INTERVIEW: Brandee Evans On 'Reasonable Doubt', Caregiver Appreciation Month + More

Summary

The Breakfast Club

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

November 25, 2025 | iHeartPodcasts

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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)

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Transcript

[Angela Yee]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Whoa.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

What a vibe we've got, y'.

[Brandi Evans]

All.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

As always, it's classic HBCU energy. Nonstop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chants echoing, drums beating, everybody showing that school pride. Moments like this, yeah, they call for an ice cold Coca Cola. Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Mm, yeah, that taste always hit the right note. Just like the band at halftime. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere, and a nice ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the place, no matter the moment, everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[State Farm Announcer]

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[DJ Envy]

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[Brandi Evans]

All?

[DJ Envy]

It's DJ Envy. You can go anywhere and find clothes, but at JD Sports, you can discover your style. Like I needed a pair of blue and white sneakers and I couldn't find them anywhere. So I stopped in at JD's. I know what I like and I got it at JD's. I found a pair of kicks, blue and white. That was exactly what I was looking for. I'm always able to find my style at JD Sports. Discover iconic styles. Now cultivate your look at JD Sports. Head to JD Sports to discover the latest gear to elevate your style.

[BET Announcer]

JD Sports forward tonight at 109 Central on BET, an all new episode of 106 in Sports from executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter. It's a new top five countdown with hosts Ashley Nicole Moss and Cam Newton. They're breaking down the top moments in sports, culture and entertainment and highlighting both established pros and the stars on the come up. Watch the all new series 106 in sports tonight at 10, 9 Central on BET or catch up the next day on BET.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hold up.

[DJ Envy]

Every day I wake up.

[Brandi Evans]

Wake your ass up.

[Angela Rye]

The Breakfast Club.

[Brandi Evans]

Y' all finished or y' all done?

[DJ Envy]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne the guy we are. The Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building.

[Angela Rye]

Yes, indeed.

[DJ Envy]

She's in season three of Reasonable Doubt, which starts right on September 18th. So it's out right now. Brandi Evans, welcome.

[Brandi Evans]

Thank y'.

[DJ Envy]

All.

[Brandi Evans]

Good morning, Babbin me.

[Angela Yee]

Hey, friend, how are you feeling?

[Angela Rye]

Good morning, Brandi.

[Brandi Evans]

Amazing. I'm in New York, girl, I love New York.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You do?

[Brandi Evans]

Yes, I do. Like, literally now I'm trying to figure out how I can be, like, on in the LA coast and in the. Yeah, in the East Coast.

[Angela Yee]

So you're from Memphis? I am.

[Brandi Evans]

Born and raised, yes. Okay, cool.

[Angela Yee]

And so you like New York?

[Brandi Evans]

I do. I feel like, you know, New York people keep it real. And I feel like sometimes I love you la, but sometimes y' all be a little sensitive. So I think that's what I like about New York.

[Angela Yee]

That's what's up.

[Brandi Evans]

Cool.

[Angela Rye]

Kind of keep it fake real.

[Brandi Evans]

Fake real? Yeah.

[Angela Rye]

Cause what you mean they lie to each other?

[Brandi Evans]

Really?

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Angela Rye]

They do.

[DJ Envy]

They do.

[Angela Rye]

They lie to each other? Yeah, they do.

[Brandi Evans]

They do.

[Angela Rye]

They do.

[Angela Yee]

He from New York.

[Brandi Evans]

Okay.

[Angela Yee]

He from South Carolina.

[Brandi Evans]

Where you from?

[Angela Rye]

South Carolina.

[Brandi Evans]

Oh, you Southern like me.

[Angela Rye]

You already know.

[Brandi Evans]

So what does that mean? And you just. You trying to figure out folks out here?

[Angela Rye]

No, I've been figuring them out.

[Brandi Evans]

And they lying. And they lying. He said, and they lying.

[Angela Rye]

They lying. Yeah. I didn't figure them out a long time ago.

[DJ Envy]

That's not true.

[Angela Rye]

Long time ago.

[Brandi Evans]

What part of New York you from?

[DJ Envy]

I'm from Queens.

[Brandi Evans]

Okay. Okay. We was just talking about going to Queens. Okay.

[Angela Rye]

Ask me if you've ever been to a Diddy party.

[State Farm Announcer]

What?

[Angela Rye]

Just ask him. And he gonna lie and say no. Ask him.

[DJ Envy]

I have not been to no diddy party.

[Angela Rye]

But he was a serious.

[Angela Yee]

He was waiting for her to ask.

[DJ Envy]

Yo, I've been to no Diddy party. And if I have, it was way.

[Angela Rye]

What I'm saying was you not see what I. I.

[Brandi Evans]

No judgment. I used to dance for Diddy So.

[Angela Yee]

I take that off. She was.

[Brandi Evans]

I assisted Lorianne Gibson and all that. So I never saw the things.

[Angela Rye]

But see, you missed the lie, cuz. The lie was so good. First he said, I ain't never been to no diddy party. And if I did, it was way, way, way back in the day.

[State Farm Announcer]

I was joking.

[Brandi Evans]

I was joking.

[DJ Envy]

I never been no damn diddy party. You ever seen at a diddy party.

[Brandi Evans]

I ain't never been to one.

[DJ Envy]

Oh.

[Angela Yee]

She a say she a say she been.

[Brandi Evans]

She said she was. I danced the background, I went home, took got off the stage.

[DJ Envy]

There you go. How you feeling? First and foremost? How you feeling?

[Brandi Evans]

I feel good. I feel amazing. It's caregiver appreciation month. Speaking of taking care of my mama. So this is my respite break too. Just being out here in New York, doing what I want to do, seeing some art, enjoying some cold weather, because I feel like we don't really get that in la. So. Yeah.

[Angela Rye]

Salute to all the caregivers out there, man, break down. What exactly do caregivers do because it's such a unappreciated service that they, that they provide?

