When the rolling out team met the family at a downtown Los Angeles photo studio, our intentions were to discuss their wildly popular VH-1 show “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business.” But the family dynamic changed that. Instead, our focus turned to the actual beauty and importance of the black family. As we spoke to each family member, we found that in their own unique way, each one of them held fast to a sacred Norwood truth — and that truth is simple: no matter what, family comes first.
Ray J – Brother, Son
It’s not difficult to surmise that Ray J loves being the center of attention. From his musical pursuits to his much-hyped “For the Love of Ray J” reality series, when the cameras are on, so is he. The same was the case at the shoot as the rolling out TV cameras shadowed his every move. He played to the camera, always walked with an “I know you’re watching me” gait, and soaked in every moment of the process. That’s the Ray J that the world has come to expect. Love him or hate him, that’s who he is, and the approach has served him well.
The only time that his guard was even remotely dropped, was at the mention of the special bond he shares with his family. “Our family is really a beautiful thing,” he stated in a serious tone. “Not too many families can do what we do and still be close. But I love my family, and think that I have the best family on the planet. From my mom and pops, to my sister, Brandy, I’m just lucky to be a part of this family.”
There’s been much reported about the relationship between Ray J and his mother, Sonia, as well as the special bond shared with sister, Brandy. But until now, no one really knew the depth of the father–son relationship between Willie Sr. and Willie Jr. When asked about the relationship, Ray J could only shake his head in amazement of his father.
“My pops is really a special guy,” he said. “He just has so much wisdom, and he’s always in my ear trying to talk to me about life. … There are a lot of people who don’t have a relationship like that with their father, so I’m thankful.”
Sonia Norwood – Mother, Wife
As the Ray J interview concluded, and the shoot continued, the proceedings were watched under the careful eye of family matriarch Sonia Norwood. For years, the world has known Sonia as the driven manager — determined to push her children as far as their God-given ability would take them. That’s all we knew of her. But as our cameras peered into the interactions of the Norwood clan, a different side of Sonia was being shown — that of concerned mother and wife.
“I had a lot hesitation about doing this show, because normally I’m in the background,” she carefully explained. “As a manager, I’m just used to making things happen. But now, I’m considered talent, and it’s really taken me a little while to get used to that part. Outside of getting used to being in the spotlight, I’m really happy about the show. I think that it has brought us closer together as a family, and has allowed us to talk about some issues that we haven’t addressed or talked about in forever. Sometimes you need to sit down with your family and just have general conversation, and I think that is what this has done for us.”
Those conversations — while at times difficult — have served to strengthen their bond, while creating a discourse for other families. “We are no different from any other family out there, and I think that people notice it when they watch the show,” Sonia candidly reveals. “We have ups and downs just like any other family. Even when you look at our mother and daughter dynamic, I have been labeled in the past as being more favorable to one child over the other. I know people say that about me and that’s OK. What it has done is created a conversation piece for other families who may be going through similar issues.”
Through it all though, as a mother, her main concern is that her children always remember the lessons instilled from childhood by her and her husband, Willie Sr. “Family comes first,” she stresses, as her eyes sharpen their focus almost as if to key in on this point. “It’s something that we established early on with them. Brandy and Ray J are brother and sister first, and nothing else can break that bond. Even when the world lets them down, they will always be brother and sister and always be there for each other. It’s the way we view family, and it continues to bring us closer together to this day.” Indeed.
Willie Norwood Sr. – Father, Husband
On the opposite end of the room, Willie Norwood Sr. sits quietly, humming along to the songs playing over the loud speakers. He doesn’t speak as much as his wife or children, but you get the sense that he is rapidly processing everything that is happening in the room. When questioned about his more reserved demeanor, father Norwood explained his way of doing things.
“That’s the only way that I know how to be,” he confessed. “I have to feel the rhythm of what’s going on in a room. People describe me as laid-back, but I’m really not. I’m very active, but it’s just more ‘inner active’ and not ‘outer active.’ ”
Willie Sr. is thankful that he married a woman that is just as focused on marriage and balance as he is. “My wife and I try to make things more about us, than about Brandy and Ray J,” he says. “Those two have their lives now. So now it’s about my wife and I. Have you seen people where it’s all about the children and grandchildren, and nothing else? Well, those people can’t stand each other. I really don’t want that for me and Sonia. I want us to focus on being husband and wife first.”
Brandy – Sister, Daughter, Mother
As Willie Sr. continues to gush as only a proud husband and father would, his beautiful daughter Brandy walks by and jokingly interjects. “You’re not talking their ear off are you daddy?”
“No, I’m not,” he laughs.
“Good, because you know you can talk,” she responds with a big laugh.
The playful exchange only highlights the loving dynamic in the family. Everyone seems to genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and Brandy seems to be right at the heart of the jokes.
“I just love being a part of this family!” Brandy exclaims, almost as if she were releasing an official statement to the world. “I’ve really been blessed to have them in my life. Most of you know that I’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs in my life, and to have a family that has always been there for me is something that means a lot. We are in an industry that usually tears families apart, but we are the exact opposite. The more we accomplish, the closer we get, and that is something both special and virtually unheard of.”
An Eye Towards The Future
Life is filled with uncertainty, so no one really knows how his or her story will eventually play out. This especially holds true in the entertainment industry where the livelihood of an artist is so intrinsically tied to the whims of a schizophrenic public. The Norwood family has experienced both extremes — the euphoric highs, as well as the excruciating lows. And while they may not be able to pinpoint exactly where each member will be in the next 5 to 10 years, what they can be sure of is the family unit will remain intact — still strong and as supportive as ever. Through all of the future’s uncertainty, that’s the one thing that will never change with them. After all, that’s what families are for.
