Pop-Culturalist.com

Wayne Brady is a name everyone knows—actor, comedian, host, singer, and a multitalented force of this generation. But beyond the spotlight lies a deeper story. What happens when an iconic entertainer pulls back the curtain to reveal the realities of an unexpected life?

Accompanying Wayne on this journey is his blended family, a close-knit and dynamic group that includes his ex-wife and lifelong friend, Mandie Taketa, their talented daughter, Maile Brady, and Jason Michael Fordham, Mandie’s partner and Wayne’s trusted collaborator. Together, they form a supportive and loving unit, navigating the complexities of life with humor, understanding, and an unbreakable bond. Their presence adds depth and richness to Wayne’s story, offering a glimpse into the personal connections that shape and ground him amidst the whirlwind of his multifaceted career.

Pop Culturalist had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Wayne, Mandie, Maile, and Jason about Wayne Brady: The Family Remix, their openness and vulnerability, and more.

PC: Wayne and Mandie, there was a point when you both considered making this series a sitcom, but I don’t think the open and honest conversations you had as a blended family would have come off as effectively or powerfully in that format. What was the turning point for each of you when you realized you wanted to make this an unscripted series? How easy was it to get everyone in the blended family on board?
Wayne: Thank you for recognizing that.

Mandie: For me, the turning point came when we had two wonderful, very established writers who didn’t look like us. They were like, “Oh, an Asian woman—it would be so funny for her to have a Korean accent.” That was one of the turning points. Then they tried to write dialogue for Wayne, Jason, and Maile. Honestly, our lives are so much more interesting than anything they could create in their heads, so I thought, “Maybe this is the best way for us to tell our story. Let’s be real and just be ourselves.”

Wayne: We’ve been in this town for years. I’ve worked on sitcoms and everything. Whenever someone from the outside, especially someone who doesn’t look like you, tries to interpret your experiences, it’s filtered through their own perspective of what it must be like for a Black person to interact with an Asian person. They might say, “This is good. It’s so funny,” but as soon as that happens, it’s wrong. We had to decide whether to create a sitcom or just show the real us. Maybe that could inspire others in similar situations. Mandie and I, and actually everyone on this call, receive DMs about our blended family. Initially, people think, “That’s strange. Are they in a poly relationship? Is that their son? What’s going on?” But then it shifts to, “It’s really cool to see a family that loves each other like that. How can I do that?”

PC: There’s something so magical about the four of you and what you were able to capture with this series. Maile, there’s so much authenticity that you bring to the show, which is so refreshing to watch, especially in the ways you observe situations and approach life with such maturity and unfiltered candor. With you being a multifaceted talent, which of your other disciplines has played the biggest role in helping you express yourself so openly throughout the series?
Maile: That’s a wonderful question that I’ve never been asked before. I write a lot—screenwriting, playwriting, and songwriting. When I observe things, I weirdly narrate them in my head. That’s why I’m able to speak in such complete sentences. I see the world as a script that’s constantly unfolding. When people are talking, it feels like dialogue. This perspective has been invaluable in organizing my thoughts, especially when dealing with complicated situations. We’re definitely no strangers to complex scenarios. It helps me have that true north and really express how I’m feeling.

PC: I feel like this is going to be such a breakout moment for you. Jason, there’s a crucial lesson about family and choosing to show up for one another. You’ve talked about the evolution of these relationships and meeting each other where you are today, but you’ve all been open about the fact that it hasn’t always been this way. What’s been the most surprising part about this blended family for you? What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to other blended families?
Jason: Relationships take time and patience. If you’re willing to do the work and show up for the people you love, time is a huge factor in building strong bonds. In our case, we’ve grown closer each year, each month, each day, and even through conversations like this one. We never heard the question you asked Maile before, so we get to learn new things about each other through these small interactions. That’s been the biggest surprise and gift.

PC: Wayne, I really believe that this show, along with your vulnerability and openness, will have a lasting impact on audiences. What do you hope others take away from your journey?
Wayne: I hope people realize that we all have our struggles. Just because someone on TV seems to be smiling, there’s a whole life happening behind the scenes. We all face challenges, and by sharing what we’re going through, we might be able to support each other through those human connections.

Make sure to follow Wayne (X/Instagram), Mandie (Instagram), Malie (Instagram), and Jason (Instagram). New episodes of Wayne Brady: The Family Remix air every Wednesday on Freeform.