Rising Stars: Meet Briana Andre of Yorktown, Virginia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Andre

Hi Briana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Briana Andre. I’m a singer, actress, writer, speaker, and content creator from Brooklyn, New York. I currently reside in Virginia and have fallen in love with living in the South. At the tender age of 4, I started singing, and by age 7, I began songwriting. My parents knew I had a gift to share with the world, but I was a very shy little girl. I spent my childhood years writing music, playing instruments, attending auditions, and making funny videos with my sister and cousins.

One of the most memorable moments from my childhood was standing by the window of my apartment on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn, singing my heart out. I thought the neighbors would complain, but instead, the lady next door told my mom, “She should keep singing… that voice!” Another memorable moment was when I was 11 years old. My dad brought me to the Apollo to audition. The judge told me to begin, and I couldn’t utter a word. I had practiced for weeks, singing “No One” by Alicia Keys, only to get there and completely freeze up in front of the judges and other contestants. All I could think was, “How embarrassing!”. Although I was timid, I still had a love for cameras from a young age and was known as “the family celebrity.”

I attended Brooklyn High School of the Arts from 2011 to 2015, a performing arts high school, where I majored in vocal music with a range of Alto-Mezzo Soprano. I remember doing vocal warmups, singing gospel songs, and the fear of being given a solo to sing “Now Behold the Lamb” by Kirk Franklin, which I ended up declining in favor of someone else. At Kingsborough Community College, I took a Poetry/Theatre class with a professor who was an actress herself. After performing my poetry and monologues in front of the class, she said, “You’re like Beyoncé. This is the beginning of something great for you.” I replied, “Beyoncé!? Don’t even gas my head up like that, ma’am,” haha. But from that moment, I knew I had a love for acting. I started acting in 2019 after my dad suggested the idea, and my poetry/theater class deepened my love for the performing arts. I received several auditions, worked with notable actors and directors, and have been on many different acting sets. I’ve gained skills in voice, directing, writing, and producing.

Around this time, I also became born again and developed a relationship with Jesus. God audibly spoke to me and asked, “Are you ready to follow me?” in September 2019. I responded with certainty, “Yes, Lord.” Later, I got filled with the Holy Spirit in 2020, and later that same year, I got baptized.

Unfortunately, on February 6th, 2021, my mother passed away from metastatic stage 4 breast cancer, which was the most heartbreaking and challenging time of my life. Before she passed, I visited her in the hospital on my way back from a set. I remember sitting by her bedside, praying and hoping God would give her strength, but He had other plans. I hugged her as she lay lifeless on the bed, and the last thing I did was sing a song to her before the doctors took her away.

Her death not only changed the way I look at life but also gave me a deeper purpose to keep going and make her proud as I carry out her legacy.

In 2022, I started making Christian content and videos based on my knowledge of the Bible on both Instagram and TikTok, which led me to gain a following.

In 2023, I was re-baptized in Jesus’ Name according to Acts 2:38. My faith in Jesus Christ has kept me going all these years, and I find my identity and comfort in the Lord through everything.

Today, I can be found creating faith, lifestyle, beauty, and health content while working with brands, attending acting classes to perfect my craft, and finishing up online classes for my Bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Professional Communication and Journalism from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Shortly, I want to start creating Christian music and prayerfully see myself featured in more magazines, on billboards, and in TV shows, commercials, and movies. Above all, I will continue preaching the Gospel and sharing the love of Jesus with the world in these perilous times.

My advice is to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and never quit!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has not been easy, especially with my mother passing away when I was 23 years old, just as my acting career was beginning. I’ve been struggling with my weight, a diagnosis of PCOS, stress, anger, and grief from my mother’s passing, along with resurfacing childhood traumas. When I moved to Virginia in 2022, I started going to therapy, and I have the best therapist in the world, who is also a Christian. She has been very helpful, caring, and understanding throughout this whole process. I believe in Jesus and therapy together, not one or the other separate from each other. You cannot do life all on your own, and I’m learning that sometimes it’s okay to ask for help.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multifaceted creative—a singer, actress, writer, speaker, and content creator. I craft faith, lifestyle, beauty, and health content to inspire others to live fulfilling lives in Christ. I’m known for my Christian content, which frequently goes viral on Instagram and TikTok for its insightful take on biblical topics.

One of my proudest achievements is the way I’ve woven my personal experiences and faith into my work. This includes creating impactful Christian content on Instagram and TikTok, as well as my recent endeavors in acting. My work has enabled me to connect deeply with people and offer them encouragement and support on their journeys.

What sets me apart is my unique blend of skills and experiences, coupled with a genuine passion for both the performing arts and my faith. I bring a personal touch to everything I do, from my acting roles to my content creation, and I’m dedicated to using my platform to share the love of Jesus with the world. My ongoing education, combined with my background in vocal music and theater, enriches my work and allows me to continually grow and evolve in my craft.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Firstly, praise the Lord for always coming through for me, protecting me, and being the best Father in Heaven. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now, onto my earthly parents—they have been beacons of light throughout my journey. They have been my biggest supporters in building my resilience, confidence, and character for the entertainment world.

My spouse, John, has been a great support system and a shoulder to lean on. As a poet, actor, and singer who is also a Christian and has been saved for years, he helps me understand the Bible better and teaches me new things within the scriptures. He’s a big inspiration in the performing arts spaces.

I’d like to give a shoutout to my cousin Sylvia, who has stood by me like a sister my entire life. She is a singer and fashion stylist and has been responsible for giving me the cutest hairstyles for school and photoshoots. Whenever I needed my hair done or fashion inspiration, I went to Sylvia.

Shoutout to my whole family for always encouraging me to keep my head up and push past the negativity.

I’d also like to give a shoutout to all the music directors, vocal coaches, and acting instructors who have assisted me on my journey to becoming an actress and singer.

Last but not least, I give credit to my therapist, who has provided me with advice and encouragement to keep smiling, use my voice, and show up for myself no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianaandre_/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brianaandre_