy, we missed you.
That's a thing, that's a realthing and that is part of what
(00:21):
people think of when they'recasting.
Because I do, you know, whenI'm on that side where I'm
requesting people, first thingI'm at and the reverse is true
there are people who will referpeople to me and I know about
their energy, and I'll say no, Iknow they're talented, but I'm
not dealing with it.
No, thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
I actually took time to learn about how incredible
you were.
Nothing would ever stop you.
If we only knew how incrediblewe really are.
Nothing would ever stop us.
That's a fact.
That's the truth and that's whyI put this whole series
together.
Hi, my name is James Adam.
(01:00):
Thank you for taking the timeand joining.
If you have not become a partof this community, we'd love for
you to do so.
Like, comment, share and, youknow, join us because I've had
some of the most amazingmessages, dialogues back and
forth, direct conversations withpeople about what they're
getting out of this, and this isa passion project because I
(01:22):
love to see people win, I loveto see people get better, I love
to get better myself, andthat's the environment that we
want to create.
But today I've got meet thathas done something at an
incredible high level.
I want you to meet this younglady because we're going to have
(01:48):
an incredible conversation, andthis is Ms Sharmin Lee.
Now, some of you may befamiliar with her work, but I
wanted to make this proper, so Ididn't know exactly the best
way to introduce her, so I letChatGPT do it for me and I
looked her up on ChatGPT, juston the whim of like.
(02:09):
What would they say?
This is what ChatGPT says aboutMs Sharmin Lee.
Okay, sharmin Lee is an Americanactress with a prolific,
important word career in filmand television.
According to IMDb Pro look ather putting her head down as of
January 2025, she has 106 actingcredits, including 31 film and
(02:31):
video roles and 66 televisionappearances.
Her notable works include filmslike Palmer 2021, just Mercy
2019, the Fifth Wave 2016, aswell as television series such
as Girlfriends 2000 to 2007 andDiagnosis Murder.
Everyone, please help me, just,really just.
(02:54):
This lady is so awesome andI've known her for almost two
decades.
And I'll tell you, sharman Lee,I'll tell you, when I read that
, I was, I was swimming withpride and I was blown away
because I know I've like, I,like, I've watched your movies,
(03:17):
a lot of people have seen you,but I did not know.
I did not know the, the, thecumulative effect of all of it
is the way I guess I should putit.
So I'm going to stop you for asecond and ask you a question.
Well, first of all, hi, how areyou?
Speaker 1 (03:33):
I'm wonderful.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
I'm doing great.
I'm so excited for this.
This lady is phenomenal.
If you, if you don't have achance to meet someone, if you
have a chance to meet someone,if you have a chance to meet
someone who's done incredibleworks and stayed so humble this
is Ms Sharman Lee.
She's so humble, but peopleneed to know your background
because you're a big time.
So please could you share abouthow you got this whole world
(03:59):
started for yourself in theentertainment world?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yes, I can.
But first let me say it's goodto see you, hello friend, and
I'm a little taken aback by thewhole chat GPT thing.
I did not know that.
But I have to say I just haveto take a moment out and thank
God, like you know, when I hearthat because I'm just living in
the moment and doing what I doand I don't normally hear it as
(04:27):
a cumulative thing, as youmentioned, and so when I hear it
it's even a little bitoverwhelming for me, but just
really reaffirms my faithbecause I'm very thankful to be
able to do what I've dreamtabout doing since I was five and
to like truly make a living atit.
I'm really trying not to beemotional right now, wow.
So yeah, my humble beginningswere at five, watching a Shirley
(04:52):
Temple show, and there was ascene where she started crying
and I turned to my mom who wasplaying cards with family and
friends right behind me.
Like you know the table, youknow how we do, and I'm sitting
in front of you, I'm watchingthis little girl and I said, mom
, I can do that.
I don't know if that reallyregistered for her or not, but I
(05:16):
do know that, uh, in Colorado,with there being limited
performing arts schools, therewasn't a lot to do to nurture
that.
