UNGLAMOROUS TRUTHS with The Downtown Girls

Happy New Year yall. The motto: if something’s heavy, let that shit go. We chat about which old artistic version of ourselves we are leaving behind from last year and if those bigass white boards are actually helpful (jury’s still out on that)… Welcome to 2025!

NEWWW EPISODE ALERT!! Just in time for Sag season we have a tremendous gift for you all! Today's guest Xosha Rocquemore (PRECIOUS, THE MINDY PROJECT, CHERISH THE DAY, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD) stops by and talks all things authenticity, managing expectations and living in the now. A time was had!!!

Things we're thankful for: 1) greens 2) beans 3) potatoes 4) tomatoes and You! Happy holidays Family!

We’re in the studio with the hyper-talented Marcel Spears! You’ve seen him on CBS’ hit show, “The Neighborhood”, as well as ABC’s “The Mayor,” and the Broadway smash and our personal fave, “Fat Ham.” Join us as we chat with Marcel about going from stage to screen and having a chip on your shoulder for the best of reasons.

What do a 90s NBA draft pick, Rosie the Riveter, and Carlita the Cow have in common? HORROR STORIES.   Join us on an extra special Halloween-edition of Unglamorous Truths, where we share horror stories about the wildest things that have happened to us in Hollywood. Spoiler Alert: There will be unsolicited orgasm wails. #unglamoroustruths

In today’s mini episode, we discuss three important words. Mothaf$ckin.You.Season.

No, you’re not the only one feeling like Hollywood has changed. In this check in, we chat about how the industry is doing a year after the strike and what we can all do to keep holding on cuz, chile, the road is getting bumpy!

This week we dive into proof of concepts… what are they? Are they necessary? How do they create leverage for you as the creative? Crys shares her journey creating the film Savage Season as an official proof of concept. It’s September and it’s time to focus. Join us.

We have a true GENIUS and VISIONARY in the studio this week. Today’s guest (THE MS. PAT SHOW, HOTEL COCAINE) is a true “infini-hyphenate” artist from South Central L.A…. Their play THE GAZE was not only an O'Neill NPC finalist, but their award-winning digital series THE GAZE SERIES is a two-time Daytime EMMY Award nominee and Webby Award honoree. They just finished an astonishing creative live-recording radio-play series, PASSION, which was recorded at Television City at CBS Studios, and they are actively fundraising money to bring the project everywhere, to bring these radical stories of survival, legacy and love of Black Queer and Trans experiences to the mainstream... welcooooome the one and only, Larry Powell!!!

In today’s episode we chat with an old homie and a very special stand-up guest, Herman Wrice. You’ve seen him from the Kevin Lang Show, Herm + Homies, major comedy clubs around LA, oh… and the back of his head was in a commercial with Bella Hadid. We’re talking all things stand-up, let’s go!!!! #UnglamorousTruths

In our final YEAR'S BEST episode, one of our faves, the word of the day is: Demystification. We are joined by Olivia Charmaine Bernardez, a Netflix exec, in a special look at Hollywood from the OTHER side of the table. It's gets interesting, you do not want to miss this masterclass!! #unglamoroustruths

You get a big ass check and start feeling yourself so you blow it all on a brand new whip, but then you don’t get another check for months and have to pinch those coins, honey. Been there, done that. This episode discusses managing money (and stress) when you don’t work a 9-5. You get a few lump sums throughout the year and are expected to make that shit last. How Sway?!REPLAY THE EPISODE, "HOOD RICH," STREAMING NOW!Unglamorous Truths w/ the Downtown Girls: a comedy podcast about what it really takes to make it, come hell or high water.Follow us: @unglamoroustruths on IG, TikTok, FB and Youtube!

In this week's replay episode, we are reintroducing ourselves with Bashir and Diallo. In the 'stu, we talk about everything from music to motivation, we laugh, someone cries, and of course there is singing. Go watch/listen to this one NOOOOOWWW! #unglamoroustruths #podcast #fyp #allowmetointroducemyself

On today’s rewind episode we have the BOOKED and busy Nefetari Spencer! She is an actor and writer hailing from the South Side of Chicago, who has written for the Oscars, American Music Awards and the Golden Globes and can be seen acting on “Southside,” “Reasonable Doubt” and “Sherman’s Showcase.” Nef sits down in the studio with us to chat about the unglamorous truths about endurance. How do you stay down in an industry where it is so easy to give up? What are your tools, tricks and how does a real one persevere? We get into allllll of it. Join us bbs 

To celebrate our One Year Anniversary, we're going into the archives and starting where it all began - struggling on that damn magical bus. Descend into the treacherous + joyful shenanigans of living as roommates in New York City together and listen to our very first episode and how it all started. #downtowngirls #unglamoroustruths

This week YOU asked us questions and we answered. Thank you for being such amazing listeners and rocking with us. Welcome to the fishbowl, it's about to get raw.

