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Actress Marlyne Barrett Shares Her Journey To Stardom

Marlyne Barrett

Marlyne Barrett is an American actress. She had a recurring role from 2006 to 2008 as Nerese Campbell in the HBO crime drama The Wire and in 2007, she had a recurring role as Felicia Marquand in the FX legal drama Damages. In 2015, she began starring as Head Charge Nurse Maggie Lockwood in the NBC medical drama Chicago Med.

Women Fitness President Namita Nayyar talks to Marlyne Barrett about her incredible journey below.

Namita Nayyar:

You are a stunning actress best known for your dynamic portrayal of Council President Nerese Campbell on the critically acclaimed HBO series “The Wire.” Tell us more about your journey in Hollywood?

Marlyne Barrett:

I started working in New York City and studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting and did my master’s training there under some incredible teachers. I immediately started working in film and television. My first job came from an ABC movie of the week, and then subsequently the Law and Order series, which then led to cable. I also did a lot of film work which has lent itself to an incredible journey that has continued to rise. Until 2008, I had an unfortunate event that happened to me.

Namita Nayyar:

It is often said that there is cut-throat competition and you have to work really hard to survive here. What would be your best tips for a newcomer entering Hollywood?

Marlyne Barrett:

Train, know who you are and take care of yourself 3-dimensionally. There’s no competition when you are just striving to be the best artist you could be. I really am committed to taking care of myself physically, emotionally and spiritually. One thing you can’t negotiate is the unexpected events in your life. For me, it was being sexually assaulted in 2008. After that, I was working on The Wire, on Damages and in a play called Death of a Salesman.

Unfortunately, during rehearsal I caught a cough that eventually led to pneumonia and I began to do these clapping sessions on my back that helped with releasing the mucus from my lungs. I physically couldn’t work out as much, I began seeing massage therapists regularly and the sessions lasted about 3 hours. On one particular night, I didn’t pay attention to who the therapist was and unfortunately, it was a weird person. I woke up to being assaulted. I had to step away from the industry and my biggest competition wasn’t people, it was myself. Could I overcome the hurt? Could I find the taste of life back, after such a horrific event? Could I have an even greater thought process and perception of myself after that? I did a lot of psycho-Christian therapy, physical training but the toughest battle was the emotional battle within me and finding my way back as an actor that had access to all her emotions – free and independent of serious emotional trauma. 

Full interview is continued on next page

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Namita Nayyar:

Introduce us to a day in your life, while shooting and on a day off.

Marlyne Barrett:

A day in my life when I’m shooting on set begins 2 1/2 hours before my call time. I wake up 2 hours in advance to pray and meditate. I’m from a Christian background, so prayer is a big part of my life and meditation really centers me. When I arrive at 5 am in the make-up trailer, I’m ready to work. In the hair and make-up chair my focus and concentration starts to increase. I already know the lines, but start deciding what I’d like to try first. Even though I have an arc to my character in the episode, I still want to understand where I’m going. You can’t really negotiate what others will bring to the table but you can try different things yourself. A normal work day is 12-14 hours and I like to sneak in a nap at lunch. 

On a non-working day, it still begins with prayer and meditation. I will read, listen to music, and dance during the day. I love to spend time with my husband and dear friends. It all depends also on how quickly my turnaround is for the next week of work. On the weekends I will find anything that’s celebratory. Since we don’t have kids yet, my husband and I love to go out and travel abroad during hiatus. 

Namita Nayyar:

What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine?

Marlyne Barrett:

My fitness regimen varies. I do a lot of cardio work (i.e. the treadmill, hiking and the elliptical). I’ve also fallen in love with Pilates and I have a great instructor that takes care of me here in Chicago. After a trauma like pneumonia, Pilates has provided me with an expansion of the lungs and re-trained my breathing. I do that 4-5 times a week in-between cardio. I tend to also incorporate two massages a week to loosen the muscles and tendons with deep rest in-between. Since I push so hard, I allow my body to recuperate.  

