On May 10, Brenda Epperson Doumani debuts on Passions as Crystal, a woman who just may hold the key to Chad’s past.
How did the role on Passions come about for you?
They called my agent and said they wanted me! When the show first started, I’d met with the producers. I said if they ever had a role for a singer they should call me. I did say to them that if I was going to work on a soap, I’d want to work at Passions because everyone was really nice. I got a really good vibe here. Then, about a year later, they called and offered me the part of Crystal.
What was your first day like?
It was hysterical when I first got here, because there are so many people at Passions I’ve worked with before. On my first day, I worked with Tracey Ross. She was very sweet—she offered to show me around. The hard part was figuring out how the stages were laid out! I love the lot where Passions is taped—there’s great energy here. And I’ve really enjoyed working with John Henry (Passions’ music composer). When I booked the part, I didn’t know anything about the music I was going to be doing, and it’s so fabulous. I feel like the people here really “get me” in terms of my music.
What’s it like to be able to combine your singing and acting?
Heaven and a dream. It’s incredible. I’m getting paid to do two things that I love!
Were you a singer before you were an actor or an actor before a singer?
I was a singer way before I was an actor. My interest in acting evolved much later on. I’ve been singing since I was six years old. My father was a country western singer. His name is Don Epperson, which is why I kept the Epperson in my name. I grew up around the music business. I remember vividly my father sitting on a white vinyl couch playing the guitar, and me sitting in his lap. My mom was a designer so she made his clothes. I started singing in church when I was young and then I sang in school in different choirs. And then I got into jazz vocal groups and I really got into jazz. Later in high school, I did plays and that’s when I started acting.
What are your music tastes?
My music tastes are so eclectic! I love Lenny Kravitz, Whitney Houston, Sarah McLaughlin, Def Leppard, Ratt… The only thing I don’t like is chamber music. That’s the one type of music I can’t vibe on. I love Wynona Judd. I have all these CD’s—it just depends on my mood. I think it is important as a singer to experience all kinds of music.
You toured with Lionel Richie. How was that?
It was great. It was my first time experiencing anything like that. I’d sang the National Anthem all over the place. But the largest arena I sang the National Anthem was in front of 11,000 people. The first night of the Lionel Richie tour we played in an arena of 18,000 people! It was a trip. That was the largest venue that we did. I was so excited—I love performing in front of people. You get such energy from the audience. My husband was more nervous than I was! On the final night of the tour, my daughter wanted to come on stage with me. But then she chickened out!
When you booked the part, what were you told about Crystal?
They didn’t tell me too much. They’ve kind of let me fly with it. I think she’s tough. She’s been through a lot. She doesn’t look back, as in living in the past. But she does look back sometimes, in terms of reminiscing. I think she has some regrets, but not too many. They’ve almost written her a bit like myself, which is interesting. She’s tough, but underneath, she cares.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I want to have my Grammy. I want to have really gotten the respect and exposure in my music that I want. I want to have done big films. I want to have had at least 5-10 other music projects under my belt. I want to try my hand on Broadway. I want to have my organization to help children in the world kicked off. I want to have had another child. I want to make a difference in other peoples’ lives—mostly kids. That’s really where my heart is. And I want to look forward to the next ten years.
This page has been visited. Since May 10, 2000.
