Watch: Actress Tichina Arnold Talks Directorial Debut For Breast Cancer Awareness Film

Iconic actress Tichina Arnold steps behind the camera in her directorial debut, Oh Baby Baby!, premiering October 8 on BET Her.

In partnership with executive producer Tressa Azarel Smallwood of MegaMindMedia, the BET Her release focuses on a high-fashion entrepreneur trying to conceive a child when she is blindsided by developing breast cancer from IVF estrogen treatment. When Smallwood contacted Arnold about directing the film, Arnold seized the opportunity.

“The selling point for me was when Tressa told me that this is her ministry. This is how she gives back and that’s how I [view] my career,” Arnold said. “God blessed me with different gifts and entertaining is one of them. To be able to explore new avenues like directing [and] to be able to be a part of a project like this that will live forever and that will help somebody… It was the perfect project for my ministry.”

Dedicated to telling stories that support and celebrate Black women in front of and behind the camera as well as bringing awareness to important issues directly affecting the Black community, Smallwood spearheads the Health Initiatives under the “Her Stories” banner, which spotlights women-centered short films and Black women filmmakers.

Arnold and Smallwood chatted with Her Agenda host, Lauren Mayo, about creating movie magic, navigating womanhood, and the importance of spreading breast cancer awareness in October and all year long.

Watch the interview above and be sure to tune in to the premiere of Oh Baby Baby! on Saturday, October 8 at 10 pm ET on BET Her.