You ever have a moment that seems pretty simple and then you look back and it was pivotal and profound?

One “hey” can change everything. It did for me a few Julys ago.

I was at ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans and walking through the large convention center.

I happen to see film director Malcolm Lee (Best Man) and super-producer Will Packer.

I had to say hello and introduce myself.

I also had to tell Malcolm I was upset with how he did the sequel Best Man Holiday (a major character died and it was supposed to be a romcom!). He laughed and less than five minutes later I walked away.

Turns out they were there filming the movie, “Girls Trip”, which follows four friends on their hilarious trip to ESSENCE Festival.

The next day I went on stage to interview Morris Chestnut and the cast of Rosewood.

I didn’t know filming was happening until I saw Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish in the front row of the crowd watching little ole ME from Decatur, Georgia as the cameras rolled.

The movie went on to be a HIT and the first comedy with an all Black cast and producers to earn $100 million!

I went to a staff screening of the movie a few months before it came out.

When I got there Malcolm Lee was there. I went to remind him of our convo. Before I could say anything he said, “Hey Charreah!”

I was surprised he remembered my name. I soon found out why.

I was SHOCKED while watching the movie to see myself on the screen for a few seconds interviewing Ne-Yo and Morris. Even crazier, I was the ONLY person who worked at Essence with a cameo in the movie and I wasn’t even senior editor yet. (I got my promotion the day of the screening).

I am credited in the hit film and listed as an actress on Fandango and IMDB – all with a few seconds on screen.

The best part was friends and family letting me know they saw me in the movie and hopefully being reminded our dreams aren’t so far.

All this happened simply from me saying HEY.

So I’m hoping you will simply say HEY to me and tell me a little bit about yourself:

Click here to say HEY to me!