Julian Brittano
by Alisa Briggs
Copa Style Magazine VIP Correspondent
@AlisaBriggsTV
"...So you've been acting for 2 weeks and now you're here with me!"
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Oprah Winfrey
Copa: You owned your own night club?
Julian: I started as a bouncer in a strip club at age 15. That was a goal of mine that I always wanted. Copa: You must have been a very mature looking 15 year-old if they were letting you bounce at the clubs?
Julian: Yeah! You got to remember I was 6’2 and 220lbs looking basically the way I do now. I’ve had this same look for quite a while! (laughing) So, I promoted at age 16 and was living in Virginia with my own townhouse. I wasn’t in the club scene but I brought the parties to where I was at. You have your own townhouse, your one of the star football players, you can throw some nice parties. So, I bounced my sophomore year, I promoted my junior year and bartended my senior year (laughing)! 
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Copa: Success and failure are a part of the business. Do you feel the failures you experienced prepared you for your career?
Julian: Absolutely. A lot of people look at circumstances that occurred as failure because they set an expectation and they did not reach it. We have moments, seasons and times in our lives and there all experiences.
Julian: Absolutely. A lot of people look at circumstances that occurred as failure because they set an expectation and they did not reach it. We have moments, seasons and times in our lives and there all experiences.
Copa: When did you get ‘that call?' The call that the door of success opened for you. The significant moment that takes your career to a new level.
Julian: In my experience as a child, playing instruments, I wasn’t just someone in the band. I was someone that either did a solo or a duet. Even at 9 or 10 years old, I was always upfront with my talent. I played sports, I played football, we won the championship. Some people get an actual call, but mine didn’t happen like that. I didn’t get a physical call. I ran across a posting for background in a pilot on TNT called "Good Behavior". I got on set, connected with some other individuals. I was a background extra from one project to the next project. Through connecting and networking on set with other background actors, that lead me to "Greenleaf." That’s how it works. It was the 5th project where I was an extra and then Ms. Oprah comes walking out onto set. I said ok Ms. Winfrey is here, that’s what’s up. Mind you, because I did all the red carpet events previously I was used to celebrities. That was my life. I was telling one of my mentees. you guys don’t know about Oprah. You guys were born in ‘rich Oprah’ you were born in 1998, 2000 (laughing)! You guys know rich Oprah! You don’t know Baltimore Oprah, Mississippi Oprah, you don’t know any of that! That’s the Oprah! I had the privilege to grow up from where she started. Watching her rise.
Julian: In my experience as a child, playing instruments, I wasn’t just someone in the band. I was someone that either did a solo or a duet. Even at 9 or 10 years old, I was always upfront with my talent. I played sports, I played football, we won the championship. Some people get an actual call, but mine didn’t happen like that. I didn’t get a physical call. I ran across a posting for background in a pilot on TNT called "Good Behavior". I got on set, connected with some other individuals. I was a background extra from one project to the next project. Through connecting and networking on set with other background actors, that lead me to "Greenleaf." That’s how it works. It was the 5th project where I was an extra and then Ms. Oprah comes walking out onto set. I said ok Ms. Winfrey is here, that’s what’s up. Mind you, because I did all the red carpet events previously I was used to celebrities. That was my life. I was telling one of my mentees. you guys don’t know about Oprah. You guys were born in ‘rich Oprah’ you were born in 1998, 2000 (laughing)! You guys know rich Oprah! You don’t know Baltimore Oprah, Mississippi Oprah, you don’t know any of that! That’s the Oprah! I had the privilege to grow up from where she started. Watching her rise.
Julian Britano on the 'red carpet at a "Greenleaf" event.
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Copa: So Julian, Oprah Winfrey arrives on set, how do you go from being the background extra to now your cast on "Greenleaf." Was there a conversation? Did she just single you out? How did you connect?
Julian: It was a series of experiences throughout that first day. It was literally the first day they actually filmed on the project as I was later told. She came out, she started having a conversation, she spun around in her chair. My background assignment was to stand there. There were two barstools that needed to be flipped and then I was to walk off behind her out of frame. We did that about 3 or 4 times. This is probably ‘the moment’ where I knew it was going to happen because I’m a spiritual guy. Oprah asked me, “What are you doing?” And in that moment, I said to myself this is the start of something, but the regular guy, the man in me said, what am I doing? (laughing) I responded, “I’m here to help!” you got to remember in background work, they teach you when you go to set, not say anything or talk. You must be quiet. She owns it all, the whole production, she owns the network, so when Oprah asked me, what am I doing. I responded, I’m here to help you. (laughing). She said, “No, you work for Auntie M” and I’m like your absolutely right, I do! Then the interview started when Oprah asked me, “So what’s your name?” I said Julian. “So how long you been acting? I said 2 weeks and she started laughing. She said “2 weeks and you’re here with me?” and I’m like yeah. She looks at the director, the producer, the writer, and tells them, guys this is Julian and he’s been acting for 2 weeks. Now they are looking at her, there looking at me, I’m looking at them, then they look at each other and we’re all just looking at each other. That was the moment! (We burst into laughter). Copa: Was this your moment Julian?