However, we went to see acousin of mine when I was about
eight and she was in a dancerecital and I was like, oh, I
like that.
So she allowed me to starttaking dance classes, ballet,
tap, jazz, all of that which Iloved.
(05:37):
Um, and then later I waslistening to or I heard this
sound.
I didn't know what it was.
Uh, found out you know that itwas a lady, her name is Bobby
Humphries and she was playing aflute.
And I just mentioned to my mom,or I heard this sound.
I didn't know what it was foundout you know that it was a lady
, her name is Bobbi Humphriesand she was playing a flute.
And I just mentioned to my mom.
I was like, I like that soundand so she allowed me to learn
to play the flute.
So she was really good aboutnurturing the artist in me and
recognizing it and nurturing it.
(05:58):
And then it wasn't really untilI got into high school that I
started really acting andcoaching.
Ironically so, my godmother,who was our acting coach in our
forensics competition team, shetook ill my junior year and we
were some beasts out there.
(06:18):
We were still trying to compete, we were trying to figure it
out, and there was an Englishteacher that kind of stood in
for her, but she didn't knowwhat she was doing.
So I just kind of took over theteam and started coaching them.
So it's funny, because peopleoften ask me how long have you
been coaching?
And almost as long as I've beenacting Wow.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Wow, wow, wow.
But I didn't know about theflute.
Actually, yeah, I knew aboutthe dance, but I didn't know
about the flute.
Okay, describe to me yourbreakthrough moment, because you
told me once you said acting isthe only job where you have to
(07:02):
keep interviewing, and thatalways stuck with me.
But there had to be somebreakout or breakthrough,
whatever moment where it alljust kind of like you realize
you are ascending to that nextlevel.
What was that?
Speaker 1 (07:19):
In this business we have many breakthrough moments
and you have to.
You have to keep evolvingbusiness.
We have many breakthroughmoments and you have to.
You have to keep evolvingBecause we say, if you don't
love it like, love it likecrackheads love cocaine, if you
don't love it like that, thatyou really should do a different
profession, because it's, it'sa lot, it's a journey, for sure,
(07:42):
and fortunately my love for ithas sustained me and has also
kept me working.
But I will say this just I knowyou didn't ask this, but just
kind of an aside and then helpbring me back on track.
It's important to know multiplethings in entertainment if
(08:04):
that's the world you want tolive in.
So if you want to stay awayfrom and there's nothing wrong
with waiting tables or workingat the bank, nothing at all but
if that's not your passion, ifthat's not what you want to do,
if doing it eats away at thecore of you, then you've got to
learn multiple things as anartist so that you can live your
(08:24):
life as an artist freely.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
It didn't make sense, right?
Yeah, for sure.
So when you had your firstbreakthrough, what were you
doing to be able to eat andpursue the art?
Waiting?
Speaker 1 (08:42):
tables.
No, thank God, I've never hadto wait tables.
But I also went to school forjournalism, so I did radio news
for a while.
I actually, before that I didhome shopping network.
Yes, I did, I was hurt.
Hi, I'm Charmaine Lee and I'vegot a great setup for you all
tonight.
I've got these glasses going ata low, low price.
(09:02):
Super fashionable, goes withanything, for anybody.
We've got this head tie, thatkind of matches it, so we can
stay coordinated.
Ladies, you know how we do.
Stay tuned.
After this break I'll let youknow how low these are going to
go.
Oh my God, okay, that was myfirst on-air job.
Home Shopping Network in StPetersburg Florida.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Oh my God, leah, I did not know this.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Yeah, and then from there I left there because they
had a conflict with the factthat I was an actress and I had
booked Parenthood with SteveMartin in Florida.
And then I did the new Leave itto Beaver and they were like,
listen, you've got to choose.
(09:45):
And so I left home shopping.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
It's not much of a choice.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Yeah, you know, I was young and dumb, though, because
the money was great, but but itgoes back to that passion, like
I just refuse to do anythingthat eats at my soul or takes
away from what I feel like myheart wants to do.
