We recently connected with Tracey Baker-Simmons and have shared our conversation below.
Tracey , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I am the creator/Executive Producer of the series Being Bobby Brown, featuring the iconic Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. This series aired on Bravo almost 20 years ago. People often now refer to. me as one of the pioneers of celebrity reality television. Working with these two stars taught me that we are all human. During the filming of the series Whitney always showed kindness to children including our kids. After working with her on the project for several months we begin to feel like family. I almost forgot who she was. Then she welcomed us into her home in New Jersey and I remember standing in the basement of her home admiring her gowns and I turned to her and said “you know you Whitney Houston? “ She smiled and said “yes Tracey”. I will always love her!!
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?
I started my career in the music industry at WEA (Warner Elecktra Atlantic). There I worked in marketing and promotions. I then transitioned into producing Music Videos and Commercials. My work includes some of the infamous Sprite “Obey your Thirst” commercials including KRS1 and Mc Shan as well as, Pete Rock and CL Smooth. After several years in that segment of the industry, I transitioned into independent film and then created the iconic reality series, Being Bobby Brown featuring Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston. Over the past several years, my main focus has been the development of content and serving as an Executive Producer. I recently served as Executive Producer and Director for the A&E Hip Hop series – Hip Hop Treasures starring LL Cool J and Ice-T, the Hulu series The Conversations Project and soon to be released Women in Hip Hop series for Showtime. I have worked with networks such as Showtime, Bravo, OWN, MTV, VH1, LIFETIME BET, TNT, TBS, TV1, A&E, TLC, OXYGEN, WETV, Hallmark, Hulu and counting. I also serves on a special White House Media Committee, ECCO, created under the Obama Administration.
I am considered one of the pioneers of reality television. I am also an expert in the area of packaging, selling and producing reality television shows.
I have also been refereed to as a “talent whisperer” I have been know to effortlessly manage challenging celebrity talent to intuitive college students and all other personality types in between.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
In my industry in order for you to achieve your creative vision, you have to assembly a group of people, who are often times strangers, together and convince them to get behind your creative vision. The reward for me is the final outcome when your vision is shared with the world either on the big screen in the form of a movie or the television.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I would hate to say that failure is inevitable but we all know that no business comes without losses. I say that to say one of my favorite books is “Failing Forward” by John Maxwell. That book got me through one of the toughest losses and I highly recommend for anyone out there contemplating giving up on your dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: www,traceybakersimmons.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbakersimmons/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbakersimmons
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-bakersimmons/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tbakersimmons
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tbakersimmons/
- Other: www.realitytvdecoded.com
Image Credits
kjamaal photography