Julian: Absolutely, I felt ready for whatever was about to happen. I was empty. I was ready to be filled up. That was the thing that God allowed me to move in my purpose. From that place it’s been a wrap, it’s been a constant grind. It really allowed me to maximize what has occurred and use the platform that I have been blessed with, by giving back. |
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Copa: How has your life changed since working with Oprah?
Julian: 2 months ago I was reflecting on the fact that I have been in communication with mayors, senators, police commissioners, governors, admirals in the U.S. military, directors, CEO's and now corporations that are sponsoring my visions and dreams. People that are taking time out of their day because they want to help. That is true power and influence. Oprah hand picked her cast and she rolled the dice on me. She put me on. I want to always show respect and represent her well. |
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Copa: You are an advocate for women empowerment. Why is that an important platform for you?
Julian: Women are natural nurturers, women are good at details, happy wife happy life. Our society as a whole is very off balanced and I believe we need to get it back together for our family and our children. Women ought to be in a greater position where they’re not moving in fear, not moving in doubt, and not moving in apprehension. Everyone’s not trying to get into their bed, or treat them like a piece of meat or eye candy. As a man with a platform, I want to encourage improvement and growth. Domestic violence speaks first, because I’ve seen some things growing up. I think people need to learn to respect people.
Julian: Women are natural nurturers, women are good at details, happy wife happy life. Our society as a whole is very off balanced and I believe we need to get it back together for our family and our children. Women ought to be in a greater position where they’re not moving in fear, not moving in doubt, and not moving in apprehension. Everyone’s not trying to get into their bed, or treat them like a piece of meat or eye candy. As a man with a platform, I want to encourage improvement and growth. Domestic violence speaks first, because I’ve seen some things growing up. I think people need to learn to respect people.
Copa: Did you have a mentor?
Julian: Yes. I use experience as my mentor.
Copa: What’s next for you Julian?
Julian: Wow! Where do I start! Well we have the talk show that we are kicking off January 15th, called, "Raising the Bar." and the first city we are touring is Greensboro, NC. It’s going to be awesome! It will be at the doubletree hotel, which is the official sponsor for the ‘Raising the Bar’ talk show. We will be touring up and down the East Coast. We’re going to be all over the place. We also have a television series called, "Expose." which highlights a lot of my night life past experience. It’s pretty much a drama series about a shift in political influence and power. I also have a music project that I’m going to be releasing as well. It’s the soundtrack for "Raising the Bar"and "Expose." That will be my official music release as well. Also, there’s a Men of Courage Tour. I’m a co-producer on it. We have man talk, meetings, and motivation. I tell my experience with sexual abuse as a child and we have doctors and counselors that are joining us. My partner on that project is Damon Thomas. Finally, the Paint the 'City Purple Campaign' which focuses on awareness and prevention of domestic violence. Portia Shipman is the founder of the project. We partner with local groups and organizations and allow for resources to be shared with attendees.
Copa: Julian you have a lot of great projects happening that will impact a lot of lives. Thank you for sharing. We will be watching!
Julian: Yes. I use experience as my mentor.
Copa: What’s next for you Julian?
Julian: Wow! Where do I start! Well we have the talk show that we are kicking off January 15th, called, "Raising the Bar." and the first city we are touring is Greensboro, NC. It’s going to be awesome! It will be at the doubletree hotel, which is the official sponsor for the ‘Raising the Bar’ talk show. We will be touring up and down the East Coast. We’re going to be all over the place. We also have a television series called, "Expose." which highlights a lot of my night life past experience. It’s pretty much a drama series about a shift in political influence and power. I also have a music project that I’m going to be releasing as well. It’s the soundtrack for "Raising the Bar"and "Expose." That will be my official music release as well. Also, there’s a Men of Courage Tour. I’m a co-producer on it. We have man talk, meetings, and motivation. I tell my experience with sexual abuse as a child and we have doctors and counselors that are joining us. My partner on that project is Damon Thomas. Finally, the Paint the 'City Purple Campaign' which focuses on awareness and prevention of domestic violence. Portia Shipman is the founder of the project. We partner with local groups and organizations and allow for resources to be shared with attendees.
Copa: Julian you have a lot of great projects happening that will impact a lot of lives. Thank you for sharing. We will be watching!
~Copa