No one can forget the quick-witted, fresh-dancing, gold-toothed, slick-talking teen with the thick patois, from the critically acclaimed film “Precious.” And the truth is, she was already unforgettable before you knew her name. Most of us have seen her before. Remember the commercial with the woman who just couldn’t get her hair together until she reaches through a bathroom mirror and Dr. Miracle gives her a prescription to make her hair shake and shine? You were viewing one of the many faces of Chyna Layne.
Layne, who was born in the Philippines to a Jamaican military dad and a community activist Filipina mom, always knew she would be in film. Coming from a colorful background in more than just ethnicity, her skill set includes dance, Chinese, martial arts, eskrima (Filipino stick fighting) and of course the ability to morph into characters and change her dialect at the drop of a dime.
After acting in more than 30 independent film, Layne landed a big one with the Oscar-nominated “Precious,” now on the tip of tongues all over U.S. households. She says Lee Daniels not only directed a phenomenal film, but honed her into an even better actor.
Daniels was an essential part of brining unique and memorable personalities out of each character, from their hair to their jewelry to their clothes, Layne says. “Everyone hopes to work with a director like that,” she says. “A director that’s not gonna settle for just, ‘You can do your best.’ He’s gonna push you until you surprise yourself.”
Layne says she had such a great time shooting “Precious” because there was immense chemistry among ladies on set. They each brought their own flavor and during shooting they were inseparable, she said. Getting dressed for the scenes was a project in itself with the 80s backdrop and clothes to match, but the freedom to be expressive on the set was encouraged. “It’s about coming in with your guard down. You write about what you know and let your imagination do the rest,” Layne says.
After shooting “Precious,” Layne joined the cast of “Cadillac Records,” but those are only two of the many films in which Layne has been acted. She starred in the faith-based film “A Deeper Love,” which screened at the San Francisco Black Film Festival, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival.
Layne has been in films from the HBO original “Life Support” to the thought-provoking short, “The Present.” And while she is conscious of the roles she accepts as a woman of color, she sees the bigger picture. “I want to be real and true about the black experience, but when I meet a person it isn’t about color.” For Layne, it’s about respect. “Your talent should speak for itself,” she says.
Layne believes in taking every opportunity to educate herself on the business of film, as well as the art of acting, and encourages others who want to pursue acting to be fearless and be grounded. “I am very confident in who I am, and emotionally, I want for nothing. I’m not coming to Hollywood looking for family or looking for friends or looking to fill a void in my life.”
Leaving little room for voids in her life comes with more than just family and friends’ support. For Layne, it also comes with a plan. “I worked a job while I was doing indie films. Once I got a studio film, I quit my job,” she says. “If someone wants to get into this business I would tell them to set a goal, set a time period, and financially plan for your future.”
Layne has her head on straight and the new projects keep coming. She has been to Hollywood, and has plenty more places to go. But where she’s from can’t be forgotten and no matter where she goes, she won’t let you forget it.
From Layne to Brooklyn: “To all the young girls from East New York to Brownsville, you can do it. Smile pretty girl!”
- Crystyn C. Wright