Music Meets Fashion Issue August September 2016

were always times in between the shows
that Maurice would struggle financially.
Can you t ell us w hat life w as like for
you during t his season?
?I want people to understand what it?s like
when you trust God, but things aren?t
happening for you. I remember one time
there was about a year and a half between
acting rolls. This was a hard time for my
family, but it was also a good time. God
used the challenges to strengthen us. I
learned to trust God with my career and all
that I had. I began to rely on him more, and
he began to show up majority in my life. He
was always there when I needed him, even
when I couldn?t see what he was doing. I
had to remember what God has promised
us all. His Words are his promises to us.
Sometimes we can get so consumed with
our present situations that we may forget
that God has promised to never leave us. I
will admit, sometimes I got discouraged.
However, having faith in Gods promises is
like an attitude adjustment. It adjusts what I
am feeling and helps me see that God is
always by my side. He never leaves you.?
?It was during the times of struggle that I
also learned just how valuable my gifts and
could take a picture with him and during the photo I tried to tell him just
how much I wanted to work with him. Only, he had no idea who I was. As
soon as we finished the photo our conversation ended and he left without
giving me a second thought. It was then that I made up my mind that one
day I would be a part of his team.?
The years following the party, were very rough for Maurice. He worked
off jobs here and there and eventually relocated his family to North
Carolina in hope of changing their future. Unfortunately, commuting
back and forth from New York to North Carolina began to take a toll on
his family and his finances. All the acting gigs had dried up and he was
desperate to support his family. Maurice had a wife and 3 kids that
were depending on him. Despite the fact that he was grinding hard, he
could not get ahead. He recalls paying his rent late every month and
even borrowing from his son?s tuition to pay the bills. Maurice was
beginning to lose hope when he spoke to a good friend, Tony Grant.
Tony had been working for Tyler Perry and had arranged an audition
for Maurice for an upcoming production. Tyler Perry?s studio flew
Maurice to Atlanta for an audition.
What w as your audit ion like?
?For my audition I sang Great is Thy Faithfulness because I felt God was
working on my behalf. After the audition I called my grandfather. My
grandfather is the father figure in my life. When he asked me how the
audition went I told him that I had left my voice in the carpet I sang so well.
Even if they don?t hire me, they will never forget me. I was confident that
God did not set everything up for this audition for me to walk away without
something.?
Maurice landed the part that day. He was cast as the father in the play
Madea?s Christmas. That part led to other parts in some of Tyler Perry?s
other productions. Eventually he was awarded a part in the Have and
Have Nots. Although things went well during each production. There
talents were. Loving God, and allowing God
to love me helped teach me not to allow
anyone else to determine my value. I also
have a wonderful wife of 20 years that has
stood by my side and interceded for me
even when I didn?t deserve it. She often
shows me the love of Christ through
forgiveness and the example she is to our
children. I gained a lot of humility because I
understood where my opportunity would
come from. I trust God with my life.?
The m edia now is filled w it h celebrit ies
get t ing int o t rouble. Being in t he
ent ert ainm ent indust ry can be pret t y
rough w hen you are a m an of God.
What advice w ould you give t o young
believers t hat are follow ing t he sam e
career pat h and w ant t o resist get t ing
int o t rouble?
?No matter how much good you have done
in your career; one negative thing can ruin it
all. It all comes down to choices. You always
have a choice. One thought I live by is that I
can do anything I want, but should I do it?
When you understand the choice is always
yours, and that every choice has a
consequence, it is easy to choose the right
thing. Where ever I go, people know that I
will react and what I will do. There are people
that are depending on me to make the right
choice. People that are depending on me to be
accountable. People that are looking toward
me for advice or prayer. Knowing that I stand
for God helps me. I am not perfect, but I try to
do the best I can by not making wrong choices.
Every day people get to see Christ through me. I
am a representation of Him. When you realize
this, it becomes easier to take a stand and
make tough choices.?
It has been such a pleasure speaking w it h
you and hearing your st ory. Any last
w ords for our readers?
?Yes. Every day pray and ask God for an
opportunity to share your gift. Let God know
that you trust him and allow him to provide
the abundance?
Working to achieve his next goal of landing a
role on a television sitcom, in addition to
performing Maurice stays busy as a vocal
trainer and owner of ?More Faith Makes
Scents? an oil and Fragrance Company.His
new hit single "Cant Live without you" can
now be bought on ITUNES. You can also find
Maurice on social media under
MauriceCLauchner