[Brandi Evans]

That's a good question. Everything care. Like for me, my mom, Diana Harrington, she has multiple sclerosis, she has Alzheimer's and she's paraplegic. So basically it's like having my newborn with me at all times and it just depends on what you're dealing with. It could be from feedings, the doctor's appointments, emotional support, just sitting with them, taking them out. You just never know. But caregivers need love and check on us too. Cause we ain't all right all the time.

[Angela Rye]

That's right. And you know, people, I'm sure I don't know if you're through the system, but, you know, people can get paid for that.

[Brandi Evans]

Not everywhere. That's a. That's. I'm glad you mentioned that. New York is a blessing. Louisiana is a blessing. I think I heard Florida has a little bit, but everywhere else has been frustrating. That's why I had to move mama from Memphis. So. And then I moved it to Atlanta Season 1 When I was filming P Valley and had to move her back because I lost all my benefits. So it is. That's. We just did care fest out here and that's what we were talking about, getting the care. Because people aren't doing it. And either all of us are either going to be caregivers for somebody or somebody's going to care for us.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Brandi Evans]

At one time in our lives So I don't know what's up with the government.

[Angela Yee]

So who does care for you then? Because you've been doing this for a long time. You take care of your mother, friend. No, I don't want you to cry. But I've watched your journey just over the years, even before I met you. And you are like, your mom is your baby.

[Brandi Evans]

That's her baby.

[Angela Yee]

Okay? In between roles. And I even shot a project with you. And on a break, you on the phone, Mama, making sure everybody is in place while you're doing the things that you have to do to keep making the money. And then as soon as you finish shooting, you go, you with your mom, you wake up, you go back on set.

[Brandi Evans]

That's right. Because during Pretty Stoned, I had mom on in the hospital. So I was on the phone with doctors, and they were like, cut. And I was like, hold. And the doctor stayed while I did a scene on the phone and came back.

[Angela Yee]

So, yeah, rehearsing lines and remembering a script and everything like that, right?

[Brandi Evans]

My friends and family, I will say more. So my friends no knock to my family, but my friends are the ones that are out there with me. People like Ivari, who's with me here, when I was filming season one of P. Valley, had a caregiver walk out, and I checked the live camera stream. I'm like, what's going on? What's going on in Mama's room? And he had connected all of my friends together, and they took turns taking care of my mother while I filmed because the caregiver walked out. So my friends are my ride or dies. Sasha, you know, my bestie Sasha. Sasha's at the house of Mama now. Like, they. I just have a good village, a good chosen family, which is a blessing.

[DJ Envy]

Would you ever put your. You know, a lot of people talk about putting their moms or parents in a home. Would you do that?

[Angela Rye]

And why would you.

[Brandi Evans]

So glad you said.

[DJ Envy]

Or why would you?

[Brandi Evans]

Actually, I promised my mom I never would. And she did go in one. So that's my story. On her birthday in 2014, she had a fall. I was dancing for. Let us see. At the time, my little brother called me. He was like, mama fails. She has to be in a rehabilitation center. And I'm like, the one promise I made to Mama, which was never put at a nurse home. She had to be in it, but never again. So that's when I fought for my life. Started teaching dance classes all over the country and asking every celeb I knew. Like, I don't need your money. But just a repost is a blessing. And we raised $14,000 in four days. And I got my mom out of that nursing home, and that was December 21st. It'd be nine years. I've had her since that day.

[DJ Envy]

The reason I ask is, you know, sometimes parents will say, you know what? I don't want to be a problem with your family. Like, I don't want to mess up what you have. So put me in a home. So that way there is help. And then there's some people that say, you know what? I'll never put my mom in a home. But having that care 24 7, I mean, I'm sure, you know, it's almost impossible, right?

[Brandi Evans]

And it's $9,000 a month, to be exact.

[DJ Envy]

So my wife's mother had dementia in all times, and we had a full day. And if we didn't have a nanny helping, it would be almost impossible because, you know, there's been times when she done walked out the house and just kept walking. There was times where, you know, she didn't know where the toilet was. So, you know, it is. It's like having a newborn at times. There's been times when, you know, there's so much going on. So how do you deal with that 247 and still work and still take care of yourself?

[Brandi Evans]

God. Because at this point, it's just gotta be all, God, because I'm so exhausted. In New York, this is the first time I don't have the baby monitor by my ear. And so when you hear that cough, you don't know, just like with your baby, are you choking or are you coughing? So then you're getting up, running to the room, trying to have that rest. It is exhausting. It is very exhausting. But I also don't knock people that have to do that because everybody's situation is different. I think that if you have to put them there, you gotta stay on top of them. I was stalking the home. Like, I was showing up. I was popping up. At one point, they was like, we feel like you watching us. I am.

[Angela Yee]

Damn right I am.

[Brandi Evans]

Because it's my mom. And that with where she was, my mom probably wouldn't be alive right now if I wouldn't have gotten her. One time I popped up and mama was like, laid over with a fever, and I had to break her fever. By the way, you can break her fever with alcohol. Just rub it on the baby's back. Mom taught me that when I was a little girl. Rubbing alcohol on the Back. But, yeah, I honestly don't know. I'm still trying to. I'm working through it with therapy and just trying to find my peace and taking more vacations and things for myself, too. And that's hard, too. Cause now mama had a meltdown about me coming to New York. Cause she's like, why are you leaving me? And I can. You know, with kids. I know y' all overstand. You don't want to leave the babies, but we gotta work. We gotta have some time for us. Cause I can't pour from the empty cup.

[Angela Rye]

I love this conversation so much. Cause years, years, years, years, years ago, God bless the dead, Andre Harrell called me and had a whole conversation about this. Exactly. And introduced me to the world of caregivers. And he introduced me to a woman named Gina Lisa Monticero. And she's the founder of the Medicaid Advisory Group. And they're a consulting company who assists elders and family caregivers. And so, you know, she helped my family with some stuff, and she's helped a lot of my friends. I think it's just something that people don't know about.

