by Jennifer Jonassen

You may remember Cocoa Brown as a finalist on NBC's America's Got Talent. But many of you may not know that besides regularly touring across the country with her comedy act, this dynamic Diva is paving her way as an actress on TV and movies. Get to meet Cocoa...

JJ: What made you want to become a performer?

Cocoa: A little bit of boredom and a strong desire for something different in my life... I was always the little "performer" growing up, putting on shows for my friends and family and writing plays. But the gumption to actually get paid for it came when I graduated college and realized I didn't want to be stuck behind a desk. The opportunity presented itself to be a stand up comedienne and I ran with it and never looked back.

JJ: How long have you been performing and what are some of the highlights of your career so far?

Cocoa: I have been in the "business" for 10 years, but I started acting at 10 years old with a community theater in Newport News, VA (where I am from). My Mom felt I was an overly creative child and put me in theater workshops and I did my first lead in a play when I was in the 5th grade, (I played a judge).  
Some of my memorable moments in comedy have been getting my first standing ovation, winning Apollo, ripping the stage in my first 1/2 hour on BET, winning Funniest Comic in the City, being on movie and TV sets with an actual part in the project, having my own trailer with my name on it, walking the red carpet and having the paparazzi call my name, fan adoration and traveling the world and seeing all the different places and experiencing the cultures --and of course not having to call home for money anymore (smile).

JJ: Do you like the term plus size? How do you describe yourself?

Cocoa: Honestly, I hate the term plus size... I mean why does it have to be that if your dress size has a double digit? I have friends who are size 10 or 12 and they are hardly plus size! It's just another label that separates women, like we need any help with that! I consider myself voluptuous I have a little extra junk but I still have curves and I like my "bumps."

JJ: How has being larger helped or hindered you?

Cocoa: Being a "larger" woman has helped me in that people don't immediately see me as a threat. Then I open my mouth and they quickly realize I am strong, sexy and confident.  People, especially men, think if a woman has a little extra going on, we are insecure and begging for any kind of attention. That is bullcrap... sure there are some out there, but some of the most confident and secure women I know are size 14's and up... But I say it has hindered me a little in Hollywood because when they are casting someone "plus size", they don't want them too attractive or too educated, or too confidant -- they like putting us in "that" box... Fat, funny, and manless!