By Satchel Jester
Attention: We regret to inform you that Tasha Mack has left the building. However, Wendy Raquel Robinson is still in the house. Although, after nine successful seasons, BET’s flagship dramedy The Game has scored its final touchdown, the Los Angeles native—who made us adore the show’s fierce, feisty and fiery matriarch—is gearing up for her biggest win yet. Trading her Yoncè-like honey blonde wig for a perfectly coiffed, curly black and white one, this month, the triple-threat entertainer (she sings, acts and dances) will assume the role of Cruella de Vil in Disney Channel’s most anticipated original movie of the year, Descendants. We catch up with Ms. Robinson after she’s completed writing and producing a performance spectacular for her dance conservatory, Amazing Grace. Keep the cameras rolling—she’s maneuvering quickly and is determined to remain the MVP.
I am… not greedy; I’m thirsty. I want a cup of the Kardashian Kool-Aid. That machine is something like I’ve never seen before. I have to respect it.
I change… roles like I change wigs. Do I want to toss it or swing it? Am I channeling the boardroom or the beach? A lady has to have options and show that we do it all well!
I won’t… just do anything. I’m a job snob. I’m now going from a BET series to a huge project with Disney. This pilot season I was really discerning about what I went after and it’s all returned favorably. The ball is in my court.
I always… go back to theatre. That’s the one place I can always play the characters that I don’t necessarily get to play on television or film.
BLACK IS… NOT BACK ON TELEVISION, WE NEVER LEFT. I DON’T WANT IT TO BE RECEIVED LIKE A FAD. THAT WILL ONLY ALLOW AMERICA TO GET BURNED OUT ON US. WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN GRADE A!
I’m learning… L.A., again. I’m a native, but I’ve forgotten how to live in my city because I’ve been working elsewhere for so long. I feel like I need instructions!
I am focused… on resurgence. I have so much that I haven’t shown. Take cover for the tornado of emotions that I am about to unleash dramatically.
I hate… being comfortable with work. Yes, I like to give what the people expect of me—a “read” here and a snap there, but my next goal is to really show my soul. I’m gunning for a drama.
LIFE IS… ART AND I FOSTER IT EVERYDAY THROUGH MY AMAZING GRACE CONSERVATORY. I TEACH TRIPLE THREATS. IT’S ABOUT SUSTAINING WITH SKILL AND SAVVY. WE’VE GROWN FROM STARTING WITH 75 STUDENTS TO EDUCATING OVER 400 YEARLY. JUST DANCE. IT’LL BE OKAY.
Disney… has shown me a whole new world, pardon my pun. It’s like nothing I’ve done before. I even got scanned to a doll.
Caitlyn Jenner… is my hero and her boobs are great!
Black women… don’t play. That’s all I have to say.
The series finale of The Game airs Wednesday August 5, 2015, at 10 p.m. on BET.