[Brandi Evans]

And we don't think about it until we have to be in that situation, because I never thought about it. And then I realized, oh, this Medicare, Medicaid, all the different things. Like, it's hard, and if you don't have it, you can't get your supplies. You can't pay. And paying for these supplies at the house is very expensive. If you don't have that help.

[Angela Rye]

And that's what Genalisa does. She helps you just navigate the healthcare system. Because it's complex.

[Angela Yee]

Yes.

[Angela Rye]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

And they don't want us to know about it at all. They definitely don't want us to know about it. So. Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

And so you said therapy, so you are currently. Yes.

[Brandi Evans]

I gotta find a new therapist, though.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

The last one I had, I'm like, it's been a minute, and she ain't really answered that phone, so I need to find me. Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

But then it's finding the right people and then trusting people, too, because I'm like. It's like. I don't really want you to talk about what I do. I just want to. I want to be Brandy. I don't want to be. I just want to be Brandi the caregiver and just talk about things. What about y'? All? Is that hard for y' all to do? When you go to therapy? Y' all go to therapy.

[Angela Rye]

I'm on my third second Therapy.

[Coca-Cola Announcer]

See what I mean?

[Brandi Evans]

We gotta.

[Angela Rye]

Third. Second.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

Trying to find that right fit. It's like dating.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah. I haven't. I hear that it's like dating. I haven't started therapy yet. I would like to, but I just. I haven't started yet. But I hear that a lot in people. Like my son's father. He's like, yo, I just can't find the right person. You know what I mean? And then he also battles with trusting. Like, yo, how can this person tell me anything? How can he fix me if he never been through what I've been through? If they don't look like me or, you know, so he's battling, like, trying to find a black man to talk to.

[Angela Rye]

Oh, I got a good one for him.

[Brandi Evans]

Oh, we need to share. We need to talk about that.

[Angela Rye]

My first therapist, I wanted somebody that was completely opposite. So I actually was looking for, like, an Asian woman, but then I ended up with a white woman, and she was cool. But it is something about having a black male therapist who's culturally competent.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Angela Rye]

Because you don't got to explain too much.

[Brandi Evans]

Right? Right.

[Angela Rye]

You know what I mean? A lot of things he already understands.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

Now.

[Angela Rye]

But yours is gonna be kind of hard because he had to deal with you. So I need to.

[Brandi Evans]

You know what? Excuse me.

[Angela Rye]

I need somebody that's. Never mind.

[Angela Yee]

I didn't mess Rome up. Rome messed me up.

[DJ Envy]

Wow. Like, how.

[Angela Yee]

How I'm doing? I'm doing good.

[DJ Envy]

Wow.

[Angela Yee]

I'm very better now anyway.

[Angela Rye]

Very better. In bookstores next year, pre order now.

[Angela Yee]

Anyway, season three of Reasonable Doubt. I'm so proud of you.

[Brandi Evans]

Thank you.

[Angela Yee]

What drew you to the character Monica?

[Brandi Evans]

Well, first of all, I wasn't drawn at all to the character Monica. Cause she's a mess. But I was drawn to the show. Total opposite. So I've always wanted to be on Reasonable Doubt. I've been watching the show. It was on my vision board. And I wanted to do something different than P. Valley. But then when Ramila called about the director session, I was like, oh, my Lord. I. Monica. And I didn't find out till after I auditioned what was happening. They gave me the storyline and the arc of this, and I was like, oh, this is gonna be good. And they finna drag me in these Internet streets. But that's when I knew it was gonna be worth it. And it's a great story. Not a great, but an important story to tell. Because. Have y' all seen it yet? It's okay if you haven't.

[Angela Yee]

No.

[Brandi Evans]

Okay. All right, so I'm playing an agent, and there's this child star named Ozzie Edwards. And just like most child stars, they're growing up with, you know, they got the money, the fame. But the gag is I'm his age, who's been molesting him since he was 13 years old, which is terrible. But a lot of times people let that pass with boys because they think, you know, it's dope, that there's an older woman trying to turn him on, but it's not cool. So he kept it hidden. The secret comes out, and it's. It's a gag.

[DJ Envy]

Are you okay?

[Angela Yee]

Wow.

[Brandi Evans]

And I have six nephews.

[Angela Rye]

You trying to be funny? A piece of shit. That's why you can't share nothing with people. You know what I'm saying?

[Brandi Evans]

You know what I'm saying?

[DJ Envy]

No matter what asking.

[Angela Rye]

Yes, I'm fine.

[Brandi Evans]

He's in therapy. Are you?

[DJ Envy]

No. No, no. But I didn't want to make sure he wasn't triggered because that. That's what happened to him. He was molested by a older woman.

[Angela Rye]

Yes.

[Brandi Evans]

I'm sorry.

[DJ Envy]

But the reason he wanted it to stop.

[Angela Rye]

Why?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Laughing.

[DJ Envy]

Because she had a Jerry curl.

[Angela Rye]

I didn't like the smell of her Jerry curl. That's what I told myself, but I actually didn't like what she was doing to me.

[Brandi Evans]

Okay.

[Angela Rye]

But I told myself it was the smell of her Jerry crow when I was eight.

[Brandi Evans]

Okay.

[Angela Rye]

Yes. But if I don't.

[State Farm Announcer]

And you know what?

[Brandi Evans]

Different things to cope. This. This young man on episode nine, the younger version of me says to him, oh, I'm sorry to know you were gay. Which is terrible. And that's what I feel like some women will do to young boys, too, to try to push them off and make them feel like, you know, that's why you won't be attracted to me.

[Angela Rye]

They started calling me ugly.

[Brandi Evans]

Yeah. They do all types of stuff. And it. And she was wrong, not you. So.

