The Actors Lounge

Mahdi Cocci currently stars in the BET+ series “Bruh,” a 30-min comedy series from powerhouse producer Tyler Perry, which celebrates black male brotherhood.  Cocci also co-stars in the NETFLIX romantic comedy feature THE LOVEBIRDS opposite Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, which is now streaming. BET+ series “Bruh” examines the contemporary world of dating, career, and friendship through the lens of four African American men with a brother-like bond. Cocci plays Tom, a doctor with lady problems, but he is also the glue that holds the group together.  “Bruh” Seasons 1 and 2 can be streamed on BET+, and they have been renewed for a third season. THE LOVEBIRDS is a rom-com from Paramount/Netflix that tells the story of couple Jibran (Nanjiani) and Leilani (Rae), who on the brink of breaking up, get unintentionally embroiled in a bizarre murder mystery. Cocci portrays Keith, a coworker to Leilani, whose friendship with Leilani causes Jibran to be jealous. Originally scheduled to premiere at SXSW, the film is now streaming on Netflix. Cocci was born in Minneapolis, MN, and was raised by his mother, Stephanie. Education was always emphasized growing up, and Mahdi earned a full Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. He put his burgeoning modeling career on hold to serve as an officer in the Navy upon graduation. After serving honorably, Cocci shifted gears and pursued a career in acting. His first professional credit was earned on the TV series, Dynasty, in 2018, roles on other network shows soon followed, including The Gifted, The Resident, MacGyver and more. Mahdi will appear in recurring roles in The Terminal List, Games People Play, and an upcoming Marvel project in 2022. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Caroline Harris is an actor from Chicago who is currently based in Los Angeles. Caroline's recent TV credits include WESTWORLD (HBO), AMERICAN GIGOLO (Showtime), BRUH (BET+), and SHOOK (Disney Youtube). Feature credits include a supporting role in HAPPIEST SEASON (Sony) and a leading role in DASHING IN DECEMBER (Paramount Network). Caroline is a graduate of Northwestern University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Register for the virtual screening & talkback of PAWN, here!   Kinnik Sky IG Kinnik is a veteran of stage, television, and film. Originally from Columbia, SC, she spent 14 years honing her craft in Atlanta, GA working professionally in musical theater. She has performed in more than 30 stage plays over the past 20 years with major theatre credits including, “Dreamgirls,” “For Colored Girls,” and Tyler Perry’s “Madea's Class Reunion.” Finishing as a Top 13 Finalist in the hit show American Idol (Season 5), Kinnik then went on to win the Dreamgirls competition sponsored by the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and Blackweekly.com and was flown to Italy to perform. She also executive-produced, wrote, and hosted the celebrity and entertainment news web series, “Straight From the Sky” that can be seen on KinnikSky.com. Powerhouse directors and producers Tyler Perry, Robert Townsend, Will Packer, and Kenny Leon have cast Kinnik in their projects to utilize her vocal range and acting abilities, but Kinnik’s greatest theatrical achievement to date is writing, producing, and starring in the stage production, “Sunday Mourning” under her Dazzal Mi Entertainment production company (pronounced Dazzle Me), which won three NAACP Theater Awards. The play received a total of seven NAACP Theatre Award nominations, including her nomination for “Best Playwright” and her win for “Best Leading Female.” To date, her production company has received a total of 11 NAACP Theatre Award nominations and seven wins for its stage productions. In 2017, Kinnik launched Dazzal Mi Entertainment’s 501c3, Athletes and Entertainers For Change. AEFC’s first program offering is The Sky Academy designed to expose underserved youth in Los Angeles to jobs in theater and filmmaking, as well as arts and culture. In 2019, Kinnik Sky Films released its first short film, “PAWN,” which was written, directed, and produced by Kinnik, who also starred in the production. “PAWN” world premiered at the prestigious, Oscar-qualifying 2019 BronzeLens Film Festival where it was the official selection. The film has received multiple accolades, including being named the official winner of the Los Angeles Movie Awards 2019, the official selection of the Las Vegas Premiere Film Festival 2019, and the Top Shorts Film Festival 2019 Honorable Mention for Best Story. Kinnik continues to climb in notoriety, expanding into directing and coaching. In 2019, she was hired as the Dialogue Coach for the ABC hit comedy Mixed-ish. She is consistently referred to by writers and directors on the set of Mixed-ish as the “Youth Whisperer” due to her innate and invaluable talent for nurturing young actors in a way that empowers and excites them to give their best performances. In 2020 after watching her work, the show’s staff and crew began requesting that Kinnik privately coach their kids, which inspired her to launch Stars and Sky Private Coaching for actors. Kinnik is also the second Black female instructor ever to join the team at the highly prestigious Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in Los Angeles by personal invitation from founder Lee Strasberg’s son. The institute boasts A-list alumni including, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Shandra Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Matt Dillon. Currently, Kinnik Sky Films is in pre-production to turn her award-winning stage play Sunday Mourning into a feature film. Kinnik continues to break new ground and push barriers as an artist, and her motto guides her work: “Not even the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Philadelphia/ South Jersey native, Ashley Monique Harper was born on June 10th. Both the acting and tennis bugs bit her at nine years old. She began her career interning at radio stations in Philadelphia and hosting radio shows while attending college at Morgan State University. She later transferred to St. John's University, in New York, from where she would ultimately graduate with her bachelor's degree. While there, she began her hosting career. She attended both schools on a full tennis scholarship. Best described as witty, sarcastic and humorous; her talent, girl next door looks and welcoming smile have landed her roles in Netflix series', on BET stages and Disney shows alike. Throughout the years of her career, Harper has worked on voice overs, promos, independent films, print ads and served as a correspondent for many MTV Networks programs. Ashley is best known for her role of Jean Peterson on Tyler Perry's 'The Oval' (2020) on BET Networks. When she's not in front of the camera, Harper can be found behind it, with her DSLR draped around her neck, taking photos of your favorite's favorites. A true content creator, her shooting eye is always open. There is one main goal... Ashley desires to continue to passionately and enthusiastically tell people's stories; the good, bad, ugly and the funny ones. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

