Tracey Edmonds Confirms: ‘I’m Making A Basketball Wives Movie With Shaunie O’Neal’ + Talks Working With Boyfriend, Deion Sanders, On ‘Alright TV’

A rarity in the industry, Tracey Edmonds has spent the past 20 years paving her own lane in Hollywood, as a producer, business mogul, and studio executive proving that she’s more than just the ex-wife of Grammy award-winning producer, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. With the hit movie, Jumping the Broom starring Laz Alonzo and Paula Patton and Soul Food, the TV series, starring Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker under her belt, the 46 year-old media mother of two, has launched a new YouTube premium channel, Alright TV.

It features faith friendly content and entertainment with shows starring Awkward Black Girl’s Issa Rae, Comedian Deray Davis, and The Wire’s Michael K. Williams, and of course, boyfriend NFL Hall of Fame player and analyst Deion Sanders. The business mogul dished in a recent interview about her brand, her boyfriend, and what’s next for her empire. Peep the excerpts below:

 On Why She Created Alright TV:

 A year and a half ago I started tweeting something inspirational every morning to keep people going. I got so many tweets back and had no idea how much it helped others. I realized people were really hungry to be uplifted and inspired. I had been working on a business plan for a cable network of inspirational programming and YouTube was the perfect partnership. We offer high entertainment value alongside a message, without beating people over the head.”

On Working With Beau Deion Sanders:

He’s been wonderful. He’s one of the most positive people I know. On the network, Deion hosts Sports Dad where he comes to the rescue of sports-obsessed dads who are pushing their kids too hard. He’s also doing an inspirational blog. I met Deion through business and had a chance to see the wonderful man he is.”

 On Working in a Male Dominated Industry:

Being thick-skinned and staying focused. There is a lot of rejection and I still get rejected all the time. I learned when someone tells you no, that gives you an opportunity to find another way. I got so many no’s for Soul Food. I went to every studio and was told no. They asked, ‘Where’s your audience? Who’s going to go see it?’ There was nothing to compare it to and Soul Food was an anomaly.

 On How She Built Her Brand:

I’ve always been an independent woman and wanted to be sure I was okay financially, regardless of what happened in my personal life. I’m an optimist and hope for the best in a relationship. But life throws you curves and you never know when the fairytale is going to end.

For women, it’s important to be able to stand on your own. I had great memories and great years with Kenny [“Babyface” Edmonds]. I also had my own vision. When you build a brand, you have to know you are putting a spotlight on yourself and you have to carry yourself correctly.”

On Her Upcoming Projects:

 There is a Jumping the Broom sequel in the works and I am also producing a Basketball Wives movie with Shaunie O’Neal. It’s not based on the show and is an uplifting story with a lot of twists.”

Check out Tracey Edmonds on www.youtube.com/AlrightTV

[Essence]

@Melissa_Kimble