[Angela Yee]

Well, you was talking about Dragoon.

[DJ Envy]

Then when he got older.

[Angela Rye]

Just talk to your therapist, okay? It's never a safe space for him.

[DJ Envy]

But then when he got older, it happened again. He was sitting on laps. It was just reoccurring the cycle.

[Brandi Evans]

They know how much work it was.

[Angela Yee]

To get a good Jerry curl back in the day. And you could say you like it.

[DJ Envy]

You would have been ugly to me, too, boy. What?

[Angela Yee]

And I'm doing all this work.

[Brandi Evans]

What? Well, the finale dropped last week.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay.

[Angela Yee]

Okay.

[Brandi Evans]

And at the end, because his attorney, Jax, who is Emiyatzi, she plays the Star in the show. Yes. Well, she finds out what happened, she puts Monica on the stand, and it comes out to the family, everybody. And then at the end, Monica decides to go in and shoot the place up.

[Angela Rye]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

And we don't know who she shot.

[Angela Rye]

So what's the hardest emotional place you've ever had to go to for a role? Was it that probably that?

[Brandi Evans]

Absolutely. I got six nephews, and so just to think about my baby boys, like, I'd be in jail or hell. Did you think I got into that.

[DJ Envy]

Part, though, because of it?

[Brandi Evans]

Absolutely not. Because I think it's my job as an actor to tell the stories, even the ones that are difficult. And I've had fans that are like, I can't believe you would do that after Mercedes. We love Mercedes. Why would you come do this? Maybe it'll make you pay attention to your baby boy when they come home. Maybe it'll make you ask different questions or if you see him shifting. So that's why I always want to take on roles that tell important stories.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Angela Rye]

How do you have those rest afterwards?

[Brandi Evans]

We work out. I love working out. Going hiking. Honestly, I be with mama so much that I just have to just tap away from it. But, yeah, just staying in touch with who I am. And step 12 of the actor, the actor handbook for me is let it go. So it's not real.

[DJ Envy]

I was gonna ask, so how are you with your nephews? Do you have different conversations with them now, like, hey, let me talk to you for a second.

[Brandi Evans]

Oh, always. Because I know dj, because I know you listening? Yes. My nephews are cute too. So I've already had that situation with them with older women. And I pick up the phone and call. I told one girl, I was like, I will find you and you will go to jail. And I'm just gonna leave it at that.

[DJ Envy]

So older women did try to holler at one of your nephews.

[Brandi Evans]

Absolutely.

[DJ Envy]

Jesus Christ.

[Brandi Evans]

Absolutely. They do it all the time. I mean, so I'm not crazy. So seeing this, I also did my research on it, but I've also seen it. I'm the only girl, so I've seen how the women act. You know your brother, fine, he's married and he's younger, you know, so. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Do you look at people? I'm sorry? Do you look at people differently when you see like, so not a big thing in our community is you'll see like a. A 30 year old dating an 18 year old or a 40 year old dating a 20 year old? Do you look at people Differently now because of that? Because of the role you play?

[Brandi Evans]

No, I don't think so long as they are of age. I need them to be of age because, I mean, as long as they grown, that's they business. I stay out of it. But underage, I'm absolutely against that. I'm snitching.

[Angela Yee]

I think it's very important that you did bring up the fact that when it's like a double standard, it's like when it to comes when it's a woman who is older going after a guy. I mean, you know, a young guy, people tend to, like, leave that.

[Brandi Evans]

Yeah, it's okay. Oh, you did that. That's. You pulled her. It's not okay.

[Angela Yee]

The whole time, you don't even know how the young person is thinking. These young men, their minds are not even, like, developed. They trying to be cool at the.

[Brandi Evans]

End of the day.

[Angela Yee]

The whole time, it's like, damn, I was really molested.

[Brandi Evans]

That's inappropriate.

[Angela Rye]

You wouldn't even make jokes about it if it was a woman.

[Brandi Evans]

No, that's a very good point. That is a huge point. No one's making a joke about it when it's a woman. Why are we joking about it when it's men, though? That's a wonderful question.

[Angela Yee]

No, for sure.

[Angela Rye]

Don't try to act fake deep now, yo.

[Angela Yee]

No, not too. You make fun of it.

[DJ Envy]

You make fun of it yourself.

[Angela Yee]

It's how you cope.

[Angela Rye]

I'm really hurting on the inside.

[DJ Envy]

You want a hug?

[Angela Rye]

No, I'm just joking. Brandi, when you think about your evolution from dancer to actress, what part of your past shows up the most in your acting today?

[Brandi Evans]

I think as a dancer, we learn how to take direction, and we learn how to take direction quick. Cause you ain't got time for that. If you were Loriann Gibson and she said, I need you to point that toe and get to the end of the stage, by the next eight count, you gonna figure it out. So I feel like I took that especially with on P Valley. Cause we had to do dancing and things of that sort. I was able to take that direction. So I think directors enjoy that. And I've always heard that dancers are the best actors because they can take direction easily. And we not. We have thick skin. So you literally could yell at me and be like, that sucks. I'm be like, for real, though, what you need now in the next tape to make it n. Like, I just. It's real hard for me to get in my feelings about that.

[Angela Yee]

How was your auditions for P Valley?

[Brandi Evans]

Child Ivari over there, my friend, he helped me choreograph it. So I was already teaching dance classes. And so. But I did a slow routine. Cause I felt like everybody. The first routine, I did a chair routine. And it's actually on the Internet if y' all Google Brandee Evans. Valentine's Day Neo hip hop and heels. And I did the slow routine. And they were like, where you come from? Because I couldn't get an audition. They told me that I didn't fit any of the roles that they were currently casting for P Valley.

[Angela Rye]

They didn't see nobody else playing with.

