S3E12: When You Hear Me, You Hear Us Featuring Brooke Simpson

Couched in Color

In this episode, singer-songwriter Brooke Simpson, who just made her Broadway debut in the revival of 1776, shares the impact her culture as an Indigenous woman has had on her creativity.

From her early days dressing and dancing for her tribe’s “pow wow” ceremonies, she learned “to bleed creativity” into the foundation of who she is today.

She has been a finalist for both The Voice and America’s Got Talent, and she also represents Nike's N7 campaign for Indigenous youth, supporting their mental health by promoting movement. Brooke sees her style of movement as being on stage singing, and her message in the campaign is “When you hear me, you hear us.” She loves shining her light as an example for other Indigenous people, to see someone who looks like themselves successfully performing.

Topics covered in this interview:

–Brooke “camouflaging” herself as one of five people of color growing up to fit in, while in school.

–The power of her culture and community –from the trauma many moved through that is still “in the bones”–to their strength, resilience, passion and heart that manifests in her life in a different way today.

–Her regret at not trying out to be “princess” in her tribe.

–When performance anxiety shows up, Brooke remembers that she is a model for the next generation to look up to, so they know there is a space for them to succeed as well.

–Representing the Nike N7 campaign and changing the slogan for the song she sings. She got introduced to Nike from Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas, who is also Indigenous.

–Getting the part portraying Sir Roger Sherman in the revival of the Broadway musical 1776, which was like moving from “black and white to color, opening a whole new world of possibilities for creative sparkle.”

–A poignant moment when she shares the piece of clothing she wears in the musical that belonged to her father, and was created by a cousin at age 12.

–The excitement, fun, and power of being part of a racially diverse cast.

About Brooke SimpsonSinger-songwriter, actor, creative, dancer and actor

From recording her first song at the age of two years old to charting Top 10 in the iTunes and Billboard charts, Brooke Simpson is no stranger to music. She is a powerhouse vocalist who is passionate about music, people and her culture. Brooke is a full blooded Native American and is a member of the Haliwa Saponi Tribe of North Carolina.

Brooke has had the opportunity to work with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Sia, Taboo (of The Black Eyed Peas), Bishop Briggs, Allen Stone and more. She also was a Top 3 finalist on Season 13 of NBC’s The Voice and even more recently was a Top 4 finalist on Season 16 of America’s Got Talent, where Simon Cowell compared her vocals to legendary singers Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia!

While touring, writing, and recording her upcoming album, Brooke has released multiple singles including "Little Bit Crazy", "Stick Like Honey", and her newest release, "Haliwa." Brooke, as well as her new single, were recently featured in a global Nike7 campaign for Indigenous youth. https://www.nike.com/n7-native-american-indigenous-heritage.

Brooke is now in the midst of making her Broadway debut in the revival of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776, directed by Diane Paulus and Jeffrey Page.

Follow Brooke:

Website: https://brookesimpsonmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookesimpsonofficial

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/brookesimpsonofficial/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/brookesimpson

Follow Dr. Alfiee:

Website: https://dralfiee.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee/

Website: https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvTKmYKi24I

Season 3 Produced By: https://socialchameleon.us

More Couched in Color: https://dralfiee.com/podcast

Music Produced by: Mark “King” Batson (Superproducer of your favorite artists and Grammy award-winner for albums with Eminem and Beyoncé)