Sharonne Lanier
When I was offered the opportunity to interview the lead actresses starring in the upcoming movie, Summer of ’67, I had no idea what a blessing this opportunity would be to me. Sharonne Lanier is just such a blessing.
During our interview, we talked about life, God’s promises and the journey of her career. When we ended our interview, I gained more than great content for my audience, I gained a new friend. Sharonne, a Theatre Performance graduate from University of Central Florida is also a licensed nurse. She is warm, funny and incredibly blessed with God-given talent.
Sharonne Lanier – More Than Just a Pretty Face
A wife, a mom, a nurse and an accomplished stage, television and film actress, this woman can do it all while looking like she stepped out of a magazine.
Here’s a bit more about Sharonne from her bio:
In fourth grade, Sharonne Lanier’s teacher forced the entire class to learn Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech for an oratorical contest. Sharonne thought this idea was ridiculous, but little did she know this would change the course of her life forever. She discovered she had a talent for performing in front of people. This talent would lead her down the road of acting and blossom into her undying passion. Sharonne Lanier studied Theatre Performance at the University of Central Florida graduating magna cum laude. While studying, thoughts of giving up and doubts began to cloud her dreams. On the verge of switching paths, her mother said to her, “I believe God gives you dreams and visions for a reason. Don’t run from it”. Since then she has never looked back. Sharonne is a SAG/AFTRA eligible actress and a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association. She has performed professionally in countless stage plays, television, and film productions. It is not Sharonne’s goal to just entertain, but she says, “I am an actress who will use my God given talents to positively motivate people. I seek to participate in productions that aim to teach and enhance the joy and moral conduct of people’s lives. I will leave this world knowing I contributed to making a number of people’s lives easier to live.”
In her upcoming movie, Summer of ’67, Sharonne plays Ruby Mae, a woman who finally finds true love only for him to be shipped off to war.
My Interview with Sharonne Lanier
We had such a great chat about what God has done and continues to do in her life and about her role in Summer of ’67, you won’t want to miss it (video below), but here are some highlights of our chat:
Sue: Would you share with us a little bit about your testimony of faith?
Sharonne: Yeah, so basically, no exciting story of how I became a Christian. My mom is a follower, so we were in church when we were young. I accepted Jesus as my Savior very young. But, I will say, when I was in ninth grade, that’s like when you start … I don’t know how it is nowadays, but when I was growing up, that’s when we started learning about the difference religions, because that’s when we took the World Geography course, and then the World History courses, and so you learn about all these different religions across the entire world.
So, I remember thinking, “Man, how do I really know that Christianity is true?” You know? There’s all these other religions, what makes those not right?
(Sharonne shares an AMAZING story about a moment that God revealed Himself to her – check out the full interview to hear it. Goosebumps!!!)
Sue: So, let’s talk about the film, Summer of ’67. Just give us a quick overview of the film.
Sharonne: Yeah, gotcha. So, basically, Summer of ’67 is the story that centers around three women whose significant others go off to war, and how that impacts their lives. It mainly centers around the two sisters who are Milly and Kate, and then I’m the third woman, so my story comes underneath their story. And, every woman handles their significant other’s going to the war differently, so it’s just pretty cool to see how that all works out. My particular character kind of approaches it from a faith-based standpoint, so it was really fun to kind of dig in and exhibit that.
Sue: What would you say is one takeaway that you hope people get from this film?
Sharonne: That God is sovereign, and if you trust Him no matter what, even if there’s tragedy, He’s still there. You know, life’s not always peaches and cream. Things are gonna happen. God never promised that you wouldn’t go through trials and tribulations, but He did promise that He would always be with us.
Sue: What’s next for you? So, you’ve got that exciting movie coming up, and I’m not sure if you can tell us anything about that one just yet.
Sharonne: Yeah, I can tell you a little bit about it. And it’s so funny, cause now I feel like loosely connected to the Kendrick brothers since she was in War Room. But yeah, so basically that film is about a woman, her name is Grace Templeton, which will be played by Karen Abercrombie, Miss Clara from War Room. She is a highly esteemed music professor. ..But, from all of those pieces put together from what I know, so basically about her, she’s a highly esteemed music professor. Something happens to where she pretty much falls from grace, she can no longer do that job, and so she comes to a group home, where she ends up working with troubled teens, and the group home is run by the guy who plays my husband, and I play his wife. So, basically it’s like a story of redemption. So, yeah. That’s pretty much what I know in a nutshell.
FREE Bible Study Worksheets to Help You Dig Deeper Into His Word
(Check out my recent interview with Just Grace filmmaker Karen Abercrombie HERE)
Throughout Sharonne Lanier’s career, she has been impacted and influenced by many amazing Christians in the entertainment industry. Although we didn’t have the chance to talk, during our interview, about all of her influences, Sharonne shared with me what an impact that actress Eleanor Brown has had on her. When Sharonne stepped out in faith and auditioned for a role in the Kendrick Brother’s movie “Courageous”, she didn’t get it. Instead, Eleanor was cast in the role that she auditioned for. Sharonne said that Eleanor was actually a perfect for the role – it was destined for her! Eleanor is also cast in Summer of ’67 and she and Sharonne filmed several scenes together. In the picture below, you’ll see Eleanor and Sharonne on set. Sharonne considers it an absolute honor to have worked along such a wonderful actress as Eleanor.
Missed the Summer of ’67 Movie Trailer?
What IS Summer of ’67 all about?
Based on real life events, Summer of ’67 brings to life the turbulent times of the sixties and the struggles faced by the men and women impacted by the Vietnam War. Young wife and mother Milly (Rachel Schrey) is forced to live with her mother-in-law while her husband Gerald (Cameron Gilliam) is away on the USS Forrestal. Kate (Bethany Davenport) must choose between Peter (Christopher Dalton) her high school sweetheart and Van (Sam Brooks) her new hippie boyfriend. Ruby Mae (Sharonne Lanier) finally finds true love with Reggie (Jerrold Edwards) only to have him whisked away by the draft. Each woman faces the question of whether or not their man will return, and even if he does, will life as they know it ever be the same?
The movie is woven with rich stories of faith, hope and love. It is the story of the war from the perspective of those waiting at home.
Summer of ’67 will be released this summer. You can find early screenings at this LINK.
If you missed my interview with actress Bethany Davenport, who plays Kate in Summer of ’67, you can find it HERE.
Sharonne’s Acting Resume Includes:
Swamp Murders
The Originals
Outcast
Army Wives
Love Ruth
and many, many more.
For the comedic side of this versatile actress, check out the clip below:
Where You Can Find Sharonne Lanier Online:
Isn’t she just wonderful? Are you planning on seeing Summer of ’67 when it hits theaters in your area?
