Interview conducted by: Dennis Byron
The beautiful Bern Nadette Stanis is best known for her role as Thelma Evans on the classic 70s television show Good Times. Stanis played the role of Thelma Evans from 1974 to 1979. Since then, Stanis has made appearances on several television shows including The Love Boat, The Cosby Show, and The Wayans Brothers. Her latest appearance was on TV One’s television show Life After, which is a show that informs fans on what happened to a popular actress or actor, athlete or singer after the spotlight dims.
Recently the 60-year old actress sat down with Hip Hop Enquirer’s Dennis Byron and spoke to us about everything from relationships to working with Janet Jackson.
As the interview begins, Stanis talks to Mr. Byron about an Alzheimer’s disease event that she has organized. Stanis is an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association and constantly exhibits her passion to find a cure for the disease. This same disease took her mother’s life just three years ago. The benefit event will also include a viewing of the stage play “Willie and Esther”. This stage play stars Stanis as Esther and Jeris Lee Poindexter as Willie. This hilarious yet emotional play is based on the concept of two middle-aged lovers who fantasize about robbing a bank.
When asked how long Stanis has been involved with stage plays, she laughingly replied “Forever”. Stanis has played the role of Esther since appearing on Broadway in 1992.
Stanis is also the author of two books and is currently working on her third book entitled The Last Night: A Caregivers Journey, which hits bookshelves this summer. Her first book titled Situations 101: Relationships The Good, The Bad, The Ugly solidified Stanis as a relationship expert. Her love for psychology created a bridge between her and those seeking relationship advice. She states that many people come to her and that she has been like a counselor for years.
Stanis stated that while dealing with people of all walks of life she has found that money issues are a common theme in struggling relationships. She makes it a point to address this topic as much as she can. The former Good Times star encourages couples to have joint bank accounts while maintaining their individual accounts as well. “It should be hers, mines, and ours,” chuckles Santis.
Stanis also spoke on the topic of divorce and how easy it is for couples nowadays to get a divorce. She mentions how in the past couples tried to stick by each other for better or worse, but today a divorce is more acceptable and not frowned upon as much.
When asked about reality television Santis mentions how her father said that Good Times was the first reality television show, because it was very real to life. Santis continues on by saying, “The show had a lot of depth. A lot of the issues we dealt with were very real to so many people. It lasted for 40 years and is still a hot show. My audience ranges from the age of 70 to 7.”
The 60-year old beauty also spent some time speaking on her official status of being a sex symbol. She says that she had no idea about the status, but with her timeless beauty that is hard to believe.
Bern Nadette Stanis concluded the interview by saying that she got along with the entire cast of Good Times. When asked about working with Janet Jackson, Stanis said that she was an adorable child, very mannerly, and not spoiled at all.
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