{"id":1793,"date":"2025-07-05T12:54:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T12:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/?p=1793"},"modified":"2025-07-07T20:37:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T20:37:40","slug":"danielle-brooks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/danielle-brooks\/","title":{"rendered":"Danielle Brooks Profile, Biography, Lists"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"183\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Danielle-Brooks-2.png\" alt=\"Danielle Brooks\" class=\"wp-image-1794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Danielle-Brooks-2.png 183w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Danielle-Brooks-2-150x223.png 150w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Danielle-Brooks-2-50x74.png 50w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Danielle-Brooks-2-100x149.png 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 183px) 100vw, 183px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Danielle Brooks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Lists:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/list-135-most-stylish-big-beautiful-women-in-the-world\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/list-135-most-stylish-big-beautiful-women-in-the-world\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Most Stylish Big Beautiful Women<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Early Life &amp; Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Born<\/strong>: September&nbsp;17,&nbsp;1989, in Augusta, Georgia; raised in Simpsonville, South Carolina, in a devout Christian household\u2014her father, Dunnel, worked at BMW and was a church deacon; her mother, LaRita, was a teacher and minister.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First stage experience<\/strong> at age six in her church\u2019s nativity play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attended the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scgsah.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.scgsah.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Carolina Governor\u2019s School for the Arts &amp; Humanities<\/a>, then earned her BFA from the prestigious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.juilliard.edu\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.juilliard.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Juilliard School<\/a> in New York in 2011.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breakout on Television<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Debuted on <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1723816\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1723816\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Girls<\/a><\/em> (HBO) before gaining fame as <strong>Tasha \u201cTaystee\u201d Jefferson<\/strong> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2372162\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2372162\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Orange Is the New Black<\/em> (2013\u201319)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Earned critical acclaim and two NAACP Image nominations; part of SAG-winning ensemble.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Also appeared in <em>Master of None<\/em> (2015\u201317) and HBO\u2019s <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt6078096\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt6078096\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High Maintenance<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage &amp; Film Acclaim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Broadway breakthrough<\/strong> in 2015 as Sofia in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Color Purple<\/a><\/em> revival\u2014won a Grammy and garnered Tony, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dramadeskaward.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dramadeskaward.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Drama Desk<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatreworldawards.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.theatreworldawards.org\/\">Theatre World nominations<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reprised Sofia in the 2023 film adaptation\u2014received Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Golden Globe nominations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Portrayed gospel legend <strong>Mahalia Jackson<\/strong> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13942226\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13942226\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia<\/em> (2021)<\/a>, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination as executive producer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Returned to Broadway in August Wilson\u2019s <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tonyawards.com\/shows\/august-wilsons-the-piano-lesson\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tonyawards.com\/shows\/august-wilsons-the-piano-lesson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Piano Lesson<\/a><\/em> and performed as Leota in DC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13146488\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13146488\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Peacemaker<\/em> (2022\u2013)<\/a>, with creator James Gunn written expressly for her.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voice Work &amp; Music<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Voices characters in animated hits such as *<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1985949\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1985949\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Angry Birds Movie$<\/a>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt7979580\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt7979580\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Mitchells vs. the Machines<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt6587640\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt6587640\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trolls: World Tour<\/a><\/em>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13321232\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13321232\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Karma\u2019s Worl<\/em>d<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Launched her singing side with the single <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt30523083\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt30523083\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>\u201cBlack Woman\u201d<\/strong> (2019)<\/a> and her EP <em>FOUR<\/em>, co-writing tracks like \u201cSeasons\u201d featured on <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2372162\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2372162\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OITNB<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Awards, Honors &amp; Accolades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Grammy Winner<\/strong>: Best Musical Theater Album (<em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Color Purple<\/a><\/em><\/em>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tony Nominee<\/strong>: Featured Actress in a Musical (<em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Color Purple<\/a><\/em><\/em>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Academy, BAFTA &amp; Golden Globe Nominee<\/strong>: Supporting Actress in <em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.ibdb.com\/broadway-production\/the-color-purple-499928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Color Purple<\/a><\/em><\/em> film .<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emmy Nominee<\/strong>: Outstanding Television Movie (<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13942226\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt13942226\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mahalia<\/a><\/em>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Critics\u2019 Choice Awards<\/strong>, NAACP Image nods, SAG, Drama Desk, Theatre World, AUDELCO, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Journey &amp; Advocacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shares open discussions on body image, mental health, and self-love; penned a personal essay for <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.glamour.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.glamour.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glamour<\/a><\/em> on embracing her body and identity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Founded the podcast <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/broadwaypodcastnetwork.com\/people\/danielle-brooks\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/broadwaypodcastnetwork.com\/people\/danielle-brooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Danielle Brooks Show<\/a><\/strong> and hosts <em>Mommy I Made It<\/em>, offering honest conversations around motherhood and empowerment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Active supporter of diversity initiatives: co-founded <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blackwomenonbroadway.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/blackwomenonbroadway.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Black Women on Broadway<\/a><\/strong> and advocates for representation and equity in Hollywood.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serving as host of the 2024 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackgirlsrock.com\/bgr-awards\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.blackgirlsrock.com\/bgr-awards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Black Girls Rock!<\/a><\/em> Awards, amplifying Black female excellence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Family Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Married longtime partner <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elle.com\/culture\/celebrities\/a60188238\/who-is-dennis-gelin-danielle-brooks-fiance\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.elle.com\/culture\/celebrities\/a60188238\/who-is-dennis-gelin-danielle-brooks-fiance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dennis\u202fGelin<\/a><\/strong> in January 2022 in Miami.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Welcomed daughter <strong>Freeya Carel Gelin<\/strong> in November 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Style &amp; Presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Known for a bold, confident sense of fashion\u2014regularly featured in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vogue.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.vogue.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vogue<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elle.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.elle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Elle<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.glamour.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.glamour.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glamour<\/a><\/em>, and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.essence.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.essence.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Essence<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vocal and poised in interviews\u2014outlined overcoming impostor syndrome during her Tony run (&#8220;Hell No&#8221; moment) and embracing faith and resilience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Voicing <strong>Kitty Kat<\/strong> in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt30017619\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt30017619\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Bad Guys 2<\/a><\/em> and releasing upcoming <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3566834\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt3566834\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minecraft Movie<\/a><\/em> in 2025, credited with box-office success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><br>Danielle Brooks is a multifaceted force\u2014a Juilliard-trained actor, award-winning singer, voice artist, producer, and advocate. From her breakout role as Taystee to her transformative portrayal of Sofia, she\u2019s rising from television to Broadway to cinema with unmatched authenticity. Beyond the spotlight, she champions representation, mental health, and community empowerment, making her a true cultural trailblazer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lists:Most Stylish Big Beautiful Women Early Life &amp; Training Breakout on Television Stage &amp; Film Acclaim Voice Work &amp; Music Awards, Honors &amp; Accolades Personal Journey &amp; Advocacy Family Life Style &amp; Presence What\u2019s Next SummaryDanielle Brooks is a multifaceted force\u2014a Juilliard-trained actor, award-winning singer, voice artist, producer, and advocate. From her breakout role as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1795,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actors-actresses"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1793"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2050,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1793\/revisions\/2050"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}