Biography
Actress and Host JoAnna Aldridge-Wilson hails from Memphis, TN and is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, with a BA in Mass Media Arts - Radio, TV and Film. She also holds an AS in Paralegal Studies from DeKalb Technical College, now known as Georgia Piedmont College. However, for as long as she can remember, she always knew she wanted to be an Actress.
One of her earliest memories of performing was shaped at First Baptist Church, Lauderdale, in Memphis, TN, where she would proactively situate herself as a participant of various church productions, ministries and choirs. However, the performance that put JoAnna on the map took place in Kindergarten at Stafford Elementary School, where she performed as Rosa Parks, during a Black History program.
From 7th-12th grades, JoAnna continued to showcase her acting chops at Harding Academy of Memphis, home of of the Lions. During this time, her hosting skills were noticed as she hosted a few episodes of a Girl Scouts TV program in Memphis, TN. In addition, she would participate in regional oratory contests. Most memorably at the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss, where she advanced to the next round of the Dramatic Interpretation category. JoAnna also witnessed her first remembrance of racism on Ole Miss's campus. While she and her mother waited to cross to their parked car, a group of several Caucasian males, yelled out their car window at them, "Watermelons!"
After graduating from Memphis Harding Academy, JoAnna left Memphis to attend Clark Atlanta University, where she immediately took several acting electives and participated with the University's prestigious theatre group, The CAU Players. JoAnna had a chance to meet and study acting under the Late Great Actress, Carol Mitchell. Upon graduation from Clark Atlanta University, JoAnna continued gaining acting education by taking classes and working as a Teacher's Assistant at Atlanta's Award Winning Regional Theatre, Alliance Theatre.
JoAnna continued her pursuit of happiness by acting and performing, eventually leading to agency representation from Houghton Talent. That was back during the days when an Actor would go to the agency and hand over a stack of black and white headshots, every few weeks. During this time, she went through a divorce and was not as productive with furnishing the headshots. She found herself without an agent, but that never stopped her from auditioning for plays and performing.
JoAnna has showcased her acting talents at various theatrical venues throughout the Southeast. She was featured in the short film, "Braids, Twists and Locs," shown one year during the National Black Arts Festival, at the Herndon Home Museum, in Historic West End Atlanta. She traveled with the gospel musical stage play, "I Know the Man", portraying the Adulterous Woman.
Billed sometimes as JoAnna Lorene', she was Church Girl Denise in Comic Pierre Edwards' (For Da Love of Money, How to Be a Player) web series, "Dating Pierre." She is a former Host of the Online Talk Show, "Chop It Up," produced by Turning Point Broadcasting. Dare to venture into the Walmart movie section, and you may find the independent film, "To Love the Soul of a Woman," in which she portrayed, Henrietta. JoAnna has also performed several characters in the live, variety sketch show, "The Mike Bend Show." You may even have seen her showing you how to make chicken salad or listening to her voice over, in an Industrial for Chick-fil-A restaurants!
At present she keeps brushing up on her acting skills by attending class at The Renaissance Project Theatre, under the teachings of Actor Michael H. Cole (Being Mary Jane).
Most recently, under talent representation from Barbara Garvey, owner of East Coast Talent Agency, JoAnna has garnered her most prestigious acting role yet. She will make her debut in the 2019 SAG theatrical release, "What Men Want," starring Taraji P. Henson (Empire). Director Adam Shankman.
