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Issue 14 - Entertainment

Brandon Gilpin is walking out his destiny in the entertainment industry

Gloria Peebles
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Brandon Gilpin, an ambitious young actor who resides in New York is certainly climbing the ladder of success quicker than a speeding bullet. You may recognize him from the sitcom Grown-ish where he played Renard. Brandon is now on the cast of P-Valley who plays as “Neva Scared” a fifteen-year-old DJ in a strip club deep down in Mississippi Delta. Brandon, also a graduate of Morehouse College, talks about how he got started acting.

“Acting was definitely something I wanted to do. I started dancing at the age of four at dance recitals growing up,” said Brandon. Brandon was also known as the class clown in school because he loved making people laugh but it never stopped him from doing his work, he graduated with honors.

“When I was about fifteen in the 10th grade, I started making music and doing dance challenges. That’s when I decided entertainment is what I want to do because I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” said Brandon. Once Brandon made up his mind to become an entertainer there was no stopping him to make his dream come true.

“Once I got started, I was locked in. I would come home from school spending about 3 to 4 hours a day looking up auditions and stuff I could do; because my goal is to have my own television show, something similar to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” said Brandon. Brandon wanted to pursue his dreams early while he was still young, he was smart enough to realize it’s the early bird that gets the worm.

“I would take the train at fifteen from Long Island New York to go to Manhattan to audition which was an hour away. It was definitely a hustle. I really worked hard, and it has paid off,” said Brandon. Brandon auditioned for 4 years before he got his role on P-Valley finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He had never been in a strip club but was comfortable with his role as a DJ in the series since it’s something he’s familiar with because of his music career.

“P-Valley is like one of the greatest things that ever happened to me, it really opened my eyes up to a different world that I wasn’t used to and most of the stories are based on true stories,” said Brandon. Aside from acting and making music he gives back to the community by doing speaking engagements to the youth. After this interview he’s on his way to KYC Summer Camp to speak to the youth about following their dreams. Brandon’s favorite motto is “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed”.

2 Comments

  1. Gloria Peebles
    Dr. Pamela Allen August 3, 2022

    We are so excited about Brandon Gilpin’s career! We loved him in Grownish, and Aretha, and on P-Valley. He is a role model and when he is in NY he volunteers to work with the children in our local community center. YAAAA Brandon!!

  2. Gloria Peebles
    Greta King August 4, 2022

    Brandon was already a star in High School. We watched him grow on stage and enjoyed his talent as a performer. Our community is very proud of Brandon. Many blessings to you Brandon on a successful career. Always remember “ Service Above Self” Mrs. King