Tammy Reese has taken the media industry by storm within 20 years. As press Tammy Reese has covered a host of industry events and conferences for The Academy Awards, Lifetime Networks, TV One, The Tribeca Film Festival, The Sundance Film Festival, Bentonville Film Festival, Urban One Honors, Black Media Honors, HBO/Cinemax Urban Action Showcase, Syracuse International Film Festival, NJ Horror Con, NYC Horror Film Festival, and the NYC Hip Hop Film Festival to name a few.
Notable influencers and celebrities Tammy has interviewed include: Geena Davis, Meagan Good-Franklin, Ginuwine, Serayah, Donell Jones, Mick Garris, Leon, Slim and Mike of 112, Dedee Pfeiffer, Carl Anthony Payne, Kyle Massey, Sharaya J, Christopher Play Martin, Giancarlo Esposito, Jasmine Sanders, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Richard Grieco, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Carmen Electra, Tony Todd, Mystikal, Claudia Wells, Syleena Johnson, RL, Bobby V, Marion Ramsey, Leslie Easterbrook, Taimak, Aleks Paunovic, Heather Langenkamp, Stormy Wellington, Tamra Simmons, Tamara Bass, Taimak Guarriello, and many more.
Articles written by Tammy can be seen across numerous media outlets. As of late, her work has been published in The Hollywood Times, Backstage.Com, Medium.Com, Hustle and Soul Magazine, Vocal Media, We Empower Magazine, and Teen Cruze Magazine where she interviewed the stars of the NBC hit tv show “Kenan,” Dani and Dannah.
We sat down with Tammy to discuss her journey in the media industry + more.
What inspired you to enter the media industry?
When I was in the 5th grade I was asked to anchor the morning school news because the teachers felt I had a wonderful and bubbly personality. I ended up really enjoying it. I eventually fell in love with acting too at a young age. By the time I got to middle school, I became a member of The Media Unit TV and Stage Production Company in Syracuse NY which I was in the company for eight years before I joined the board of directors.
With The Media Unit, not only did I get to perform in 60 live stage shows a year, but I also got to host and direct a live tv show called “Rough Times Live” out of our public access tv station. I knew that I would eventually go to college for media studies which I did. I have been branching off into a multimedia personality ever since.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I love how someone feels when their article is complete. They feel so appreciated, heard, and seen. Also, I love when a publicist reaches out to me saying how they have followed my work and would be honored if I interviewed their client. I’m so honored for all the opportunities that come my way as a journalist. Being a media professional is a huge responsibility and awarding experience that I enjoy and is my passion. I love everything I do.
What are some memorable moments in your career so far?
Thanks so much for asking! Covering the Academy Awards, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Black Music Honors, and NJ Horror Con to name a few. Being personally asked to interview some of the talents for TV One award-winning tv series “Unsung,” and being honored with the 40 Under Forty Award and the WCNY/PBS Makers: Women Who Make America Award.
There are so many memorable moments in my career. Another I would say is when I got to interview my mom on tv and give her flowers literally while she could still smell them. We were each other's biggest fans. She has since passed in January 2020 and she was my biggest supporter.
Last but not least I would add another memorable moment that will stick with me for life is interviewing some of the Executive Producers and Cast of Starz Power Book III: Raising Kanan, laughing with the Cryptkeeper (John Kassir) of HBO’s Tales From The Crypt at New Jersey Horror Con, screaming with Candyman (Tony Todd) at New York City Horror Film Festival. I got to interview them as well.
Not to mention interviewing veterans and icons in the industry such as Geena Davis, Carmen Electra, Meagan Good-Franklin, Leon, Slim and Mike of 112, Donell Jones, Ginuwine, Omar Epps, Christopher “Play” Martin, Carl Anthony Payne, Giancarlo Esposito, Serayah, Mystikal, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and so many more I can go on and on. I am extremely proud of my career so far. There is so much more to come and I appreciate everyone who has been on this journey with me so far. I don’t do it all alone.
When you first entered the media industry what impact did you intend to make?
I truly believe in being selfless with your gifts. Me being a journalist allows me to do that. Interviewing someone is honoring them. I only interview people in a positive light. I aim to uplift, teach, inspire, empower and help change the world one interview at a time.
What is something you have learned about the industry that you wish you would have known?
I wish I knew that this is an industry that can easily tear friendships apart if you let it. I watched so many friends fall apart because of competition, jealousy, or not understanding the time commitment that is involved in this industry.
What is a tip you would give to people on interviewing people in the industry?
It’s ok to be an admirer or a fan. Just stay humble and treat celebs and industry insiders like the human beings that they are. They would respect you for it.
What is next for Tammy Reese? (As far your career goes)
What is next for me is more celebrity and influencer interviews, continuing to provide my clients with services that enhance their brand and media portfolio through my company Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media.
Stay tuned for me covering industry events as press and soon enough stay tuned for me getting back to my acting and filming roots which involve writing, directing, and producing content on social awareness and that is geared toward the black community. I love everything about media and entertainment. There is so much to come. Folks can keep up to date by connecting on Instagram @tammyreesemedia
More info on Tammy Reese: https://linktr.ee/tammyreesemedia