When you was on the show, was you homeschooled or private school? >> I was homeschooled. Actually, I was homeschooled my entire life. Like from kindergarten cuz I was in kindergarten when I started the show. Um, no, I went to preschool. I did go to a public preschool and then I was homeschooled from kindergarten up until my sophomore year in high school.
I went to public school. So, we would have our own teachers on set and um I had my own teacher, Jeremy had his own teacher, Camille. I think they had their they shared a teacher, but then they end up getting their own teachers in their own school rooms and stuff like that. And so, we would just like in between takes do a scene.
Once they’re done with my scene, they’re moving on to the next one. I go upstairs, either going to my dressing room, do a couple of hours of school. Um, but even then the schooling wasn’t even the best situation because like at max we could do four hours of school or we had to do four hours of school but that’s it on a daily.
So Monday through Friday my school days are about four hours and that’s it. Even though shout out to Susan that was my teacher. I love her. >> How was that like? Did they know you was the little girl from the Burn Show? >> Yes. That was horrible. That my my No. first day. First off, my dad sent me to school on a Friday.
Who does that? What is this? A a a preschool day? Like, that’s that’s so immature of him to do that. So, I did it on a Friday. Um I was so nervous because this is honestly my first time being around so many people that’s my age. Mind you, I was so socially awkward around people my age. Like, I can sit here and, oh, hi, nice to meet you.
My name’s DJ Davis, blah, blah, blah. I could do that to an adult because I was going on doing interviews and award shows and red carpets. So, I could talk to an adult, but like kid-wise, I was just like, “Oh, I don’t even know what to talk about.” Like, it was just so awkward for me. But, um, back to my first date. Someone asked me like, “You look like the girl from the Brandy M show.
” And I was like, “I am.” And he was like, “No, you’re not.” And I’m like, “Why would I lie?” Like literally that’s the most random person to pick to lie about being. So I was like no it’s me. Yeah it’s my I’m her. And he was like that’s crazy. That was third period. By 8th period there was a crowd of people by my locker.
And I I had a locker partner at the time too. So she like what is going on? And I’m like oh my gosh. It was like a whole bunch of kids and they was just around my locker. They were like oh my god oh my god. And then um it was this I remember it was two boys that helped me. One of them is named Jakari. The other one I don’t remember his name.
But he was like we gonna be of security. Everyone get the hell back back up back up. Back up. My locker partner she grabbed me. She took me to the bus. And then we got on the bus and she was like so uh why was everyone by our locker? And I was like oh yeah. So you ever seen the Bernie M show? Yeah that’s me. Um but overall it it got better.
It got better. Just the first day that was rough. first that first day when everyone found out was rough. Even like the teachers were excited and stuff like it it’s so funny looking back on it. I really should have had some security for real because it was like a whole crowd by my locker. And mind you, I’m a regular person.
I’ve never looked at myself as famous or really didn’t even understand the concept of me being on a show when I was growing up. So like that’s not even where I’m at for people to just be like, “Oh my god.” And I’m just like, calm down, guys. Like, it’s it’s just the Bernie Mack show. Like, chill. >> Was you dealing with any kind of hate? >> Oh, yeah. I still get hate.
I still get hate. I still, mind you, I’m 29 now. Started the show when I was four. Um, it ended when I was nine, turning 10. So, it’s been about 20 years since we stopped filming. 20 years. And I still get, “Oh, oh, you think you think you better than us cuz you was on the show.” And I be like, “Come on, bro. The show ended 20 years ago. Why Why am I No.
Um, a lot of people just was like, “Oh, she’s uppidity and she’s stuck up and she’s this and this and that.” Mind you, I’m just over here chilling. Like just I have anxiety. I was nervous. I wasn’t talking to anybody. I would just be in my own little bubble at school. And people took that as me being like too good for them.
like, “Oh, she never talks.” Yeah, I’m over here having a panic attack. That’s why I’m not talking. But, um, you deal with that regardless. >> You being someone that was homeschooled, right? I want to ask you, do you think that has a long-term effect on the kid? >> I think it actually got me in a little bit a little bit of trouble just because I was so sheltered as a kid to the point that like so sheltered as a kid.
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didn’t know nothing about like drugs, gangs, violence, like things like that. Got to school and um yeah, some little thugs in high school. Like they really kind of just like open put me on they pretty much put me on like that’s where I started to get my like street knowledge from. Um which I’m glad I did because I was just so naive to so many different aspects of life.
like I was just like so sheltered that it’s like when real life hit me, it hit me hard. It hit me pretty hard to the point where like I had to I had to learn some lessons but no one ever like taught me certain things. So it was just like a learning experience. Um I think it was very helpful for me though just because stop when I did stop acting and I had a regular life that literally made me who I am today.
So, I’m grateful that I’ve had those those experiences and things like that, but I think I think they could have unsheltered me a little bit more so it wasn’t just like that much of a hit. Like, I had a friend in high school whose father was locked up and I remember I came home from school and I was just so sad and my dad was like, “What’s wrong?” And I was like, “My friend’s dad is in jail.
” And he was like, “Okay.” I was like, “That’s so sad.” Like, he’s he’s locked up. They don’t know when he’s coming out or what what’s going on. And he was like, “Yeah, uh yeah, Dee, yeah, it’s real life like that.” And I was like, “What if you went to jail? Like, what if I couldn’t see you all the time?” Like, just a culture shock.
This is a mess. But I’m glad it happened the way it did. That’s crazy when you think about it because I mean they were still showing the reruns while you was still in school. So >> yeah, literally people were like, “You’re my age. Everyone thinks like I’m a child or I’m just not supposed to grow.
” I don’t know what it is, but they were like, “Man, I thought you was a kid.” Yeah, I was. But that’s funny.
