Victoria recently co-produced and starred in an original piece, Opening Doors at the Elephant Theatre. The Beautiful and talented actress has as extensive list of credits that include - TV: CSI: Miami, Crossing Jordan, State of Grace, Guiding Light, The $treet, Cosby, All My Children and The Lunchbox Chronicles (pilot). Film: Josephine Baker in HBO’s Winchell, Rainbow in Alma’s Rainbow, ‘Round Midnight & Flip the Script. Theatre & Musicals: Jelly’s Last Jam - Broadway, The Vagina Monologues – Los Angeles, Sacramento, Hoopz! – Disney, Smoke, Lilies and Jade – The Public (NY), Deena  in Dreamgirls – Westchester Broadway Theatre, the DOG  in 2 Divas & the Dog – The Tiffany(LA) and NPT (NY), Women of Plums – The Kennedy Center (DC) and The Hot Mikado – The Ford Theatre (DC). 

Check out what she had to say to moementum.

Jay: When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

V: My mom was a singing coach and one of the kids she coached had an audition for the touring company of 'ANNIE' so my Mom went with her and I tagged along. The audition took place in one of those big Broadway houses, red velvet seats, the bright lights, the whole nine. Very intimidating. I was sitting in the wrong section and got called up on stage to audition by accident. The monitor lined us up in rows on this massive stage, like 50 kids and asked us to sing 16 bars of The Sun Will Come out Tomorrow. When they pointed to me, I sang, probably out of pure terror and the rush was amazing! The lights, the stage. It was intoxicating. That's when I guess you could say I got bit by the bug.

Jay: How did you get started in the biz?

V: I actually booked that job. But my parents were concerned about me touring so young; I was 7, so they didn't accept the offer. But that was the beginning. I got an agent through a friend. Carl Payne as a matter of fact.

Jay: Who are your influences?

V: In life, my Mom and Dad because of their tenacity and strength. They raised 9 kids on a teacher's salary. And we never knew we weren't rich! I thought we were rich. In the business; anyone who runs against the wind or makes their own rules, recreates themselves constantly, like Janet Jackson, Madonna, Queen Latifah. And the ones that are just brilliant at their craft; Don Cheadle, Holly Hunter, Gary Oldman.

Jay: How much of yourself goes into the characters you play?

V: I don't know. That's a good question. I guess that depends on how much the 'character' is akin to me. I think acting is very closely related to channeling. Many of the characters I've portrayed I have a difficult time relating to or identifying with at all. I just pray they make themselves known to me; preferably before I hit the stage.

Jay:  What is your proudest moment professionally/personally?

V: I haven't been able to separate personal and professional yet. I'm still challenged with that. It's one and the same for me, unfortunately. I recently co-produced and starred in an original piece entitled Opening Doors, with Marci T. House. It was 3 original plays, directed by 3 different directors and they all starred Marci & I. All 2 person pieces. Marci & I each had 3 very distinct characters to play. A good deal of research, work, focus. I am very proud of that. It went very well.

Jay: Television, film, stage or modeling which would  you choose?

V: I can say a resounding 'NO' to modeling. I got tired of hearing, 'too short, too light, too (insert whatever ridiculous adjective you'd like)'. The others are a toss up. They each offer something different. Stage offers the rawness of acting. The in-the-moment-ness of what we do. Thinking on the spot, being connected for 2 hours straight. I love that. Movies and TV offer money, which is nice. It helps. It also offers the possibility of mass popularity, acclaim, reaching more folk. Not fame as much as being more widely known. Which to me means having more ears to hear what I have to say.

Jay:  What type of roles will you refuse to play?

V: I haven't yet met a role I wouldn't play! I guess a role that has no depth; that's one-dimensional. I enjoy playing real people. Even if they are tortured drug addicts or serial killers or struggling housewives. As long as they are fully fleshed out characters, I'd play them. There is the thought and especially among people of color, that we shouldn't accept roles that make us look bad. I don't agree with that. I believe that's part of what art's about. Bringing truth to light, revealing behaviors that are detrimental, creating a dialogue so we can heal those things which keep us from attaining our goals and dreams. I don't choose to take on the responsibility of making us look better for other people. I think that's where we go wrong. We're so busy trying to 'show' ourselves as upstanding, educated, 'better', that we've ignored wounds that have been oozing for years. We want to keep silent about our faults. That's dangerous. The only way to deal with them is to expose them. Acting does that. I like playing characters that most people would find offensive or detestable and bringing humanity to them. Showing how they got that way so we can possibly prevent it in our children. Obviously it's a passionate subject for me. I'd go on but...

Jay:  How have you managed to keep working over the  years?

V: Faith, faith and more faith. Doing my absolute best at every audition. And, of course, a lil' prayer!

Jay:  What's on the  horizon?

V: I'm not sure. Some babies, maybe a lil' writing, directing. Possibly more producing.

Jay:  Any words of  advice?

V: Have a life that's more than just this business. We get wrapped up and mesmerized by an idea of success that may not be our own. We get caught up in making the loot, becoming famous, having... stuff. All that is wonderful. I want it myself! But it can't be the focus. It can't be the reason. I watch National Geographic a lot. There are people in this world that don't have phones or running water. They still live off the land and they have their families surrounding them, they hunt and fish. It may sound silly and I'm certainly not saying I'd like that, but it offers perspective. The world is going on and they are doing their thing. Just livin'. By their own rules. We’re running around trying to make things happen and spinning this into that, magic, magic, magic. And they are just livin. My relationship with God, my family, my friends, they’re most important to me. Making sure I’m always growing and learning new things. In two words, have perspective.