ugd exclusive
UG Digital Mag: Thank you so much for this opportunity. It’s awesome to be able to connect, and get things out there in terms of
what you have going on.
Cyrene Tankard: Thank you. I appreciate it.
UG Digital Mag: There’s so many people who can appreciate
how you were portrayed with the show. Moreso, the relationships
you have with family, and the that it’s not about money, and riches, but more about the love, and the lengths you all go through
to show your love for each other. How important was it for you to
be a part of this show and the movement that it represents?
Cyrene Tankard: The importance has grown for me. I was in
high school when season one started, and I just wanted to get
through high school. Once season two came along, and then
having just wrapped up season three, I feel like I have a really
amazing opportunity to influence young girls and guys, and older
women and men, about the importance of family, and the roles
they play within their own families.
UG Digital Mag: There was so much shown, and it all really revolved around family. I know that’s what people really appreciate
about the show.
Cyrene Tankard: One thing that gets me excited and lets me
know I’m on the right path is when people of all races and backgrounds come and say this helped me, or that changed my life,
or I can really rate to this. I was never going to talk to this family
member again, but because you addressed this, it gives me a
reason and a positive example. That’s what warms my heart.
UG Digital Mag: So talk about the new season of Thicker Than
Water!
Cyrene Tankard: There’s a lot to look forward to. We have a
new addition to the Tankard family. We get to look at my life at
Howard University, and my roll as I grow into a young woman,
and how I’m maturing. You’ll see how Marcus and Tish are with
living in the house with their sub-family. You have Brooklyn with
her newfound music career, and Britney is still figuring life out.
There’s many different dynamics and angles, and there will be no
moments of boredom. I can promise you that.
UG Digital Mag: Reality television has truly taken over, and obviously there’s many options, but more people are looking for that
positivity that your family offers. I believe you all brought something to the table that isn’t found in many places.
Cyrene Tankard: That’s one of the things we take pride in, and
we really pray about it as a family. Usually before and after our
work days we pray as a family, and make sure everyone is level-headed and good. We want to continue to put that out there,
and encourage positivity and love through whatever challenges
that come up.
UG Digital Mag: Bringing the focus back to you, how have you
been able to maintain and balance the newfound celebrity that
has come as a result of the show, and now being out of the
house and on your own?
Cyrene Tankard: Funny thing about it is that it’s just now hitting
me, and it continues daily. It’s just a change of mentality. I feel like
that change of mentality came with maturity, and it came with the
exposure that the television show has given me. Before, I may
not have viewed things a certain way, or may not have viewed it
as an opportunity. Now I feel like I have to seize every moment,
or keep moving, progressing, and getting better. I take this whole
opportunity as a way to get better and grow. It’s a platform. It’s
like having a super-power, and it can be used for good or evil. I
think this is God’s gift to me, and I can give it back to the world as
I see it, and can matriculate and grow from “celebrity”, or influence. I have a responsibility to positively influence others. I look
at it like I have their lives in my hands, and this is an important
and critical time for me to hone in, and get right emotionally so
that anything I give off can help them. I don’t want to demean
others and influence anyone in a negative way.
UG Digital Mag: In what ways have you been able to use your
celebrity to give back to other girls coming up, or people in general?
Cyrene Tankard: It takes me by surprise every time I go out, or I
may be speaking on a panel or at an event. People may come up
to me, or even on social media, they’ll say I’ve influenced them,
or they look up to me. I’m able to speak life into their lives, speak
positive things to them and let them know; I’m not the only one
who can be a go-getter and make a difference. For me, it’s about
spreading the love, and lifting others. That’s what matters most
to me. I want people to know that because many times, people
feel out of touch with celebrities. I’m literally a normal person
who happens to be in television, that’s it (laughing). That’s really
it. I tell people I love them the same way they love me. They give
me motivation the same way I give them motivation. They are the
reason I am what I am.
UG Digital Mag: A lot of celebrities lose that sense of reality
though. It’s cool to speak to someone like yourself. Anytime I’ve
seen you involved with things, you seem to have that sense of
reality.
Cyrene Tankard: I’ve even had people on campus come up for
pictures, or ask for advice. This is really me. I love you just as
much as you love me. As far as others who lose touch, or looking
at those celebrities I’ve formed a relationship with, my favorite
would have to be Big Sean. He was super nice, laid back, and
super chill. He made me feel super included, and it was all love.
When I reach that level, that’s what I want to be. I want to leave
people with a feeling. I would love to give money, but it’s nothing
better than leaving people with that feeling, or an experience.
They’ll remember that for a long time.
UG Digital Mag: What other goals and aspirations do you have
outside of television?
Cyrene Tankard: I have a lot, and am in the process of doing a