Quadruple Threat: Presenting Actor, Producer, Author, and Entrepreneur Cherie Johnson

Imagine having a career spanning 30 plus years in the entertainment industry as an actor and producer. A career filled with defining moments and numerous accolades. Now imagine having this illustrious career and youth is on your side due to the fact you’re only in your early 40’s. Most of us can dream about this type of scenario, but in the case of Cherie Johnson this fantasy is her reality. A product of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Johnson was introduced to the mainstream in 1984 when NBC gave the green light to a show about a young orphan girl who is taken in by a man of age. The main character and series was entitled Punky Brewster. Cherie Johnson secured the role of Punky’s best friend also named Cherie. The comedy was an instant hit with the young audience. The television sitcom was such a success, they developed an animated spin-off. The cartoon, It’s Punky Brewster, featured the voices of the original cast members.

As a child star, Cherie Johnson made her presence known in the 80’s. During the decade of the 90’s, an older more mature Cherie Johnson caught the eyes of the adolescent demographic as she played the role of Maxine “Max” Johnson, Laura Winslow’s best friend on the hit sitcom Family Matters. Johnson was on the highly acclaimed show for eight seasons. After riding the wave of her sitcom success, Johnson transitioned to acting in and producing movies. Her resume consists of approximately nineteen movie roles and seven producer credits. Cherie Johnson added another notch on her belt in 2010 when she officially became a published author. Her first release was the book Around The World Twice, a story about a female Hollywood movie star who is met head on with the social challenges that a life in her world presents. Johnson followed up her debut novel with the 2012 release Peaches and Cream, followed by Stupid Guys Diary, and the children’s book Lil Cherie Dresses Herself.  Cherie Johnson is a combination of beauty, brains, and humility. She recently sat with Celebrity Journalist, Vince D’Writer as she dished out the goods for Swagher Magazine.

 

Vince: Define your swagher. What makes Cherie, Cherie?

Cherie: I’m hella chill (even quiet) jeans and wife beater. It use to be heels, but now it’s Adidas because I’m chasing kids. No makeup and a ponytail. I’ve become a sports mom.

Vince: How did the opportunity to have a role on Punky Brewster develop? Did you feel any pressure trying to obtain the role?

Cherie: In order for me to get the role of Punky Brewster’s best friend Cherie, I had seven auditions. I didn’t feel any pressure because I was a kid. I didn’t know any better. I just did what I had to do.

Vince: As a kid, how did it feel to be a cartoon character?

Cherie: I had fun doing the voiceovers, but I never watched the cartoon because I was too busy working. 

Vince: Fast forward to 1990, you land the role of Maxine, Laura Winslow’s best friend on Family Matters. Did you have to audition for the part?

Cherie: Yes, I did audition. I actually had three auditions. At the time I had braces. My agent received a call and apparently they liked me, but they didn’t want my braces. I wanted the part so I used a toenail clipper to pop the braces off, and I got the part.

Vince: As a kid actor on Punky Brewster, you had a young fan base, but as an older more mature Cherie Johnson on Family Matters, you had an adolescent fan base, and you were a teen idol. Did you embrace the role of teen idol, or was it uncomfortable?

Cherie: When I was on Family Matters I didn’t realize I was a teen idol. I was too busy working. I was always working, and it was like I was in a bubble. I didn’t realize I was looked at as a teen idol until the show was over.

Vince: Tell me about your transition from sitcoms to acting and producing movies?

Cherie: Nobody wants to sit in kindergarten forever. I was being typecast. I kept having these auditions for the role of the best friend. I figured the only way I could be in control was to own it, and produce it.

Vince: Did you have people in the industry you went to for advice?

Cherie: I was in the movie Playing With Fire alongside Cicely Tyson. I was young at the time, but she told me I didn’t have to play the role of a maid or a slave because she did it for me already. She told me to pick movie roles that move Black women forward. Gary Coleman also gave me good advice. He told me to only do this as long as it’s fun because Hollywood will use you, and then throw you away.

Vince: In addition to all of the hats you wear, you also wear the hat of an entrepreneur. What is Going 2 Natural?

Cherie: Well I’m a Certified Nutritionist. At Going 2 Natural we encourage an organic lifestyle. It only takes 26 seconds for whatever you put in your body to get in your bloodstream. We help people achieve their goals. We educate you about food, provide meal plans that work, give you recipes, and we offer different types of detox challenges. We also offer all natural beauty products such as shampoo, deodorant, and baby products. 

Vince: Are you vegan?

 Cherie: I was vegan for 12 years until In and Out Burger. I have a love for beef, but despite that I try to stay the course.

Vince: You have a unique schedule. What is the average day for Cherie Johnson?

Cherie: I wake up at 8 a.m. While my daughter is eating breakfast, I’m working from my phone and computer. My daughter is home schooled, and that’s from 10 a.m.-12 noon. Then I take my daughter outside so she can play. My daughter has Taekwondo at 4 p.m. We’re home by 5 p.m., and then I cook dinner. We’re in bed by 7:30 p.m. I go to sleep with her about 8 p.m. and I’m back up at 11 p.m. Once I’m up, I work until 5:30 a.m.

 

In addition to Going 2 Natural, Cherie Johnson is involved in real estate. She buys and sells properties. Johnson has also expanded her writing platform as she is the Assistant Editor of Fever Magazine. She also has a pilot script in development.

To Connect with Cherie and incorporate a healthy lifestyle

Website: www.going2natural.com

 

- Vince D’Writer

 

Vince D’Writer was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Purdue University. While working as a Sports Recruiter, Vince D’Writer wrote a how to guide that explain the recruiting process in reference to obtain an athletic scholarship. Developing a passion for writing, Vince D’Writer transitioned to urban fiction.
Web: www.amazon.com/author/vincedwriter
Instagram: @veedwriter