Who is Nirine S. Brown? Many of us are asking ourselves who was the face behind the infamous Ni’Jah on the hit show Swarm on Amazon Prime. The show was released on March 17, 2023, and although rumors indicated that the show was based on Beyoncé’s fanbase, The BeyHive, Nirine S. Brown didn’t completely agree. Parlé Mag had the opportunity to dive deep into the character of the pop-star Ni’Jah, in our Nirine S. Brown interview.
Swarm, had many Beyoncé fans (also known as the BeyHive), wanting to tussle. This show, starring Dominique Fishback as Dre, created such a fuss on the internet. As many streamed this remarkable show, people were also taken aback at the similarities they saw in relation to Beyonce fans. However, Nirine (along with producer/writer Donald Glover and co-writer Janine Nabers) didn’t exactly see the show as being about the BeyHive fanbase, but instead Donald and Janine created a story that could possibly correlate to a popular “pop-star”.
Before Nirine S. Brown hit the screen for Swarm, she was also in the hit show Tyler Perry’s: Ruthless as Lynn, which was her first breakout role. This multi-talented woman has been places you wouldn’t have ever imagined. Although Nirine seems to be stepping into the spotlight in her acting career, she makes it known that within her acting career dancing surely follows.
Nirine was only 5 years old when she started her dancing career at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Studio. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Nirine was determined that she would be the entertainer that people would remember. By the age of 12, Nirine won her first contest as “Scary Spice” for the National Spice Girl Commercial. From then on, she continued her dance career by attending schools on full scholarships, including the Alvin Alley School, the Ballet Hispanico School and others.
Nirine continued to showcase her many talents by attending the Performance Arts Talent Unlimited High School as a dance/musical theater major. From there she started her professional dance career with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular as a Rockette after graduating high school; but in order to take her career to the next level she deferred her full scholarship to SUNY Purchase Conservatory College. Since then she has been in multiple musical shows such as Wicked the Musical, Dinner at Grandma’s and many more.
Alongside all of the plays and shows she has been in, she was also in Beyoncé’s Homecoming feature on Netflix as a main dancer at the 2019 Coachella Festival. Her dancing talents have also helped her secure spots as the main dancer for Mary J. Blige, Janelle Monae, Lauryn Hill and many others. Additionally, Nirine S. Brown has been featured in commercials for Nike, Yoplait, Advil and Pepsi Smash with Mario.
Nirine S. Brown has consistently shown her drive and ambition in becoming the entertainer that leaves incredible projects behind. We find out who Nirine S. Brown is by diving deep with the woman behind the character of Ni’jah. Check out our full Nirine S. Brown interview below.
Parlé Mag: You also played Lynn in Tyler Perry’s: Ruthless, but what was it like receiving this role in Swarm? What were your initial thoughts?
Nirine S. Brown: I was super grateful that they picked me for casting. I auditioned like everyone else, but I did not understand how much of a big impact Ni’jah was going to be in regards to the storyline. The breakdown that I received was that she was an ‘A list pop-star’, that’s it. I didn’t get anything extra nor did I get any hints as to if I should embody a particular person, they didn’t tell me anything like that for casting this role. Again, the only thing I was shown was that it was just Ni’jah an ‘A list pop-star’.
Parlé: For many viewers, they have correlated Ni’Jah and most of the events that took place in the show as being Beyoncé and the BeyHive. Did you believe that Swarm was in reference to that A-List pop star?
Nirine: No, I don’t think it was. It was inspired by her fan base. But Donald and Janine wanted to create their own pop-star, their own image of a brown skin, chocolate, young lady who is at the top of her game, like people such as Beyoncé. There are others that have a huge fanbases as well, such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Lizzo. I think it was more so about creating a pop-star who had a big fanbase like these artists, but in their own image. I believe that because it was a parallel story, I think that’s why people associated it with Beyoncé. It wasn’t something that they told me that I had to be at all, they just said that I am the star. I think what was fun about playing the role was making sure I didn’t compare myself to any other star and just tapping into the inner star that’s in me.
Parlé: You started dancing at the age of 5, and slowly ventured into acting. What made you want to transition from dancing to acting?
Nirine: I’ve said this at so many interviews and I’m going to keep giving the same answer because it’s genuine and it’s true. I personally have never separated dancing from acting because the two intertwine. In order for you to tell the story everything is about body language. In film, when it was black and white and you had no words, you had to read what was going on through their body language. So you will notice, “Oh that’s the lover or oh that’s the mom.” So in order to tell the story through dance, I have to act. You can’t be a robot while you’re dancing. So I never separated the two but I did study vigorously when it came to acting and dancing. I trained at Alvin Alley, as well as the Performance Art HS, where I studied musical theater. In theater you’re doing all three; you’re singing, you’re dancing and you’re acting. I was inspired by that. I admired Debbie Allen and Janet Jackson, along with other entertainers that could do all three. I told myself that I want to do what they’re doing. If they can do all three and they aren’t placing themselves in this box, then so can I. So I just always wanted to be this versatile entertainer all together. I was really happy about my first role which was on Tyler Perry’s: Ruthless. It was like my introduction to the world. I wanted my introduction to the world to be through acting, I wanted the cherry on top to be, “Oh, and she dances!” So when I received what would be my next big project, it was to be this pop-star who can do all three. It’s not a coincidence, when God is operating for you. I’m just happy it happened the way it did.
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Parlé: Would you say that you are now focused more on acting than dancing?
