Local Journalist Aja Chestine Signs Tyler Perry Actress KJ Smith
While most local media companies were covering the opening of Tyler Perry Studios from afar, Aja Chestine was right there on the red carpet interviewing A-list celebrities. Now, she’s the U.S. publicist for actress KJ Smith, who has a lead role on Tyler Perry’s BET sitcom, “Sistas”.
“My primary focus is Kj. I’m solely invested in her career,” Chestine said. “I want her to be on a massive level where my phone can’t stop ringing.”
After interviewing Smith for the first time, Chestine asked to stay in touch and Smith agreed. Eventually, the two built a friendship and that’s when Chestine pitched to Smith to represent her, and Smith said yes.
“It’s more of a partnership than a client,” Chestine said.
Aja Chestine. (Picture provided by Aja Chestine)
Smith is signed to Chestine’s LC Legacy PR, named after Chestine’s late mother Lorretta Chestine. She was Chestine’s motivation when she was alive. Now, she’s Chestine’s inspiration. Chestine also credits her success to her two Milwaukee Public School teachers Ms. Peterson and Ms. Everson. She also wouldn’t be where she is without her support system: her sister, her brother-in-law and her two nieces and nephew, and a host of supportive family and friends.
This is Chestine’s first time in this role of a publicist, but she’s used to “stumbling” into these types of things.
“I’m learning a lot,” she said.
Ten years ago, Chestine started her career in journalism with no degree. It was her determination and persistence that got her to sit down with living legends to interview them.
“I’m committed to being my best self. I’m committed to having it all,” Chestine said. “If you’re committed to doing the work, you can accomplish anything.”
Every interview Chestine has done, except one or two, has happened because she made it happen. Chestine has done hundreds of interviews including interviews with Oprah, Lynn Whitfield and more. But, she has three interviews that changed her perspective on life.
Taraji P. Henson. Chestine has interviewed Henson five to seven times, but it was the first interaction that will always be the most memorbale. In 2013 or 2014, Henson told Chestine that the only difference between them is that Henson makes a lot of money to do what she loves to do. She told Chestine eventually the money will come.
Tyler Perry. Hearing Perry’s story about coming from homeless to owning over 300 acres of land, showed Chestine that she can do what she wants. After going to the opening of his studios, Chestine realized she was thinking too small. Now, she’s striving for everything she wants, without doubt.
Jenifer Lewis. Chestine describes Lewis as a breath of fresh air. Lewis’ transparency about her life inspired Chestine to open up more to those around her, instead of holding in her truth.
KJ Smith. (Picture by Dexter Martin)
Along with representing Smith, Chestine works a full-time job at the Boys and Girl’s Club as the sports coordinator & commissioner of volleyball. Chestine has spent 21 years working with kids—10 years at MPS and 11 years at the club. And, she’s still writing articles. According to Chestine, she starts every day at 6 a.m., 6:15 a.m. at the latest. From 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., she’s working at the club. After, she spends the next few hours running errands. At the earliest, she’s settling into to bed around 11:15 p.m. She sleeps for a few hours, but then wakes up at 1:30 a.m. to write for two hours. Then, she heads back to sleep until it’s 6 a.m. and starts her day all over again.
Chestine has plans to move to L.A. to be closer to Smith. Usually, your publicist is supposed to be by your side, but Chestine and Smith have come to an agreement that Chestine would only come to the major things, for now.
Although Chestine isn’t a Milwaukee native, she calls it home because she’s been here since six years old. She’s originally from Phoenix, IL, but grew up on 17th and Meinecke St., next to Wright St. She was a good student grade wise, but was a class clown. It took until Ms. Peterson gave her a leadership role that she changed her behavior in school. Along with being talkative, Chestine was bullied for her skin tone, so she had to quickly grow tough skin. By the time she graduated high school, everyone wanted to be her friend.
“It was a process of loving myself over the years,” Chestine said. “[Then,] the world had to catch up.”
To book KJ Smith, contact Aja Chestine via email at lclegacypr@gmail.com.
Sistas.