Today we’d like to introduce you to Milli M.
Milli, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As the daughter of a radio program director, I grew up in a studio. Then in the second grade, I won the Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest at our neighborhood community center. At that moment, I realized my purpose was to impact people’s lives with words. Although radio is my first love, I wanted to make my mark in television. So I studied broadcast journalism in college. My goal was to be a top CNN anchor, but life took a different path. I got married and my family grew quickly! I was blessed to be a stay at home mom for ten years, but that fire inside me for media never left. I moved to Atlanta in 2011 to pursue a hosting career. I did local plays, commercials, and extra work for everything shot here. Once I got an agent, I thought I would focus more on becoming a tv host. However, productions continued to invite me to audition for scripted series. Because of my journalism background, I began to book reporter roles quickly. Since then, I’ve been on some Atlanta’s most popular tv shows.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, most definitely not! When I first got here, I had to overcome my own self-doubt – I’m not pretty enough, not sexy enough…I have no training, no experience, no money… I’m too old, have too many kids, and others. Through sheer will power and determination, I overcame each one. I’ve worked for little or no pay. I have taken my kids on auditions at the risk of being called unprofessional. I have crashed classes that were full because I knew it was what I needed to take my career to the next level. I’d use my lunch break to shoot auditions. I took a picture my daughter shot of me at home, changed it to black and white to cover my hideous makeup, and used it as my headshot for years. I booked my first 3 or 4 gigs without even a proper industry photo. Sleepless nights are just the beginning of sacrifices along the way. Being a mom of 4 with a full-time job in this business is a constant balancing act between responsibility and ambition. There have been days that I’ve gone from 6a to 3a nonstop. But when you love what you do, you’ll make those sacrifices. When you want something badly enough you have a choice: to make excuses or to make it happen.
Please tell us about In the Mood Entertainment.
In the Mood Entertainment is a media company that is launching an online network in 2020 with programs for a variety of audiences. Going back to my journalism roots, we will start with our flagship show, In the Mood with MILLI M., a roving reporter lifestyle program exploring all the exciting places, people, and stories in Atlanta. This city is young, vibrant, and full of life. I want to show more of that to the world. From there, we will incrementally roll out shows for parents, singles, foodies, travel enthusiasts, artists, and more. Our content stands out because we discuss what everyone is talking about in private but no one wants to touch in public or we’ll have a unique perspective on hot topics of the day.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Absolutely! I had THE BEST childhood. There was a complete balance of influence between my parents. My mom stayed at home so I spent a lot of time with her. I loved that! I learned a lot about being a hard working woman who takes care of her family as well as how to be a proper lady with all the accoutrement that entails. On the other hand, I was also a tomboy who absolutely adored her dad. I remember wanting to go everywhere with him. He would take me to the gym, to work, to the basketball court, anywhere. So on saturdays that’s where I’d be – Somewhere with my dad, climbing a tree, or playing in dirt. But come Sunday morning, I was the perfect priss in a pretty dress and Shirley Temple curls in my hair. There was a lot of love, fun, and laughter in our household. Not to mention the perks that came with my dad’s job at the radio station – promotional events, theme parks, concerts, and celebrities. I remember riding with my dad across the Bay Bridge to Oakland to meet an up-and-coming rapper who sold his CDs out the trunk of his car. His name: MC Hammer. We also waited hours for young R&B star Bobby Brown to arrive for an interview. He gave me a kiss on the cheek to thank me for my patience!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 678-334-1763
- Email: inthemoodent@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/inthemoodentertainment
- Instagram: @inthemoodent
- Twitter: @inthemoodent
Image Credit:
Ira Carmichael, AirHarp, Brandon Henderson
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