Joy Bryant: watch out, J. Lo—there's another girl from the Bronx making noise in Hollywood

Interview, Dec, 2002 by Susan Johnston

"It's about survival, a triumph of the spirit, finding peace in your own life." Actress Joy Bryant, 26, is talking about the new film Antwone Fisher, the autobiographical story of a navy cadet who makes peace with his violent past with the help of a psychiatrist played by Denzel Washington, but she could also be describing her personal outlook. "Antwone went through so much and came out on top. That's going to touch people in their hearts," explains the former model. The film, Washington's directorial debut, is a breakthrough role for Bryant, who plays Fisher's compassionate, nurturing girlfriend: "I'm a poor girl from the Bronx--born to a teenage mother, grew up on welfare--and now I'm living the dream. I'm not supposed to be here."

But Joy Bryant is here, grounded as she is graceful and claiming success for herself and in memory of the grandmother who raised her. "My nana named me Joy, and that's what I want to give back to the world," she explains. "Her spirit's still with me," Bryant adds. "I named my pit bull after her."

Playwright Susan Johnston will have three premiere productions in 2003.