We sat down with THEEE multi-talented Brandon Kyle Goodman (Big Mouth, Human Resources, Modern Love) to discuss our love of boundaries, messiness, and a good career pivot.

This week in the ‘stu we have one of our faves, Devere Rogers (HONK FOR JESUS, SHERMAN'S SHOWCASE, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY) and he is showing us how to tap into that inner child okurrrr? From the wildest auditions to sniffing flour for Power, Devere is the King of Fun and he's got real game to share about keeping acting fun. Get into this neeeeow!

This week we are joined by the powerhouse LaNisa Frederick of Hashtag Booked. She’s a dynamic, award-winning actress that you may have seen on Brooklyn 99 and Young Sheldon. She’s also a TV writer, and let’s not forget... a flautist. *Cue Andre 3000* Join us in the studio as LaNisa shares about co-creating Hashtag Booked — a groundbreaking online series examining the joys and misfortunes of being an actress of color in the entertainment industry.

Newww episode and baybeee it's giving the one-two punch: a true kiki (let's talk about late nights in Miami), plus free game on how to tackle that ever-relentless girl, Change. Join us in the studio with the brilliant Laticia Rolle, a woman of many hats: the CEO of Tress, a queen, an actress, the creator of podcast Girl, We Got This, and an Aquarius (one time for the birthday girl). This is a good one!!!!!

We brought the legend Bentley Kyle Evans (Showrunner of MARTIN, JAMIE FOXX SHOW) back to the stu’ to explain how he pioneered his own independent studio. Bentley spilled plenty of unglamorous truths, you’ll want to listen to this…

Unglamorous Truths kicks off our first guests of the year with the legendary, Emmy-nominated writer/actors, Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle (SOUTH SIDE, SHERMAN'S SHOWCASE, LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON). We talk about everything from music to motivation, we laugh, someone cries, and of course there is singing. Go watch/listen to this one NEOOOOOWWW!EPISODE THIRTY FOUR, "Sitting Down with Diallo Riddle + Bashir Salahuddin," STREAMING NOW!

Hey 2024, we like you so far. Also thank youuuuu to our Unglamorous Truths creative tribe for being so dope, so innovative, and so real with us. Join us this week as we set our intentions for this next year.

We say goodbye to 2023 and reflect on the rollercoaster ride that was this year. Do yourself a favor and thank yourself for making it through. You got this. 2024 is going to look so good on you. Attention: We do not claim ownership or the rights to any music in this episode.

This week we chat about those two lil letters that we need to get better saying…. N-O. How do you effectively say NO in your career and your life to create more space? This might be our new favorite word....

This week YOU asked us questions and we answered. Thank you for being such amazing listeners and rocking with us. Welcome to the fishbowl, it’s about to get raw.

Bb, just because you have a job outside of your artistic career does not mean that you are a failure. There is noooo shame in taking care of your basic needs. The Downtown Girls chat about survival jobs and what they currently do for work to supplement their artist income.

We want to take this week to thank all of you who listen each week- we are grateful for your time and grateful for your ears. We appreciate you and we hope you appreciate yourselves. Thank you for being a part of the Unglamorous Truths tribe.

Y’all are in for a treat tuh-day… we are joined by Olivia Charmaine Bernardez in a special look at Hollywood from the OTHER side of the table… we chat the role of a development executive, how to land a job, and advocating for artists of color. Honestly, you need to listen until the end because she’ll have you questioning your entire career path… Olivia Charmaine Bernardez is a development exec formerly at TBS and currently at Netflix.  Her mission is clear: to make media both empowering and entertaining while championing diversity in storytelling. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production from the prestigious New York University.

It's that time of year! So let's gather around the cauldron and share horror stories about the wildest things that have happened to us in Hollywood. Spoiler Alert: There will be unsolicited orgasm wails.

Teamwork definitely makes the dream work, but that don’t mean collaborating is easy. Let’s get into how we’ve been working together for over 10 years, balancing individual priorities and focusing on a shared goal.

Look, life is hard. Your instagram is dry, your boss still can’t pronounce your name and your debit card laughs at you when you try to order the extra guac at Chipotle. Shit is real. But there’s nothing like a supportive sisterhood to help ease self doubt, dry periods, and comparing your journey to others. Chivonne Michelle, the fourth Downtown Girl (!) joins us to talk about our collective life in the trenches together, in the industry and in the streets. Chivonne (she/her) is the head of the Sustainable Artist Studio, where she teaches actors “How to Actually Book” in her class. You can catch Chivonne in the film SHAFT starring Samuel Jackson and recurring next to Giancarlo Esposito & Carla Gugino on the TV show JETT. Chivonne has starred & voiced numerous commercial campaigns in the United States.

