(hip hop instrumental music)
- [Narrator] Tisha Campbell is a multi-talented luminary
who's entertained audiences for decades.
Actor, singer, producer, writer, and director
are all titles on this now four time
Soul Train Awards cohost's resume.
- Ladies and gentlemen,
the lovely and very talented Miss Tisha Campbell.
(audience applauding)
- [Narrator] As she has been securing the bag
before the bag was an emoji,
we take a look back at how Tisha Campbell
consistently captivates the masses
through cinema, television and song.
Tisha Campbell was exposed to performing arts
by both her parents.
Although hard to believe,
Tisha shared she used acting to overcome shyness.
Tisha's mother, aside from working as a nurse,
also sang gospel, managed talent,
and coached vocal performers.
Her father also sang, worked in a factory,
and mentored underserved youths.
They both encouraged Tisha to express herself
through performative art.
At a very early age,
she entered a talent show and won first prize, a car.
She pursued acting and landed roles on PBS'
"The Big Blue Marble," "Kids Are People Too,"
"Unicorn Tales," and "Captain Kangaroo."
Tisha Campbell's big break came at 16 years old
when she commanded the stage
playing the role of an R&B singer
in the 1986 adaptation of the cult classic,
"Little Shop of Horrors."
Unbeknownst to her, she would star alongside Tichina Arnold,
who would later become a dear friend,
and costar on several other successful projects.
After "Little Shop of Horrors,"
casting producers and directors took notice.
Tisha Campbell secured a series of pivotal roles,
that kept her in front of viewing audiences.
She starred in NBC's musical dramedy series,
"Rags to Riches" for two seasons from 1987 to 1988.
And later in the crime film, "Rooftops" in 1989.
However, it was the leading role
in Spike Lee's "School Daze" in 1988,
that was a much different experience than any other.
Lee's legendary piece provided a lens
into color consciousness and caste systems
that many African-Americans refused to acknowledge,
and left an indelible mark on Campbell
and audiences worldwide.
After the success of "School Daze,"
Tisha would go on to star
alongside A-list comic Eddie Murphy
in "Another 48 Hrs." in 1990.
A leading role in "House Party" the same year,
along with two followups years later.
- You're friends from way back, right?
- I'm gonna talk, because I like the fact
that we've gotten the opportunity to work together.
I mean, seriously, it's rare that real friends
get to work together--
- Well, we've worked together during choreography,
- Several projects. - Yeah.
- [Narrator] And again with Murphy
in the memorable romantic comedy, "Boomerang" in 1992.
In 1991, she starred in nineties-era television standout,
"A Different World," "Blossom,"
and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
However, it was being cast as Gina, opposite Martin Lawrence
and her friend, Tichina Arnold on Fox's comedic series
"Martin" in 1992, that forever endeared fans to her.
While starring on "Martin,"
Tisha Campbell took time to remind fans
that her performative expression started with her voice.
She released an album on Capitol Records entitled, "Tisha."
The album was an expression of Tisha's art
that lends itself to her multifaceted breadth.
After "Martin" wrapped it's five-year run,
Tisha satiated loyal fans with a slew of roles,
appearing in the Tristar Picture feature, "Sprung" in 1997,
the Hallmark Hall of Fame film, "The Sweetest Gift,"
with Tony and Golden Globe winning actress,
Diahann Carroll in 1998,
and the ABC sit-com "My Wife and Kids" in 2001.
Her performance was recognized
with an NAACP Image Award in 2003
for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series,
for her portrayal of a loving mother
who tackled real world issues head on
with her husband and children.
At its height, "My Wife and Kids" enjoyed viewership ratings
of over 12 million weekly viewers.
In 2004, Tisha Campbell put pen to pad
and authored "The Seat Filler," a feature
starring her then husband, Duane Martin, and Kelly Rowland.
While continuing to perform,
she added director to her credits
with an episode of "My Wife and Kids,"
and the doc, "Get Up Stand Up Comedy."
She also served as producer with the feature "Aaliyah,"
and the "Soul Train Awards" beginning in 2018.
Tisha Campbell's performances of strong commanding leads,
deep vocal range and dance ability,
along with her prowess behind the camera
proved that she is a well-rounded creative,
capable of keeping audiences glued to their screens
while expressing her art.
If her past history says anything
about what's in store for her fourth co-hosting stand
at the Soul Train Awards
alongside home girl, Tichina Arnold,
then viewers are in for a treat!