By: Sherifat Mohammed
Actress, choreographer, life coach and fitness guru are some of the titles that you may know for. Yes, you read that name correctly— A.J. Johnson. The iconic actress that showed us a good time and classic dance moves from the movie House Partyand then gave us a standing ovation worthy performance in Baby Boy as Jody’s Mom. Armed with a degree in chemistry and psychology from Spelman College, A.J. Johnson has been in the entertainment business since 1987 and looks just as beautiful as she did when she first stepped on the scene. She stepped away from the business for a minute but she is back. The multi-talented actress is starring in a new movie called Sins of the Father, which premieres on TV One on July 7that 8 ET/ 7 CT. The film was inspired by real events. Sins of the Fatherfollows a pastor and his wife in Atlanta who is happily married. The couple’s world is turned upside down when the pastor’s wife is murdered—sending shock waves throughout the community. I was blessed with the opportunity to interview AJ Johnson. We discussed everything from how she got started in the industry, her inspiration for getting into the fitness industry and her latest movie. With so much talent—A.J. is in her own zone. Get into the AJ Zone and check out my interview with A.J. Johnson.
SM: You are an alumna of Spelman College—you have a degree in chemistry and psychology—what made you get into acting/the entertainment industry?
AJJ: I have been a performer. I have always been crazy about the arts. Growing up in New Jersey, my family took me to New York City to see plays. I saw Stephanie Mills on stage and I was bite by the bug. I have always had a passion for the arts. Even when I was at Spelman, I always hung out at the fine arts department. So, after I graduated by father helped me move to Los Angeles—to get it out of my system. And the rest is history. After I was in the industry from some time, my father noticed that I didn’t have that smile or sparkle in my eyes anymore. That’s what made me start my own business. I started to pursue what made me happy, and the AJ Zone was born.
SM: Wow. That’s awesome. How did you get your break into the industry? Was your first film School Daze?
AJJ: Yes, School Daze was my first film. I was Ms. Morehouse and I was performing at carnation. Spike Lee was scouting for his film School Daze and saw me performing—and it started from there.
SM: Switching gears for a moment—you are also a lifestyle coach and fitness trainer. What inspired you to get into doing the fitness thing after already being an established actress?
AJJ: After the loss of my father in 2002, I felt a part of me wasn’t being natured and feed. I wanted to feed that side of me. Before he passed away, he noticed that I didn’t have that sparkle in my eyes. I was always into having a healthy lifestyle, and I wanted to still help other people.
SM: You are starring in a new film for TV One called Sins of the Father—could you tell us a little about the film. I read that it was inspired by real life events. Could you also discuss the character you portray in the film?
AJJ: Yes, it is inspired by a true story. It is a story about corruption. When you lie, and when you cheat and when you try and to get over on people—it never ends well. When you lie and lie and the lie comes true. It’s a story that’s also about some of the negative things that goes on in church that aren’t talk about. We have to take those issues head on and live in the space. No more of no…no not in the church. And the character I play is Phylicia Richardson. She is the youngest but the leading Psychotherapist on her team. She is one of the best and she is able to solve crimes others can’t solve. I can’t wait for you guys to see her.
SM: I can’t wait to see her too. What do you want viewers to take away from this film?
AJJ: Lying and cheating never ends well. It will always take you down a never ending rabbit hole. As I said earlier, we need to start talking about some of the issues that goes on in the church. No more of, we can’t talk about that in church.
SM: You got a chance to work with the legendary John Singleton—What was it like working with him?
AJJ: When I worked on House Party he and I became friends. So, he and I had that foundation. He really spoiled me. He created that level of trust and honesty which are elements that are really needed in a director. You don’t really see it too much. He would really dive deep into the characters and like I said he just spoiled me. I was looking for that in other directors. It wasn’t until I worked with the cast and crew of Sins of the Father that I saw that again.
SM: Switching gears again I have a two part question—You have worked on some pretty iconic films—School Daze, House Party, The Inkwell, Baby Boy and many others both in film and TV. What is the important lesson you have learned from being in the business and life?
AJJ: Wow. Well, let me answer the first part first. What I have learned from working in the industry is that popular is not always the best road. It is possible to pave your own road. And truly live. I never thought that I would be doing it all. I never knew it was possible. It is such a blessing to me to being what I’m doing. The second part— the most important lesson I learned from life is to figure out what’s important and chase that…where laughter is… what looks like God. There is where you will find happiness.
SM: My last question is what advice would you give an up and coming actor or someone pursing their dreams and goals?
AJJ: Make sure you have an undying and tireless spirit for what you are pursuing. And dive deep into. Many people think that acting is about fancy cars and the red carpet. It’s not. There are levels and levels of hard work. Also, live your truth and live it out loud.