So, yeah, I walked away fromand then I started doing radio
news, and that was aninteresting journey because I
(10:12):
found out I didn't know what itwas called then, but I found out
that I am very much an empathand so I couldn't do that long
reading the news.
It was it stuck, everythingstuck, and it's the kind of job
where you literally are lookingthrough the tape of bad news to
find out which bad news you gotto share with the rest of the
(10:35):
world, and there's so much thatjust doesn't even get out.
It was just, yeah, but theseare the jobs that I had in
between, you know, trying tothese breakthrough moments,
right.
And so when I realized that Ididn't, couldn't do that, um, I
started really taking teachingseriously, coaching, okay, um,
(10:56):
and that's when I think I reallystarted.
I realized that I'm completelyunemployable and that I should
figure out how to, but I get it,just I couldn't.
I couldn't do the job.
I don't know.
I don't know I don't mind theword boss I don't think, I just
I don't think, but I really.
So I went to a YMCA and theydid summer camps and I said, hey
(11:19):
, have you ever thought aboutadding an acting component to
your summer camp?
And they were like, well, no,but that could be cool.
And I literally just carved outa job for myself and they liked
what happened over the summerand they kept me on until I, you
know, left and moved to LA.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Okay, so 106 different works, what what?
Over over a very extendedperiod of time.
You know, one of the things youalso told me is that the shelf
life of a lot of people in theentertainment industry is very
shortened.
Right, they may have like alittle thing here, a little
(11:56):
thing there, but then they justkind of disappear.
To sustain at this level for solong versus, I mean maybe with
other people, or maybe notversus, but just how?
Speaker 1 (12:15):
have you been able to do it?
God first, honestly, like Ijust really cause.
I am blessed and I know it'squite a bit different, but not
but, and because of that,because I know it's a blessing
and an honor, I don't take itlightly.
I show up prepared.
You know what I mean.
I take a lot of pride in beingable to walk on a set, being
(12:41):
comfortable, making other peoplefeel comfortable, other people
feel comfortable and and leavingknowing that I left the place
better than it was before I gotthere, both as a talent and as a
person okay, okay, I get that,I get that.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
For you to get to the point where I know now it's at
a point where you're beingcalled.
Right now they're seeking youout.
We have this role, we want youto come.
I'm assuming right, we want youto come read for it, or
something like that.
So when you go from like you'refighting to get noticed, then
you're noticed, but then youhave to prove yourself.
But now you're being recruitedto roles where they know they
(13:25):
specifically want you, to roleswhere they know they
specifically want you.
How does someone get to thatlevel of like I'm hunting for it
versus I'm being hunted for inan industry that is it's.
It probably is the one of themost competitive fields on the
planet.
(13:45):
There are a lot of beautifulpeople, there's a lot of
talented people there.
I know you said you comeprepared.
I know and I definitely get theconversation of God first, but
is there anything else that youfeel that you have done mentally
that has kind of set you in adifferent way, maybe, versus
some other people?
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I'm very intentional and when I am coaching, one of
the main things I talk about iswho you're being and how
important that is, even morethan how you are acting or how
you are as a productionassistant or how you are as an
assistant like.
Whatever your role is.
We spend 12, I just finisheddirecting a project and my
(14:32):
shortest day was 15 hours.
So when you spend that amountof time with people, it's got to
be people.
You want to be around, and I'mthat girl.
People want to be around me.
No, but that's a huge, huge,huge part.
I say this again with allhumility, but when there are
(14:53):
shows, for instance, that I sayI'm a recurring actor on Right
and so I may work this week andI may be off a couple of weeks,
and then I go back, when I goback, the vibe is oh my God, we
miss you, your energy, we missyou.
That's a thing, that's a realthing and that is part of what
people think of when they'recasting.
Because I do.
(15:13):
You know, when I'm on that sidewhere I'm requesting people,
first thing I'm at and thereverse is true there are people
who will refer people to me andI know about their energy and
I'll say no, I know they'retalented, but I'm not dealing
with it.
No, thank you.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Okay, okay, that is, thank you.