[Brandi Evans]

They said, we don't fit any. And I found out on Valentine's Day 2018. So my agent was like. I was like, yes, this show. My friend just called me about it. Have you heard about it? She's like, yeah, we already tried. They said, no. So then a couple months went past. My homegirl sends me the script. She was like, my sister auditioning for this, and I really think it should be you. So I was like, oh, that little stripper show. That's how I had an attitude at that point. I was like, they don't want me. And so she was like, just read the script. And so then I took pictures. I'm a PK. Preacher's kid took pictures of me being a PK. Mercedes is a PK. Took pictures of me teaching Ms. Tina how to dance at the hip bet experience took pictures of me and my daddy at church. Like, whatever you needed. Then I got the audition, did the chair routine. There was no one even in the room to see me. When I tell you they could care less that I came in that audition. At first, I just had the reader in there, and I remember her looking from the side. She was like, where you from? I was like, memphis. She's like, where you been? I said, waiting on y' all to call me in. And so then I got the call back, and I called Ivari. I was like, listen, we gotta up the ante now. And so I had read the script that said that it was six inch heels was in the pilot script. So I said, I'm gonna do the routine in six inch heels. And so by the time we finished that routine, I was doing front handsprings in six inch heels. I worked with my acting coach, Raquel Gardner, to make sure I was locked in, and the rest is history.

[Angela Rye]

Okay, Got it.

[DJ Envy]

This is great for me, being a dad, right? I fall four daughters, two. Two sons. My two girls dance, right? And it's a lot of money.

[Brandi Evans]

Yes it is.

[DJ Envy]

It's a lot of money. And they dance. I mean they get out of school at three o'. Clock, they dance from four to eight, six days a week. Competitions. We fly all over the place. But I always just like, well what's the end goal? You know what I mean? Because you spend so much money and I like it because it keeps them away from boys. It keeps them out off the phone, off the Internet or out the malls. But I always like well what is their the end?

[Brandi Evans]

Well, I paid a school was paid for so I got a full scholarship at the University of Memphis. And.

[Angela Yee]

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[Brandi Evans]

All?

[DJ Envy]

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[Brandi Evans]

And they can get the scholarship there. They can get scholarships if they don't. They don't want to go to college. They just want to go and train, you know, Alvin Ailey, you know, different things. So there is an end goal. Katy Perry. I toured the world with her, so. And then I became a choreographer. So all of that is very important. They're going to need that on their resume. So there's an end goal. It paid mama's medical bills. It might be paying yours one day. You never know.

[DJ Envy]

How did you feel? Because when they do dancing, they just don't do hip hop. They do tap, they do ballet, they do everything acro, you name it, they really into it. But how does it feel? Cause there's not too many of us out there. Like when we go to these competitions and we go to these.

[Brandi Evans]

Oh yeah. I was the only black girl.

[DJ Envy]

They're the only black girls. It's good. Cause they're recognizable. As soon as they see me, they'd be like, oh, that's your kids. But how did that affect you mentally?

[Brandi Evans]

I think because I went to a performing arts school where we were very diverse. But like, on Memphis Elite, I was many times I was one or two black girls when I was the only black girl on scholarship my freshman year at the University of Memphis. And back then, it was just known that it was gonna only be one. And I remember I was fighting for that one scholarship. I was like, how many black girls won? But I really didn't think anything of it, I think, because my dad kept me in such diverse schooling. Are they at a diverse school?

[DJ Envy]

Yes.

[Brandi Evans]

I think that that's the world, though. I feel like a lot of times we may be the only one. So for me, I felt like it's been a blessing for me because some of my friends are actually unable to navigate that diversity. And, like, you know, it's only one of us. And I'm like, I ain't paying no attention to that because I've been around that my whole life. So I think that it's cool. They know how to navigate in those different worlds right now.

[Angela Rye]

You know, people talk about the physicality of P Valley all the time, but what's something mental about that role of Mercedes that people don't realize to.

[Brandi Evans]

Oh, that's a really good question. My back is still in the workman's comp, though, right now. But I think mentally, for me, let me just say, because I taught high school English, so then I jumped into that accent so hard back home that a lot of times, my friend, be like, you. You can you get out of chuckalisa? Cause what happened to your. Like, what happened to your dialect? So I feel like it's. It shifted that. But mentally, we were filming so late at night, almost like you almost felt like you were a part of that world so much. You're going to bed when the sun is up, and then you're going to work. And we're literally on set at 2, 3 in the morning, and then going to bed at 7am like, you were really immersed in that world. So I think that this season you're gonna see some things, and you'll understand when you see it that it took a lot for me to get some of those things out of my head. Season two was tough because of my daughter and the abortion scene and all of that information. But I also. My daughter passed away, so I had a stillbirth. And so she would have been the same age. Lyric would have been the same age as Azaria or Terrica on P Valley. So that part mentally for me was tough because I felt like Azariah was like my daughter in real life. So things like that, detaching from that at times.

[Angela Yee]

So those scenes were emotional.

[Brandi Evans]

Those were the most emotional, but they were the most beautiful to me because it felt like I got my baby in a sense. It's like God gave me a Zaria, who played Terrika in that same age. So it was like I was able to have my baby girl.

[Angela Yee]

And season two of P Valley, now that you say that. Yeah, you were more. Mercedes definitely was more emotional. And it was a lot more scenes where the viewers were crying too.

[Brandi Evans]

All the stakes at hand of trying to save her baby, and that was the whole thing. Just trying to make life better for herself and her child.

[Angela Yee]

And then her mother, Sadie's mom, that relationship was very tumultuous, and that was.

[Brandi Evans]

My real life a little bit. Not like that. And she wasn't Patrice Woodbine.

[Angela Yee]

Right.

[Brandi Evans]

But me and my mom had a tumultuous relationship, so I was able to. And what was that?

[Angela Rye]

I'm saying over your.

[Brandi Evans]

No, just in life. No, not just in life. I think it was just that mother daughter dynamic. Sometimes that could just be like that. But when I started caring for her, you know, that had to shift because you gotta forgive. But I was able to use P Valley season one to get out everything I'd never say to my mama in real life. Oh, I get to say what now?

[DJ Envy]

Okay.

[Brandi Evans]

So just healing. Healing through P Valley. I feel like that was a very healing.

[Angela Rye]

That is a great segue because I was going after playing that dynamic, change how you see generational trauma?

[Brandi Evans]

Absolutely. Absolutely. I was just talking to someone about that. Certain things isn't necessary. Is it necessary to get that whooping? Is it necessary to beat them? Can you actually talk to them and tell them what's going on? You know, can we communicate better? So I do think playing those different roles, you don't have to yell and scream and belittle, you know, because the whole. The same person that you're belittling is the same person you want to come to you and trust that they can tell you their deep secrets. Come to me. Come to me. We don't want to. We scared. So that to me, made me pay attention to, you know what? If I'm blessed to be able to be a parent, I would parent so differently. But I also. The older I get, I also know we all do the best we can because I feel like all of us, you know, our kids could probably say the same thing, like, well, you did this, you did that. You're doing the best you can. And the older you get, you start realizing, you know what? Mama really did the best she could.

[Angela Rye]

But I do realize, as a parent, every child challenges you differently.

[Brandi Evans]

Absolutely.

[Angela Rye]

You think you're gonna parent all of them the same?

[Brandi Evans]

You can't.

[Angela Rye]

No, No. I mean, there's a core foundation of. Of love. Right. You know, you love them, but, no, they all will challenge you in different ways.

[Brandi Evans]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Angela Yee]

Did you challenge your mother, though?

[Brandi Evans]

I don't know. Mama swing on me so quick. I don't know that I got that challenge. I might have tried the challenge one time and never again.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. Mm.

[Angela Rye]

Mm.

[Brandi Evans]

I still to this day. But I also love that healthy respect, because to this day, I don't care if she in that wheelchair. I'm not finna go talking crazy to her at all. That's my mama, and I feel like you only give one. You respect your parents.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah. So how does she feel about your success? Have you ever just sat down and just talked to her about it? How does she.

[Brandi Evans]

I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna. I don't know that she knows the Alzheimer's of it all. Yeah. I don't know that she knows. Almost every day, I'm reminding her of who I am.

[DJ Envy]

Does she remember you? I was gonna ask that.

[Brandi Evans]

Days. Yes. Sometimes she doesn't. And I go and hide in the closet, and that's the biggest acting job I've ever done. I'll go put myself on speakerphone, and I'll go call her daughter Brandi, and then I'll hide in the room and talk to her, and I'll come back, and it's like, almost like the Notebook sometimes. Like, she remembers sometimes. Sometimes she doesn't. I'll say, you know, where do we live? She'll say, memphis, because she remembers Memphis. But then I'll point to myself on the screen and, like, she saw Reasonable Doubt and had an attitude. She was so upset. I was like, mama, it's not real. I really did not touch that boy. But then. Then I'll come back, and then she'll be like. I'd be like, that's me. And she was like, really? You know, so it's just I've learned to not make them confused more by. And just be like, yeah, you know what? It's okay. It's okay.

[DJ Envy]

That was one of the toughest things I've ever seen my wife deal with. We were actually on a plane. We Were coming back from overseas, Dubai. And we were in first class. And she got up and she was trying to go downstairs. Cause she said she had to go to work. And they're like, go to work. There's no work. So she woke up. I was like, no, mom. This, that, and the other. And she did not know who her daughter was.

[Brandi Evans]

Yes.

[DJ Envy]

And my wife started crying because she was like, how does my mom not know who she was? But then when I got up, she knew who I was. And it was the weirdest thing. Like, she knew me. Hey, Rashaun, I'm just trying to go to work. And I'm like, no, mama, this is. We're in a plane. But she didn't know who her mom was. But when we landed, she did. But it was just. It hurt so much. Cause she's like, this is my mother.

[Brandi Evans]

Gut wrenching.

[DJ Envy]

Like, I'm her caregiver. I'm the one that makes her take her medicine and wash herself and wear public.

[Angela Yee]

We're on a plane.

[Brandi Evans]

It's very. Yeah. My mom asked me for her car keys the other day. I just went and laid them on her lap. Like, you just gotta. At this point, we just smile and play the game. I said, where you going? She said, I'm about to drive to Turrell. She's from Turrell, Arkansas. I was like, okay. Then I was like, well, it's a little late right now, but I'm. Put the keys right here. I'm gonna go to bed, you know, Like, I've learned to play with it. But then I go back in that room and cry, you know? Cause I try not to cry in front of her, but it is the hardest thing ever. It's like, mama don't remember me, but she asked me that time, like, what's your mama name? You? And I was like, brandy. She's like, oh, me too. And I was like, oh, my gosh. She doesn't know it's me.

[Angela Rye]

That's the question. What if you had went to sleep and heard that car crankle?

[Brandi Evans]

Listen, listen. I would've been happy. I would have been happy if. I'm like, girl, get in the passenger seat, though. But yes, and I dream about that. Does your wife dream about that? Does she dream about. I dream about her walking, you know.

[DJ Envy]

Well, she walked and she did. You know, there was a couple times. Like, I remember one time she walked out the house and my daughter was watching her. My daughter was young at the time, 16. And she said, grandma. And, you know, she walked out. My daughter, grandma, where you going, uh huh. And so Grandma said, get off me. She was like, no. So Grandma slapped her.

[Brandi Evans]

Yeah, right.

[DJ Envy]

And she's like, where are you going? She was like, I'm going home. Like, grandma, you can't go home. There's bears out there. She was like, well, pray for the bears. I ain't worried about no damn bears.

[Brandi Evans]

Listen. Oh, baby. They don't like for you to correct them now.

