This week’s Star Spotlight focuses on actor, author and television personality Terrence J, born April 21, 1982.
Many of us are lazy or drift through life doing the minimum. Some of us graduate college and get a stuffy office
job crunching numbers. But then there’s those of us that have dreams, those of us that never let those dreams
die and are willing to bet everything to make them a reality. Well that’s exactly what Terrence J did. He took a
risk and quit his job at NASCAR as an account executive to pursue a career in entertainment.
His story is so compelling to me because it’s a guy who had a dollar and a dream. Out of 5,000 people who
auditioned, he ended up winning the BET’s fresh faces search and became the new co-host of BET’s 106 &
Park. That to me just confirms that BET found the needle in the haystack. After dedicating 6 years of counting
down music videos Terrence J decided to move out of that circuit and start a career in acting.
We’ve literally watched him transform into a powerhouse - from polo shirts and baseball caps to this polished
suit and tie guy. He’s the definition of hard work and determination, maintaining this sense of professionalism
along the way. He was born to do this. To entertain, to mentor and to be an example of what a young
successful black man really looks like. He’s not only delivering but in essence is dominating the entire industry.
Of course with any business or corporation there are levels to this, different genre’s and culturally based
networks. Coming from BET’s 106 & Park that catered to a more urban audience Terrence J didn’t blink twice
when offered the position to co-anchor E!News alongside Giuliana Rancic. E! News is all things celebrity –
news, photos, fashion and anything involving a red carpet. It captures a more exclusive and sophisticated
audience with a strong desire for celebrity Hollywood gossip. Terrence J fits in like a glove. He’s evolved
beautifully and has really been accepted by the viewers. You can catch him starring in the sequel T