Print Exclusive: Cover Girl Novi Brown Fall 2021 Issue Full Interview

“When you own who you are, you cannot be stopped, and trust me, the world will bend to your will,” actress Novi Brown stated in her interview with She’s SINGLE Magazine. Brown, a leading actress in Tyler Perry's TV series Sistas, has much to say about independence, self-love, and being true to yourself in a world that often demands conformity to imperfect societal norms.

While Sistas isn’t Brown’s first television appearance, it is her most recent and notable work. Her performance on the show is captivating, subtly commanding the viewer’s attention. Novi Brown owns the spotlight whenever she’s on-screen.

Sistas is described on TylerPerry.com as a series that “follows four single girlfriends who have reached the milestone beyond young adulthood and are now closer to who they are to become. All the ladies are in their 30s, and they are all still single. Set in present-day Atlanta, Georgia, Perry takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions and hilarious quagmires that single women can relate to on their journey to finding ‘Mr. Right.’” The show delves deeply into self-love and friendship through the unique journeys of its four leading ladies. Being in her mid-30s herself, Brown brings authenticity and nuance to her role, embodying a depth that others might not.

In Sistas, Novi Brown portrays Sabrina, “the more sympathetic one of the bunch,” according to TylerPerry.com. While independence and chasing dreams often take precedence in media narratives, Brown acknowledges the importance of representing vulnerability. “People hate seeing a Black woman vulnerable. They hate seeing a Black woman confused and not knowing what she wants out of life. They hate that, but it’s such a human part of the journey,” Brown explains. Her point is both valid and often overlooked. Strong Black female leads are essential, but vulnerability and strength are not mutually exclusive. Sabrina is both strong and vulnerable, admitting she doesn’t have all the answers about her life and future. Through this portrayal, Brown plays a pivotal role in delivering Sistas’ broader message to its audience.

Brown emphasizes the significance of her role as Sabrina. “We see it even from hospital beds where Black women are dying every day just trying to give birth. Vulnerability isn’t something we’re quote-unquote allowed to have. But as an artist, it’s my job to ensure we understand that we’re allowed to be in a space of the unknown.”

Through this effort, Brown demonstrates that acting transcends mere storytelling. Her character delivers messages that resonate with viewers from all walks of life. Sistas and Brown’s portrayal show that it’s okay to feel lost and unsure. For Black women in particular, who, as Brown notes, are often not “allowed” to be vulnerable, her performance is a powerful statement.

Brown’s role as a “sensitive” woman in Sistas ventures into the realm of social commentary. Her character Sabrina reflects shared human experiences, reminding us that we all have vulnerabilities and soft spots.

Although Sistas highlights her acting prowess, Novi Brown’s talents extend beyond the screen. According to her website, iamnovibrown.com, “Novi has played the lead in over fifteen productions, from TV to short films to feature films. The entertainment industry has proven a perfect fit for this ambitious young actress. With her eyes on the prize, she is now ready to tackle the big screen.” Fifteen productions is no small feat, and Brown is well on her way to becoming a respected household name in film and television.

But Brown’s interests don’t stop at acting. She is also the author of FUCK I’M THIRTY: Adulting Has Levels — Here Are the Cheat Codes. One can’t help but wonder if the characters in Sistas would add this to their reading lists. Brown explains her inspiration for the book: “My journey to becoming an actress...shit is hard, it’s not easy. I started thinking about aging and ‘success’ and what that means to different people. And who the fuck said that thirty equals successful?”

Brown wrote the book as a way to release herself from unrealistic standards and timelines. “It was a way to free myself from the subconscious deadlines that we all weirdly, secretly agree to for no fucking reason, and to put stress on ourselves. I wrote it as a way to laugh at the fact that we try to rush our greatness."

Creative writing has long been a passion for Brown. “I’ve been creative writing since I can remember. Words are very meaningful and powerful tools, which is why I try to work in a field where the messaging is poignant,” she shares. Brown credits her third-grade teacher for nurturing this passion. “He would always read us stories from authors like Roald Dahl and then encourage us to do our own creative writing.”

As remarkable as Novi Brown’s acting is, her motivation to pursue the craft adds even more significance to her career. She reveals, “One of the many reasons I decided to become an actress was because people in the world seemed to be confused about how to interact with me. And I realized it was because of the misrepresentation of people who look like me in the mass media.”

