Wayne Brady Freestyle Raps with Random Objects and Talks Being TikTok Viral with His Ex-Wife

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Wayne Brady discusses his journey from performing in children's parties and at Universal Studios to landing his big break on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' He shares his experience of being part of a blended family that went viral on TikTok, leading to a docuseries on Hulu and Freeform. Brady also talks about his current role as the Wiz in Broadway's 'The Wiz,' and showcases his impressive improv and freestyling skills on the spot, proving his versatility as an entertainer.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Wayne Brady is currently starring in 'The Wiz' on Broadway as the Wiz himself.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 During the pandemic, Brady's family, including his ex-wife, went viral on TikTok with their entertaining videos.
• 🎬 The TikTok fame led to a docuseries on Hulu and Freeform called 'Wayne Brady: Family Remixed', showcasing the dynamics of a modern, blended family.
• 🎤 Brady's first big break was on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?', where he impressed with his improv and musical talents.
• 🚗 Before his TV break, Brady worked various jobs including as a 'knockoff Power Ranger' for children's parties and at Universal Studios.
• 🎭 He continued to work at Universal Studios even after getting 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' until a pivotal moment prompted him to quit.
• 🏆 Brady's director, Schele, chose him for the role of the Wiz, despite his initial thoughts of playing other characters like the Scarecrow or Tin Man.
• 🌟 The role of the Wiz is significant as the character is talked about throughout the first act and is central to the story.
• 💃 Brady showcased his freestyling skills live on the show, incorporating random objects into his impromptu rap.
• 🎉 The audience and the show's host highly praised Brady's improvisational performance and his current role in 'The Wiz'.
• 📅 The Wiz is set to return to Broadway at the Marquee Theater starting March 29th.

Q & A

What is the current project Wayne Brady is involved in?

Wayne Brady is currently involved in the Broadway production of 'The Wiz,' where he plays the lead role of the Wiz.

How did Wayne Brady's family become popular on TikTok?

Wayne Brady's family became popular on TikTok during the pandemic when his daughter Miley started posting videos. The family began making TikTok videos together while quarantining, which quickly went viral.

What was Wayne Brady's attitude towards TikTok at first?

Initially, Wayne Brady was dismissive of TikTok, pooh-poohing it because he associated it with dancing and singing, which he didn't think he would do.

How did Wayne Brady's family dynamic contribute to their TikTok popularity?

The unique family dynamic, including Brady quarantining with his ex-wife Mandie and her partner Jason, along with their children, contributed to their TikTok popularity as it showcased a loving, blended family.

What is the name of the docuseries about Wayne Brady's family?

The docuseries about Wayne Brady's family is called 'Wayne Brady: Family Remixed,' and it airs on Hulu and Freeform.

What was Wayne Brady's first big break in show business?

Wayne Brady's first big break was on the show 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'

What were some of Wayne Brady's jobs before 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'?

Before 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?', Wayne Brady worked as a black Power Ranger for a kids' company that did parties, and he also performed at Universal Studios in the 'Beetlejuice' rock n' roll show.

How did Wayne Brady get the role on 'The Wiz'?

Wayne Brady was cast as the Wiz by the show's director, Schele, even though he initially thought he would be too old for the role and considered himself more suitable for roles like the Scarecrow or the Tin Man.

What was the turning point for Wayne Brady during his 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' audition?

The turning point during Wayne Brady's 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' audition was when he was asked to improvise songs, which he was able to do successfully, leading to him getting the job.

How did Wayne Brady know it was time to leave his job at Universal Studios?

Wayne Brady knew it was time to leave his job at Universal Studios when, during a performance as the Wolfman, a British couple in the audience recognized him from 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?', and he decided to quit on the spot.

What is the significance of Wayne Brady's freestyle performance on the show?

The freestyle performance by Wayne Brady showcases his improv and freestyling skills, which are a testament to his talent and experience from his time on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' and his current role in 'The Wiz'.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Wayne Brady's Family TikTok Fame and Broadway Role

Wayne Brady discusses his family's popularity on TikTok during the pandemic, which led to a docuseries on Hulu and Freeform called 'Wayne Brady: Family Remixed.' He shares how his daughter Miley introduced the family to TikTok, and how their quarantine videos showcased their blended family dynamic. Brady also talks about his early career, including his time as a 'knockoff Power Ranger' and performing at Universal Studios, before landing his big break on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' He humorously describes his audition process for the show, and how he continued to work at Universal even after getting the gig. The conversation then transitions to his current role as the Wiz in 'The Wiz' on Broadway, highlighting his journey from small roles to a leading part.

