SITE TOOLS
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Cynda's Blessings
By Lisa R. Foeman Actress
Cynda Williams is grateful for the existence of BET Arabesque Films. One of the stars of Hidden
Blessings, Williams portrays Brandy Taylor who becomes a cop to expiate a childhood
inability to rescue her mother from the abusive hands of her father. While investigating a
murder, Taylor becomes involved in a relationship with the prime suspect, the
victim’s husband (portrayed by Marc Gomes). Describing her experience on the set of Blessings,
Williams commented, “It was very much like a family for real….The animosity
level was hardly ever there which can happen on a film.”
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 Cynda Williams |
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Williams always knew that acting was her destiny. As a
child, she acted and sang in school plays as well as the church drama troupe. Recalling
that time, Williams chuckled, “when you sing in grammar school, you’re
automatically put in all the plays.” She honed her skills at Ball State University in
Indiana where she received a bachelor’s degree in theater arts. Fortunate for
Williams, she didn’t have to keep her 9 to 5 as a bookkeeper and hostess for three
New York City restaurants very long - she landed Mo’ Better Blues soon after
starting those jobs - and has been able to make a steady living ever since as an actress.
But Williams believes her look has made it more difficult for her to secure character
actor roles. Opined Williams, “they [casting directors] have darker-skinned Black
women as character actresses [who] play the mothers, [] the lawyers, and [] the
down-to-earth women. Light-skinned women play your sex symbols…and usually not so
nice characters. To be a character actress, it takes more skill….I’ve been able
to do [character acting in] low budgets and independents and been able to prove that. So,
a lot of people didn’t know what to do with me because I had the look of a sex
symbol, but the talent of a character actress.”
Still possessing a healthy love for singing, Williams welcomes opportunities to both sing
and act in movies. She had a record deal fall through for “political” reasons in
the early 90’s. According to Williams, the label’s top brass couldn’t
picture her singing the type of music she desired - “folksy” in the style of
Tracy Chapman. The lack of a record deal, however, doesn’t stop Williams from
“sharing her gift”: she often satiates her vocal urges by singing karaoke and in
coffee shops.
In her spare time, Williams does decorative faux painting such as sponging and washes on
walls. Quite a few people having admired her initial work on Michael Beach's walls have
asked to hire her. But her work is free only for friends. In her own house, Williams
prefers murals. A lover of “constant change,” she’s painted a beach scene
and various types of religious places of worship. Said Williams, faux painting “keeps
me focused and concentrated on what I’m doing, instead of the future. It keeps me in
the present.”
In her private life, Williams’ present includes a relationship with Rod Plummer,
Blessing’s supervising producer. They met on the set of Blessing, and Williams thinks
this relationship has promise.
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Williams' fans can see her in The
Courage to Love, a Lifetime movie co-starring Vanessa L. Williams, that will air at
the end of January. In addition, she will star in “McArthur Park,” an ensemble
piece based on a true story about the crackhead culture in this beautiful park located
near some of Hollywood’s fanciest hotels. The independent film will be showcased at
the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. M
January 2000 |
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