Demetria McKinney: Keeping it '100' on Music and the Real Housewives of Atlanta

For five years, viewers knew her from her role as Janine Payne on the hit sitcom, “Tyler Perry's House of Payne” and most recently her frequent appearances on” Real Housewives of Atlanta” (RHOA) on the Bravo network. Demetria McKinney also has been a visible fixture on the theater scene starring in several Tyler Perry plays, including “Meet the Browns,” and “Why Did I Get Married” along with additional stage work with leading roles in “Church Girl” and performing with Jennifer Holiday in “Dreamgirls.” Currently, she stars on TV One's sitcom “The Ricky Smiley Show” as Monica, Rickey's ex-wife.

McKinney’s familiarity with her fans primarily has been through her steady climb as an actress, but her first love has always been music. As an R&B singer, McKinney has opened shows for national recording artists Dwele, Tank and Anthony David. With her latest single “100” receiving moderate radio play, the hot, uptempo song features Chicago native, Da Brat.

With a growing list of film and television credits and a rising music career, Chicago Defender sat down with the talented Demetria McKinney to find out her story.

What do you have going on right now?

DM: I just finished the season on “Real Housewives of Atlanta” which has been a great growth process for me. I have two movies coming out. One film is "Let the Church Say Amen" which marks Regina King's directorial debut. The other film is called "Sons to the Grave" and that film was directed by Michael T. Williams. The colors that he brings out of actors is phenomenal. It stars myself, Darrin Henson and Atlantic recording artist Trevor Jackson.

We know your work as an actress but tell us about your work as a recording artist?

DM: It's been building since I was three. I always knew music was what I wanted to do and acting just fell into place because of how God planned it. I'm thankful for that. It's always been about getting back to the core of who I am which is music. It's interesting to see how the fans have been reacting. My music tells them how I am. Playing Janine was great, Monica is cool, but even playing Dina, opposite the original Effie (Jennifer Holiday) in “Dreamgirls” – that was amazing. But there is nothing like people actually knowing who you are and really rocking with you. I can represent a whole different genre so the music shows me at my purest form.

DM: What makes your latest single '100' special?

I wanted this project to be really about me and I didn't want to plague it with too many collaborations. Then it would be me featured. I really want people to get to know who I am. The next one, I would like to collaborate all day. As my team and I listen to the EP to figure out what should come out next, there's something that speaks differently to each person which is what I love.

As a busy professional in the business, how do you maintain balance in such a hectic industry?

DM: It all started being a single mom. As a single mom, I didn't have a choice. I had to take care of home, kid, job, man and had to set aside time for myself. I had to figure out how to multitask in a way that I wouldn't let anything drop. Thank goodness I had that kind of military upbringing because we were constantly on the road. We had to adjust to change. So, coming into the business and being passionate about the levels in my life – I just make it work. You don't get tired of doing what you love.

Why did you decide to be on the RHOA, knowing its history with drama?

DM: The platform is undeniable. We walked into it with communication. I've seen how relationships, images, brands can all be tarnished by reality television. That's what made me tread so lightly with how I approached it. I wanted to leave the same way I came, if not better.

What is your advice to younger women entering the business that you can share?

DM: If you don't know who are, they will make you who you don't want to be. I came into RHOA and everything else, confident of who I am. I was aware of what I wanted the original outcome to be. With tunnel vision, there are going to be people that will try to tell you how to do this and how to do that. Find the right people to help you get there. You will be straight.

Originally published in The Chicago Defender | May 2015