We talk, I've talked to peopleabout personal development and
you've always been someone who'shad your nose in some book.
As long as I've known you, youyour ear listening to something
positive, reading something,absorbing it.
(15:52):
I know you've taken courses onpersonal development like you've
.
Actually, as long as I've knownyou, you've invested yourself
into personal development.
Can you just kind of speak tothe role that that has played
for you, maybe in performance,just maybe in life, just in
general?
Speaker 1 (16:11):
well, yeah, when you have, um, the type of career
that is filled with morerejection than exception, that's
your word.
Um, you gotta you.
Well, you don't have to.
But if you want to go throughit and maintain your peace and
your joy, you have to deal withself.
(16:32):
And I have been aself-development junkie for the
better part of my life, becauseI've always just sought to
understand, and understandingthat I don't want to feel chaos
in my heart or in my thoughts,or you know.
And how do I avoid that?
There's got to be a way.
(16:52):
So, as a young person, it waschurch, and I grew up in the
Catholic church, but it wasn'tresonating with me.
And then one time, at 13 yearsold, I got to go to a Baptist
church with my bestie and I wenthome.
I was like mom, can I please?
I'll go to Catholic church onSaturday If you let me go to
Baptist church on Sunday please.
And she did Right.
So my weekends was church.
(17:13):
I didn't care, I just needed it.
I needed something that I couldunderstand.
And then it's just evolved fromthere.
I've learned more about the, theart of attraction, the law of
attraction, with, as you know,abraham Hicks, and I love the
guy who talks about the Bibleand how the conversations with
God.
Oh, my God, that was one of mybreakthroughs, you know,
(17:34):
listening to that back in theday, but I'm still listening.
I just got a book recentlycalled Prayer Partners by John
Maxwell, which is justoutstanding.
And then I'm also listening tobooks about relationship,
because you know y'all are atrip sidebar.
Yeah so, but yes, but I, but Ilisten to it from the space of
how can I bring the best versionof me even to that in terms of
(17:55):
a relationship?
How can I make sure that I'mbringing a whole version and
healthy version of me toeverything?
Um so, yeah, and I sleep bettera whole version and a healthy
version.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Wow, that's a quotable.
Um, I don't have something towrite it down with, but that is
stuck.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
A whole version and a healthy version if you make
t-shirts, give me a cut heredone, done, 50, 50.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
And you, you said something before.
I didn't quite get it.
You said about the chaos, likeI think, managing the chaos or
something like that, when you'regoing through this whole
process.
But this is not.
This isn't just the theory,this isn't just a world of
entertainment, this is just lifestuff that you're talking about
.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, yeah, because entertainment has its own chaos,
so you've got to be able tomanage things like.
For me, having my home life acertain way is really important,
right?
Because that I can be familiarwith that.
I know I come home and it's asafe space and it's a peaceful
(19:00):
space, and you know what I mean.
Like I tell people all the timewhenever I'm out and about, my
favorite part of any event isgoing home, so that's important
to me.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Yeah, charmin, you know I have so many directions.
I can go just with anything yousaid in the last like minute
and a half, but I am going to godown this direction because
that point about being whole, um, you're being whole but you're
(19:37):
taking like.
I've seen some of the workyou've done and I know there's
some things that you're workinggetting produced right now and
these are like very emotionallycharged roles and I've never
understood how someone could nottake that with them, with some
(19:58):
of the things that you have tosay on camera.
Like there's this BlackjackChristmas.
There's one scene when you wereon the beach and if you haven't
seen it, blackjack Christmas,go watch it BET Plus and it was
(20:19):
like a very charged moment.
How do you jump in and jump out?
How do you jump in and jump outand be normal?
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Preparation again, right.
So my homework prior to thatinvolved me tapping into
personal experiences.
I'm not personally, thank God,have not been addicted, but I
have lost two out of three of mybrothers as a result of
(20:52):
addiction, and so I know whatthat you know.
I have a familiarity with that.
