Yolanda Zellous is an author, playwright, casting director, stage actress, singer, and dancer. She has established herself as director and playwright. Through her roles as the church lady on the award-winning filmmaker/director Tyler Perry “Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, and the Gospel, Zellous has catapulted in many genres in the competitive theatrical world.

Zellous has evolved as an intelligent, independent and inventive woman in performing arts that have staying power to learn, grow, to be consistent and explore endless possibilities in performing arts. Zellous began her career in singing and acting at the age of 5 in a church. Although, a shy girl, later she unraveled her gift to shine. While growing up, she starred in the annual school Christmas plays “SCROOGE” learning the arts of live stage. Zellous had a chance to play a role in a classroom scene” The Double Dutch Bus”, an improvisation role that launched her to canvass opportunities and leap forward.

In her senior year of high school, Zellous auditioned and sang the National Black Anthem. Always having to share a duet, she was excited to perform solo as she describes as her greatest moment. Finally, discovering her passion, she studied acting and trained under the accomplished Bill Dukes at The American Black Film Festival, Tracey Moore, Celebrity Acting Coach, Nick Conti and Michael Moore, The Professional Actors Studio and The Robert Townsend Studios (P.A.N.).

Zellous starred in Under the Hood, In the Hood, Love Cost, Will You Pay the Price and Church Folks. Preferring to concentrate on live theater and production Zellous continued to act in live plays and hone her skills in writing and producing live stage and film. She became an associate producer of A-Town East, a local soap opera on Comcast Cable.

Her years of critiquing her talent, artistry, and incentives to work faithfully inspired her to create Zellyo Production, Inc. A film and production company that provides real day to day issues amid the lives of people with issues and happenings. A mission that was created by Zellous to motivate and empower plus size women and children to fulfill their dreams.

As an acting coach, Yolanda Zellous helps talented fellow actors by teaching, developing and presenting actors workshops throughout the year in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the executive producer of “The Big Boned Fashion Show” with a documentary “Big Boned Women”, a film created and directed by Zellous.

She credits her stage and learning more about her inner creative style to the playwright, Zakiya H. Williams, actress, playwright, and casting director. “She is the one that helped me to take a leap of faith and tap into my comedic side, Zellous says.” After all, I am from Peoria, Illinois, home of the late comedian and actor Richard Pryor.

I have developed characters that I carry with me at all times and they a part of my performances. “My strength enables me to deliver the best performances to my audience. Zellous echoes.” Zellous has been an accomplished artist on stage and someday her dream is to have a starring role in a major film. Culminating her comedy and dramatic style that overtures a blending combination of natural energy, Zellous continues to write, produce, act and direct films.

Credits: Playwright, Casting Director, Actress, Film Director, Motivational Speaker, Advocate for Children and Women, Author, Plus Size Advocate, Advocate for Youth

Yolanda started acting for a few yrs when she attended the ABFF American Black Film Festival in Miami. She met Acting coach Bill Dukes at an actor’s boot camp. He said something that she will never forget. “Everyone in this room can do their own films”. It took just a few months after hearing this and she got an idea. Start my own production company and do my own documentary film “Big Boned Women”.

Zellyo Productions Inc. The name of the company is my first and last name put together. My company was formed in 2005 for my documentary filmed that I produced.

I produced a documentary film about women who are considered “Big Boned, Plus-size or full size. This documentary allows the women to have a platform to express who they truly are. The Big Boned Full Feature Documentary showcases interviews and discussions about full figured or what I call real size women from various walks of life and ages. The documentary consists of an array of heartfelt topics based on their personal past experiences being full figured women.

The Spirit of Big Boned Women by Yolanda Zellous

Big Girls, you are not all alone in this world

There are other women out there just like you

There is a special spirit that belongs only to Big-Boned Women.

You know this special spirit because you have this spirit.

The Spirit of Big-Boned Women

Get your copy today. This is not another diet program This is not another “weight loss” plan This is not another way to “lose it” fast and “lose it” forever.

The Spirit of Big-Boned Women is a collage of women’s stories. The voices of big-boned (plus sized) women from all different backgrounds have been woven together in a beautiful tapestry to inspire all women. Women come in all shapes, sizes, and styles and all of us have a story to tell.

  • There is no barrier to beauty, but before you can see someone else’s beauty, you have to embrace yourself as beautiful.
  • The Spirit of Big-Boned Women is more than just a book.
  • The Spirit of Big-Boned Women is a look in the mirror.
  • It’s time to see “yourself”.
  • You will see yourself or someone you know in one of the over fifty stories in this book.

Our mission is about much more than promoting Big Boned Women. The Spirit of Big-Boned Women will promote and uplift the beauty of women from the depths of their spirits. This book will empower you and uplift you as a woman.

Who Should Read The Spirit of Big-Boned Women?

  • Big-Boned (Plus Sized) Women
  • Anyone who knows and loves Big-Boned Women
  • Anyone who does not understand Big-Boned Women
  • Anyone who has ever been afraid to look in the mirror at themselves

The Spirit of Big-Boned Women will change the way you see yourself. When you hear the words of other women telling their stories and say, “That’s me”, you will know you are not alone. Big-Boned Women deserve to be seen as well as heard!

Yolanda started acting for a few yrs when she attended the ABFF American Black Film Festival in Miami. She met Acting coach Bill Dukes at an actor’s boot camp. He said something that she will never forget. “Everyone in this room can do their own films”. It took just a few months after hearing this and she got an idea. Start my own production company and do my own documentary film “Big Boned Women”.

Zellyo Productions Inc. The name of the company is my first and last name put together. My company was formed in 2005 for my documentary filmed that I produced.

I produced a documentary film about women who are considered “Big Boned, Plus-size or full size. This documentary allows the women to have a platform to express who they truly are. The Big Boned Full Feature Documentary showcases interviews and discussions about full figured or what I call real size women from various walks of life and ages. The documentary consists of an array of heartfelt topics based on their personal past experiences being full figured women.

 

God is always my motivation. I give him all the glory. My husband and my kids are also

I hope to achieve an Academy award for either my talents or one of my films.

As for idols. I don’t have an idol but, my great influences would be my parents. They are my Shero and Hero. My mother first all. She told me in my teens to go out and do all the things she couldn’t do. She said travel and keep my dreams. So I am doing that now. My Dad is my hero also because he is the

To become a mentor and motivator in my industry is important to me. My mission is about much more than promoting Big Boned Women. The Spirit of Big-Boned Women will promote and uplift the beauty of women from the depths of their spirits.

I work with various non-profits during my fashion shows to help raise money.

I like to run races 5k-10k for different cause i.e. March of Dimes, American Heart Assoc etc. I think I have walked and race just about every race in Atlanta including the Peachtree Rd. the race for the past 10 yrs or so.

I also volunteer as a mentor for youths and I speak at varies events for children and teens.

Those who are wanting to get into the acting industry etc.

I would like to leave a legacy for my children. I would love to own a state of the art production house. My goal is to motivate and inspire others for following their dreams no matter whom you are, what size you are, age, the color that you are.

I would like to start a nonprofit company within the next year. The company will help children and plus size women to become triple threats.

Norman A. Anderson