Namita Nayyar:

What kind of diet do you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Marlyne Barrett:

My diet varies, because for many years there were a lot of liquids and vegetables to flush the system. I have a specific water that I love to drink. I could drink gallons of Smart Water and Fiji (it’s like my liquor). I can only drink New York’s tap water and that’s it. At home, I’m a light eater and I tend to stay away from red meat. I like to stick with great fish, salad, veggies, and light dressings. For carbs, I like brown rice.

I’m not one that likes to eat heavy during lunch, anything that must be heavily digested or that might create a lethargic experience I stay away from. After my workout I have a big lunch but I usually won’t have a heavy meal past 7:30 pm. My husband and I love having good meals together. He used to be a physical trainer and it’s special to have friends and family that can share in this support as well. 

Namita Nayyar:

You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.

Marlyne Barrett:

My mother taught me at an early age to do my hair. I think it’s because she knew that I’d be in situations where not everyone would know what to do with my African-American hair and to take care of it. I have a lot of great friends who are great hair stylists, one in particular, Brenda Damaris is a great stylist in Montreal, Quebec, which is one of the cities where I was raised and she gave me a lot of encouragement on how to do my hair. I get my products from her, doing two hair treatments a month, cutting my ends every 5 weeks, and not using a lot of heat. My natural hair is more of a curly dropped afro and it represents me well. Maggie Lockwood, on CHICAGO MED has it straight with some waves this season and I really enjoy this look as well. I just love to take care of what I’ve been blessed with. Great hairstylist.  Hair education.  Very natural products. 

I love to exfoliate my skin. I go to a dermatologist once every 3-4 months. We do have great products they provide for us with on set. I enjoy natural products. In 2012, I suffered burns on my face and it took me a while to get my natural skin complexion back. I also like to use lemon which is a natural acid to clean my pores and then exfoliate with some really light green tea lotions. I’ve been blessed with great skin that I believe comes also from my parent’s heritage!

Namita Nayyar:

Tell us about your role as “Maggie Lockwood” on the hit NBC series “Chicago Med.”

Marlyne Barrett:

Maggie is a charge nurse that has worked very hard to get out of the South side of Chicago’s difficulties and now entering into the health care system of corporate America she has forgotten to develop her relationships outside of work and she’s lonely. She’s looking forward to becoming someone’s girlfriend and someone’s mother one day.

Namita Nayyar:

What are your future plans in the acting realm?

Marlyne Barrett:

Writing, directing films, and acting in them. It’s been a long-time dream of mine to write, direct and produce. I’m in the process of finishing my first script and getting ready to shoot something in 2018, God willing. I’m looking forward to some remarkable success in that. 

Namita Nayyar:

Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding actresses, who all are your followers and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in this field? 

Marlyne Barrett:

Have faith and believe in yourself. Believe in yourself and do the work. Don’t rest on fame. There’s something about having faith and believing in yourself and doing the work that opens all doors. A conduct of integrity has always been very important to me, say what you mean and mean what you say. Let the truth come out of your mouth. Train and know what you’re doing in front of the camera and be able to trust your gut when it’s speaking to you.

Namita Nayyar:

Being associated with La Sortie/The Way Out Organization, what would be your advice for women who become a victim of sexual assault? What should they do?

Marlyne Barrett:

Overcome it. You can overcome it as I was able to by never changing the subject of my healing. Don’t change the subject or fall into depression. Healing is the name of the game. You’re down because you’re going through something, not because you aren’t healing. Focus and beat this event by becoming the best you could possibly be. Surround yourself with great people and allow yourself to be loved back to life. Have faith in the inner being inside of you that’s a big light. You can do it. I say that with all sincerity. It might take a while, but you can do it. 

Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net?

Marlyne Barrett:

Ladies, it’s our time! Shine. Glow. And live healthy!

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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http:// www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness

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