Actress Gabrielle Dennis Graces The Cover Of "Inside Black Hollywood" This Week

Cover of Inside Black Hollywood with Gabrielle Dennis on the Cover

2008-04-28 21:22:00 - Actress Gabrielle Dennis Graces The Cover Of "Inside Black Hollywood" This Week

Ohio native and Howard University graduate Gabrielle Dennis is on the cover of this week's issue of "Inside Black Hollywood."
Read below for an excerpt of the interview. Visit www.insideblackhollywood.com to read the full feature.
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Written by: Jill Joseph

Gabrielle Dennis grew up in Cincinnati , Ohio with dreams of stardom. She later moved to Washington D.C to attend Howard University were she earned a degree in Theater. She began her professional career on the small screen by co-hosting Teen Summit, a popular teen talk show formerly on the BET network. Dennis also appeared in a number of commercials and movies, including Rage in Harlem , which featured acting legend Gregory Hines. Dennis is also a regular face on the comedy scene, having spent years doing stand-up comedy in clubs in L.A. and Chicago.

Jill: Hi, Gabrielle thanks for the time.


Gabrielle: Thank you for having me.


Jill: I had the opportunity to review your bio and noted that you are a up-and-coming comic. What made you decide to get into the comedy scene?


Gabrielle: I've always been the class clown. I really enjoy making people laugh. Even at home I've always been the one that makes everyone laugh. Being a comic is something I really love and I enjoy doing. I have a sketch comedy group that I work with and that I enjoy. At times it's hard to dedicate your time to stand up comedy while trying to pursue other genres of entertainment. Right now for me standup has become more of a hobby than a professional career. It's like my favorite thing.


Jill: How would you describe your style of comedy?


Gabrielle: I would say that I'm like one of the boys. I talk a lot about how things aren't fair in the world of entertainment between men and women. For example, you have beautiful singers like Beyonce and Ashanti which are like eye candy for the men. So the men are straight, but for the women we have the guys like the Ying Yang twins! I feel like its not fair. We as women have to settle were as men have free range to do what ever they want. I tend to do a lot of comedy were I bring those kind of things to life.


Jill: Who do you look up to or aspire to be like in the industry?


Gabrielle: I would say that as far as stand up comedy I love, love, love Paul Mooney and Richard Pryor. I think they are very honest. Their styles are real and raw. I especially love Richard Pryor he is the Godfather of comedy. Then there are ofcourse comics like Damon Wayans, Martin Lawrence and Dave Chappelle.


Jill: How hard is it for a young African American comedic actress to get work in the industry?


Gabrielle: It's hard, but it's about staying focused. I don't think it's any more difficult than just being an African American female in America . I think that in any line of work you get out what you put in. There are always going to be challenges that you have to face. I would say that African American females have been taught that we have to work a little harder than everyone else, but I think you have to be optimistic. You have to know that there will be a time when things change. I mean just look at Halle Berry and Denzel. I just have to know that when I go in for an audition that it's my job to just 'knock'em dead'. It's also about staying positive. I know what is meant for me will happen, when it happens.



Jill: How did you hook up with the CW and The Game?



Gabrielle: I actually had a meeting with the head of casting at the CW. That meeting went really well and by the time that I got home I go a call that I needed to come back for an audition. I had no idea how big the part was going to be. I thought that maybe I would get a couple of one liners. So I went in and the next day I found out just how big the part was and so I thought that it was really cool. I was also really excited because I am a big fan of the show. Everything happened really fast and I just had that feeling that everything was going to work out. I just really connected with the material and I think that had to do with the fact that it was really well written.



Jill: What is it like playing the girlfriend of Pooch Hall aka 'Derwin Davis'?

Gabrielle: Pooch Hall is really an amazing person and actor. He gives everyone the same energy and kindness. He is just as friendly to the guest stars as he is to the lighting and sound crew. He's that rare person that can walk into the room and lift the energy in the room. Hhe is really great and a true professional. I really enjoy working with him.. He is also very talented and just an all around good guy. Working with him has definitely been a pleasure. So to all the fans out there, Pooch Hall is just as nice and sweet as his character Derwin.


Jill: What's his off-camera personality like? Is he Goofy, Silly, Chill, Fun Loving, Smooth, Laid Back, Serious or a combination?


Gabrielle: I would say that he's a very high spirited person. He's funny, nice, and one of those people that you love to have around. Pooch likes to play around and jokes with everyone on set, but he's also a real professional. He definitely has a lot of energy and can be somewhat like a big kid. He just really great!


Jill: Was it weird to have intimate scenes being that you're a comedic actress?


Gabrielle: Well, that bedroom scene I did with Pooch was actually my first time having to do that type of scene. I am a comedic actress so I've never had to do an intimate scene before. At first it was kind of weird, but Pooch made it possible for me to not feel so uncomfortable. It was more like okay we're here for a job so let's get it done and keep it moving. Everyone on set was really great about making me feel comfortable. At first I think I was nervous because it was some thing unexpected, but once it happened I felt relieved. It was very professional and I know now what to expect when put in that kind of situation.


Jill: What do you likes most about your role as Janay?


Gabrielle: What I like about the character is that she has many layers. At the first time the character was introduced she was established as being strong and having it all together. She was that I don't take any mess type of female. She really didn't allow Derwin to talk to her any kind of way and she held her ground. I also think she's very loving and sweet but she also likes to have things her way. Like when she went to the party in Miami . She felt like Derwin was coming at her in a negative way so she wanted to be like, I'll show you. You know as females we are not all one dimensional. We have times when we are petty or jealous and then times when we are sweet and loving. So I do like that she has layers. She is also unpredictable in that you don't always know what she's going to do but I think that makes her interesting.


Jill: How did you get along with the other cast members while on the set?


Gabrielle: I think they have a really great cast and that the show is very well written. Everyone is just so positive and they all have great energy. They make you feel welcome and really respect you as an actor.

..TO READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW VISIT www.insideblackhollywood.com/features.php

You can catch Gabrielle Dennis and the cast of "THE GAME" on the CW Network every Sunday @ 9:00 EST/ PST

For Media/Publicity Inquiries on Gabrielle Dennis you can contact her publicist Neeta Wooten at Ideal PR, LLC