We were lucky to catch up with Tawanna Houston recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tawanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve wanted to be a professional entertainer for as long as I can remember. It started when I was a kid watching Barney & Friends. (Laughs) I used to picture myself right there on the show, singing and dancing with everyone. That’s when the spark hit.
As I got older, seeing artists like Michael Jackson took that inspiration to another level. Of course, everyone told me I had to focus on Janet Jackson because she was the female version (Laughs) and honestly, that worked out just fine, because Janet embodied everything I admired: confidence, grace, and power. I watched her Velvet Rope Tour tape everyday to get the whole show down by heart…drove my family crazy! Then came Aaliyah and that took the cake. Her smooth style, her voice, her movement… it made me realize that performing wasn’t just something I loved watching; it was something I was born to do.
That’s when I knew I wasn’t just dreaming…I was preparing.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Certainly, hey yall I’m Tawanna “Mrs. Houston” Houston! A multifaceted creative from Houston, Texas who turned a lifelong passion for performance into a purpose-driven brand. My work bridges music, acting, modeling, and entrepreneurship, all centered around one message: empowerment through authenticity.
As a recording artist, I blend R&B and Trap-Soul with storytelling that feels personal, cinematic, and real. My lyrics come from lived experiences: lessons in love, healing, and self-growth…so my audience feels both seen and inspired. As a model and actress, I use movement and emotion to communicate the same energy visually, bringing confidence and depth to every project I’m part of.
Beyond the stage, I run Mrs. Houston’s Avon, where beauty meets self-belief. Whether through a song, a screen performance, or a product delivery, I want people to walk away feeling more confident and capable than before.
What sets me apart is that I create from a place of truth. I don’t chase trends…I tell stories that remind people they’re not alone. My mission is to continue building a global brand rooted in authenticity, creativity, and faith. Showing that an independent artist can create impact, legacy, and empowerment all at once.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
You know, one of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking I needed permission to start and honestly, thinking I needed someone to make the decisions for me like an agent, record label, etc., not just help me make them. For a long time, I relied on the idea that somebody else would know what’s best for me or tell me when it was “time.”
But I realized that the limitations I thought existed were mostly self-imposed. I was waiting on validation that I already had the power to give myself. Once I unlearned that, everything opened up. I stopped hesitating and started trusting my own vision.
I began creating my own opportunities: releasing music, building my brand, booking my own shoots and that’s when the right people and moments started aligning. It taught me that when you stop waiting for someone else to drive, that’s when you finally take control of your own journey.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Oh, I can definitely share one. There was a time in my journey where everything felt like it was falling apart…personally and professionally. I had so many responsibilities on my plate: being a family woman, building my brand, and still trying to hold on to my dream as an artist.
There were days I’d record music after taking care of everyone else or show up to auditions running on pure faith and caffeine. But every time life threw something heavy my way, I reminded myself: I’ve come too far to stop now.
What really tested my resilience was when I had to rebuild my confidence after a few setbacks…moments where I felt unseen or underestimated. I had to learn that rejection wasn’t a “no,” it was a redirection. So instead of waiting for doors to open, I started building my own. That’s how Mrs. Houston Music really became what it is today…a space where I could express myself fully and create opportunities for others to see what’s possible when you don’t quit.
And honestly, my resilience shines the most when it comes to being everything people thought I couldn’t be. That’s my motivation! Proving that no matter what you’ve been through or what people expect from you, you can still rise, create, and leave your mark.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/mrshouston
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrshoustonsavon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrshoustonsavon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrshoustonsavon
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrsHoustonsAvon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mrshoustonmusic
- Yelp: https://www.pinterest.com/mrshoustonsmusic/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tawanna-shaw
- Other: https://www.youravon.com/mrshouston
Image Credits
Chris Rojas
Jamaal Jones
Bread of Life Baptist Church