Calesha "Bre-Z" Murray (born July 22, 1987)[1][2][3] is an American actress and rapper, best known for her roles as Tamia "Coop" Cooper in the American drama series All American and as Freda Gatz in Empire.[4][5]
Bre-Z | |
|---|---|
 Bre-Z in 2019 | |
| Born | Calesha Murray July 22, 1987 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, rapper |
| Years active | 2015–present |
Early life
editBre-Z was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in Wilmington, Delaware.[6][7][8] Her grandmother gave her the nickname "Bre-Z" at birth when she would not stop crying until a window was shut, so they called her "breezy".[8][7][9][10] She found out it wasn't her real name when she began elementary school.[8][7][9] As a child, she had short hair and people would often mistake her for a boy.[5] In sixth grade, she decided that she wanted to pursue music.[9] Her mother worked in the entertainment industry, and once woke up to Wu-Tang Clan in her living room, so she knew that she would become involved in the entertainment industry from a young age.[4] Bre-Z graduated high school in 2005.[5] She attended Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.[8] In 2008, she moved to Atlanta when her mom found a job there.[7][4][2] Bre-Z began cutting hair at the age of 10,[9] and comes from a family of barbers, with her grandfather, father, and mother all working as barbers.[8][4][2] While working as a barber, she cut hair for Akon , Ludacris and Rob Dougie .[7][11][12] In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a musician with only one dollar in her bank account.[8][4]
Career
editBre-Z began her music career at age 14 with impromptu performances around Philadelphia.[6] Her brother used to rap, and she would perform his songs until she began writing her own.[4] When she was 15, she met Freeway of Roc-A-Fella Records rap group State Property.[7] Freeway put her in a studio and recorded her first song with her.[7]
Bre-Z began writing songs with Dr. Dre, Jennifer Lopez, and The Game.[10] She moved to Los Angeles when she was 24 to pursue her music.[9][11] In 2015, after landing an audition through a barbershop connection, Bre-Z was cast in the role of Freda Gatz.[6][4][13] It was her first audition and first time acting.[10] She appeared on the soundtrack several times throughout her time on the show, sometimes performing her own raps.[7][11][14][2] In November 2018, she was the grand marshal of the Xavier University homecoming parade.[2]
In 2018, Bre-Z was cast as Tamia "Coop" Cooper in the drama All American.[9] She once stated that "Coop is literally Bre-Z in high school," emphasizing the similarities between her and her character.[5][2] Her role has been praised as breaking barriers for the LGBTQ community.[6]
She released an EP, The Grl in 2015 on her independent label.[4][13] Her most recent album is titled Full Circle.[6]
Personal life
editIn regard to her sexuality, Bre-Z has stated that she wants to keep her romantic interests private.[5] In one interview, Bre-Z said, "I love everybody. But when it gets down to whatever is underneath my clothes, whatever is inside of my home, or in my bedroom... I feel like at some point, being in the public eye, you have to keep something for yourself. And that's just what I choose to keep for me."[1][4]
Bre-Z is very spiritual.[11] She lives in Los Angeles, California.[4] Her favorite movie is Juice.
On March 16, 2021, Bre-Z proposed to girlfriend Chris Amore in front of friends and family.[3]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2019 | Empire | Freda Gatz | Recurring character, 31 episodes |
| 2016 | The Real | Self | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Tales | Ty | Episode: "Children's Story" |
| The New Edition Story | Peanut Bell | Episode: "Part 1" | |
| 2018 | Celebrity Page | Self | 1 episode |
| Down for Whatever | Denise | TV movie | |
| 2018–2024 | All American | Tamia "Coop" Cooper | 89 episodes |
| 2021 | Living the Lyrics | Game show | |
| 2021 | Way Too Crazy | Self | |
| 2023–present | MTV Couples Retreat | Self | Series regular |
| 2024 | Good Times | G-Money / Crowd / Residents (voice) | Episode: "The Projects Divided" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Fat Camp | Winnie | |
| 2020 | 16 Bars | Taj | |
| True to the Game 2 | Taj |
Discography
edit- The Grl. (2018)
- Full Circle (2020)
References
edit- ^ a b Bowen, Sesali. "Bre-Z Won't Talk About Her Sexuality—And That's Her Choice". Nylon. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Strachan, Sue. "'All American' star Bre-Z lands in New Orleans to serve as grand marshal at Xavier homecoming parade". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Godard, Jean-Luc. "Bre-Z". Issue Magazine. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Monique, Porsha. "Rapper Bre-Z moved from Philly to LA to chase her dreams". Rolling out. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Bowen, Sesali. "Bre-Z Just Told Us Exactly Why All American's Coop Is So Dope". Refinery29. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Early, N. Ali. "Despite career-defining success, Bre-Z remains true to herself and her city". Rolling Out. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mitchell, Gail. "Exclusive: Meet New 'Empire' Cast Member Bre-Z". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Ju, Shirley. "Bre-Z gets real as a gay Compton high schooler in All-American.; Credit: Jesse Giddings/The CWBre-Z gets real as a gay Compton high schooler in All-American.; Credit: Jesse Giddings/The CW Rapper Bre-Z Talks About Her Groundbreaking Roles On TV's All-American And Empire". LA Weekly. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Radloff, Jessica. "From Barber to Actress and Musician: Meet All American's Bre-Z". Glamour. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c Golembewski, Vanessa. "Empire's Newest Cast Member Bre-Z Is Just Being Herself". Refinery29. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Carter, Kelley L. "The Woman Who's Ready To Take The "Empire" Throne". Buzzfeed News. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ "'Empire' Rapper Discovered While Giving Haircuts in Atlanta". Project Casting. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Ortiz, Jazmine. "Exclusive: Bre-Z Says Her DMs Blew Up After Her Character On 'All American' Came Out". BET. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ Carra, Mallory. "6 Bre-Z Murray Songs That Show Off The 'Empire' Rapper's Off-Screen Talent — Videos". Bustle. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
External links
edit- Bre-Z at IMDb
- Bre-Z at TV Guide
- Official website