The Breakfast Club

Interview: Brandee Evans On 'Reasonable Doubt,' Caregiver Appreciation Month & More

November 25, 2025 | iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club features actress and dancer Brandee Evans, known for her starring roles in "P-Valley" and the third season of "Reasonable Doubt." Hosting are DJ Envy, Angela Yee, Charlamagne Tha God, and Angela Rye. The conversation dives deeply into Brandee’s dual life as an entertainer and a devoted caregiver to her mother, highlighting the challenges and emotional nuances of caregiving, the realities of the entertainment industry, and insights into her latest acting projects. Themes of resilience, generational trauma, and the complexities of Black families and careers emerge throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Brandee’s Background and Connection to New York (03:00–03:35)

• Brandee discusses her origins in Memphis and her love for New York, noting the city’s straightforward energy.
• Light banter about regional differences and “fake real” versus “real real” people, with DJ Envy repping Queens, NY.

The Reality of Being a Caregiver (04:54–07:36, 07:41–09:44)

• Brandee is a full-time caregiver to her mother, who has multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and is paraplegic.
• She defines caregiving as everything from feeding and emotional support to handling medical needs:

  “It’s like having my newborn with me at all times... caregivers need love and check on us too. Cause we ain’t all right all the time.” (05:19)

• Challenges include inconsistent resources by state, managing benefits, financial costs, and organizing support—with her friends serving as her key support system (“my ride or dies”).
• Angela Yee highlights Brandee’s constant multitasking:

  ”On a break, you on the phone, Mama, making sure everybody is in place...” (06:31)

The Emotional Toll & Therapy (09:44–12:21)

• Brandee discusses the exhaustion and constant vigilance caregiving requires, referencing the $9,000/month cost of quality care.
• Both Brandee and Angela Rye disclose their therapy journeys and the challenge of finding the right therapist—likening it to “dating” (11:51).
• Angela Yee admits she has yet to start therapy due to trust issues and wanting a culturally competent therapist.

About ‘Reasonable Doubt’ & Her Role as Monica (13:01–16:18)

• Brandee initially didn’t want the role of Monica in "Reasonable Doubt" but was drawn to the show’s importance.
• Her character, Monica, is an agent involved in the abuse of a child star—addressing taboos around boys being victimized by older women:

  “People let that pass with boys...they think it’s dope…but it’s not cool. He kept it hidden...It’s a gag.” (13:49)

• Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy reflect on similar experiences and the silence around young Black boys being molested.
• Brandi emphasizes telling difficult stories as part of her job:

  “Maybe it’ll make you pay attention to your baby boy when they come home…ask different questions.” (16:19)

Double Standards Around Abuse (17:40–18:46)

• The group highlights cultural double standards regarding older women and young boys versus older men and young girls:

  “No one’s making a joke about it when it’s a woman. Why are we joking about it when it’s men, though?” —Brandee (18:38)

• DJ Envy admits to now being more vigilant and having tough conversations with his own nephews.

Dance, P-Valley, and Diverse Representation (19:07–21:34)

• Brandee credits her dance background for her resilience and adaptability as an actor:

  “Dancers are the best actors because they can take direction easily. And we have thick skin.” (19:07)

• She shares her challenging audition story for "P-Valley" and being overlooked for roles, only to break through with persistence and creativity—including choreographing unique routines in six-inch heels.

Caregiving Behind the Scenes (36:02–38:05)

• Brandee’s entire acting career has been alongside her caregiving duties, often hiding the chaos and exhaustion from colleagues.
• Emotional honesty about her fears for life after her mother is gone:

  “If Mama passes, what—what do I have? I keep saying, I’m hustling for Mama. What about me?” (37:46)

Generational Trauma & Family Relationships (28:55–31:49)

• Discusses difficult, sometimes tumultuous, mother-daughter dynamic, which influenced her portrayal of Mercedes in "P-Valley."
• Playing Mercedes provided a cathartic outlet for things she couldn’t say to her mother in real life.
• On generational change:

  “Is it necessary to get that whooping? Can you actually talk to them? ... If I’m blessed to be a parent, I would parent so differently.” (30:15)

Emotional Strength from Caregiving (36:02–37:36)

• Caregiving gave Brandee a new level of emotional endurance and patience.
• She shares how juggling medical emergencies and her acting obligations became her norm.

