Brandee Evans

Brandee Evans is an American actress and former choreographer, best known for her leading role as Mercedes Woodbine in the Starz drama series, P-Valley. Evans was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mother has multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. Before her acting career, she worked as a high school English teacher. She began her acting career playing supporting roles in films including Beyond the Lights (2014), and appearing on TV miniseries The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. As a backup dancer, Evans appears with pop singer Katy Perry in 2010 with the music video of California Gurls as "Bubblegum Girl". She also choreographed Ledisi's "I Blame You" and appeared in its music video. She also toured as a backup dancer on Ledisi's The Truth Tour in 2014. In 2020, Evans began starring as Mercedes Woodbine in the Starz drama series, P-Valley. She received positive reviews from critics for her performance.