Tracy Camilla Johns, best known as the captivating lead in Spike Lee’s groundbreaking film “She’s Gotta Have It,” has transitioned from the silver screen to the world of photography. Currently, actress Tracy Camilla Johns is showcasing her photographic talents at the Laurel Museum in Laurel, Maryland, an exhibit that offers a glimpse into her artistic evolution and connection to her local community.
Tracy Camilla Johns presenting her photography exhibit at the Laurel Museum in Laurel, Maryland
Johns, now 60, has resided in the DMV area for 25 years and this exhibit, running until Thanksgiving, is a personal reflection on her adopted hometown. “This particular exhibit is specific to Laurel,” Johns explained in an interview with WTOP. “It’s kind of a quiet, kept secret that I have resided in the DMV for some time.” Her photography encourages viewers to appreciate the often-overlooked beauty of everyday surroundings. “People come and go every day and don’t pay attention to the beauty,” she notes, highlighting the hidden treasures within Laurel. For Johns, a self-proclaimed “museum junkie” from her New York upbringing, the Laurel Museum itself is one such treasure, a “quiet little museum in a small part of the city.”
Growing up in Hollis, Queens, New York, in 1963, Johns’ early life was steeped in artistic influences. She recalls the vibrant cultural scene of her youth, from Broadway plays to the burgeoning hip-hop movement. “This is the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, so I grew up in the land of Salt-N-Pepa and Run DMC,” Johns recounts, emphasizing the profound impact of her Queens roots. Despite her artistic inclinations, her parents, part of a “wonderful African American family” focused on education and work, initially met her artistic aspirations with skepticism. However, Johns pursued her passion, enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. It was in an elective theater class that her talent truly began to blossom.
Actress Tracy Camilla Johns at her photography exhibit in Laurel, Maryland, showcasing her artistic versatility
A pivotal moment arrived when Johns crossed paths with Spike Lee, a recent NYU film graduate already making waves with his Student Academy Award-winning thesis film. Johns initially envisioned a stereotypical “Caucasian guy in a leather jacket” when she heard the name Spike Lee. Instead, she found a kindred spirit. Although an initial film project for Johns fell through, this connection led to the creation of “She’s Gotta Have It,” a film Lee specifically wrote for her.
“She’s Gotta Have It,” filmed in just 12 days in Brooklyn, became a landmark of independent cinema. Shot on a modest $175,000 budget, the film’s guerilla filmmaking style, as Johns describes, involved evading permit requirements and even outrunning the police. This groundbreaking film, alongside others like Jim Jarmusch’s “Stranger Than Paradise,” ushered in the American independent film movement of the 1980s. Johns fondly remembers the experimental nature of the film, noting scenes like the Thanksgiving scene with its innovative camera angles and the film’s overall unique style.
Tracy Camilla Johns discussing her photography exhibit at the Laurel Museum, Maryland, highlighting local beauty
Her portrayal of Nola Darling, a fiercely independent and sexually liberated woman juggling three lovers, resonated deeply with audiences and sparked significant cultural conversation. The character, a muralist, also mirrored Johns’ own artistic background. “Spike knew my illustration background when he created the movie, so some of those things were drawn from Tracy the person,” she explains. The film’s exploration of female sexual liberation, particularly within Black cinema, was unprecedented and generated both praise and controversy, with many viewers recognizing aspects of themselves or their loved ones in Nola Darling. “There were thousands of responses and feedback about, ‘You’re showing me, my sister, my cousin,'” Johns recalls.
The film’s success catapulted both Lee and actress Tracy Camilla Johns into the spotlight. “She’s Gotta Have It” garnered Lee the Award of Youth at the Cannes Film Festival, and Johns received a nomination for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards. Johns describes her Cannes experience as a “total dream come true,” a “pinch-me moment.” The film’s domestic release was equally impactful, with lines stretching around blocks for months.
Public viewing Tracy Camilla Johns' photography exhibit at Laurel Museum, Maryland
Following the success of “She’s Gotta Have It,” Johns experienced a surge in demand, appearing on television shows like “Family Ties,” starring in an Air Jordan commercial with Spike Lee, and featuring in Tone Loc’s “Wild Thing” music video. Despite a brief cameo in Lee’s “Mo’ Better Blues,” their professional paths diverged for a period. Johns later appeared in “New Jack City” alongside Wesley Snipes and Ice-T. However, behind the rising fame, Johns was battling personal demons. By 1991, she made the difficult decision to step away from the film industry as her life spiraled into addiction.
Johns candidly describes this period as a “crash and burn,” marked by excessive living and substance abuse. As opportunities dwindled and her support system vanished, she reached a point of profound despair. “When I could not pay the rent any longer and all of the entourage had disappeared, I really and truthfully wanted to check out … Check out of this Earth,” she admits, highlighting the severity of her suicidal thoughts.
It was during this rock bottom moment, in Compton, that Johns experienced a spiritual awakening. “Between the drugs, drinking and everything else I was doing excessively,” she recounts, “I came into the apartment of a young lady [in] Compton, I went into that house with the full intent to not come out.” In that dark place, she had a transformative encounter. “He showed up in that place,” Johns says, referring to a spiritual intervention that led her to become a born-again Christian. This epiphany marked a turning point, empowering her to overcome her struggles. She dedicated herself to mission work, traveling to South America and the Philippines, finding purpose in serving others.
This journey of transformation also led to reconciliation with Spike Lee. Decades after their initial collaboration, Johns reprised her iconic role as Nola Darling in Lee’s “Red Hook Summer” (2012), this time portraying the character as a Jehovah’s Witness. Their reunion extended beyond the film, with Lee interviewing Johns at Union Station in D.C. around the 30th anniversary of “She’s Gotta Have It.” Johns reflects on their decade-long estrangement, attributing it to their strong personalities. Their reconnection, sparked by chance at a book signing, solidified their renewed friendship and professional respect.
Now, actress Tracy Camilla Johns channels her artistic energy into photography, showcasing her unique perspective at the Laurel Museum. Her exhibit is not just a display of photographs; it’s a testament to her personal journey, her artistic versatility, and her enduring connection to community, proving her talents extend far beyond her memorable role as Nola Darling.