05:00

🎤 Wayne Brady's Improvisation and Freestyling on Broadway

In this segment, Wayne Brady is asked to perform an impromptu freestyle rap about 'The Wiz' on the show, incorporating random objects provided by the host. Brady showcases his quick wit and improvisational skills, creating a spontaneous song that references his role as the Wiz, his time on Broadway, and his admiration for Beyoncé's musical versatility. The performance is met with applause and admiration from the audience and host alike, emphasizing Brady's talent and success in both improvisation and his Broadway role.

Keywords

💡The Wiz

The Wiz is a Broadway musical based on L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with an African-American-centric retelling. In the video, Wayne Brady is performing in the lead role of the Wiz, which is a significant part of the conversation as it relates to his career and current projects.

💡TikTok

TikTok is a social media platform known for its short-form videos. In the context of the video, Wayne Brady and his family gained popularity on TikTok during the pandemic, which led to increased public interest in their lives and eventually a docuseries on Hulu and Freeform called 'Wayne Brady: Family Remixed'.

💡Pandemic

The pandemic refers to the global outbreak of COVID-19, which has had a profound impact on daily life worldwide. In the video, the pandemic is mentioned as the catalyst for Wayne Brady's family starting to create TikTok videos together, leading to their newfound online fame.

💡Improv

Improv, short for improvisation, is the art of creating performances spontaneously without a predetermined script. Wayne Brady is known for his improv skills, which were a key factor in his success on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' and are showcased in his freestyle rap during the interview.

💡Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a popular improvisational comedy television show where performers act out scenes, games, and songs based on prompts from the host and audience. Wayne Brady's appearance on this show was his first big break, which significantly boosted his career.

💡Broadway

Broadway refers to the theatrical district in Manhattan, New York City, known for hosting some of the most famous and prestigious live theatrical performances. Wayne Brady's role in 'The Wiz' on Broadway is a highlight of his career, signifying his success in the theater world.

💡Family Remixed

Wayne Brady: Family Remixed is a docuseries that provides an intimate look into the life of Wayne Brady and his blended family. The show on Hulu and Freeform showcases the dynamics of their unique family situation, which includes his ex-wife and her partner, presenting a positive image of a modern, blended family.

💡Freestyle

Freestyle refers to the act of spontaneously creating lyrics or music without prior preparation. In the video, Wayne Brady demonstrates his freestyle skills by improvising a rap about 'The Wiz' during the interview, which is a testament to his talent and quick wit.

💡The Roots

The Roots is a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop band known for their live performances and musical collaborations. In the video, they provide the beat for Wayne Brady's impromptu freestyle rap, highlighting his ability to perform with professional musicians.

💡Broadway Return

The term 'Broadway Return' signifies the revival or comeback of a Broadway show after a hiatus or a previous run. 'The Wiz' is mentioned to be returning to Broadway, indicating a renewed opportunity for audiences to experience the production and for the cast, including Wayne Brady, to perform on a prestigious stage.

Highlights

Wayne Brady discusses his experience during the pandemic and how it led to his family's TikTok fame.

Brady's daughter Miley initiated the family's TikTok journey.

The Brady family's TikTok videos showcased their quarantine life together, including his ex-wife and her partner.

The positive response to their TikTok videos led to a docuseries on Hulu and Freeform called 'Wayne Brady: Family Remixed'.

Wayne Brady's first big break was on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'.

Before his big break, Brady worked as a 'knockoff Power Ranger' and at Universal Studios.

Brady's initial reluctance to audition for 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' due to a previous unsuccessful attempt.

The improvisational skills that landed Brady the role on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'.

Wayne Brady's continued work at Universal Studios even after getting 'Whose Line?' until a pivotal moment during a performance.

Casting for 'The Wiz' and how Wayne Brady was unexpectedly chosen for the lead role.

Brady's realization of the importance and impact of playing the Wiz.

Wayne Brady's display of his improv and freestyling talents live on the show.

The audience's enthusiastic response to Brady's impromptu freestyle about 'The Wiz'.

Information about 'The Wiz' returning to Broadway and its performance schedule.

Wayne Brady's closing remarks, emphasizing his current role and inviting people to see him on Broadway.

Transcripts

-Always nice to see you. You look fantastic.

Everything good? -Thank you.

How can life be anything but great?

-Yeah. -I'm here.

-Good for you. Good. I'm happy.

-I'm here. I'm in New York. I'm in "The Wiz."

I'm on your show. Come on, man

-Everyone knows Wayne Brady, but now we know the family,

because your whole family is on TikTok

and going viral all the time. -Yeah.

