Actor Danielle Brooks has blessings to count
Summary
Terry Gross interviews actress and singer Danielle Brooks about her new film, "If I Go, Will They Miss Me," and her career highlights, including "Orange Is the New Black" and "The Color Purple." Brooks discusses her upbringing in a Baptist church, her Juilliard education funded by a godmother, and her collaboration with John Batiste. The conversation covers her experiences portraying Mahalia Jackson, navigating body image in Hollywood, and her approach to singing and acting.
Topics discussed
Up First news and Fresh Air introduction
Danielle Brooks' career and new film 'If I Go'
Discussing prison roles and the character Tasty
Friendship with John Batiste at Juilliard
Audition for The Color Purple and singing 'Hell No'
Transitioning from dialogue to song in musicals
Church upbringing and favorite gospel songs
Godmother Annie Edge and the scholarship fund
Commercial break and guest recap
Sponsorship and return to interview
Portraying Mahalia Jackson in a biopic
Technique for singing as Mahalia Jackson
Parental influence and pressure for perfection
Parental fears and nudity in Orange Is the New Black
Commercial break and guest recap
Gospel songs about death and 'Precious Lord'
Body image, representation, and GLP-1 use
Fresh Air Society promotion
Song 'Blessings' and closing remarks
Preview of next episode and credits
Listen ad-free on Castria