But also, you know, acting canbe so therapeutic, because at
that time when we shot that, myfather had not long passed and I
had not really dealt.
I didn't have time.
In fact, when Victoria Raulcalled me about the role, that
(21:15):
was one of those offers which Iwas so grateful for, and I think
my dad had just passed, maybelike a week before, and I wasn't
even sure if I was going topick up the phone because that
was still in that bubble, right.
And I was like it's Victoria,I'm going to pick it up, you
know.
And she goes, you know how youdoing.
And I'm like I'm, I'm making it.
(21:35):
And she's like no, wait aminute.
And I love that she was sopresent that she didn't just
fire hose me with what shecalled for, right.
She's like wait a minute, Ihear something, what's going on?
And so I shared with her and Istarted.
She's like oh, charmin, I'm sosorry.
She's like I was calling aboutthis movie, but I can call you
back.
I said, oh, that's the exactdistraction that I need right
now, right.
(21:56):
So she starts telling me aboutit.
Anyway, I'm like, yes, I agreeto do it, I want to do it.
And now, from that time to thetime we shot the movie, I'm in
caregiver mode, right I.
That time to the time we shotthe movie, I'm in caregiver mode
, right, I'm looking out for mymom and my siblings and it's
just what I do.
So I hadn't taken my own timeto really mourn him.
So that was my opportunity tocommunicate with him, to mourn
(22:21):
him and because I did feel like,man, you left right before you
got a chance to see me be aleading lady in a movie.
I've done multiple movies, butthat was like my movie.
But then I realized on thebeach that day that he was
absolutely experiencing thiswhole thing with me, like what
(22:41):
are you talking about Right here, right now?
So that particular scene wasvery emotional and therapeutic,
yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
One of the.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
I could see that because that was.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I mean because you know, we sat around, obviously
we watched it and my oldestdaughter was like wow, I just
remember her saying wow at thatscene.
So whatever you were channelingclearly came across.
And I just thought about thisbecause you weaved it in.
(23:19):
You're in an industry where Idon't know if it's.
I mean, I've seen peoplecanceled.
I guess they call it canceledover expressing their faith.
And yet throughout, like I'veheard, you always thank God and
God, and you know how does thatin the world that you're in
(23:44):
right now is that a thing, or isthat just in my head?
Is it a thing that you don'ttalk faith, or is that just more
my perception than it isreality?
Speaker 1 (23:54):
I mean, I think some people are still sensitive about
it.
I'm just like I don't careabout those people.
Do they not know how dope mydaddy is?
Like what?
Tell me, I can't give my daddylove every day, all day, because
he's running things like youain't running anything.
I do not care this.
Cancel stuff is whatever.
Cancel my daddy.
(24:15):
Let me see you do that.
Ok, that's all.
But no, I post pretty much everyday something about you know
faith on my story, some kind ofquote, something like that, some
kind of scripture About youknow faith on my story, some
kind of quote, something likethat, some kind of a scripture,
and it's amazing.
I'll be honest with you.
I remember when I chose to doit, it was kind of like, let's
(24:37):
see how this is going to goRight.
There was a thought.
But then the response, like thepeople have been like there is
a really strong spiritual, faithfilled Christian, whatever you
want to call it community inthis industry, that is coming
(24:57):
more to light and I think,because of what you just said,
people think that they got to below key about it, but there are
way more of us that actuallyhave faith than those that don't
, and so I'm just, you know, I'mputting mine on blast, I ain't
scared, let's go.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Well, part of this.
This leads to my next point,because you have a major passion
project and you know, when youtalked to me about it and about
the world of the trafficking andthere's a whole lot, we had
this whole conversation.
You know, share as much as youwant to share, but I find it
(25:37):
really interesting that this isreally becoming more.
It's becoming more of aconversation today, but it's
still a conversation that's solike people don't want to touch
it.
It's almost like it's too hotto handle.
So, you know, I would love foryou just to share what this is
that you've been working on andjust what you've seen, just that
(25:58):
whole experience, because it isso awesome what you are working
to do.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
It is, it is, it is.