Nirine: No, I always called myself a well rounded entertainer. I never said, “Oh I’m just a dancer or oh I’m just anything.” Even when I was younger they would ask me, “What do you do?” and I would say, “I’m an entertainer.” Now, in 2023 you have to be careful saying the word “entertainer,” it has changed so much over the years. Lately, I have been extremely specific in saying, “Oh I dance, act and sing,” but when I was younger I was definitely just stated that I was an entertainer. A cool part of when I was younger, as far as being an entertainer, was when I won the Spice Girl contest when I had to act like “Scary Spice.” I feel like I embodied her, I did the whole full London accent, her hairstyle, and I also made sure I did her shoulders, I was in it to win it. I told myself that if I was going to do this I am going to make them believe that I am actually Scary Spice. The contest was held back home in New York, and I won. After my win, we did a national commercial where I had the opportunity to meet the Spice Girls. That was my first time impersonating someone who was so epic at the time.
Parlé: What do you want to obtain out of your career?
Nirine: Well, I pride myself on being picky about projects that I do even when it comes down to dancing. I transition that with my acting. I want to be very picky and strategic about the projects that I do. My ultimate goal besides doing what I love and inspiring people, is to make sure I am happy with the work that I have left behind. I have to be happy with it.
Parlé: Being in musical theater, one can only assume that you sing as well. Would that be true?
Nirine: I did. So I studied musical theater in high school, where I was in the musical ‘Wicked,’ which is a really great show if you haven’t seen it. It basically tells the Wicked Witch’s side of the story, and it’s awesome to hear how the villain sees things. You’re able to understand the villain’s point of view. Even going back to Swarm, we’re looking at how Dre’s character idolizes Ni’jah, and everyone else is looking at her as if there’s something wrong. You even have a point in the show where Damson says, “What are you 12!?” I think because Dre and even Lynn from Ruthless, are such complex characters we love hearing and seeing their stories. So yes, I dabble a little in the musical theatre.
Parlé: How did it feel seeing Swarm for the first time?
Nirine: It was fun. We had the premiere in Austin, Texas and also a second premiere in LA. I didn’t get to watch all the episodes until everyone else did though. So I watched it with the audience on March 17, 2023. It was a really dope. I can honestly say that the show was definitely worth wallowing in. Most times, I like taking breaks so if a show has me indulging, then I know it’s a good show. Swarm captivates you at the very first episode, with the music, honestly everything. As soon as a song comes on, you’re in it. You feel the scene, every piece of the show. Music just has so much play in cinematography. When we think about certain songs we automatically think about a particular movie. People will hear a song and say, “thats from Love and Basketball, SoulFood, etc.” It’s so dope how music is incorporated into the show because as soon as you see Dominique’s character, Dre, sit up and then you see the poster of Ni’jah, it just speaks volumes. We’re setting the tone, and we’re setting the music for her trying to get those tickets for her and Chloe. It makes you want to give your money too, just because of how everything engulfs you into the scene. Overall, everyone did an amazing job. I also thought Damson did an incredible job being an ‘F-Boy.’ (Laughs)
Parlé: Did you enjoy filming Swarm & being apart of the production?
Nirine: Absolutely, I mean everyone on the project was trying to do the best version & be the best version of themselves. I haven’t experienced any production where they came with negative mindsets. Even being a part of Ruthless, the fact that Tyler Perry gives new actors a chance, you still didn’t come in with anyone having an ego. In Swarm, you have these little nuggets of Dominique’s character, and the guy who had the passes to the concert, letting you know that it’s okay to give into your cravings, that it’s okay to give into your addictions. We’re addressing addiction, we’re addressing nutrition and her eating habits (all Dre had was snacks in her bag). You can see that she doesn’t eat any vegetables, she doesn’t eat any fruits, or fruit plates. Everyone is here to tell the story, to shed light on different things. I think it’s awesome, and I was super excited to be a part of it. What’s funny about being an entertainer is that when someone finally comes out in the spotlight a little more that’s when people will start to spread wildfire when I’ve been working. I’m just happy that being in this production has taken things more on an “up an up.” Recently, people have been sending me clips from Swarm, so I am just really happy that I am getting this exposure and I hope that it expands my career forward.
Parlé: What else can we expect from you?
Nirine: I have some independent projects in the works. I’m producing one back home in New York, it’s a project called Crown. It’s a short film about this young lady who is just embracing her essence as a beautiful Black natural Queen. I play her mother and one of my best friends from high school is the co-writer. She wrote it with one of her college friends, Nafi Love. I didn’t know if I wanted to play a mom too soon because I’m still young, but they told me, “no, she could be a young mom!” And what am I supposed to say to that, like that doesn’t happen? People have children at such young ages now. The cool thing is, it didn’t focus on the struggle of her being a young mom, it focused on her mentality, her perspective. Which is more about her being clean cut, with pressed hair, and looking presentable at all times. She understands how she views herself and what she wants, but she’s putting all that into her daughter as well. But her daughter just wants to be a kid and be care free with her hair. So I am really excited about this project, which will be premiering in New York in May. Right now, I am just at the phase of doing more work until more work comes, instead of sitting around waiting. I do hope, pray that more opportunities will come. Maybe even some comedy or superhero stuff would be fun, I just want some versatility.
Parlé: What can we expect from you dance wise?
Nirine: So I’m still dancing but as I was saying earlier, I’m still thinking about my work. It just depends on the artist, on the project. My line is open, if ever those certain people hit me up. I know that I still want to have my moment dancing with Chris Brown, Missy Elliott, Janet Jackson who I adore. I would absolutely love to grace the stage with those people. Until then, I just make room for myself.
We want to thank Nirine S. Brown for sharing her story with us and allowing Parlé Mag to dive deep into her story.
If you haven’t yet checked out Swarm, you can stream it on Prime Video.
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