Today we’d like to introduce you to Diva Dionne Character.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born a brave girl. One who never thought for a second that I could not do whatever I set my pretty little brain upon, as I have always had a vast imagination growing up listening to the Wizard of Oz on vinyl, alongside my grandfather who would indulge his ears with Jazz in the front room on Sundays while he read the newspaper.
Born and raised in New Orleans, I was surrounded by music and the arts for as long as I can recall. I started singing in church at an early age, which perhaps was the birth of my entertainment career. I’ve marched in parades, played trumpet, French horn, flute and… I’ve traveled to Europe and New York as a background singer and performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival throughout my career…
My love for music lead me to musical theater. My first production was Songs In The Key of Life. I would later cast in Smoke Joe’s Cafe, singing all of the tunes sung by Tony Award Winner, the late Lady B.J. Crosby, a native of New Orleans who changed Broadway with her full ranged vocals and stage presence.
Growing up in New Orleans, I was surrounded by great musicians and artists. I grew up listening to Fats Domino who lived in the neighborhood. I attended church with Tyler Perry and socialized in school band rooms with a host of musicians who have graced stages from New Orleans to Hollywood.
I would one day decide to write a book and in six months, I become the bestselling author of my first collection of poetry entitled 7 Pairs of Shoes with an accompanying Spoken Word CD. I signed at Essence Music Festival alongside Eric Jerome Dickey, Mary Morrison, Eric Pete and a host of groundbreaking authors world-wide. My love for writing would then lead to my teaching creative writing to young adults through my own afternoon program, Writing With Character, taking the classroom experience to the stage and four books later, I am happy to announce my fifth book, You Better Got Your Dream: A Journal for Women Creatives set to be released in 2021…
One day, I was asked to host a television show by a friend who was running for a political office and that was the beginning of my new found love for producing and interviewing artists up close during a “live” weekly broadcast. This gig led to my hosting the first Red Carpet Event for The Mayor’s Party in New Orleans, taking the TV show to the party. I would later become a radio personality on 102.9 with Big Herc at Werk, interviewing R&B artists like Melanie Fiona, Marsha Ambrosius and…
Today, I have intertwined all of my God-given talents into a lovely package utilizing my skills as a Red Carpet Host, Author, Singer, Entertainment Columnist, Creative Writing Instructor, Poet and Empowerment Creative. I have had a life full of interviews and sit-downs with a host of gifted people like Jennifer Holiday, Wendell Pierce, Hill Harper, Kelly Price, Maxine Waters, Bill Summers, Blair Underwood, Professor Griff, Shirley Murdock, Run D.M.C., Dee-1, Ginuwine, and … as my journey with music and artistry continues to evolve from the South to the West Coast.
Has it been a smooth road?
My road has been amazing. I have set out and accomplished so many things while more opportunities continue to unfold.
Nonetheless, with the major setback of Hurricane Katrina, my road was full of struggles as I had to reinvent myself and my life relocating from New Orleans to Atlanta to Virginia back to New Orleans to Atlanta finally deciding that I would move to Los Angeles to broaden my brand after losing everything, i.e., pictures, clothing, home and friends…
Please tell us about Character Hollywood.
Character Hollywood — is all things Entertainment. Attending events, capturing interviews on film, and developing stories on paper, all together as one. We publish works and provide photographic stories working with artists creating bios and promo packages encouraging a creative lifestyle…
The thing which sets us apart is that entertainment and artistry is in my DNA. I was born and raised in one of the most musical magical places on the universe. New Orleans Music is a way of life as it is the entryway to Funk. It’s everywhere you turn even in Hollywood, the Entertainment Capitol of the World.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
With the impact of COVID 19 restricting live performances across the U.S., I think a new shift of artists will evolve as everyone has had time to reinvent themselves and their craft during this pandemic. Music feeds the soul, which means you can never stop the impulse of creating it, because it is life to those who breathe art.
I do believe that the Entertainment Industry in the next decade will be stronger and more lucrative because people will have had a better understanding as to how music impacts the world. Art is a gift and with VoyageLA and other entertainment magazines shining the light on remarkable artists, our voices will never go unheard because the tradition of music runs deeply through us all.
I am certain that we will one day soon be able to enjoy live entertainment while socializing together, relishing in the art and the history of music.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
characterhollywood.com - Email: characterinhollywood@
gmail.com; diva@ characterhollywood.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/dionnecharacter/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
divacharacter - Other: https://www.instagram.
com/youbettergotyourdream/
Image Credit:
Photo credits: COMPLX Photography
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