Uh, it's a heartbreakingpassion, which is to educate
people about human trafficking,and in doing that, that means I
got to learn a lot about it, andthe more I learn, the more my
heart breaks.
However, I am thankful that Iwork in a space where I can use
(26:30):
my power for good and enlightenmany so that hopefully, we can
have less Green.
About six years ago, and thereason you still haven't seen or
(26:56):
heard of it is because peopleare afraid of it.
They really are.
The trafficking industry makesso many billions of dollars that
there's a lot of peopleinvolved that don't want to be
put on blast, and that's frompoliticians to law enforcement,
(27:18):
to educators, to the guy thatowns the cell phone store.
Like, it's really interestinghow and it's often people that
you trust right, there's just somany levels to it.
So I put together this series.
We're starting to get a littlemore momentum.
I think people are starting tohave a palette for it, but in
(27:41):
the interim, I had an educatorfrom North Carolina reach out to
me and ask me if I wouldproduce and shoot a 30 minute
movie about human traffickingfor their school systems,
because they have a mandate outthere where they have to teach
and educate these kids abouthuman trafficking from middle
(28:02):
school.
Oh, james, adam, that makes myheart so happy, like that just
filled me, like, yes, it'sbeginning, because we got to
teach them.
We got that they are the oneswho have to know what to do,
what not to do, what to look outfor, et cetera.
So I told her, absolutely, um,we're going to shoot that, uh,
the first week in April.
(28:22):
Um, so so excited and I'mshooting it.
Um, I'm shooting it like a fullon feature.
That, um, I'm shooting it.
I'm shooting it like a full onfeature that I'm expecting God
to make nationwide because everyschool should be learning about
this.
All of our babies need to knowwhy.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
You already said why, but we're parents on here, so I
just can't get my mind aroundwhy there'd be any resistance
from anyone with a soul to getthis word out, because this
(29:09):
isn't a cultural, this isn't arace issue, this isn't a
political issue.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
This is just kids, and you know Boys and girls,
let's be clear, Right, both.
So, yeah, I'm happy that thatis at least one green lit
project that we know will startthe process of educating, and
I'm prayerful that you know,through this work our series
(29:41):
will actually also get produced,because that that one is
probably more for I mean bothchildren and adults, but more
for the adults too, becausegrown folks got to realize what
to look out for too, on bothsides, you know.
So, yeah, yeah.
I could go on and on about that, so stop me.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
No, no, actually I don't want to.
I want, if there's anythingthat I want to happen, for
people to realize that when youhave like the platform that you
have, you know, like I love thatyou're doing something with
this platform, you'reenlightening, you're
entertaining, you're educatingand really, but it's about
(30:27):
making a difference and you knowI'm going to be in absolute
support and prayer for yourproject to be in every school
system and all that because,like, there is zero value in
having something that can makethat big of an impact and that
(30:47):
big of a difference, somethingthat could make that big of an
impact and that big of adifference and suppressing it
for some some, I don't even knowwhat the word is we in jamaica
we call it caca, some cacareasons.
You know, whether it's politicsor whatever, like at some point
we have to like know what'swrong.
It's obviously wrong and nothave to get a committee for a
(31:11):
committee to say we think thatthis is wrong, like some stuff
is just obviously wrong.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
James, it's so deep man.
You know we also we reallyforget about the indigenous
community.
They take in those littlebabies and I mean it is horrible
.
Places like Idaho.
I think Idaho is beatingAtlanta now in terms of being,
like the number one place Likestuff we don't know.
You know what I mean?
It's like it's in the pockets,it's hidden and there's just so
(31:40):
many ways, people, that ithappens.
It's everything from I'mholding this modeling audition
because everybody wants to be amodel and put me on camera,
watch me, watch me.
So I'm holding this auditionand you go, they got you, they
got you.
It is that easy.
There was a situation wherethese girls went and the
audition they had the lights andsomething's kind of set up like
in a warehouse type thing.
(32:00):
Bebe, they put those girls in avan right there in the
warehouse, from the camera tothe van, same room, gone right.
