Denise Boutte has been a familiar face on both television screens and film screens for some time. Her smoldering gaze, rich chocolate skin and raven hair has snared the hearts of many fans worldwide. Cachet Digital caught up with Boutte to get an exclusive and in depth uncut look at her evolution as a woman in the industry and her new cooking empire.
While Denise may have the same youthful smile she had when she first entered the business; there is an evolution brewingo behind her ageless beauty! “I’m not the Denise I was. I’ll never be that Denise again. I’ve learned to embrace the new me, take the punches, love my truth, find the positive in my testimony and walk with purpose. I have and am still evolving. Can’t wait to pour that Life, into my newest characters!”
Denise is the definition of the story one hears about a small town girl making it big and pursuing her dreams in entertainment. Blessed with both beauty and brains, Boutte was on an entirely different career route before entering acting. A graduate of Louisiana State University, after college she successfully carved a path for herself in the corporate advertising world.
Tell us a little about your background?
My Family… Mon Mon and Pa Pa (what we Southwest Louisiana folks, often call our Grandmother and Grandfather) had a thriving farm with plenty of livestock and acres of soybeans and sugar Cane. I’m the true, Queen Sugar, folks!
It wasn’t until I moved to California, that I was frequently asked if I was everything from Ethiopian, to Trinidadian, to Barbadian. Flattered of course, but once I proudly, yet simply answered “I’m from Louisiana,” they seem to immediately “get it,” fully aware of the Boot State’s cultural melting pot.
How has your background shaped you as an individual?
Growing in Southwest Louisiana, Vermilion Parish, the Village of Maurice, I love everything Saints and my alma mater, LSU.
It actually took me leaving home, to appreciate home. The simplicity with which I was raised was not recognized as a positive; that is, until I realized the emptiness and brokenness that often plagued so many, chasing fame and fortune in hopes of filling a void.
What principles do you live by and how do you manage having such a busy life with all of the traveling for work?
My foundation provides the stability necessary to sustain, anchored by a healthy presence of both faith and family.
Leaving my family for months at a time can have its difficult moments. That said, I am beyond grateful for work and our close knit village of supportive family and friends. Without them, it would be impossible for me to thrive in my gift and pursue my passions. Rather than being inundated with “mommy guilt” I choose to empower my baby girl with positive examples of independence and work ethic. I want nothing more, than to raise a beautifully well-rounded, confident, self-respecting young lady. I build her up with a secure sense of self and identity so strong, she doesn’t have to search for love, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt, she is surrounded in it.
Acting is what you are most known for. I know your journey as an actress has been interesting and full of surprises. I know your fans and followers would love to know the real deal and just get a sense of where you are on that journey:
After the plug was unexpectedly pulled on what I thought was my next series, it felt like one jab, after another… From a hair salon nightmare (the mullet that led to the surprise chop; a whole story unto itself) to a health scare that led to discovery of an unknown birth defect, being involved in a 6-car pileup (blessed that precious cargo was unharmed and I walked away with only a broken finger and bruised ego) and then some… Your girl has got a testimony!
Thanks to my mighty village, I was stilled, honest about the hurt, exposed and over time, able to made a conscious choice. Rather than wallowing in defeat, I used those challenges and was force to go beyond myself. When life makes you realize that you, the consummate “control freak” are actually not in control, it takes the wind out of you, to say the least! When in the midst of uncertainty and all you’ve got is faith, you’re faced with a major choice… Do I allow myself to succumb to defeat and give up? Or do I use this opposition to listen, introspectively discover a new level of empowerment, appreciation and fearlessness?
I was unaware at the time but now in hindsight I can say without a doubt, that my “shift” began in April. I wasn’t actually aware of what was manifesting until right before the holidays. My mindset, my values, self-awareness… They were all shifting… I began to reevaluate myself and how I was moving through life and my career.
With the exception of Meet the Browns, my running joke was that my characters were either stealing your man or stealing your money, LOL! The hair-chop-shock? Rather than being devastated that my “security blanket/identity of sorts” was no more, I was convinced to regard it as a blessing in disguise. Case in point, this past pilot season, I went beyond the men and money, with broadening consideration for intellectual roles including FBI agents, business execs, psychiatrists, detectives, true boss chic types; and with that, was finally invited to test for a network series!
