Yvette Nicole Brown: A woman of principles graces the Hollywood scene

A woman of principles graces the Hollywood scene.

Yvette Nicole Brown uses one word to describe the way her career has developed and unfolded throughout the past few decades—serendipity.  Her quest for fame began in the music business. But life, with all its twists and turns, landed her in the world of acting.

Most recently, Brown has amassed a fair amount of fanfare for her role as the maternal, sassy, Christian divorcée, Shirley Bennett, on NBC’s primetime sitcom, “Community.” With its sophomore season scheduled to premiere Sept. 23, audiences anticipate the amount of spiciness they might expect out of Shirley the second time around.

Hope: What different sides of Shirley should viewers expect to see this season that they didn’t see during the first season?

Brown: During the first season, Shirley was all “pumpkins” and “hello sweeties,” and we never really got to the heart of who the character is. I think this season, Dan Harmon (the creator), has said he will drag her through the mud a little bit. So we will see more of her dark side.

Hope: What characteristics do you personally share with Shirley?

Brown: We’re both Christians and we both use the words “pumpkin” and “sweetie” a lot. I think we’re both maternal. She kind of pokes her nose in people’s lives and gives her opinion whether they ask or not, and I think I do that as well. We also both have an optimism about life.

Hope: You mentioned that you and Shirley both share maternal characteristics. Do you have plans to start a family someday?

Brown: I’m not married yet, so I don’t have any kids. It’s a big dream of mine to meet a lovely man who loves the Lord and loves me, and you know, make some babies. That would be awesome. But, you know, it’s in God’s time and it’s God’s plan.

Hope: In what ways does your faith uphold and sustain you as you live the Hollywood life?

Brown: I decided long before I started in this business that in every area of my life, the moment I have to go forward without God, I won’t go forward. In regards to temptations outside of work, I don’t have a need to be at the hottest places with the coolest people. I’ve just never been that person, so that’s been a blessing as well because it’s just not in my nature.

Hope: Of all the roles you have played, which has been your favorite and why?

Brown: I love Sherri Childs because that was the first role that I had. I also really love Helen (“Drake and Josh”). And, then I love Shirley because she’s the first character I’ve played for 31 consecutive episodes.

Hope: The new Discovery Kids channel, The Hub, debuts in October, and you will play Cookie on “Pound Puppies.” How has the experience been unique when compared to others in your career?

Brown: I had to learn how to bring the rubberness of my face to the sound of my voice, and I’m finally getting to the point where I think I’m nailing it. The biggest difference is you have to take all of your physicalities – your facial expressions, your body movements, everything that makes you unique as an actor  — and find a way to put that in your voice. So that was the biggest challenge for me.

Hope: What is your go-to scripture in times of difficulty?

Brown: My favorite is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end.” It’s the most comforting thing you can read.