[DJ Envy]

They don't like to correct me. That was one and another thing that we used to have to watch what she. Well, watch what she watches on television because her favorite show was just Judy and Maury loved that. But what happened at night, you know, where they would, like, feed the dogs and feed that. She would cry every day because she would see that and think she had to give to the dying dogs and dying cats and dying kids in Africa with the flies. Like that would affect her. Like, she would be bawling.

[Brandi Evans]

I'm so glad you said that. Because I tell my caregivers that I said, we keep it light in here. We don't watch the news in the house. We don't turn on. I was like, if there's a movie and you see something sad, if you about to cry, turn it. Cause I don't want her crying. So we are very clear. We watching Martin, we watching Girlfriends. You know what I mean? Like, we're watching joyous things and things that make you smile, for sure. That's so important.

[Angela Yee]

I love that. And you actually document a lot of that, too. Girl, you talking about you crying. You be having the viewers crying. Your fans are following followers because they.

[Brandi Evans]

Love my mama more than they love me. I'm like, I'll post something. I'll be like, yeah, watch my new show. They don't be saying, no. I look up, I posted mama. 2 million followers. I look too many likes. I'm like, God, dog, mama. But, yeah, thank y' all for loving my mama.

[Angela Rye]

How does the experience of being a caregiver for your mother sharpen your emotional strength as a performer?

[Brandi Evans]

I think patience, That's a good question. Emotional strength. I just feel like if I can make it through caregiving, I can make it through anything. Because most times I will jump on the carpet. And you don't know if I've just left the emergency room or I'm trying to manage a UTI or trying to set up scheduling. You know, just yesterday, walking down. Walking down the street in New York, and I'm like, what? I'm like, lord, I just want one day where I don't have to manage it. But then I have to check myself because I'm like, there's gonna be one day where you wake up and wish that you could be stressed out. But I just tell myself, if I can handle all this, like, I don't know what it's like to study lines and not have Mama in the other room. So the blessing is. Okay, so you've done this well, caregiving. What will happen later on in life, I don't know. Cause my whole career has been while caregiving for Mama. Season one, I had her with me. So when we would wrap the show, I know my castmates were probably like, dang, she don't ever want to go nowhere with us. I was with Mama, and I was embarrassed to tell them what was going on with Mama. But Ivari knows that all my furniture got broke when I came to Atlanta, and I was hiding that I was sleeping on the floor the whole first half season of P. Valley. Only my best friends knew that.

[Angela Yee]

Wow.

[Brandi Evans]

Because I didn't want the network to find out and think that I couldn't handle it. So a lot of times, I do hide what's really going on. You know.

[Angela Rye]

I mean, it's got to be like. I just. It makes you think, like, what is. What is your purpose?

[Brandi Evans]

Right.

[Angela Rye]

Because that's.

[Brandi Evans]

Right.

[Angela Rye]

That's an act of service in a way.

[Brandi Evans]

Right.

[Angela Rye]

But then it could also feel like your purpose, because I feel like what you're doing, documenting it and telling people is going to help so many other people. But then you're also an actress, so it's like, what is Brandy Evans perfect?

[Brandi Evans]

That I think I'm still trying to figure that out.

[Angela Yee]

That's.

[Brandi Evans]

That's what I'm still trying to figure out. I know that I love acting, but I. I love my mother more.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

And so she's gonna always, always say, I'm a caregiver first, and then I'm an actor. But then I was crying to my friend Sasha the other day. I was like, so if Mama passes, what. What do I have? Like, though that's just. Just authentic. Being authentic right now. Like, what. What do I have? I keep saying, I'm hustling for Mama. Hustling for Mama. What about me?

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

So I don't even know what that is right now, because all I. All I can see is, where is this next job? Because I gotta feed my mama and I gotta take care of. I mean, when I auditioned for P. Valley, Mama was on a camera in my phone because I couldn't afford a Caregiver. So I woke up early. I fed her, and I put the phone in my purse, rushed to Wilshire to audition. Was like, mom, I'm on the way back. Rush back. Like, I don't know what it's like to just live and be in the career.

[Angela Yee]

So what does. What makes Brandi happy? Like, what do you do? Do you ever, like, just go out to dinner?

[Brandi Evans]

Yes. I'm by myself a lot.

[Angela Yee]

I love life, like, you know, do you have.

[Brandi Evans]

I love a good dinner. Yeah. I'll find the time. Because the caregiver is like. I'm like, y', all, please, can y' all just stay? And some nights, I'm like. They're like, well, you're back home. I'm like, can you spend the night so I can just sleep through the night? Cause I'm not gonna sleep. But I love to watch movies. I love to go to a movie. I love to go to Runyon Canyon and just hike. I love to sit at the beach and just hear the water, so. And ride my bike. But just moments that I can just hear myself because I feel like I'm always listening for my mother.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

In every way.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

Yeah.

[Angela Rye]

How did faith guide you during, like, moments when acting roles weren't coming in.

[Brandi Evans]

Maybe as fast as you hope Everything. Because I didn't get my first acting role until I got Mama. But that was my prayer. Like, God, please bless me to be able to take care of my mother and have the job now. I need to be a little bit more specific. Lord, please let it be able to be smoother so I'm able to have the jobs to take care of her now. But it's so stressful. Like, sometimes it's not fun because it's like, everybody's like, look what you're doing. I'm like, but you don't know that by the time I go back, like, when I get off of this, I gotta go FaceTime. Sure. Do y' all have all the groceries y' all need in la? Do y' all have this? So I. I'm praying for a moment of peace to. To truly know that I can go away and Mama will be okay and that I don't have to micromanage. Everybody but God is everything to me. Everything.

[Angela Yee]

Of course.

[Angela Rye]

Now I know Pete Valley's coming back, but why does it take so damn long?

[Brandi Evans]

I don't know. I have no idea. It's coming back. And, baby, it is. This is so good. We wrapped up on it last season. Really? Yes. Or last year, rather. We Shot last season we finished in. Was it November, maybe October of last year of 2024.

