“Everything has changed in the industry,” said Pretty Vee. “Everyone is on Tik-Tok and Instagram trying to be funny,” she said.
On April 9th, Pretty Vee joined the Executive Director and host, Tonya Lewis-Taylor, on the mini-learning series with the youth organization I WILL GRADUATE program. The episode was filmed and will be streamed on Amazon Prime. Medgar Evans students and students from the local high schools and junior high schools were filled with excitement to meet Pretty Vee and speak to her about secrets to success.
“Pretty Vee is a god-fearing woman!” said Pretty Vee. ” She’s a rebel, she’s fearless, she’s a sister, she’s a best friend, she’s determined, she’s bold, and she has a great heart. There is so much to Pretty Vee, and the world has only seen the surface,” she said. Pretty Vee is an alter-ego that was a nickname during college and stuck and has been on her stage since 2011.
Now she’s an author. Pretty Vee is releasing her first book. Her book is her reflection of her faith as a 100-day devotion journal. The guided journal is to help readers reach their goals find a deeper connection with God and help tackle mental and emotional health in the Black community.
The 33-year-old Miami native has been in many places. She comes from a Jamaican background with a mother who was a pastor for 30 years and was raised in church. She moved to North Carolina and attended St. Augustine’s University as a Communications major. After college, she moved to New York and lived in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Coming to New York was her dream, because New York was the place to make it. Today, Pretty Vee is one of the stars of Nick Cannon’s Wild N’ Out, and an accomplished actress in movies like “Pretty Stoned”, “Mircale Across 125th Street”, Big 50:The DelRhonda Hood Story” on BET, and ” Style Me For Christmas” on Amazon Prime.
” I always had a dream to be on TV, but behind the camera. I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry. I wanted to be the next Angie Martinez. I planned to become a radio personality. When I finally did get the radio job, it wasn’t what I wanted.” she said.
“I been working on the book for two years,” said Vee. .” The book talks about using faith to be successful ” It is not only a book on my journey and owning your journey. Before the book, I used to send out texts to girlfriends, my celebrity friends, and family on advice and daily devotions for them. One day, a friend said you should write a book with this advice and devotions.” said Vee. “Next, I start writing things down”
” I also got a space to write things out,” said Vee discussing the journal part of her book. The book is not only filled with 100 days of devotion, it is a personal journal so readers can write their desires, what they want to achieve, and toxic habits they want to change.
One example is Day 35. “Day 35 is devoted to stopping overthinking,” said Vee. “It is a daily devotion to keep thinking, but stop overthinking and read a lot of comedy behind it,” she said. “This is inspired by my history of dealing with my anxiety”
Pretty Vee at the Medgar Evans College’s I WILL GRADUATE program’s learning series and posing with one of the producers.
Pretty Vee at the Medgar Evans College’s I WILL GRADUATE program’s learning series and posing with one of the producers.
The series next entered the Q&A, where Pretty Vee took questions from the audience. Many students wanted to know how she dealt with fame and being confident.
“You have to build a relationship with God and ask for strength, especially in a male-dominated field. You have to walk into a job with God with you and know that you are THAT girl. I am a lion. When you enter your job every day, I remember I worked hard for my seat, and I am not scooting over or making space for anyone else. When you believe in you, everything else falls in place.” she said.
She also explains a mantra that she mentions in the book, which is “Don’t read the room, leave the room” said Pretty Vee. “When I enter the room, my faith is resonated within myself. I walk into the room, no matter who is in there, I tell myself I deserve the room! I am not like everybody else and stop having the poverty mentality. When I enter the room, I hold my head up high and tell myself it’s this is my time for my light to shine.” she said.
When closing the series, Pretty Vee took a moment for photos with the students and the staff. She danced with students and took photos and videos for social media. She took a moment to speak to the student filled with excitement to meet the social media personality. She prepares to leave and leaves students with a piece of advice for pursuing their dreams, “Always dream past the stars!”
Pretty Vee taking selfies with Medgar Evans College students
Photo Credit: Sherica Daley
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