Music Meets Fashion Issue August September 2016

18-
Acting in Faith
with M aurice Lauchner
By Desiree Helm
whether he is captivating the audience with
his presence on screen, or calming the soul with his
smooth voice on stage, Maurice Lauchner is a rising
star in the entertainment world. We recently caught
up with Maurice to learn a little bit more about him
and how he is using his faith to thrive and impact the
entertainment industry.
Born and raised in New York City, Maurice began his
career at an early age. Around age 3, he earned the
nick name ?Man? from his family because he acted
like a little man when he began to whistle everywhere
he went. Noticing Maurice had a musical ear, his
grandmother soon had him singing at all the family
functions.
How did you get st art ed singing and act ing? Did
you alw ays w ant t o be a st ar?
?I was pretty shy when I was a kid. My grandmother
pretty much made me sing. Most times they had to force
me. At every barbecue, every reunion, every funeral you
could find me entertaining the family. I hated it at the
time, but now I am thankful for that because it helped
me. Growing up, I wanted to play football but I was
overweight and didn?t make the team. From there I
decided to use my musical gifts instead. I auditioned for
the acclaimed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of
Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City and
was accepted. While there I trained in classical music,
sang in the gospel choir and began acting.?
Shortly after high school, Maurice landed a recurring
role on a soap opera Ryan?s Hope. It was here that he
developed a love for acting and first began to trust
God with his career.
Did you alw ays consider yourself a believer?
?Like most kids, I grew up in the church. I was there all
the time, but although I was learning about God, I didn?t
really have a relationship with him. I was just there.
While working on Ryan?s Hope, I began to ask God to
help me. I remember really praying to be on the Cosby
show. I loved the Cosby show. About 2 months later, my
manager set me up with an audition with Barry Moss. As
soon as I walked in the door, Barry came around the
corner and said you?re the type of guy we?re looking for. I
couldn?t believe God had answered my prayers like that.
This was when my relationship with God started to
change.?
"I Can't
Live
with out
you"
Although Maurice had landed a reoccurring role on
the Cosby show, it wasn?t for a prominent spotlight
like he wanted. As a background actor on the show,
Maurice?s character didn?t really stand out. That
would soon change in a most unexpected way.
When do you feel like you got your first really big
break?
?During my time on the Cosby show I was also
performing in a play called The Black Nativity. During
one of the performances, Phylicia Rashad (who was one
of the plays board members) heard me sing, and was
like ?Wow, is that Maurice. I didn?t know you could sing
like that?
Phylicia was so impressed by his singing that she
later recommended he perform during the Cosby
Show. Bill Cosby approached Maurice and asked him
to sing during a special episode titled ?For Men Only?.
It was this performance that gave Maurice his much
needed notoriety and his career began to take off.
Maurice went on to travel with the Harlem Gospel
Singers throughout Europe, performed at the BET
Awards, singing background for such stars as Andre
Crouch and Michael Jackson. Years later Maurice was
selected by BeBe Winans to become part of a group
that would perform at a party for Maya Angelou. It
was at this party that Maurice first met Tyler Perry.
What w as it like t he first t im e you m et Tyler
Perry?
?It didn?t go like I wanted it to go. I was so eager to talk
to Tyler Perry at the party. As soon as we were finished
performing I rushed over to meet him. I caught up to
Tyler right as he was leaving the party. I asked him if I