-What got you started with that?

-Well, during the pandemic, you know?

During the pandemic, my daughter Miley,*

she was on TikTok first.

And of course, I pooh-poohed it because,

"Oh, dancing and singing --"

-Yeah. -With a pipe.

[ Imitates grumbling ]

-I don't ever do that dancing.

-In a rocking chair.

And then the pandemic hit and we're all bored.

It's like, "Hey, can I do a TikTok video with you?"

And all of a sudden, we're dancing,

and everyone started going, "Oh, my God, your family.

You're doing these TikTok videos."

And in the TikTok videos, we said,

we are quarantining together.

And the weird part to other people is, it's my daughter.

Fine, she's my daughter.

But I was quarantining with her mother,

who is my ex-wife Mandie.

Shout out to Mandie, my best friend.

[ Applause ] Yeah.

So I was quarantining with her, my daughter,

Mandie's life partner, Jason. Shout out to Jason.

and their son, so they would see this family dancing.

And for some reason,

because we're still in that weird age where folks think,

"Well, it's impossible --" [ Imitates grumbling ]

I'm back in the chair.

"It's impossible for you to be best friends with --"

With your partner and the new partner.

-Quarantining with them as well.

-Yeah, because they would say,

"Either you guys are a cult, swingers,

or a loving family."

And of course, it's a loving family.

-Okay, sure. Yeah, of course it's a loving family.

Yeah, and you're in a cult too, but no big deal.

-We don't talk about that.

People liked that so much that we ended up --

We now have a docuseries on Hulu and Freeform

about our family.

It's called "Wayne Brady: Family Remixed,"

where you get to see my family at work.

You learn a lot of things about me,

about this, about a blended family.

This is what a modern family looks like.

Black, Asian, the whole thing.

-That's so funny. That's great.

But your first big break was that "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

"Whose Line Is It Anyway?" was my first big --

[ Applause ]

Thank you.

-You were phenomenal on that.

What jobs did you have before you got that gig?

Do you remember. -Yeah.

A lot of theater and all that. -Power Ranger?

-But I was a black Power Ranger,

not the black Power Ranger.

That's a gentleman named Walter.

I was a knockoff Power Ranger.

I worked for a kids' company that did parties.

-Yeah.

So I would get in my little Corolla

and drive all around L.A. using a Thomas guide,*

old school, getting lost.

And I knew that I needed to stop that

when I pulled up to that house,

just like we talked about.

And I did this party and I tried to do flips.

I can't flip. I tried to kick. I can't kick.

-You were doing this when you got "Whose Line"?

-I was doing this

and I was working at Universal Studios

in the "Beetlejuice" rock n' roll show,

as the Wolfman and Dracula.

[ Cheers ]

It was an amazing show, singing and dancing five times a day.

But I got the audition call for "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

And I'd already auditioned for "Whose Line?"

with my improv group from Orlando, Florida,

called SAC *Theater.

And when we moved out to LA,

we were called The House Full of Honkies.

[ Laughter ]

Yes, that's the name. So what?

And we were really funny.

But when we got the call to audition,

I'm still on stage dressed in my Dracula stuff.

And then when I got the audition notice, I said,

"No, I'm not going to go."

That's 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'

Ryan and Colin and those guys are brilliant.

Don't you remember, guys?

When we auditioned before, we sucked.

We sucked. Why would I do that?"

-You said that dressed as Dracula?

-I said that dressed as Dracula.

And then I end up going to the audition,

and I gave away a couple of my shows.

I said, what's going to happen is,

I'm going to show up to the audition, I'm going to get cut,

then I'm going to go back and I'm going to make my $50 a show,

and I'm not going to take off my makeup.

So I just had still some Dracula makeup on

as I got to the audition and I was like,

"They're going to cut me anyway."

And I went in, and round after round, we did World's Worst.

But the thing that really flipped it was when they said,

"Hey, so we need you to improvise some songs.

Can you do that?"

I was like, "Yeah, I can improvise a song."

And then one round after the next round,

and at the end of the day, I had a job.

-There you go, bud.

[ Applause ]

-It was ridiculous.

-Look at you now.

You're not only in "The Wiz" on Broadway.

You are the Wiz. -I'm the Wiz.

And if it wouldn't have been for those jobs,

that would have never --

Which, by the way, at the end of that story,

I didn't quit my job at Universal

because I got "Whose Line?"

I was still doing Dracula in the first season.

