Written by Vianka Petines• September 25, 2024• 6:00 am• Featured Interview • Views: 2

Branden Wellington: A Journey of Versatility, Resilience, and Redefining Success in Entertainment

Introduction: Who is Branden Wellington?

I’m Branden Wellington, originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, but also raised in Hollywood, Florida, as one of nine siblings. My career in entertainment has taken me through many different avenues—I’m primarily an actor, poet, comedian, and voice-over artist.

My passion for storytelling drives everything I do, and I want people to know that my work reflects both my love for performance and my drive to showcase a variety of talents.

What Sets Branden Apart in the Industry?

Versatility is what makes me unique in this industry. I’ve honed skills across acting, comedy, poetry, and writing, and each one has contributed to my growth as an entertainer.

I’ve been fortunate to find opportunities that allow me to display my full range of talents, and it’s that adaptability that has helped set me apart from others.

Photo credit: Tim Schaeffer

The Moment of Realization: When Acting Became the Goal

I’ve always known I wanted to entertain, even as a young kid. If I had to point to a defining moment, it might be the time in kindergarten when I got in trouble for bringing one of Spike Lee’s movies to show-and-tell. Movies and television have always fascinated me.

It became clear to me in high school that acting was my calling. After my middle school graduation, I sat down with my mom, and we decided that I should attend a magnet high school with a solid theater program, even though it was far from home. That decision laid the groundwork for everything that followed.

After high school, I pursued formal training at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Every professional endeavor since then—from acting to voice-over work, comedy, and hosting—has been in service of achieving my dream.

There were times I wasn’t booking acting roles, so I expanded into other areas to prove I belonged in the entertainment world. In some ways, that diversification led to new opportunities, like becoming an in-game host for the New York Mets and landing my first theatrical manager and agents.

Now, having become a series regular, I can reflect on how each of these experiences helped me grow as both an artist and a person. No opportunity should ever be dismissed just because it doesn’t look like what you expected—it all connects back to your main journey.

The Biggest Challenge and How I Overcame It

On a personal level, one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced was losing my oldest brother to suicide. Working through that grief was incredibly difficult, but I found solace in prayer and blogging, which helped me gain clarity. What I’ve learned is that some things in life aren’t meant to be “gotten over,” but rather “gotten through.”

Professionally, my biggest obstacle was learning to navigate delayed gratification. In an industry where success doesn’t come immediately, it can be hard to stay motivated.

But I learned that being faithful in the small things paves the way for bigger achievements. We live in a world that often expects instant results, but real success takes time—train for the long haul, and you won’t burn out after a sprint.

The Top 3 People I’d Like to Meet to Elevate My Career

To take your career to the next level, you need two people to believe in you: yourself and someone else. The first step is overcoming self-doubt—once you truly believe in yourself, your movement changes.

That belief will attract the second person, and that’s crucial because no one makes it alone. Life is about building the right connections with others and being the right person for those connections. We weren’t put on this earth to do it all solo.

Photo credit: Tim Schaeffer

Something Fans Don’t Know About Me

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a rapper. My fascination with words and rhyming has followed me into adulthood. While I didn’t pursue rap, I became a spoken word artist, and I’ve been lucky enough to perform in arenas and stadiums across the country, keeping my love for words alive.

Lessons Learned from Acting on Tyler Perry’s Sistas

I’ve learned a lot on set, but one of the biggest takeaways is how much I enjoy working with Tyler Perry. He’s incredibly efficient in everything he does. Time isn’t wasted—filming happens fast, so when you’re on set, you’re fully engaged, which is a great feeling.

Another key lesson has been about his storytelling. There’s always a deeper message or a larger conversation behind his work. In my view, Sistas is more than a show; it sparks discussions about the complexity of relationships.

Advice for Young People Entering the Entertainment Industry

Define success on your terms. It’s not just about accolades or recognition; it’s about staying true to yourself and enjoying the journey. Life is long, but the days fly by, so spend your time doing what makes you happy. Don’t complicate it. Keep your focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment.