Hailing from the Big Apple, New York native Nirine S. Brown is a multifaceted entertainer who is becoming a force to reckon with in the industry. With Nirine S. Brown‘s many years of dance experience and now acting, Nirine’s talents have afforded her opportunities to work with some of the industry’s biggest names such as Beyoncé in Coachella, Tyler Perry in Ruthless and A Jazz Man’s Blues, and now pop star “Ni’Jah” in the hit amazon prime show “Swarm .” Brown’s ability to incorporate her many talents into different projects enhances her uniqueness and versatility as an artist. With such an energetic and dazzling personality, Brown is sure to become a household name soon.
Recently Nirine S. Brown caught up with Remixd Magazine’s Kerrington Dillon to discuss her journey as an entertainer, all of her experiences as Ni’Jah in “Swarm,” all things celebrity obsession, and her latest projects coming soon. Keep reading to check out the interview!
Nirine S. Brown interview
Let’s start from the beginning. Walk me through your upbringing, what’s it like where you’re from?
So, I’m originally from New York and as a kid, I had so much energy. That led my mom to put me in dance classes, and you know she thought she was exhausting the flame in me, but in reality, those dance classes ignited the flame more. Then eventually my mom’s friends saw my talent and encouraged her to put me in commercials
Who or what inspired your decision to become an entertainer?
You know like I mentioned I always loved performing, I eventually went to a performing arts high school where I studied more. It was then that I discovered the likes of Janet Jackson and Debbi Allan and Vanessa Williams. You know those women did it all.
What has been the best part of pursuing a career as an artist? Did you always envision this for yourself?
For me, the best part is being able to transform into such cool characters and learn their stories. So honestly I have always envisioned being an artist, but if I hadn’t I would be a lawyer because there are so many people who have been falsely accused, and then the courts find out 20 years later it wasn’t that person. It happens a lot to our black men, but it helps anyone in that situation. So one day hopefully I get to play a lawyer.
Since Playing Lynn in Tyler Perry’s “Ruthless” and now playing Ni’Jah … how would you compare the two roles? Which one did you like playing more?
So the roles are very different and you know Lynn was someone who suffered from substance abuse and I’ve never personally been through that so it was interesting to learn the movements such as the mouth movements and the hand fidgeting. Whereas Ni’Jah is a pop star and even though I’m not one it was very fun to play dress up and become her.
What was your first impression of the role, were you nervous to play a character that mimics a real person (Beyoncé) someone you’ve worked with?
When I first got the role the script never said anything about Mrs. Beyoncé, you know it was just the story of a pop star so that could’ve been anyone from Rihanna to Lizzo, anyone. It wasn’t until I got into the wardrobe and got into the script I noticed like oh yea this kind of mimics Bey.
Being that the theme of the show is celebrity obsession, have you ever been obsessed with a certain celebrity, or have known anyone to be obsessed? Do you think it’s normal to a certain extent
Yes growing up I had the biggest obsession with Batman from Immature (Marques Houston) I loved him so much I had posters of everyone I just loved him. Honestly, it wasn’t even about the music. I really don’t know much of their music by heart, I just loved what he stood for as a person. So I do think celebrity obsession is normal to a certain extent just no murdering lol.
What are some of your best memories on set? Did you get a chance to be on set with Chlöe, Dom, and Damnson?
I didn’t have any scenes actually with all of them together, even though pictures and posters of Ni’Jah were present, I was not physically In the scenes. For me, the best memory was creating a real music video for Ni’Jah, I mean I performed in a real arena not a set and there were even guests with my (Ni’Jah’s) face on their shirts. So it was very exciting to be a real superstar for a while.
Being that the show is executive produced by Donald Glover what were your first initial thoughts? What was he like?
I didn’t know too much about the show, because when getting cast for a role they don’t tell you much. Donald actually directed the first episode, and he was such a sweetheart. I like to say he’s like a big teddy bear, such a great person to work with. It was also a delight to work with my other amazing boss Janine Nabers. They both were just great, and I’m so grateful they choose me out of the hundreds of people that auditioned.
Since the success of Swarm as “Ni’Jah” are there any special musical projects that fans can expect from Nirine?
Yes, actually back home in New York my friends Carisma J and Nafi Love are the directors and writers of a short film called Crown. I am a producer in the film and I’m starring in it. It’s about a young black woman who is so very confident in her natural hair and loves what it embodies, and her mom (who I play) is a person who feels you have to wear straight hair to be presentable and proper. It will be premiering in New York on May 12 and I’m very proud of the project.
What has the reaction to your character been?
I am on Twitter and Instagram and I have only seen great things about my character Ni’Jah so I hope it stays that way. It’s been beautiful feedback.
If you could give upcoming entertainers any advice what would it be?
The advice I would give to upcoming entertainers is to never take anything personally, there are so many variables as to why your cast or do not get casted. To continue being yourself and bettering your craft.
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