Tamra Simmons Executive Producer of Surviving R. Kelly Docuseries Has New Projects In The Works

Tamra Simmons is an internationally acclaimed CEO, producer, writer, talent director, and entrepreneur. She is most recognized for her work as the creator and executive producer of the ground-breaking Lifetime documentary series, Surviving R. Kelly. The docuseries has reached over 26.8 million viewers; over 20 million live streams since its debut in January 2019 with part II airing in January 2020. Simmons has become one of the most sought after executive producers in the nation and has been honored by and nominated for awards such as the 2019 Emmy Award, Critics Choice Award (MTV), Best Documentary Series (MTV), Program of The Year, Inclusion Award, 2020 NAACP Image Award; recently she won a 2020 Peabody Award for her humanitarian work and more.

With an extensive portfolio of work such as Producer on WETv’s Growing Up Hip Hop, Mary Mary, and casting director for several other major brands. Her work has been recognized by national media outlets including The Red Table Talk, NBC, FOX, Variety and many others.

Tamra's passion comes from a faith of knowing she is walking and creating in purpose. She remains selfless and humble while conquering each accomplishment. The impact Tamra is making on the world, producing documentaries on issues that most shy away from shows that Tamra is one of the most courageous women in the television industry. She is waking us all up to the changes that need to be made in the world, and how we can all become better people. Vocal readers please enjoy our interview!

Tammy Reese:

What inspired you to become a TV Producer and Entrepreneur?

Tamra Simmons:

I've always been really good at social media marketing, so I started out with a marketing company. I worked with different celebrity talents on different marketing campaigns. Doing that then spilled over to me actually representing them. When I created an agency I figured since I know a lot about branding and marketing I should use my own name in the agency title. That way I can established my name more, and that’s how the Tamra Simmons Branding Agency developed.

From there I began to branch out even though TV Producing was never something that was on my radar. I grew up never having cable TV (fun laughs) . I started working for networks, working on independent movies, doing casting, as well as doing PR and Marketing once a project was complete.

Someone ended up referring me to a company that was looking for Publicists that worked in hip- hop. The lady I was referred to asked me could we do a Skype interview for a TV show they were creating about PR's in hip-hop. I never wanted to be on TV because I've always been a behind the scenes type of person. I figured this would be a good contact but I should do a real bad job on my Skype interview purposely. However I will form a real good relationship with this lady.

I just wanted to build relationship with casting directors for my talent that I was representing at the time. When we did the Skype interview I could tell that she could tell that I was nervous. She said she loved my personality and how bubbly I was. We kept in contact even though we didn't end up doing that show. She told me how resourceful I was and that she wanted to build a relationship with me. This is what I wanted anyways. She made an introduction to a production company letting them know that I was in Atlanta, I represented talent, and I have access to a lot of people.

The production company were looking to franchise Growing Up Hip-Hop in Atlanta, but haven’t been able to do it. They asked me was that something I would be able to do. I said sure though I had no idea about TV. I just knew I could cast and find talent. I literally blind called and emailed celebrity kids that grew up in hip-hop. Helping franchise Growing Up Hip Hip in Atlanta is how my TV career started.

Tammy Reese:

How did your business partnership form with Tray Williams and what projects are you both working on together?

Tamra Simmons:

Tray and I met via Twitter and have been communicating with each other for a number of years just watching and encouraging each other . We lost contact for about 2 years for whatever reasons like life getting busy, or I'm not on twitter as much.

A article came out which was talking about how Tray was a trailblazer. I was so excited for him still being at it. This was is so amazing for me to see . I am always trying to be people's biggest encouragement because sometimes I don't know if people have that in their lives or not, I didn’t have that. I had to always be my biggest encourager. I reached out to Tray to let him know even though we haven’t kept in contact I'm just so glad things are moving great for him. We then reconnected on social media, exchanged numbers, and started telling each other all we've both been working on.

There was one particular project that we had the same idea at the same time. He texted me asking can we talk about a project, I told him I’ve been meaning to reach out to him to talk about a project too. So we got on the phone and started talking about the exact same project. Since we had the same idea we decided to come together for it, and keep this working relationship together on other projects.

As a black man and a black woman Tray and I are showing that we can support each other in the industry and don’t have to be competitive. I am a competitive person but I feel everyone can win and everyone can be successful. If someone wins before me I will champion with them and clap for them. Their win doesn’t mean that my light is dim. That’s how both Tray and I are. We can come together, and show Hollywood that a black man and a black woman can do business together, and do great things together in production.

Tammy Reese:

What else are you currently working on?

Tamra Simmons:

There are a few different things I'm currently working on. We've just landed a production deal that we're working on with our sex and human trafficking documentary. Also I am working on a social justice project that has always been so near and dear to me. I've been working on it for the past 3-4 years. When I created Surviving R. Kelly, I pretty much put everything on hold. Some other projects that were put on hold I've since picked them back up too.

Especially the social justice project about black mothers in Atlanta that have lost their sons to police brutality. I am passionate about making sure these mothers voices are heard.

Tammy Reese:

Where were you when you found out that you were nominated for a Emmy? What was your first reaction?

