Meet Terrah Bennett Smith of Royal One Entertainment

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrah Bennett Smith.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Terrah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in NYC. Grew up in the Bronx and at 17 years old moved to 27th street in Manhattan. My mother always kept my siblings and I involved in the arts. It was her way of keeping us off the streets. I started dancing at the age of five and continued in the performing arts singing, dancing and acting until now. I made my Broadway debut as a teen and continued to work on and Off-Broadway, in Regional theatre and local in productions. My first commercial was a Levi Jeans and then within a years time, I went on to do a McDonald’s commercial. Wanting to sing, and become a recording artist, I started a record label with my God-Father and friend, which afforded me the opportunity to perform locally and Abroad. Deciding I needed a change and a break from theatre, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue television and film.

My first Los Angeles acting job was a production of Little Shop Of Horrors, then on to Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. I answered an ad for a singing trio and became part of a music group later to be called Altitude. We were signed to the Bahia Label on RCA Record. While doing music I continued to act landing my first television pilot; a back door pilot/spinoff of THE FACTS OF LIFE, and while singing with the group, I was also recurring on General Hospital which made juggling the two quite challenging. From there I went on to do several guest stars, recurring roles, and a Pilot on Fox called ALL ABOUT YOU. Still singing with Altitude, I got the chance to perform on the legendary SOUL TRAIN and other hit television variety shows of the early 90’s. After leaving the group, I continued acting, then, somehow, found myself behind the camera, starting off directing smaller stage and film projects.

I created and directed the LA Times, Critic picks musical revue entitled DICK & DON’S FABULOUS 60’S ROCK AND SOUL SPECTACULAR, and went on to my feature film director debut, FLIP THE SCRIPT. I produced and acted in the feature film CONTRADICTIONS OF THE HEART. Over the years I continued acting, eventually taking a break to and focus on my management/production company and raising my three children. I was not only their mother but their mentor. One of my rules for my kids were they had to start a business by the time they were 16, whether it was a success, or failure the idea was to learn to exercise their entrepreneurial mussels. My twin sons started the C&C TEEN HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL and my Daughter created an online platform (soon to launch). I continue to serve as a mentor to them as well as other teens/tweens. I along with a friend opened the EMPOWERMENT ARTS CONSERVATORY, a performing arts school that not only taught the fundamentals of performing, but also the fundamentals of working behind the camera.It’s always been important for me to share to our young people that you don’t have to wait until you graduate college to begin your career.

During my hiatus from acting, I continued producing, directing, writing projects, managing talents. and raising my kids. I have won awards for my short films, and many accolades for other projects. I have recently found my way back to acting, and have been quite busy. Along with a friend I have co-written and co-created a television series, MY SWEET LIFE, which I am also starring in that is currently in production. Joined forces with three other friends to form; THE AFBC FILM GROUP, and we have begun production on our first Web Series “EXTRACTION. I have also been cast as a recurring role on the new series, STUCK WITH YOU, and have a few episodes on such shows as THE GAME, and roles on The Lifetime movie EVIL DOCTOR, 9-11, to name a few. I have also returned to my first love theatre bringing 2019 to a close performing as part of the LA Premier Production; “B.R.O.K.E.N. code B.I.R.D. switching”. A wonderful play which was first seen as a staged reading at the Berkshire Theatre Group in Massachusetts, and recurring on the new series 68 WHISKEYS, and BOSCH.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There was a time I would consider my journey filled with many struggles, but in hind-sight, and my dedication to growth and self-work, I no longer call them struggles. I look at them as lessons. I realize the more time I took to learn the lessons, and the time I spent referring to them as “struggles”, or life hurdles, gave them a longer lifespan. By putting my focus on learning what I needed to learn, they became smaller moments with opportunities for self growth. I had to stop resisting the process so I could moved through the moments, or struggles if you will much quicker.

But If I had to pinpoint one struggle that hit me the most was the death of my mother. She and I were extremely close, and her passing, to this day, is something I continue to work through.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I work with talent and produce projects; film, stage, television. I have a few specialty clients, a vegan chef who I am pitching a show for, and a few actors I work with as well.

What I’m most proud of I would say is being a conduit for those who want the opportunity to do what they love in the business and not always finding a support system.

Don’t know for sure, but I’d say one of the things that probably sets me apart is that I have pretty much done a tad bit of everything there is to do in the entertainment industry, so I can offer guidance from first-hand experience.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Responsibility. Owning the not so good, and speaking my truth. This has helped me immensely. There was a time I would avoid saying what was on my mind as to not hurt someone’s feelings, and inevitable hurting myself. I am now able to apologize when I say or do something I’m not proud of, and I will find in a nice, but very direct way to say my truth. This has freed me and propelled me forward like I could have never imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: Terrahbennettsmith.com (and) royal1entertainment.com
• Email: royal1entertainment@gmail.com
• Instagram: Theterrahbennettsmith
• Facebook: Terrahbennettsmith

Image Credit:
Jacob Wheeler Photography on the orange and red .

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