Mr. Tramaine Montell Ford how are you man?
I’m well. I am so honored and happy I was able to be apart of this for Luxe7Mag.
Tell me and the Luxe7 readers a little about yourself.
Well, I’m a Chicago born and raised actor from the Cabrini Green Projects. I am also a singer, dancer, comedian, producer, and father.
Growing up who were your major influences?
Mostly, growing up I didn’t have any specific influences but I loved to watch a lot of Television. I knew with a huge passion that I wanted to do what I saw performers on TV doing… mostly sitcoms and primetime dramas. When I got a little older, into my adolescence, I took notice to Beyonce’s star quality and begin to be inspired by her, her exceptional work ethic, and almost equally her team of support.
Did you find it hard growing up and having a passion to be in entertainment being a male?
No. I was lucky that it wasn’t hard for me being a male growing up doing this. There were fewer guys involved in theatre, dance classes, singing and creative projects than girls so it made me stand out a bit more. It brought more attention to me but it was positive attention.
Did you have supportive parents?
I have an amazing single mother who has always been supportive of me pursuing this career. She has never once told me not to do it or to do something else… or ever discouraged my dreams. Growing up where we are from, Cabrini Green, Theatre was a bit out of the circle in that environment that she didn’t even know what Broadway was until later and didn’t attend many professional plays if any. But she saw every play and show I was in or a part of. One year, in my early adolescence we had a big parent and teen fight. I was so angry as a young rebelling teen that I told her not to come to my show that evening. After the show someone said “Great job Tramaine. I sat next to your mom but she rushed out as soon as it ended!” She had snuck in right at the start and sat in the back. I will never forget that.
Tramaine you are like a quad threat in this business, you dance, sing, act, model, teach etc. How do you stay balanced and work at all of these attributes in your career?
It is natural to me to do all that stuff for personal enjoyment and expression. I balance it by acknowledging the connection of them all and thinking of it as all one thing… as the same “animal”. My main passion is acting but I believe that they are all connected. They are all storytelling and I am a storyteller– When I dance, I act… when I sing, I think of my voice as dancing to the music, and I act the song out… when I model, I play a character or discover real moments for the photographer to capture and also utilize body awareness from dance training. When I teach, I believe it’s a creative exchange where I also grow as an all around artist and more importantly human being. I think it’s important to give focus to that because before you get to any of the things I do, I want to be a great person.
What career took off the ground first?
My theatrical acting career propelled first as a teen. Then when I got to college, began to be acknowledged for my dancing. After college, TV & film… then I started to gain singing roles. Modeling and recording came after that. I now am stepping into producing and stand-up comedy.
What was your first major booking?
Hard to say, but I consider my first major booking to be Hairspray (feature film 2007). As a freshly graduated artist in 06 I missed the initial auditions for Hairspray but toward the end of filming, they had an impromptu search for 2 additional guys. I made that audition and came on set for their final week of shooting. From that I was chosen to perform for the movie for The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today Show, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Your look is very different and I can tell your a mix breed of something(laughs), what are you mixed with?
I identify as African-American. I am also mixed with Native American, and down the line, Cuban and French.
Who inspires you to move forward in your career?
Right now my biggest inspirations to continue are my mother and son.
What are some future projects you wish to embark on?
I hope to do a sitcom, psychological thriller, and martial arts film in the future because of my background in martial arts and boxing. I plan to do more songwriting and a couple music videos for some of my R&B dance music demo tracks which will feature a collaboration with new recording artist Alica “Ya Yah” Townsend, whom I have a child with. I also hope to dance or work on a movie with Beyonce.
Give us a brief rundown of your entertainment experience?
I did a lot of Theatre and training in Chicago including touring over seas in festivals. As a kid I made short films that won awards in Children film festivals. I earned a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University and studied dance at Alvin Ailey. I’ve had the opportunity to dance for Lady Gaga at the NewNowNext Awards and was hired to dance for Shakira for the MTV Video Music Awards even though at last minute, it did not happen. The soap opera One Live To Live, Saturday Night Live, Shakespeare, AIDA, and a developing One Man Show in NYC calledTheTramaineExperience (Dec 8th).
Name 3 pet peeves of your that people in the industry do.
When they first meet you and tell you everything they’ve done. (laughs) I believe accomplishments should not equate to one’s value although there is a time and place to celebrate them. I like to get to know a person before their work and resume.
Favorite TV show?
Martin, Friends, Family Guy, Lost
Chicken, steak or fish?
Steak!!!
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m a T-shirt and jeans type of guy with an urban GQ edge.
Favorite Choreographer?
Don’t have one
Favorite Quote?
“The purpose of life is to re-create yourself anew in the next grandest version of the greatest vision ever you held about who you really are”
-From the book Friendship With God
Who is bumping in your IPOD?
Mostly Beyonce and Lil Wayne! And my son Ty's song "Electricity Shock"!
When you die what do you want your legacy to be?
I want to have made a positive difference and contribution in the world, help people, spread positivity and break sterotypes by doing what I love.