Novi Brown is not only contributing to the production of empowering stories that entertain but is also engaging in acts of social justice. Through her portrayal of a Black woman on a show that defies stereotypes, Brown challenges the notion that Black women aren’t—as aforementioned—“allowed” to be vulnerable. She argued, “I believe that media is a global teacher, and it can truly connect people from different cultures and walks of life on a very spiritual level. I started to recognize that visuals were a huge part of the spiritual language that humans speak to one another. I wanted to come in and rectify that visual message that many people were receiving at the behest of some very ignorant creators.”

By becoming an actress, Brown embraced a cause, and her work—alongside the storytelling of Sistas—is helping pave the way for a less biased and stereotyped world.

While Brown is ascending to stardom and passing along important messages, her inspiration is deeply rooted in her family tree. Novi was born in Berlin, but her family’s history is strongly tied to New York, where she spent part of her childhood, including third grade—a time when her love for writing began to flourish. “New York has always been a part of my family’s bloodline,” Brown shared, reflecting on how her New York roots inspire her career and life.

Brown credits her mother as a significant source of inspiration. She proudly described her, saying, “My mother was a model back in the day. She traveled the world for like ten years in Europe, and she just did things on her own. She never let anybody stand in her way, so my mother really inspires me to go after my dreams wholeheartedly.”

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Brown is carving her path and pursuing her dreams with the same determination. It’s no surprise, then, that her mother continues to be a central inspiration in her life.

Interestingly, Brown also finds inspiration in a unique source: her future self. “The second person who inspires me is myself in the future,” she said. “Because I’m just living up to my version of who I am. There’s nobody else that I can compare my journey to.” While this perspective is empowering, Brown acknowledges the need for balance, adding, “I have to keep that in mind because it could become a toxic cycle to try to become somebody else but yourself.”

This balance—striving to become her best self while honoring the woman she is now—is a theme in Brown’s journey. She embraces the uncertainty and imperfection of the human experience, stating, “It was about being vulnerable to the journey for me.” Brown reflected, “Instant gratification kills the romance of life; it kills the romance of the perfect timing that God has in your life.”

For Brown, vulnerability isn’t just a concept but a practice. “It requires you to put your mess on the table; it requires you to be raw and authentic—not polite or digestible,” she explained. She believes that vulnerability is difficult because people often want to present only the “evolved” version of themselves, not the process of evolution. However, Brown overcame this mindset by realizing, “I had to be seen as I was evolving at the same time, and how powerful that was in and of itself.”

Despite the challenges, Brown has found peace through her faith in divine timing and the universe. “I felt as if I didn’t understand God’s timing, and that’s why I found astrology. I started understanding that God has a perfect time,” she shared. This belief has helped her navigate life’s uncertainties and embrace the process of growth. “I believe in magic, I believe in life, I believe in love, and that’s what I rely on,” Brown declared.

Through her openness about vulnerability and growth, Brown’s journey becomes a source of encouragement for anyone struggling to embrace their true, evolving self. Her perspective reminds us that life’s uncertainties are universal, and the process of becoming is as valuable as the destination.

Astrology is one tool that helps Brown conceptualize life’s timing and rhythms. “Astrology is another tool that I’ve used to really understand timing and how it works in life,” she explained. For Brown, it’s a lens through which she navigates the challenges of uncertainty and finds meaning in life’s unfolding.

Through her study of astrology, Novi Brown has come to the conclusion: “Life is about timing. When you’re ready to fall in love with someone, it’s about timing. When you’re ready to get married, it’s about timing. When you’re ready to move out for the first time, it’s about timing. Life, I realize, is really about that, and obviously, that trickles over into many things.” Timing undoubtedly plays a significant role in shaping our lives, making astrology a powerful tool to turn to on our journey.

Novi admits that astrology has provided her with a deeper understanding of the world. Reflecting on her discovery, she confided, “I found a cheat code to life. It really revealed that timing is a real thing, and this is my way of connecting the outer mystical universe to the everyday life that we have here, and how they could possibly work together.”

Born in November, Novi Brown is a Scorpio. She described the Scorpio sign as being centered on “Death and Transformation” and shared that she has personally experienced its intensity, revealing, “I’ve almost died three times in my life.” Timing, she asserts, is vital, and her Scorpio nature is no exception. She eloquently described the connection between astrology and life as a form of poetry: “I absolutely believe God is a poet first.” Brown continued, “What God has created in the moon, the stars, and the galaxy; all of the elements absolutely influence the way that we approach our existence.”