Tamra Simmons:

I handle Jermaine Dupri's day-to-day so I was in LA and very busy getting things ready for the premiere of his documentary. I remember being in my hotel when the news was on but I had forgot about it. I am the type of person that doesn't know anything about awards and all that stuff. When I did Surviving R. Kelly I created it based off just wanting black women voices to be heard. I never thought to myself that the documentary was going to win or be nominated for any awards.

I hate dressing up, and I hate going to red carpets. When I found out that I was nominated for the Emmy my first reaction was, what in the world! This is crazy! The whole day I was numb. Everyone was asking me am I OK. I said I'm fine, but I think I was in shock. At the same time, I knew this was a lot of pressure and I have to do something great again. I didn’t take it all in until that night or maybe the next day. Then I finally posted it on social media. I was in shock for 24 hours.

Tammy Reese:

As the Producer of the Surviving R. Kelly documentary what has the feedback been like for you?

Tamra Simmons:

Most of the feedback was that people were shocked. I don’t think that they were shocked that things were happening with the survivors and R.Kelly, I think that they were shocked overall that money, power, and fame appear to not be what it is.

There are people who still support R. Kelly who say those girls knew what they were doing or that he is innocent. Also people have said that we are just trying to take a black man down and asking me why would I produce this documentary being that I am a black woman. My response was, am I supposed to let black women continue to get sexually abused because you don’t want one man that is sexually abusing to be look at that way? That's insane.

The survivors are healing despite of what anyone else says or thinks. I saw the survivors personally healing in their personal lives because they feel this is now a chapter they could close. Which is the most important thing. The were vulnerable, experienced trauma and they didn’t get therapy. The women felt like they couldn’t tell anyone because people wouldn't believe them.

The Emmy and other awards count for Hollywood, but for me seeing the survivors actually being able to live their lives as regular women now and progress is way more rewarding for me.

Tammy Reese:

What do you do in your spare time?

Tamra Simmons:

Spare time.. What is that? How do you spell it?

(fun laughs )

The pandemic has been a curse and a blessing. It has been a curse for the world and the people and families that are effected by it. It has allowed me to stop because I've been going and going since 2019.

2020 has allowed me to slow down and make me hone in on my self-worth. I am also a football mom for my 9 years old son. I love football. Some people think that I am the coach, but I am not. I just stand on the sidelines and make sure all the players know that I'm yelling ..(fun laughs). I never miss his games, it's very important that I never do. I love to spend time with my kids. I'm a single mom. They take up my time in my spare time, it's just them and I.

Tammy Reese:

What is your stance on the idea of the Black Lives Matter Movement?

Tamra Simmons:

It's been a movement for decades that our ancestors before us always tried to implement on how important black lives are. Though it's a new era and in this generation of youth we do have the new Malcolm X's that understand what our ancestors were fighting for that we weren’t able to learn in school, which is the true black history in America.

The Black Lives Matter Movement is a great movement! I just hope it isn’t something that is just for the moment. I hope the movement is something that lasts. I've never seen a movement where new laws are created and employers are forcing equality of those of different races within TV production. They rather hear a pitch from me as a black woman first, over a another counterpart from a different race. So I believe the movement is necessary and we need to continue to enforce it, and not allow it to die down. That is how we can see effective change, permanently.

Tammy Reese:

What are some memorable moments in your career so far?

Tamra Simmons:

Last year really blew my mind! I won like 22 awards and I can only tell you 2 of them. I can’t tell you the other 20 (fun laughs). Winning the awards helped me understand how important media and TV is. I didn’t realize that at the time when I was working on reality shows like Growing Up Hip-Hop and when I worked on the last season of Mary, Mary.

I knew I've always wanted to produce meaningful content, so I kept moving forward while knowing what I do is for a purpose and it's not for me. I want to put things on TV that opens up the eyes of everyone. TV and media are powerful weapons and need to be put to good use. It’s apart of my purpose and destiny.

Tammy Reese:

What do you want your legacy to be ?

Tamra Simmons:

I get that questions a lot. I just want people to be like Tamra was a real person, and humble. My biggest fear is that I will lose my humility. I am a visionary though I may not see or know what to do day by day, but I can see 3 or 5 years from now. I knew I was going to be in a place that was in front of people and people were going to know who I was.

Most people get excited about fame, in 2014 I pulled over to the side of the road and I cried. Thinking to myself I don’t want to be famous, I don’t want to be known. I want to always be able to reach people and talk to them if somebody needs something because I didn’t have that growing up. I want to always be that person for other people. I began to trust the process and know I'm not doing this for myself. I am being a light in others darkness.

Tammy Reese:

What advice would you give for anyone wanting to become a TV Producer ?

Tamra Simmons:

Never compromise yourself or your vision to sell a show, to be on a show, or work on a show. Never compromise yourself or vision for something that doesn’t align where you or the universe is taking you. Don’t accept it because sometimes we can accept our un-assignment and miss our assignment. So stay true to yourself, stand up for yourself, understand your worth, and know that what ever vision you have keep that in mind. Lastly understand what steps you need to take in order for that process to come forward and happen.

Connect with Tamra Simmons and follow her journey on Instagram