Tichina Arnold Speaks On Navigating Her Career Following The Ending Of ‘Martin’, “I wasn’t able to book anything. It’s like the whole industry was saying, Oh no, we love her, We know her, but no..”

Cousins! After recently being named the ‘Lifetime achievement award’ recipient from the Urban League, actress and singer Tichina Arnold is adding another notch to her belt and stepping into the director side of the industry!

While tapping in with Eur Web for an exclusive interview to promote her latest project Oh Baby Baby , Tichina speaks on the trials and tribulations she’s overcame in her career that has ultimately brought her to this very moment of celebration.

While admitting that the fan favorite 90s television series ‘Martin’, was a pivotal point in her career, Tichina also reveals that the show’s ending made it difficult for her to navigate her career. “The most difficult era of time was after “Martin” because I was typecast. I wasn’t able to book anything.”

She continued, It’s like the whole industry was saying, Oh no, we love her, We know her, but no, she wouldn’t be right for this role. So to be told, Oh, you love me, but you’re not gonna gimme a job was tough. “

Tichina encourages younger generations stepping into the entertainment industry to calculate their moves adequately. “…like I try to tell a lot of young people that get in the industry, you are your own brand. You are how you sell your brand, how you package your brand, how you respect your brand, and what you put back into your brand. You’ll get it back. but you have to be patient. Things are not gonna come when you want them to come. But your words are very powerful and you can manifest whatever it is that you want. You take a few hard knocks. You learn from your mistakes.”

As far as the possibility of a ‘Martin’ series reboot Tichina explains, We wanted it but it will never, ever, ever be the same. Tommy is no longer with us and Martin can never be the same without Tommy.

Tichina was also asked how did she remain neutral with the dated complications between series star actors Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell who has also been her best-friend since childhood. “Well, that situation I don’t get into because, you know, there’s always two sides to every story. What I do appreciate about that situation was neither Martin nor Tisha made me feel uncomfortable with their situation and what they were going through. It wasn’t easy, but we’re adults and we have to be responsible and we have to hear each other out. We have to listen to each other. And we got through it. They got through it. And that’s what matters. Because now they can be an example to others that are in a situation like that that you can get through it and that you can get to a point where you heal. It’s healed now.”

Be sure to check out the veteran actress latest project “Oh Baby Oh” on BET Her in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. This film solidifies Tichina’s first role as a director. The opportunity presented itself with beautiful Tressa (Smallwood) and her company., I’ve been told, you should direct. My sister has been praying like you gotta direct. And I just consistently just shied away from it because I didn’t think I was ready. This situation presented itself and I said what better time to do it.

The film is about a woman who learns that she has been diagnosed with cancer while undergoing IVF. “What was more gratifying for me to do this is the woman who actually went through it is now a breast cancer survivor and was there, I had a lot of help because I had firsthand information from her. I didn’t know a lot about IVF treatment. I had to read up on it and get familiar with it. It’s why it’s so important that we as Black women tell and direct our own stories and not let somebody else tell them,” says Tichina.