Franchell "Frenchie" Davis presents as a spiritual powerhouse female, composed of both vim and vigor with a splash of uncompromising vivacity. Early on, in 2002, her career was nearly stunted when American Idol executives made the decision to cut her at the proverbial knees on stage in light of her admission to racy photos pre-spotlight.
No harm, no foul. Frenchie's next consecutive move would prove to be bigger and better than her appearance on the FOX show in its second season, anyway.
Broadway. The Great White Way. Frenchie's road. That last one was made up, but apropos nonetheless. The passionate persona that so often caught controlling chiefs off-guard had paid off nicely. She landed the role of a lifetime in Jonathan Larson's famed musical RENT. From there, she embodied the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls, also on Broadway, before joining the cast of Ain't Misbehavin'. This last role would result in a Grammy nomination for the artist.
In spite of her previous reality television letdown, it was time to give it another go-round on a different stageThe Voicewith celebrity judges Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton. Davis performed "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry and the crowd roared with excitement. She had advanced to the next round as a member of Aguilera's team of eight. Ultimately, she would place fifth in the singing competition and begin touring.
Windy City Times: American Idol and The Voicemany artists would love to be on either of them, and you were on both.
Frenchie Davis: American Idol was over 10 years ago! It baffles me that people still want to talk about it.
WCT: How did you feel about the dynamics on the set of The Voice?
Frenchie Davis: I think The Voice is a great show, conceptually, but I think it's sad that the only artists who seem to truly reap any benefits from being on the show are the judges. At least Idol had their winners on magazine covers and tried to push their music. People win The Voice and you never really hear from them again. But all the judges get to debut their new music on the show. [There are] strange dynamics over there.
WCT: Do you think that being a strong woman is the best way to make it in Hollywood? How has it served you or harmed you?
Frenchie Davis: I think being a strong woman is the only way to make it in life. Celebrity comes and goes. The necessity of being ok with what you see in the mirror does not. I think in the beginning I was afraid that being so outspoken may be harmful to my career, but I soon discovered that I wasn't afraid enough to stop being outspoken. Now my outspokenness is starting to open all kinds of doors.
WCT: You starred in RENT on Broadway. How did that show's message of love, forgiveness, triumph and struggle affect you personally?
Frenchie Davis: There are so many stories. Recovering addicts who would come to the show religiously; Jonathan Larson's parents and the bond we have with them; the young people who would sleep outside of the theatre every night to get tickets... The list goes on. There are no words to describe what it felt like to get on that stage every night to do what we love to do, knowing that we were touching people's lives the way we were. It was a spiritual experience.
WCT: Do you find that you can still relate to the struggling artist mentality post-fame and recognition?
Frenchie Davis: Honey! As long as I am Black, female and openly LGBT in Hollywood, the struggle remains very real.
WCT: Where is the funniest place you've been recognized?
Frenchie Davis: The ladies' room. There is something hysterical about finding yourself in a public bathroom saying things like, "....Sure! I'll take a picture with you. Um, let me just wash my hands first…"
WCT: What causes and charities are close to your heart?
Frenchie Davis: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and any cause having to do with building the esteem of young people.
WCT: If you could inspire a generation with only five words, what would they be?
Frenchie Davis: Never. Apologize. For. Being. You.
WCT: Sweet is going to Cozumel and you'll be on board! How did this partnership arise?
Frenchie Davis: My musical best friend and pianist, Kathryn, [did] Sweet before and she thought they would totally dig our Pop Cabaret: The French And Kat Show.
WCT: What can your fans expect if they book a ticket to your concert on the sea?
Frenchie Davis: They can expect me to serve Broadway-meets-Britney with Clair Huxtable realness, along with a dash of Bach and a teaspoon of Kander and Ebb. They can expect to laugh out loud and enjoy some SANGIN! Not singingSANGIN'!
WCT: Music is obviously a huge inspiration of yours. What are some of your current pet peeves about the music industry?
Frenchie Davis: My biggest pet peeve about the music industry is that it tends to be about a lot of bullshit having absolutely nothing to do with music, itself.
WCT: When you seek calm and clarity, where do you turn?
Frenchie Davis: The water. I live a mile from the very ocean I was baptized in as a girl. It's my happy place. When I go for walks on the beach and I hear those waves crashing, it's really difficult to feel stressed about anything.
Find out more about Frenchie Davis in Cozumel by visiting discoversweet.com .