The Impact of Faith and Purpose (39:14–40:06)

• Brandee’s faith has been her guide when acting roles dried up or life became overwhelming:

  “I didn’t get my first acting role until I got Mama. But that was my prayer—God, please bless me to be able to take care of my mother…” (39:19)

Updates on “P-Valley” and Looking Ahead (40:07–41:14)

• S3 wrapped, awaiting release. Brandee is excited for fans to see where “Mercedes” goes next.
• On perfect casting and the specifics Katori Hall brings to the show.

Real-Life Lessons From Her Roles (42:42–43:55)

• Brandee on lessons Mercedes needs from her: resilience and belief that things will work out.
• What Brandee needs from "Mercedes": unrelenting hustle, encouraging her own goals, like writing a book:

  “What you so scared of, Brandi? Write your book.” (43:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Caregiver’s Toll:

  “Caregivers need love and check on us too. Cause we ain’t all right all the time.” —Brandee Evans (05:19)

• On Telling Tough Stories:

  “Maybe it’ll make you pay attention to your baby boy when they come home…ask different questions.” —Brandee Evans (16:19)

• Cultural Silence on Abuse:

  “No one’s making a joke about it when it’s a woman. Why are we joking about it when it’s men, though?” —Brandee Evans (18:38)

• Struggles with Therapy:

  “Finding the right people and then trusting... it’s like dating.” —Brandee Evans (11:51)

• Honest Vulnerability:

  “If Mama passes, what—what do I have? ... What about me?” —Brandee Evans (37:46)

• Purpose and Resilience:

  “If I can make it through caregiving, I can make it through anything.” —Brandee Evans (36:02)

• Lessons on Hustle:

  “What you so scared of, Brandi? Write your book.” —Brandee Evans (43:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:00] – Brandee’s love for New York, Memphis roots
• [05:09] – Defining and appreciating caregivers
• [06:49] – Balancing acting gigs with caregiving
• [07:41] – On putting family in care homes and the financial/emotional costs
• [11:51] – Therapy as a caregiver and for Black families
• [13:08] – Taking on controversial and meaningful roles in “Reasonable Doubt”
• [16:19] – Why telling hard stories matters
• [18:38] – On the double standard of abuse against boys
• [19:07] – How dance background influences acting
• [28:55] – On mother-daughter relationships in life and TV
• [36:02] – Emotional strength drawn from caregiving
• [37:46] – Brandee’s vulnerability: “What about me if Mama’s gone?”
• [40:07] – Why “P-Valley” season 3 is taking so long!
• [42:42] – Lessons exchanged between Brandee and Mercedes

Conclusion

This episode offers a raw, inspiring look at Brandee Evans’ life as an artist and devoted daughter. She shares the behind-the-scenes reality of full-time caregiving, the emotional labor embedded in both her acting and her personal life, and how faith and chosen family sustain her. Her openness spotlights often overlooked topics such as the mental toll of caregiving, navigating cultural silence around abuse, and the need for better support—while celebrating ongoing success in “P-Valley,” “Reasonable Doubt,” and the power of telling real, important stories.

For caregivers, artists, and anyone facing heavy responsibilities, Evans’ journey is a testament to the resilience, love, and hustle at the heart of family and purpose.

Brandee Evans’ Caregiver Strong merch:
shop.brandievans.com
Notably: “I don’t have the capacity” and “Caregiver Strong”—because, as she says, “it’s okay to not have the capacity sometimes.” (44:14)