Actress Chimère Love is Lending Laughs and Love to the World.
Chimère Love’s role in the last season of Atlanta confirms the talent she’s shown over the years.
In a world full of people eager to make it to the top by any means, we often desire to see integrity and talent in the people who entertain us. Atlanta, like any other image-driven city, is packed with actors and actresses who’ve compromised to gain a foothold in the lucrative world of music and film. Chimère Love isn’t one of those people, however.
Ever since she was old enough to express herself, she’s made it a goal to focus her energy on spreading love on and off the screen. Presented with a career-changing role in the Emmy award-winning show, Atlanta, she now has the chance to show the world the talent and laughter that’s always been wrapped inside of her.
Before Chimère became known by any of the casting directors and actors of the show Atlanta, they knew her in her hometown of Detroit for her acting chops. The Motor City’s reputation for cultivating and creating stars spans several decades, most notably because of the role of Motown Records. The combination of star power and industrial power made the city a haven for black people migrating from the South, but over time, Detroit changed as the major factories left.
What hasn’t changed is how tough and resourceful you have to be to make it out of there. Chimère, who was born and raised in Detroit, learned a lot from her time there.
“Detroit taught me you have to have a lot of grit. It taught me perseverance and that the dreams I had which were huge, weren’t unrealistic, says Chimère.
Besides grit, Chimère credits the city’s rich entertainment history for reminding her that success as an entertainer was attainable.
When asked about what inspired her to pursue music, she said,
“It wasn’t far-fetched to go into the entertainment industry at all. I could go into the grocery store and see Anita Baker. Aretha Franklin regularly got her hair done at the place where I first worked. It was common to see these icons.”
The music bug bit Chimère first, and as a kid, she started off singing before later doing musical theater throughout her childhood.
“Although music was my first passion, I was acting even throughout middle school and high school. I won several declamation contests, reciting black poetry by Black poet laureates such as Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Maya Angelou, and Nikki Giovani. I also earned lead roles in musicals and plays in high school as well.”
Determined to make her dream of being a singer manifest, Chimère made the trek to Atlanta, enrolling at Spelman College to be closer to where the music was.
“I got to Atlanta and told everyone I would do music. That didn’t go over well though.” Nudged by her parents to pursue something more beneficial, Chimère eventually settled into a major in English. A natural fit, she took to the major and fulfilled her obligations.
During her junior year, she found her calling.
“I took a drama class from an incredible professor named Dr. Renee Simmons. She was writing a play named Sula based on Toni Morrison’s book. She was having auditions, but I didn’t think I would get to be in the play because I wasn’t even a drama major. I auditioned, though.”
Chimère’s monologue captivated Dr. Simmons, who poured into her and told her she was giving her the starring role in the play. The play proved to be a big success, garnering the attention of Toni Morrison herself, who came down to see the play in person while also serving as an anchor for Chimère in the years to come.
Motivated to act, Chimère exited Spelman and began honing her craft, acting in a few theater plays and enrolling in the famed Bill Duke Boot Camp in Miami and in Los Angeles. Rubbing shoulders with some of the industry’s most talented actors and actresses was intimidating, but ultimately inspired Chimère to keep pushing.
Building her brand brick by brick, Chimère earned her first series lead role in 2007 on the second season of BET’s popular show Hell Date and acted alongside Jill Scott in the television show The First Wives Club.
“The role that sticks out to me, where I’ve had the most fun was Hell Date. It was my first time being on TV and that was the most fun I had. Doing the improv and seeing how people respond were fun times and still stick out to this day.”
Over the course of her career, Chimère has starred in several roles on different shows but in Chimere’s mind, everything she’s done has been preparation for what’s to come.
“I’m hoping this role will be my television breakthrough.”
For Chimère, acting alongside Donald and Brian Tyree, who attended Morehouse College while she was in college at Spelman, felt like home.
“I really felt at home doing that show. Working with so many talented cast members just made me feel like it’s coming.”
Juggling career, family, and life is a challenge, but one that Chimère eagerly embraces. Leaning on her personal creed of love, she believes it’s important to spread love and help others.
“Every day I wake up my mantra is I am love and I am service. It’s the first thing I say every single day. If I had to just describe my brand, I would say that it is just pure love and authenticity. I Just hope that I continue to have opportunities to spread that love to others by showcasing my talents and my passion. That’s what it’s all about.”
Chimere is an amazing person. When we met years ago something was just pulling me to her. She is an incredible person. She is so kind-hearted and talented on many different levels. This was a great article highlighting my sister! Congratulations Chimere! Can’t stop, won’t stop!!
Chimere is absolutely amazing!! Her talent, warmth and authenticity jumps off the screen. Her journey and “grit” are oh so inspiring and the best is yet to come! You couldn’t have picked a better person/actress to spotlight! Love this and Her❤️!