The exciting talent of Alyssa Goss was quickly discovered by the ABC Discovers program in 2016. From the program Alyssa Goss quickly started working and found herself in the BET Mini-series THE BOBBY BROWN STORY - the successful follow up the the groundbreaking mini-series THE NEW EDITION STORY. Alyssa starred as the ethereal yet complex Alicia Etheridge (Bobby Brown’s current and long term wife) opposite Woody McClain who once again portrayed Bobbie Brown. Alyssa brought her talents to portray strength with heart and was singled out as a grounding performance. Additionally, Alyssa eager to exercise her comedy skills, moved to the female lead in the MTV Productions HOW HIGH 2. In the fun and irreverent comedy Alyssa relished her ability to be a comedic artist while at the same time providing a grounded performance. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Courtney Coffey is an actor, dancer, television producer, & mindset coach for performing artists based in Los Angeles, CA. After feeling stuck and going through a period of depression, she decided that something needed to change. She began to work on her mindset and her life changed—within a few months she signed with 2 agents and a manager, booked a pilot and a national commercial, and was more happy and confident than ever. She understands the mindset shifts that artists need to go through to excel in their chosen field, and started her coaching practice to help them do just that. She uses human design, energetics, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and her “Triple E formula” to help her clients begin to live the life of their dreams. Link to a free meditation, from Courtney!   Instagram & Youtube Channel  Website for more info and to work with Courtney.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Desean is an actor, director, and educator.  His directing credits include Gunshot Medley: Part 1 by Diona Michelle Daniel, In The Blood by Susan Lori Parks, Blues for Mister Charlie by James Baldwin, Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward. As an actor, his television credits include Scorpion, Southland, Shameless, ER, Monk, Harry's Law, The Night Shift, Sleeper Cell, House,Grey's Anatomy, NCIS Los Angeles, the HBO series Room 104 and several more. He is currently a series regular on The Morning Show on Apple TV opposite Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. He is a graduate of Julliard with an MFA from Cal State University Long Beach in Acting Pedagogy and Directing, where he currently teaches and directs.  He is Co-Artistic Director of Collaborative Artists Bloc, a theatre company in South Los Angeles dedicated to producing culturally relevant theatre in communities of color. You can find out more about Desean and any of his storytelling adventures at www.deseanterry.com. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Since wrapping a Recurring Role on BET+'s RUTHLESS, Guest Starring on CBS's NCIS, and a Lead in Black++ Production's indie film HATSHEPSUT, Selina is becoming a recognizably distinct actor. Before Recurring on RUTHLESS, Selina Guest Starred on Paul Feig's FRANCES 2.0, Dr. Dre's VITAL SIGNS, STITCHERS on Freeform and MARRIED on FX. Most recently, her coaching clients have successfully booked a Series Regular role on STARZ's B.M.F., a top-of-show Guest Star on NCIS, and a Guest Star on SHAMELESS & BOSCH. Originally from Buffalo NY, Selina majored in Broadcast Journalism from Buffalo State College. She started her career as a VJ & radio personality for 93.7 WBLK, the #1 radio station for Hip-Hop & R&B in Buffalo. She has studied and worked in Los Angeles for almost a decade and has been invested in and worked with Graham Shiels Studios since 2015. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Actor, Model, Athlete, Stunt Performer, From Winston-Salem North Carolina. Jejuan was a full time football & basketball player through grade school earning him a football scholarship. Starting with modeling at 16 for a local clothing line, then on going appearing in numerous music videos. Jejuan has made no stoppage since that point. From starting as a background extra on Drop Dead Diva & other hit shows to being a stand in & stunt double on films like Ant Man, Sleepless Nights, & AtlantaFX series over the years. Involved In Writing & Directing films in which he directed "Walk A Mile" which starred himself & other cast mates that he met alongside of networking. The film has been featured in numerous film festivals and other movie screenings gaining notice. Traveling across the country Between Atlanta GA, & Los Angeles , CA throughout the years, He has made no stoppage in pursuing his growth as an actor. Utilizing Modeling, & creative control with his projects to continue to pursuit his craft. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

Candice Renée is an L.A. native who spent half of her life in New York. Candice began her acting career at age 12 when she booked her first play while training. After that, there was no turning back. She received an acting degree while in New York. These skills have helped land her recent roles on Black Jesus on Adult Swim, and the most recent seasons of both Westworld and Insecure on HBO where she plays Condola's best friend.  She was recently seen in the feature film, BODIED produced by Eminem. Candice is currently a series regular on Tyler Perry's Bruh, playing the no-nonsense Regina and can be heard on the upcoming season of Archer on FX. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support