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Courtesy
Terron Brooks
Terron Brooks |
Terron
Brooks - Embracing Spirituality and the Power of Love
By Carla Robinson
Before
September 11th, spirituality in our society was as evanescent as
morning fog. These days, it is being reclaimed, making artists like
Terron Brooks more relevant and vital than ever. A while back, the
Long Beach, California native decided that his spiritual beliefs would
be a part of his public persona, and ever since, he's made career
choices that allow him to offer the world something more than just a
pretty face. Through his roles on stage and screen and the music he
records, Brooks hopes to inspire people to embrace the power of love
and to strive toward their fullest potential.
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He knows a lot about how
God's love can help us get to where we need to go, even when we don't
clearly see the magnificent road ahead. He wore braces on his feet as
a child, and refers to his ability to perform as a dancer as "a
miracle," something he never thought he'd do as a shy kid growing
up. It's certainly no less than miraculous, seeing as he danced his
way into Broadway's "The Lion King" last fall, and in
January, right into the coveted role of Simba. "I never dreamed
that I would be on Broadway," the effervescent actor told me. The
Great White Way is a major accomplishment for any performer,
particularly if he's young and African-American; but Brooks isn't one
to be self-congratulatory over his success. Instead, he attributes it
to the grace of God.
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He also credits his
parents. They raised him in church, where he sang from age 6, and
"they always taught me that I'm a unique individual and I have
something special to give." Like any young person, Brooks
stumbled along the way to heeding his parents' message. When he first
started recording, he tried to fit into the Usher, R&B mode, but
it wasn't long before he matured enough to see that his gifts were
more spiritual. During a time of reflection, he asked himself,
"What's really important? Is the money and the flossing and the
bling-bling important to me? Ultimately, it really isn't." Today,
he's proud that his work allows him to be a role model. "Kids are
so impressionable," he says, "all they have to see is one
person doing something positive and they'll want to do it too."
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Brooks has put the same affirmative
energy into his acting parts. From his role as Eddie Kendricks in the
TV biopic "The Temptations," to Brian in the upcoming
romantic comedy All About You, the actor's work comes across as
charming and sincere. After six months on Broadway, Brooks decided it
was time to move on and continue to build his musical identity.
"You can stay on Broadway for years if you want to, and get that
check," he laughs, "but I'm about doing a lot of different
things. I'm young, I have a lot of goals and dreams and I'm very
motivated and focused on what I want to do." Looks like Brooks
believes in stepping out on faith.
M
February 2002
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