Tiffany Mills Shares the Story of Her Success

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tiffany Mills was kind enough to share her background in the entertainment industry and how she manages her busy career.

Tiffany, I see that you went to Clark!

Tiffany Mills: I did! Clark Atlanta University!

How did your HBCU experience shape your outlook on entertainment?

TM: I always knew that I was going to work in entertainment or some form of media. I'm from Los Angeles, born and raised, so I started at a very young age. I went to a performing arts junior high school that had a focus on multimedia, I started studying media at age 12. And I also studied dance. I was heavy into dance, I wanted to be Debbie Allen. Everything she did, I wanted to do. She was an actress, choreographer, dancer, and producer, and I've done all of that. Obviously not on the scale of Debbie Allen, but I had a dance career growing up.

Coming from California, there are no HBCUs and I wanted to have that experience. Clark Atlanta was the only HBCU offering a strong communications program. I had no other interests. While at CAU, I hosted and produced a talk show for CAUTV & Atlanta Public Access. I interviewed different musicians when they came to town (i.e. Ice Cube and 50 Cent, among others). Producing and hosting that show really prepared me for my career. Going to an HBCU is just a different vibe. I loved it.

When you look back, what do you remember most about this experience?

TM: I remember juggling a lot. I hosted the TV show, I had an internship at a talent agency, I was auditioning for all of the black girl gigs that came through that talent agency, I had 2 waitressing jobs, I was performing with the CAU Players theater group, I had a work study job on campus, and I was a full time student. There were so many things that I had to do, but I had to make it all work.

Do you have a stepping stone?

TM: Back in the day everybody wanted to be on MTV’s The Real World. I wanted to produce it. A CAU friend of a friend was an intern at Bunim-Murray Productions, the company that created & produced The Real World. Via email, that friend introduced me to her boss, the Vice President of Casting at BMP. The VP explained to me that she didn’t have a position for me, but encouraged me to stay in touch. So I emailed her every other Monday at 4 o’clock until she eventually hired me as the “Dubber” for The Real World Austin. My job was to watch all of the home videos from kids around the world that wanted to be on the show. Dream Job!!!! I remember when Lance Gross came in to interview for the show. It's crazy to see where he is now. I went on to produce 12 seasons of The Real World/Road Rules Challenge which is a huge part of the franchise, I traveled the world with that show.

What’s been the most exciting part of your job? What have you loved the most about your career?

TM: Working in unscripted television you get to meet a lot of real life characters. I’ve been invited in homes and have walked through neighborhoods that I would have never experienced had it not been for my career. I have been the first or the only black person that some people have ever met, or seen, depending on where I was in the world. I’ve had people in other countries be fascinated by my skin or be put off by it.

Behind the scenes or in front of the camera?

TM: Although I have so much fun in front of the camera, I really love being behind the scenes, you're able to control more.

What’s new coming up?

TM: I have a new show that I produced for Netflix with Jesse Collins Entertainment called Rhythm + Flow. It’s amazing and easily one of the best shows that I’ve ever been apart of! I’m also in production on an unscripted family show. And Mills Avenue Media has magical things happening in development that I cannot mention yet.

Of course. Well, Tiffany, you have a very impressive career. Who’s been your support system?

TM: My parents and my brother are my biggest supporters. My mom has been instrumental in my career since I was a 7th grader doing acting work for low budget info-mercials. I also have a very strong inner circle of friends. My friends are always rooting for me. They’re excited for every new show or new idea that I have.

I bet! A strong foundation is nice to have. Is there anything else about your job that people don’t know, and that you’d like to tell us about?

TM: Producing unscripted television is a very unique job. As a producer, you step into the lives of real people and document them when they’re the most vulnerable. It’s a heavy responsibility with an undeniable effect on the culture. I love it.

Follow Tiffany's media/news company on Instagram!

@MillsAvenueMedia

And don't forget to visit her website!