In understanding, embracing and owning my power, I have also established comfort in saying “No”. When you know your worth, you understand that in order to reach the next levels for which you are destined, it is critical and necessary. I have made a conscious choice to elevate my standards, expect more of myself & the productions I’m a part of; to not settle for the sake of “looking” busy. If the project or character is of no interest or the offer does not hit that bottom line, I appreciatively, politely, confidently go with “No. Thank You”. With that said, I continue to train, attend class, workshop my derriere off and as they say, “Stay ready and you ain’t got to get ready!”
Honey, I have LIVED!!! I can’t wait to pour these life experiences to breathe life into my future characters.
I am bruised but refuse to be broken! Life will knock us down but can’t let it knock us out! Own your power! Value what matters. Know your worth. Walk with purpose. Live YOUR Truth.
Who are your acting influences?
I so admire and respect Mindy Kaling, Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, The Rock for their talent, as well as humanity. When you see the success in game changers like Black Panther, while it did have recognizable faces, so many “unknowns” stepped into that light, stole the show and thanks to epic material and chemistry, RAN with that bad boy, months later, still shattering records and making history. I’m beyond Confident, that I’m on verge of my “Who’s that girl?” piece. I can feel it. I know it!
I feel so blessed to be part of the “Be the change you want to see” movement, with regard to diversified casts and content on both the big screen and small.
Years ago, celebrities often focused their energy on only one area of interest. However, as fans become more and more hungry to share and support their favorites in other areas celebrities have created thriving businesses in other areas as well.
Boutte the culinary queen. Denise adds a new but well deserved title to her belt with the launch of her new southern cook book penned by she and master cook Chef Jernard Wells.
Many of our favorite celebrities have hidden talents. For Denise, her love of cooking was always a cathartic way for her to relax and often served as a reference point to her southern upbringing. She describes a time when she had just had her child and she found herself at odds with what to do with herself with so much time in the house. Like many women, after bearing her daughter she became focused and consumed with the newness of motherhood along with the moods that can often rock women shortly after becoming a mom. She found herself longing to reconnect with who she was outside of that identity. Cooking was relaxing and served as a source for childhood memories and nostalgic moments from the past.
– Denise Boutte
Denise explained her love of food stems from her love of what food can represent. She loves the good feelings a well prepared meal can create and the rich traditions that a certain family dish can preserve and re-create. She’s right. How many of us remember loved ones in our life alongside memories connected to our familiarity and love of home cooked meals. Southern Modified blends the taste and texture of well-prepared traditional southern cooking with healthy lifestyle; effectively re-mastering some of Denise’s favorite childhood and family dishes with recipes that allow one to preserve flavor alongside a more holistic approach to ingredients.Social media has also helped to blaze a new path for women and men to share their other talents with their fans and the general population. I know you have started to share your narrative as well as your talent in the kitchen. Where do you see the Denise Boutte brand going in a few years?
The sky’s the limit!
As a proud thespian, on the verge of my next level breakout role, I can now add author to the list! New cookbook Southern Modified, is available now. The book is a collaboration with Next Food Network Star, Chef Jernard Wells. He being from Mississippi and I of course from Louisiana, crossed borders and joined forces, taking Southern inspired dishes and modifying them for today’s, healthier lifestyle. It is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and www.southernmodifiedcookbook.com.
Also this May, Weeziana Girl, All-Purpose Seasoning – Low Sodium, will be available. When I couldn’t find the perfect off-the-shelf blend I desired, I created my own! After years of mixing countless batches of this all natural blend, in my kitchen for self and family/friends that desired bottles of their own, I figured it was time to think bigger.
Life is often about remixing and refashioning what exists and Boutte has done just that. Realizing her own desire for healthy living and her wish to give her family meals that can be passed on like memories but also promote a more clean approach, that would be beneficial to their health in the long run; she became proactive. With creating her recipes, she wanted dishes that did not compromise flavor despite the changes she made in ingredients. Alongside her book endeavor blossomed her idea to market her custom seasonings that she had started to use and gift to friends and family.
