Innerview w/Singer and Actress LaTonya Holmes

Tell us a little bit about yourselfI’m a singer, songwriter, actress and voice talent originally from Warner Robins, GA.  I attended Chicago’s Roosevelt University on scholarship where I earned a B.A. in Theatre.  Upon graduating from Roosevelt, I was cast in the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre’s production of “DREAMGIRLS” where I won the prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role of “Lorrell”.  I have appeared in numerous commercials, voiceovers, animated series, television shows and numerous musical theatre productions.  My most recent stage production was Oprah Winfrey’s “THE COLOR PURPLE” and my most recent songwriting collaboration was with A-list legends Narada Michael Walden and Allee Willis on the inspirational anthem “Stand Up” which will be my first single off of my dream debut album.  While I love acting, music is, and will always be, my passion.  At the end of the day, I’m a true southern girl who loves to laugh, inspire, encourage and learn!You have been singing since you were 7, what drove you at such a young age?  Growing up my parents always had great music playing in our home.  I was surrounded by the sounds of Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross, Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, Pattie LaBelle, James Cleveland, and Aundrae Crouch to name a few and it became part of my soul!  They use to call me an old soul as a kid because I would rather stay in my room and listen to music than go outside and play.  Who are your favorite singers and influences? My favorite singers are Whitney Houston, Deniece Williams, Jennifer Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Pattie LaBelle, Barbara Streisand and Mariah Carey.What is your favorite song to sing?My favorite song to sing is The Greatest Love Of All.Are there are any current musicians, singers or producers that you would like to work with?I would love to work with Quincy Jones, Babyface, David Foster, Prince, Diana Ross, R. Kelly, Beyonce, Maxwell, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion and Barbara Streisand.What’s the easiest part about writing a song? The easiest part about writing a song is putting my heart on the page and telling a true story whether it’s mine or someone else’s.What’s the hardest part about writing a song? The hardest part about writing a song is getting writers block and not being able to say what it is I really want to say, starting to think too hard and getting stuck right there for days at a time.Tell us about your very first singing gig?My very first singing gig was in Chicago at a talent show sponsored by my college.  I won $250 for first place!!!How did you get into acting?I got into acting in high school when someone told the Head of the Drama Department at Northside High School, Mr. Gerald Ray Horne, I could sing and he came to my basketball practice and asked me to audition for the One Act musical, THE WIZ.  I auditioned, was cast in the ensemble and the rest is history.Tell us about your very first acting gigMy very first acting gig was the role of Betsy in The First Non Equity National Tour of the musical BIG RIVER.Have you ever had a gig (acting or singing) that didn’t go so well?Yes, I have had acting and singing gigs that didn’t go so well.What did you learn from that experience?From that experience, I learned to follow my gut instinct and that if I have doubt about anything, then don’t do it.  Doubt means don’t!!What is the best gig (acting or singing) that you have done?The best acting and singing gig I’ve ever done was playing Lorrell Robinson in the musical “DREAMGIRLS” at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago and at the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey!You have a love for the theater; do you have any favorite plays?My favorite musical is DREAMGIRLS.  Do you have a dream role that you would like to play on stage?Yes, my dream role is to play myself in The LaTonya Holmes Story.Actors who perform on stage often speak of the instant gratification they receive from the audience during and after a performance. Have you found this to be true?Yes I find this to be very true.  There’s nothing more rewarding to me than to be on stage during a show and hear the audience applauding and screaming then seeing them leap to their feet at the curtain call with thunderous applause.You are a singer and actress.  If you have any spare time what do you like to do?I love to travel, bowl, hike, people watch and spend time with my family and dog.What has been your favorite acting role to date?My favorite acting role to date is Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in the musical PURLIE VICTORIOUS.What type of films would you like to appear in?I would love to appear in Feature Films that have an incredible script with depth and substance as well as an incredible Director attached to them.Are there any actors, actresses or filmmakers that you would like to work with?I would love to work with Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Daniel Day Lewis, Glenn Close, Angela Bassett, Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Loretta Devine, Kerry Washington, Jamie Foxx and Morris Chestnut.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?In 5 years I see myself as a Grammy, Oscar, Tony and Emmy Recipient giving back and mentoring to young aspiring kids while still doing great solid work!Do you have any upcoming projects?I just launched an Indiegogo campaign to help me raise the funds to finish and release my dream debut album.  For more information on the campaign, please visit http://igg.me/at/latonyaholmes.  I am also slated to play the role of Sylvia in Alonzo Anderson’s Feature Film, “STEPSISTERS” this summer as well as perform on the soundtrack. Keke Palmer will star in the film and Billie Woodruff will direct.Can you tell us a little about HolmesAwayFromHolmes?HolmesAwayFromHolmes is my exclusive VIP INVITE ONLY Travel Club.  I’ve always been an Entrepreneur so this is my home based business where I show people how they can take Dream Vacations at Dream Prices.  For more information, visit http://holmesawayfromholmes.comDo you have a website/Facebook/Twitter etc? Yes, I just launched my brand new website http://latonyaholmes.com/Please like my Facebook Page @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/LATONYA-HOLMES/31142357370?ref=hlFollow me on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/LaTonyaHolmes
Source:http://hillstreetviewz.blogspot.com/2013/04/innerview-wsinger-and-actress-latonya.html

Innerview w/Singer and Actress LaTonya Holmes Images