[Angela Yee]

And it just been sitting on it when it's coming out.

[Brandi Evans]

You know what? I won't say they're sitting on it. I think they're just perfecting it even more. You know, our showrunner, Katori hall, is very specific, and that's the reason y' all love it so much, is because she pays attention to those details. She makes sure that everything's perfect. I mean, even our closed caption, we wanna make sure it's right. So y' all know what we saying. So she just posted a couple months ago that post production is done. So I think we're just waiting to get the word. But I'm waiting, like, y', all. Because it's a good one. It's a good one.

[Angela Rye]

So you're happy with what? The next chapter of Mercedes?

[Brandi Evans]

Oh, I'm so happy with the next chapter of Mercedes. Like, it's beyond my wildest imagination. It's gonna be crazy. And y' all gonna lose it, too.

[Angela Yee]

And the show couldn't have been casted any better. Like, everybody.

[Brandi Evans]

Everybody's so good, right?

[Angela Yee]

So, so good. Great. Yes, I know. I tried her, but I couldn't speak to chuckling girl. Yeah, y'. All one them down there, chuckled one.

[Brandi Evans]

Of them down there.

[Angela Rye]

Girl.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah, I think that I auditioned for. Oh, my God. She played. On the girl who got the role that I auditioned for. She played. She kills it, too. She played the crackhead on Snowfall.

[Brandi Evans]

She was.

[Angela Yee]

Oh, Gail.

[Brandi Evans]

Gail Roulette.

[Angela Yee]

That's my girl.

[DJ Envy]

Yes.

[Angela Yee]

I audition for Roulette. And, girl, I couldn't get the ch. The chuckalisa accent down.

[DJ Envy]

I said, you got too much. She was too much.

[State Farm Announcer]

Baltimore.

[Angela Yee]

I was like, damn. For real. I couldn't. And then they wanted me to, like, you know, do some dances.

[Brandi Evans]

Not.

[Angela Yee]

I wasn't flexible like you, Brandi.

[Brandi Evans]

I couldn't stop it like that. Gail killed it, though. I love you, but. Yeah, that was Gail Jobs.

[Angela Yee]

I love. Listen, Gail, I love.

[Brandi Evans]

I love her.

[Angela Yee]

She's a phenomenal actress as well. But, yeah, it was. It's perfectly casted. I can't wait. But I. Even more. I can't wait to see your role in Reasonable Doubt.

[Brandi Evans]

Yes. Thank you.

[DJ Envy]

Yes.

[Brandi Evans]

Because I want you to see difference. It's crazy. Like, I knew it was crazy. I went in a store yesterday and somebody was like, don't just be walking up in here after you shot somebody. I was like, wow.

[DJ Envy]

Crazy.

[Brandi Evans]

Like, I will post a picture of my mom and they like, does she know you like to shoot people? I was like, oh, my goodness. Yeah, they going hard for Monica.

[Angela Yee]

Ain't expect Brandy to be playing a character like that.

[Brandi Evans]

And, you know, the finale, I took the wig off and I came out with the set it off braids and all the things.

[Angela Yee]

They was like, yo, yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

But, yeah, don't break it down.

[Angela Rye]

I just got two more questions. It's about Mercedes. But what's a lesson from real life Brandy that Mercedes desperately needs?

[Brandi Evans]

Ooh.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ooh.

[Brandi Evans]

That's a good question. A lesson from Mercedes is pretty dope, maybe that even when things look like they aren't gonna go the way you want them to, keep going. Don't let it break you. Because I feel like at times you saw Mercedes break a little, but she always pick herself back up. But I think I've gotten better with, as of late just being like, all right, it's gonna have to work out. Because a lot of times we freak out first and then we circle back. I'm getting better. Ain't there yet. But I'm getting better with just being like. It just is what it is. It's gonna work out.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Angela Rye]

So let's flip it. What's the lesson from Mercedes?

[DJ Envy]

That real life Brandi needs that hustle.

[Brandi Evans]

Oh, that's good. You know what? Don't be afraid, because I think about, you know, Mercedes going after her gym, and I wanna write my book. So as you call me out on this in this moment, what you so scared of, Brandi? Write your book.

[Angela Yee]

Don't write that story. Yes, yes, Brandi.

[Brandi Evans]

Okay. All right.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Brandi Evans]

Because she went after it anyway when things. And I always keep saying, yeah, I know. I got time to write. I got mama. I got this and that. Mercedes figured it out.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Angela Yee]

I love that.

[Brandi Evans]

Thank you. That was a good question.

[Angela Yee]

I had to get my girl up here.

[Brandi Evans]

Thank you so much.

[DJ Envy]

Thank you for joining us.

[Brandi Evans]

Thank y' all for having me.

[DJ Envy]

That's right. It's Brandy Evans. Thank you for joining us.

[Brandi Evans]

Thank you so much.

[DJ Envy]

Good luck with everything.

[Brandi Evans]

Thank you. Thank you. And y' all make sure y' all get y' all some caregiver merch. I have a caregiver strong merch shop.brandievans.com and I have one that says a shirt that says, I don't have the capacity because it's. It's okay to not have the capacity sometimes. And one that says caregiver strong because it's a different type of strength when you're a caregiver all right.

[DJ Envy]

It's Brandy Evans. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[Angela Yee]

Hold up.

[DJ Envy]

Every day I wake up.

[Brandi Evans]

Wake your ass up.

[Angela Rye]

The Breakfast Club.

[Brandi Evans]

Y' all finished or y' all done?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Woo.

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

Mmm.

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[DJ Envy]

What up, y'?

[Brandi Evans]

All?

[DJ Envy]

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[Brandi Evans]

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[DJ Envy]

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[DJ Envy]

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[Brandi Evans]

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[Angela Yee]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.