Pamella D'Pella, a talented individual, was born on August 22, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois, although she spent her childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio.
From a young age, Pamella had a passion for becoming a "movie star," often sitting in her window, singing and reciting to passersby. However, a conversation between her mother and her voice teacher, which she overheard at the age of nine, had a profound impact on her life. The teacher suggested that she was tone deaf and would never be able to carry a note, leading Pamella to avoid musicals and singing opportunities for many years.
Despite this setback, Pamella remained determined to pursue her dreams. She became a cheerleader in seventh grade and continued to cheer for the University of Cincinnati, eventually becoming a professional cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals. She broke barriers by becoming one of the first Black cheerleaders at Mt. Healthy High School and with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Throughout her teenage years, Pamella was a multi-talented individual, exceling in athletics, cheerleading, and acting. At the age of 16, she was crowned Ms. NAACP and won the title of "Cincinnati Junior Miss," followed by "Junior Miss Ohio Physical Fitness," where she placed second in talent and fourth in the state. Her achievements did not stop there, as she went on to be crowned "Miss Aerospace" and "Miss Hemisphere."
Pamella's passion for the performing arts led her to receive recognition from the International Thespian Society for her excellence in movement and characterization. She also won a Meritorious award for her participation in Theatre Arts, thanks to her impressive performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz."
In high school, Pamella started her acting journey with the school play "Peter Pan," where she auditioned for the dog but landed the lead role of Peter. She was so proud of her achievement that she began calling herself "Peter Pam!" Her academic achievements were equally impressive, as she won a national writing contest titled "What's Right about America."
Pamella's love for the stage continued to flourish as she performed in numerous shows, earning standing ovations for her portrayal of the "Dark Queen" in "Snow White" and receiving great press reviews for her performance in David Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago."
Recognizing the need to take her craft to the next level, Pamella left Cincinnati to attend The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She was awarded permission to live at the United States International House, which housed only post-graduate international students and Americans with high academic grades and social achievements. In New York, Pamella continued to hone her skills, studying at the Academy, taking dance classes at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and writing at the Frank Silvera workshop.