Into the second season, I quit when at the end of a big number,

when I'm dressed as the Wolfman,

I slid off the stage

and did the whole "Rah!"

and the British couple in the front row said,

"Darling, isn't that the Black fellow

from "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

And I looked down at her, I went, "You've seen me?"

She goes, "Oh, it's you."

I walked upstage, the music is playing,

and I yelled over the music, "I quit."

-Yeah, that's it! I made it! -And now I'm the Wiz.

-When you hear about this -- because I've been hearing

they've been working hard at bringing this back.

Did you go, "This would be perfect for me.

I should be in 'The Wiz.'"

-I absolutely said that.

-Because you can sing, you can dance.

You can act. You can do all of it.

But did you think that you were going to be the Wiz?

-I didn't think I was going to be the Wiz

because the casting of the Wiz normally is,

Dorothy is younger and all of the other characters

are a little older than her, just like the source material,

like "The Wizard of Oz."

So I thought, oh yeah, you know, I'd love to be the Scarecrow.

It'd be cool to be the Tin Man, oil can.

Okay, great.

And then Schele, the director, who is amazing.

You have to see "The Wiz" and you have to see "The Notebook,"

which is her other show.

She was like, "Oh, you're going to be The Wiz."

And I'm like, "Oh, I'm old."

But the Wiz role, I realized, is so amazing and it's pivotal.

How many times you have a whole show

where you spend the first act talking about the dude,

and then you meet the dude, and I'm the dude.

-You are the dude.

Look at this.

-Look at that! Come on.

-That's what I'm talking about.

That's what I'm talking about.

You are so good at improv and freestyling, by the way.

I've seen you do it, and it's unbelievable what you do.

-You're so talented. -Thank you.

-I thought it'd be fun for the audience

if you did a little freestyling, maybe about "The Wiz" tonight.

-Can I do that? -Is that okay?

[ Applause ] -Yeah.

-But I know you like a little pressure.

-Okay.

-So what I have here is just random things, okay?

-Okay, I'm not gonna look, then.

-Don't look. I have random things.

And if I show you the object,

can you add them into your freestyle?

-Easy money. -Really?

-Easy money.

The best part of it is, I actually get to say on my resume

that I performed with The Roots.

Come on. Come on! -Alright.

Roots, can you give us a beat?

♪♪

Unh.

♪ I'm the Wiz, I'm the Wiz ♪

♪ Here I am, I made it, I'm on Broadway ♪

♪ I'mma be doing shows Wednesday through Sunday ♪

♪ You can catch me, positive, not tragic ♪

♪ I am the Wiz, W-I-Z, and I'm doing magic ♪

♪ Oh, my goodness ♪

♪ For the tickets that you buy in bulk ♪

♪ Look at me on Jimmy show ♪

♪ I'm rhyming in front of Black Thought ♪

♪ How can this be? Prestidigitation ♪

♪ I'mma show my improv skills to the whole nation ♪

♪ Oh, am I good with these words? I'm nice ♪

♪ New Yorkers, hey, check it out ♪

♪ It's a slice ♪

♪ Like a slice of talent, holding it on and on ♪

♪ I'm a magician and I don't use a magic wand ♪

♪ I use words and twist it, I use imagination ♪

♪ I make you say, what the hell is he doing? ♪

♪ That sensation ♪

♪ And there we go, because when I rhyme, you say, yay ♪

♪ But am I better? I'mma Beyhive, Beyoncé ♪

♪ She's singing country now, and I'm here for it ♪

♪ Beyonce's music, I don't love it, hell, I adore it ♪

♪ And I implore you, it's not the scripture ♪

♪ Look at that, Polaroid, take a picture ♪

♪ Because it lasts longer, just like my song ♪

♪ I go on and on and then I get stronger ♪

♪ Oh, this is really nice ♪

♪ And you can find me playing this ♪

♪ And it's so, so tiny ♪

♪ And this guitar is the only tiny thing on me ♪

♪ What I mean is talent, minds in the gutter ♪

♪ I can do it, I go faster, this is for your mother ♪

♪ So she's watching me in daytime ♪

♪ She is like no other ♪

♪ Oh, I've been in this for so, so long ♪

♪ And that's why I'm on Jimmy's couch, singing this song ♪

♪ And you know my name is Wayne Brady ♪

♪ You know what it is ♪

♪ Come and see me on Broadway, cause I'm the Wiz ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

-That's how you do it, right there!

That's how you do it, right there!

That's amazing!

That is amazing! Come on, they love it.

Wayne Brady!

"The Wiz" returns to Broadway beginning March 29th

at the Marquee Theater.

We'll be right back with standup from Mary Beth Barone.