Shanice Shantay Williams in front of Rembrandt’s
photo by John Shearer
Twenty-eight-year-old Chattanoogan Shanice Shantay Williams – who is also known professionally as Shanice Shantay – is featured in the recently released, Tyler Perry-directed Netflix film, “The Six Triple Eight.”
She stars as the outspoken Johnnie Mae Burton in the World War II-era film about an ensemble cast of black Army auxiliary women who heroically help sort a backlog of war mail ahead of schedule, despite facing negative odds, discrimination and prejudice.
As Ms. Williams sat and talked about the film and her life last week at Rembrandt’s coffee shop in the Bluff View Art District, it was obvious she is outspoken about Chattanooga as well in a positive way. Although she just moved here within the last couple of years, she is finding her own bright lights of a different kind by trying to be the illuminator of hope and encouragement to younger aspiring actresses and singers in the area.
“I am working hard to create a team to create an arts foundation. I want to help give kids places to go and financially be able to help them,” she said of her dream, adding that she was helped growing up in New Jersey by getting scholarships to go to special fine arts camps and academies. “I want to do that for kids in Chattanooga.”
She said she has also reached out to local fine arts teachers and has done master classes for students in both the private and public schools, from Baylor to an upcoming program planned at Center for Creative Arts.
Ms. Williams, who first gained national attention playing Dorothy in the showing of “The Wiz Live” on NBC-TV in 2015, has enjoyed being on her own yellow brick road that has led to the city of Chattanooga.
After getting cast to play the part in “The Six Triple Eight,” she learned that the crew would be filming part of the movie in Chattanooga at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
“I saw Chattanooga on the travel sheet, and I said, ‘What is that?’ ” Ms. Williams remembered with a laugh, saying that she does have family relatives in Alabama and had previously visited them. “I knew it was in Tennessee.”
However, after she saw such interesting-looking places as Play.Wash.Pint on the way to the Choo Choo and finding it adorable, and then seeing the scenic beauty of Chattanooga, her attention was held like she hopes viewers’ are with the movie.
In fact, it was almost like right out of a Hollywood movie script, as she enjoyed the scene here in front of and away from the camera.
“We went to the Edwin (hotel) and stayed for the night, and they gave us lemonade and cookies,” she recalled. “And the next morning I went out and walked by myself and went to Rembrandt’s. I remember thinking that it was a beautiful town, and that I was falling in love.”
While she had admittedly not been sure what to expect before she came and was a little nervous, she felt definitely at home and realized this might be the place she had always dreamed of living.
A woman telling her that morning that she liked her outfit made her further want to compliment the city in return.
“That is the type of energy I love,” she said. “So we drove back to Atlanta and I texted the cast and I said that I am moving to Chattanooga, and they said, ‘You are crazy.’ ”
Actually, she was just inspired. After the filming in March 2023 when the former train station at the Choo Choo was designed to be a World War II station in England, she went back to Los Angeles but never stopped thinking about Chattanooga. As a result, she officially moved in June 2023.
“It was the first time as an adult by myself not knowing anyone else,” she said of that big step she took. “But I know God is in Chattanooga because we have four seasons.”
She first lived in the NorthShore before settling in downtown Chattanooga. She said she enjoys dog walking in the area, including around UTC. Her mother, Andrea Scales, who had also lived in Los Angeles, also later moved to Chattanooga in a different residence to be near her.
“It’s hard being alone in a city, so once I got here, I told her how much I loved it, and I said, ‘Come on.’ I am an only child,” she said.
For Ms. Williams, it has been quite a journey to the Scenic City before the events of 2023. Growing up in Rahway, N.J., she sang in her grandfather’s church choir and took part in the drama program at Rahway High School.
After her success with “The Wiz Live,” she received some awards for her participation in the 2017 HBO film, “Manic.” In 2018, she performed in an off-Broadway play about the Little Rock Nine of school integration fame, and in 2019 played Little Red Riding Hood in a Hollywood Bowl production in Los Angeles.
But getting the part in “The Six Triple Eight” was definitely a high moment, she said, adding that she had auditioned for the movie by sending in a tape.
“I did that at my grandmother’s house,” she said. “My father (Shelton Williams) helped me, but I didn’t hear back for a little while.”
She finally was called for a reading at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, and sure enough, as she looked around, there was star Kerry Washington, and she realized the part was likely hers. She finally learned in December 2022 after the October reading that she had officially gotten the part.
“I just remember thanking God for the opportunity I was about to get,” she said. “I got so excited. The opportunity I had been waiting for for nine years finally came.”
The filming also went well, she added. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” she said.
Noted producer, director and film writer Tyler Perry was nice, she said, and Ms. Washington even invited her and members of the cast to come make TikTok videos with her.
“We really had a good time. It was first class,” she said, adding that she was filming at different times as noted star Susan Sarandon and did not get to be with her or fellow cast member Oprah Winfrey.
But she is glad she has been able to get to know well the city of Chattanooga. She said that since the movie’s release in December, she has been recognized by a few people around town. She has also been featured some on the local TV news stations.
She wants to recognize blossoming performing arts talent as well and help give them that needed extra push to fulfill dreams. In short, she wants to encourage young people that they can do anything they desire.
“I owe it to Chattanooga because God called me here and made me feel a way I have never felt before,” she said. “I found God and community, and I am truly happy for the first time in my life. I want to pour that back into the city.
“There is a magic here,” she continued. “And there is so much talent in this city. I have been able to talk to people and inspire people like never before.”
Part of her interest in this realm is because, as she alluded to, Ms. Williams has also grown in her Christian faith since coming to Chattanooga. She said this was first re-nurtured at the Hope House downtown and now at Metro Tab Church by West Shepherd Road and Highway 153. At the latter, she has also been trying to develop her singing talents into possibly an additional career in gospel singing.
“They have a beautiful studio in the church,” said Ms. Williams, who has Shantay as part of her name because of an aunt by that name who was also talented in performing arts before her passing at the age of only 15. “They have a Grammy-nominated music producer (David Hammonds), and he and the pastor have dedicated themselves to helping me make music.”
Regarding films or shows, this actress who also had a reoccurring role on “Perfect Harmony” on NBC said she is looking for potential future acting roles. She currently does not have a manager and agent and is trying to figure out where she belongs in the world of Hollywood.
But she feels she belongs in Chattanooga right now and has found a favorite real-life role trying to help others.
“It’s a place of peace and true community,” she said in summing up the city.
* * *
Click here to hear Shanice Shantay Williams briefly discuss living in Chattanooga.
* * *
Jcshearer2@comcast.net