Quote: “I owe a lot of my career to Rickey Smiley that was the first live television sitcom that I was a part of, and I got a taste of what TV Cinema is really is”
Q. Tell everyone who Mike Bend is?
A. Mike Bend is a cancer, a fun-loving guy and believes in showing people the wonderful time.
Q. What or who inspired you to do comedy?
A. My grandmother inspired me to do comedy. She’s been funny all my life.
Q. What is one of your biggest accomplishments?
A. My biggest accomplishments were people paying me 15,000 to perform my show that I wrote in the back of my room on a piece of paper and saw it come to life and people pay me $15,000 for that.
Q. I see you was a guest appearance on the Rickey Smiley TV show. How was that experience?
A. I owe a lot of my career to Rickey Smiley. That was the first live television sitcom that I was a part of, and I got a taste of what TV Cinema is really is?
Q. What else do you do other than acting and producing?
A. In 2017. I started my own production company GPS Productions, LLC. 2018 we facilitated several acting workshops under the series name “Connecting the Dots to becoming an Actor”. I look forward to creating films that help to educate, entertain, and empower my audiences.
Q. Why did you want to become an actress?
A. I love being a storyteller. From a very young age. I always had a passion for the arts. I feel most alive in front of an audience and a camera, it is truly my happy place. Breathing life into a character is one of the most fulfilling things I do as an actor, and even at times becoming a voice for the voiceless.
Q. What are some of the projects you worked on in Atlanta?
A. Well I have completed several television and film projects here in Atlanta. Some of the television shows include: The Vampire Diaries (CW) Saints and Sinners (Bounce TV) and most recently filmed Ambitions (OWN). Some of the films include: Mr. Right (BET), The secret she kept (TV One), The Last Time (Aspire TV) and so many more. My hometown, Atlanta has been very good to me and my acting career.
Q. Who or what inspires you?
A. My parents inspire me daily, they are true examples of how hard work produces success, and they instilled that in myself and my siblings from a very young age. They also encouraged us that we could do whatever we set our minds to do, and to always go after our dreams, for these reasons and more I love them dearly.
Q. What is your favorite album or song right now?
A. It’s an oldie but a goodie: DIVA by Beyonce, lol. This song actually made it back on my playlist recently. I was really inspired by Beyonce’s homegoing concert film on Netflix, so I have her live album from that concert on repeat right now. Love her old and new songs and her work ethic is amazingly motivating.
Q. What advice would you give someone that is interested in pursuing an acting career?
A. As an actor, you should think of your craft as if it is a muscle, the more you work it the stronger you become. All actors continuously get training, in classes or acting coaches, investing in your dream will help to keep you prepared for your big moments. And of course, Never give up!