Astrology, she believes, is a tool to help us navigate the messiness of life and embrace both our openness and our weaknesses. “Astrology is a way to reconnect with who you are, who you were born to be, and trust that timing,” she affirmed.

Novi has a self-proclaimed obsession with astrology and hopes to teach it to others. Perhaps this is something we can look forward to as she continues her extraordinary journey. In line with astrology’s ability to help us reconnect with ourselves, Brown also offers tangible advice for taking care of our true, vulnerable, and sometimes messy selves.

While advocating for realistic portrayals of Black women through her work, Brown is also a champion of self-care and self-love. When asked to rate her self-love skills, she proudly rated herself an 8/10, explaining, “I’m doing damn good because I’m showing up for myself every day. I’m showing up for my dreams, I’m showing up for my aspirations, I’m showing up for the hard times, I’m showing up for the pieces of me that need extra care, love, and healing.”

In today’s culture, which often romanticizes overworking and relentless pursuit of material achievements, Brown’s words are a poignant reminder to pause and prioritize ourselves. She emphasized, “There is nothing wrong with me, just like there is nothing wrong with you. You have to understand that, realize that, and own who you are as an individual.” While she chases her dreams, Brown reminds us that tending to our personal needs is equally important.

That is not to say self-care isn’t a project in its own way. When asked about the topic, Brown said, “You have to start with yourself first, so that the outside energy can meet you where you’re at. You have to develop a standard and a love language for yourself.” While much of the conversation around love languages focuses on how to love others, Brown’s idea of creating a love language for yourself is a powerful reminder that we are all unique and deserving of a love that prioritizes us.

Brown suggests taking yourself on dates, pampering yourself, and dedicating time to your own well-being. She gave self-care a clear outline: “Self-care looks like putting your mental health first, putting your spiritual health first, your emotional health. Those are the important things.” Her advice highlights the importance of prioritizing self-care, as it’s easy to neglect these acts while chasing dreams and navigating life.

However, while self-care is essential, we don’t go through life alone. Many people are searching for love. Brown offers this insight: “Life hits different when you let yourself be loved. A lot of times we stop ourselves from being in love. We have these weird standards and preconditions, like I said, that don’t even exist. They’re made up in our minds, and we think we have to follow them. But life hits differently when you allow your guard to come down.”

This connects back to her earlier point about understanding your own love language. Brown cautions against letting societal expectations dictate your desires in a relationship. “With this whole love situation, okay, get a lover who looks good on paper, but get a lover that hits your heart. Because once your heart is open, baby, nothing can stop you.” The takeaway? Learn what you truly want and avoid settling for a pre-made concept of love.

While Brown emphasizes self-awareness and self-discovery, she also recognizes the value of seeking advice from others. Speaking about friendships, she shared, “My friends’ opinions are super important. I only surround myself with people who are smarter than me, more educated in a different way than I am, more mature than me, more open-minded in a different way than I am. Just different than me.” Brown continued, “Your friends are your trusted board of advisors when you’re trying to get through life.”

So, what’s next for Novi Brown? When asked, she gave a multifaceted answer: “I have so many plans. (...) For all my people who don’t know, I’m really into astrology, so, you know, follow your girl. Yes, I can read your chart—it’s a thing. So, I have something coming for my astrological babies.” She also shared, “I’m gonna be writing my second book very soon, on astrology, (...) and I am developing my own shows and films.”

Brown concluded her comments on her upcoming projects with a powerful mission: “You guys can definitely be looking out for me doing those kinds of things because I want to put people like us in positions of power. It feels so good to me to be on a set where I see people like us being respected for our skills and our craft.”

Novi’s upcoming work promises to be bold, inspiring, and impactful, much like everything she’s done so far. Reflecting on her experience as part of the Sistas cast, she shared an important lesson: “You have to learn how to trust yourself, and then trust the other people that God put in your universe as well.”

From all that Brown has shared, the recipe for success becomes clear: learn to trust yourself, love yourself, and extend that trust and love to others. By doing so, you can unlock the door to true happiness and fulfillment, “when you own who you are.”

Snag the Digital Issue
by Megan Sheckells
Photography by Mariah Tyes