Let It Shine, premiering June 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, is a modern-day adaptation of the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story, only set in the world of hip-hop, rap, and gospel music. It follows the stories of three teens—Williams, Coco Jones (Radio Disney “N.B.T.”), and Trevor Jackson (Eureka)—who discover the importance of staying true to oneself.
Lewis also stars alongside Courtney B. Vance, who plays her conservative preacher husband, who disapproves of their son’s interest in the music biz. Snakkle spoke to Lewis at length about her role in the upcoming feel-good Disney movie, her incredible story of getting her composing and acting gigs on A Different World, and so much more.
Snakkle: So tell me how you got involved with Let It Shine. Did they offer you the part straight-out or did you go in and read?
Dawnn Lewis: I actually went in and read. It was just one of those typical things—I think they were putting the cast together and they had some ideas—I’m pretty sure Tyler was involved all along. A couple of summers ago I did a pilot for a new Disney XD series. That pilot starred T.J. Williams, which is Tyler’s younger brother.
Snakkle: It’s all in the family with Disney!
Lewis: It’s great. So I played T.J.’s mom and we hit it off and I actually got to know the family. So just before I went [to shoot Let It Shine in Atlanta], I said, “By the way, who else is in the cast?” Because I thought the script was such a great script and the show was such a great idea. They said, “Well, Courtney Vance is playing your husband.” Okay, cool. I love Courtney. “And Tyler Williams is playing your son.” I said, “Are you kidding me?” So I hung up the phone with the casting person and immediately called Angela, Tyler’s mom. I said, “You will never guess who’s going to be in Atlanta next week!” And she started screaming. It was great.
Snakkle: So was it just a really easy transition for you guys?
Lewis: It was very easy. That’s one of the things that I think really works for Disney is that they have a real sense of putting people together. The few projects that I’ve worked on with them, we’ve always ended up with a real-family kind of environment.
Snakkle: Did the kids in the cast come to you with specific questions about the business and how to navigate being up-and-coming stars?
Lewis: Well, these particular kids have been entrenched in it. Tyler’s been doing this since he was really young. But I can relate, because I have been performing since I was a kid. I started singing at 4 and dancing at 7. And what I’ve noticed with these three particular young people is that I can’t even call them “kids” because they’re so mature. Trevor’s very, very smart. He’s definitely a man’s man. He’s gonna break some hearts too.
Snakkle: Well, let’s talk a little bit about A Different World, because one of the things I didn’t know about you is that you composed the theme song.
Lewis: Yes, ma’am.
Snakkle: And now how did that come about?
Lewis: They came to me. The musical director of The Cosby Show was also the musical director for A Different World. And at the time, I had a single record out. I had a band in New York and he was given a copy of my demo tape. He had it at least for a year. When I heard they were doing this spin-off of The Cosby Show, I thought, “Aw, man, that would be right up my alley. I want to do that.” I’m right out of college. This is perfect. And pretty much they told me no.
Snakkle: Oh, no!
Lewis: And so for three months they told me no and finally they turned around and said yes. I was about to get my last unemployment check. The casting directors called me back and said, “If you’re still interested, we’d like for you to come in this afternoon.” And I was like, “Wow. Yeah. Sure, I’d love to. Okay, great.” An hour later the musical director called me and said, “Are you the same person that’s on this tape? Would you be interested in working with me on the theme song for this new Cosby show?” At that point, I thought it was my friends playing a joke on me.
Snakkle: Ha! This is like something out of a dream!
Lewis: I thought, “Somebody thinks this is funny.” Because who gets two calls like this within an hour of each other? I auditioned, and it was one of those “Thank you very much; don’t call us, we’ll call you.” I go home. I work on the music. I’m in the studio on Friday and I can’t believe I’m here with the musical director and I’m recording my song. [The show] called me back and said, “Okay, the producers want to see you again for the callback.” So I go into the callbacks, and I have to tell you, I was the only person in that room I did not know. Later, when I came out of dance class, I happened to be crossing the street—which wasn’t far from the casting director’s office—and someone is screaming my name crossing the street saying, “We’ve been looking for you all day! They said you have to fly to L.A. the day after tomorrow to test for the network and we need to know where to send your contract….”
And the rest, as they say, is history. For more information about Dawnn Lewis, visit her personal website, and don’t forget to check out her performance in Let It Shine, premiering June 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Disney Channel.