Let’s keep it a buck. Dream chasing is terrifying. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by not knowing where to start, anticipating failure or worrying about judgment. So today we’re talking with Rashida Olayiwola (SOUTH SIDE, SHERMAN’S SHOWCASE, IRONHEART, Emmy-nominated JURY DUTY) about how the world can open to you when you choose faith over fear.

Somehow Hollywood is stiiiiiiiill striking 100+ days later, so this week we chat, “We Strikin’: AI and Racism” aka when the robots get racist. Ugh. No one asked for yall to be here. Join us as we talk about the repercussions of Chat GPT and A.I. leaving black voices out of the mix.

This week we are joined by momprenuer, Erica Dickerson of the "Good Moms Bad Choices" podcast! Erica is pioneering the way for single moms to live unapologetically. She is the founder of the Good Vibes retreat, the Global Beauty Director of Beauty Blender, and the co-author of the NY Times Bestseller, "A Good Mom's Guide to Making Bad Choices."

Once upon a time, Instagram was a cool place to see artsy photos by your friends and now it’s turned into a visual LinkedIn. We are joined by the one and only KJ Smith (SISTAS, DYNASTY, RAISING KANAN, QUEEN SUGAR) who sits down for an unfiltered kiki into the benefits and drawbacks of social media, and how an app meant to connect people makes us feel lonelier than ever.

Chile, getting a show on the air is no easy feat. Bentley Kyle Evans (showrunner of Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show, Love That Girl!) joins us as we discuss making TV in the 90’s and how it compares to today.

Bob Iger over at Disney said actors and writers are being “unrealistic.” Let’s discuss. This week we chat about delusional 1%-ers and the latest bullshit with the strike…

In a “Barbenheimer” mashup, this week we chat about being multi-hyphenates with standup comedian Rob Haze of The Inconsistent Podcast. Come for the tears, stay for the laughs. Rob Haze has been featured on Jimmy Fallon, Just For Laughs New Faces, and has written for multiple shows including Adam Devine’s HOUSE PARTY and SHERMAN’S SHOWCASE.

What in the world is happening in Hollywood? A WGA captain, CK Kiechel, chats with us about the front lines of the joint strike. CK is a TV writer and playwright originally from New York. Credits include: The OA, Watchmen, Star Wars: The Acolyte, Blade Runner and 2099. Currently they are a WGA strike captain at Netflix.

Get in loser, we’re taking a trip down memory lane! In this episode we talk about our journey from making a web series guerrilla style to making deals with major tv networks and studios.

Remember why you started! in this episode we discuss the inspiration you need to keep going because everyone knows the journey to success is a marathon not a sprint.

The extraordinary writer and comedian, Will Miles (SOUTH SIDE, GROWN-ISH), joins us as we discuss all things writers room and how stand up is free therapy...

Distractions are bunch of messy little bitches. On today’s episode we discuss how we defeat them, focus, and most importantly stay in our lane.

What happens when your career is drier than a Popeyes biscuit, how do you pick yourself up and reignite it? On this week’s episode we tackle what to do when there’s nobody calling for you.

In this episode we tell you why Black nepotism is a must, and discuss how to craft a smart circle around you in an industry where the scammery is rampant and the fuckery is afoot. Get into “Black Nepotism Is That Girl” now.

On today’s episode we have a veeeeeery special guest, the BOOKED and busy Nefetari Spencer! She is an actor and writer hailing from the South Side of Chicago, who has written for the Oscars, American Music Awards and the Golden Globes and can be seen acting on “Southside,” “Reasonable Doubt” and “Sherman’s Showcase.”Nef sits down in the studio with us to chat about the unglamorous truths about endurance. How do you stay down in an industry where it is so easy to give up? What are your tools, tricks and how does a real one persevere? We get into allllll of it. Join us bbs 

So Siri’s been cute and all, but what happens when robots are being groomed to take artists’ jobs? Don’t they have better shit to do like pull plastic out of the ocean? In this episode we talk about what happens to artists in a robot world.

You get a big ass check and start feeling yourself so you blow it all on a brand new whip, but then you don’t get another check for months and have to pinch those coins, honey. Been there, done that. This episode discusses managing money (and stress) when you don’t work a 9-5. You get a few lump sums throughout the year and are expected to make that shit last. How Sway?!

Making a living off of your passion is definitely a dream come true, but let’s be real, who is out here dreaming of labor? In this episode, we’ll talk about how doing what you love can still feel like you are working a job.