Then there's I'm at a party,high school or college.
That's why my daughter, shecan't stand it.
I'm like any party.
Let me talk to the parents andthen I'll know if it's not a
(32:21):
legit party, because then she'lljust be like nevermind, I won't
go.
Yeah, nevermind, it's nevermind, because it's as simple as hey,
the after party's atso-and-so's house.
Come on, hop in the car, let'sroll over there together.
Got them there's.
There's teachers that are,we're going to do an afterschool
(32:41):
study group.
Hop in the car.
I got like there are so manythings that seem trustworthy
that we just willingly.
People got to see it, they gotto know it and and honestly, at
first I was saying I don't wantus to not trust each other.
I'd rather you not trustanybody than trust everybody and
be taken so screen them all.
(33:01):
You know what I mean.
Like back in the day when itwas do not talk to strangers.
Stranger danger.
Anybody.
Try to talk to you, call it out, you know.
So, like I told you, don't getme started.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
Stop it.
No, look, I'm over here, myhair is standing up and my kids
often wonder, all of them, youknow, boys and girls wonder,
(33:34):
like the oldest Jamel, you knowhe's still got to text me when
he gets home, like it's like,and I don't think he'll really
understand right now.
But, um, I just appreciate you,I appreciate you, I appreciate
you, I appreciate what you'redoing, thank you.
I appreciate what you'vealready done, thank you what
you've already done with whatyou've already done with.
But I'm, I'm, I'm appreciatingthe evolution that I'm seeing in
(33:54):
, like the difference you'remaking and it is so awesome.
So, for the folks who want tofind you, charmin Lee I mean
there aren't a whole lot ofCharmin Lees running around.
The rest of them are a bunch offakers.
You know what would be the bestway?
If someone wanted to reach outand even find out they could
support, or just anything, whatwould you recommend?
Speaker 1 (34:16):
the best way.
My website is CharminLeeorg, sothat will let you know
everything about me as an actorcoach director and what else is
going on for people who areinterested in working with me as
an actor coach director andwhat else is going on for people
who are interested in workingwith me as an actor.
All of that is on there Just asa sidebar.
Yes, I only do privates becauseI realize that every person has
(34:41):
individual needs and if you'regoing to pay me for something, I
want to approach your needsspecifically.
And no, I'm not cheap, but Iwill say this because I'm a
different kind of coach.
I'm coaching you to come andwork for me.
So most of my talent will tellyou that when I'm shooting stuff
(35:03):
, they get to come on set.
So I'm not saying it's a pay toplay, but I'm saying you know I
coach you so you can get somemoney back in your pocket as
well.
So I'm worth it or I'm not,it's up to you.
You know, but on social media Iam Charmin, noel Lee, on all
the platforms CharminC-H-A-R-M-I-N.
(35:25):
Just like the tissue, noel likeChristmas, because that's my
birthday.
Last name Lee like Bruce.
Speaker 2 (35:37):
That's such a charming.
Okay, yes, all right, msSharman, I appreciate you.
I want to say thank you, I wantto say I can't wait to see
whatever it is that you produceand I can't wait to hear about
all the great things you'reabout to do.
And thank you for.
Thank you for staying true toyou, thank you for loving and
(35:58):
expressing your love for God inthe entire process of all of it
and for the work that you'redoing for not just your family,
but for families that may haveno idea of what you're doing,
but it's going to make adifference when they see those
films and be able to educate andall of that.
I just want to say I'm gratefulfor you.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
Thank you, Jeremy.
I'm grateful for you too, sir.
Thank you for having me.
I'm excited to see you.
Speaker 2 (36:25):
No, thank you for making time.
You're filming stuff and doingstuff right now.
I know you're about to go onset later, so I appreciate you
taking time.
You're a big deal.
106 things on IMDb Pro.
Ah man, Thank you.
If you actually took time tolearn about how incredible you
were, nothing would ever stopyou See, the definition of sight
(36:47):
is the faculty or power ofseeing.
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