On set of our shoot, I watched Denise continually glow as the hours passed. She is a hundred percent real, authentic and warm. There are some women who inspire you just with their presence and she is one of them. I found myself smiling as her infectious bubbly spirit set the tone for the day. Yes, she is stunning in person but that is just one small facet of who she is. Denise is a mother. Denise is a woman still blossoming. An actress who is serious about her craft and also an entrepreneur who has meticulous drawn from her upbringing to share her love of cooking with others. Denise Boutte is personality power house and my fondest hope is that her new endeavors allow her to share the essence of who she beyond what one sees on the screen. Her sweet smile is all honey and no vinegar; refreshing and a true reflection of small town southern girl charm.
What is on the horizon for you in 2018?
Only God knows and I can’t wait to see what blessings he has in store! That said, I continue to work… plant seeds, train, prepare for the harvest.
It’s called show BUSINESS for a reason and while acting it is indeed a beautiful art form, I’m mindful of approaching various facets of it, as just that… A Business. Utilizing my experience in corporate America, I established Imagine That Productions, Inc. upon my move to California. Over the years I have joined forces with an array of talented individuals, creating an arsenal of scripted film, drama and sitcom projects; projects I continue to revisit, and modify as inspiration hits me.
For me, diversification is key… In addition to several recurring roles, multiple opportunities have unexpectedly blossomed on the voiceover front, the biggest of which I’m sworn to secrecy on, as animation takes time. Let’s just say it’s back by popular demand and that my superhero desires have been achieved on the animation front 😉
On her Instagram page she rarely posts photos of her family but openly shares photos from her hometown. “When it comes to social media and family, I’ll admit I’m quite private. That’s by choice. They are my refuge, my solace, I like having something that’s just for Me.” If you follow her, you know she’s womanly but does play the role of the high maintenance celebrity. She makes it clear that she is living life in her own lane and often celebrates her fellow female friends and colleagues.
Which women do you look up to and why?
In the words of Serena Williams at the age of 10, when she was asked, “Who do want to Grow up to be like?” I too respond, “I want people to grow up to be like me.” Be a living example of what it means to carry yourself like a Lady, with dignity, respect, values uncompromised, while handling your business like a Boss.
How do you stay motivated? Give us a peek into your personal playlist that keeps you on the up and up:
Here’s my personal, motivational Playlist…
Let Go – DeWayne Woods
Worth Fighting For – Brian Courtney Wilson
Open My Heart – Yolanda Adams
Go Get It – Mary Mary
That’s Life – Frank Sinatra (makes me laugh, every time)
What about reading? I know you have to travel a lot for jobs. What is in your carry on bag?
On the reading/listening front… You HAVE to get “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson. This book is EVERYTHING!!! Thanks for the referral, Wendy D.!!!!!
What do you do to unwind?
It wasn’t until I moved to Dallas, TX, that I began to re-create family favorites, as a way to ease being homesick. By the time I moved to LA, I’d developed mad skillz, which were taken to yet another level, once I joined club mommy. Cooking became more than just a passion…. It was a way for me to reconnect/realign with part of pre-baby Denise. It was an outlet, an alternate haven for expressing my creativity.
Cooking is simply part of who I am! As a newborn, my Mom kept my playpen in the Head Start can goods, storage room (I can admit that, now that she’s retired, LOL!) Maybe that’s when my fascination with food, it actually started 😉
I’m also obsessed with rollerblading anywhere and riding my bike along the beach…. Aaaah… Love that about Cali J
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
That unless you’re one of the chosen few who authentically intrigues me or I simply enjoy sharing my time and space with, I’m totally cozy in my own space, aka a loner and love It! That goes from shopping, to movies, lunches to rollerblading. Put me on location, especially charming places like Savannah, GA and I’ll roll solo and take every tour, visit every landmark, eat at every restaurant, mingle with the natives… I truly enjoy being with me. Maybe that’s why I answer myself sometimes, Tee-Hee!!!
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Photography by Lena Ocean/ Richmond Ashford for CachetDigital.com – Outfits designed by Batani-Khalfani
