In an interview for the New York Post, she talked about the meaning behind her song, "Borderline," saying that the lyrics explore "the mental-health side effects of an unrequited love." Noting that a real-life situation inspired the songwriting, she said, "I loved someone that was not available to be loved by me, and so that drove me crazy." This wasn't the only case of complicated love in Brandy's relationship history, though. In a 2020 Instagram Live session, Morris opened up about his relationship with Brandy, clarifying that he was initially just friends with the star, and that the two were not romantically involved until she was "of age" - at which time, he confessed they were "young" and "in love." Since this conflicted with her onscreen persona, the relationship remained private. However, since he was five years older, this meant that Brandy was still a teenager while Morris was in his twenties. I thought everyone was light years ahead of me."Īs reported by The Guardian, Brandy dated Wanya Morris - one of the singers from Boys II Men - while filming. But in her first onscreen role, Brandy felt out of place, confessing to the outlet, "I had a difficult time on Thea because I never dreamed of being an actress. Her first major acting gig was playing the title character's daughter on the television show, Thea, which Okay Playernotes "marked the first time a Black female comedian had a show named after her." Just a few years later, Brandy herself would star as the title character on Moesha, continuing this path for Black women as lead actresses. "I didn't get a chance to make private mistakes and really discover my own voice without having to deal with everyone else's voices and thoughts and opinions about the things that I was doing." Sadly, as a result, Brandy admitted that "trauma definitely comes along with that."Īs a young actress with little experience, Brandy talked about working in the entertainment industry in her teens. "I had to grow up in front of the public," Brandy explained to Rolling Stone. In 2020, Brandy released her album, B7, on her own label, Brand Nu, Rolling Stone reports.īut since life rarely imitates that of a Disney princess, it's time to learn the tragic details about Brandy. "Everything you could think about, I went through." Thankfully, things seemed to be turning more positive as the next decade arrived. a lot of heartbreak, a lot of pain, a lot of ups and downs with love, trauma, mental health," the singer-actress told the New York Post. Though it may appear as though she conquered multiple industries, behind the scenes, life threw many curveballs towards Brandy.
Moving into the new millennium, Brandy continued to put out music, and from 2015 to 2017, she appeared on Broadway as Roxie Hart in the famous musical, Chicago.
Continuing her acting roles, she played titular princess Cinderella in 1997's live-action TV adaptation, and also co-starred with Diana Ross in the movie, Double Platinum (via Rolling Stone). Of course, the multitalented Brandy also starred as the title character on the sitcom, Moesha. This R&B singer secured her biggest hit with "The Boy Is Mine," a delightfully rivalrous duet with Monica. Brandy Norwood - or simply, Brandy - truly ruled the '90s.