Actress Perri Camper Shares Whirlwind Success Story
Story: Ari Christine
Image: Jason Blackwell
Perri Camper left home – Dallas, Texas in August 2014. She knew that it was time to leave and set out on a new journey. She left her family and all things familiar and found herself in the concrete jungle of New York City.
“I remember saying okay God, as long as I know you’re there before I get there,” recalls the actress.
For about six months, it was a honeymoon with New York. The Texas native was enjoying everything from the lights, the walk-ability, the architecture, the faster pace and of course the hustle and bustle of the big city.
The honeymoon ended after six months. Camper remembers losing either her ID or her social security card. That was the start of an emotional rollercoaster.
“It was really a bad season for me,” says Camper. “But little did I know that it was building me for something great.”
Despite all that appeared to be spiraling out of her control, her grandmother urged her to stay in New York. Her mother sent money to help her with bills, even though a very proud Camper could never bring herself to ask for financial help.
For another difficult six months or so, Camper held her head high in the big city. She took classes, she continued to work on her craft, she networked and most importantly she stayed in New York.
Just when all appeared to be lost, Camper met Connie Orlando, the Executive Vice President of Programming for BET through a mutual friend. She had survived a year in New York and things were about to turn around.
Orlando suggested she become a PA (production assistant). Camper explained to Orlando how back in Dallas she served as both a teacher and an assistant. In that moment, Orlando looked up from her desk and said ‘I need an assistant, but I don’t have time to train you.’ She offered Camper a position on the spot.
Her first chance at on-the-job training included shadowing Orlando at the 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards. She officially began as a BET employee in October 2015, just over one year after arriving in New York.
The next weeks, months and years would usher in a beautiful whirlwind for Camper.
While she moved east to progress as an actress, her new position afforded her the opportunity to learn a lot about behind the scene production and the entertainment industry.
“I was in a position to really learn, but I initially stayed quiet and just observed,” reveals Camper. “I put acting on the backburner for a bit.” She actually grew to love programming and was extremely excited to learn about content.
Earlier this year Camper moved to Los Angeles. She tried to convince herself that she didn’t have to act anymore and that she could work toward being an executive. But acting was within her. Its always been in her.
Camper’s sorority sister Robi Reed serves as Vice President of Casting for BET. It was Reed who suggested Camper become a reader, the go between person who works with actors and screenwriters. She would read in front of Reed several times, with her taking special interest in Camper’s potential.
On her first attempt at chemistry reads and network testing, producers took notice of Camper’s potential. It was the first time she read in front of showrunners and executive producers. They commented and questioned, “We thought you were just an assistant – you can act as well?”
Still Camper found herself trying to convince the actress that lives within her that she could become an executive and excel in such a role. When she would go to shows, she would hold her breath. It was almost like she was suffocating by not acting. Just be okay with this good job, she told herself.
“I know this is the season for me to serve,” Camper reminded herself. “I tried desperately to suppress the desire to act.”
BET's American Soul uncovers the life of entrepreneur Don Cornelius (most noted for creating Soul Train), his Soul Train dancers, crew and musicians in an unforgiving Hollywood in the 1970s. Camper will play Delores Cornelius, the entrepreneur’s wife in the new film.
The younger Cornelius told Camper that he believes she embodies so much of the qualities that his mom possesses. Camper has been fortunate to converse with the real Delores Cornelius and learn a lot of firsthand knowledge for her role.
As the summer came to an end, Camper encouraged her social media friends to tune in to the Bobby Brown Story. “Pause your screens, screenshot me,” she joked with her friends, so that they wouldn’t miss her short role.
”I was there for all of 20 minutes,” she laughs. “Those big firsts, however, mean the world to me.”
She’s so thankful and grateful. These experiences are only a glimpse of where she’s going. The most recent project credits made her a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) member.
In just four years, Camper’s life has shifted completely. She went from an aspiring actress, to a comfortable executive, and then to a celebrated actress.
“I had to remind myself that before I was anyone’s assistant, I was acting,” says Camper. “I know now that I don’t have to let that go. It’s all about balancing.”
Today, Camper is a coordinator and still serves as Orlando’s right hand. She assists with big award shows and shares her knowledge and expertise with other actors. She loves living in Los Angeles, but still travels to New York at least once per month. Meeting Connie Orlando was definitely a turning point for Camper and she’ll never shy away from the dynamic of their work relationship.
“We both knew God strategically placed us together,” says Camper. “We both needed each other and now we share a special relationship and I love her beyond words.”
Camper is forever grateful for Orlando’s guidance and support.
“Everything I thought would never happen is happening,” says Camper. “More doors are opening.”
