Brittany Perry-Russell: The Multi-Hyphenate Powerhouse Behind the Dance and the Screen
By Dance Mogul Magazine | Updated May 2026
Brittany Perry-Russell is the kind of talent that the entertainment industry doesn't produce enough of — a dancer who became a choreographer, an actress who became a producer, and a mother who turned a creative partnership with her son into one of the most beloved family brands on social media. From touring stages with Beyoncé and Rihanna to recurring roles on Netflix's biggest series, Perry-Russell has spent over two decades building a career that spans every corner of the performance world.
What sets Brittany apart isn't just her talent — it's her range. She's danced backup for JLo and Usher. She's choreographed for television. She's acted opposite Tia Mowry and Loretta Devine. She's been handpicked by Robert Rodriguez. And through it all, she's raised a son — Isaiah Russell-Bailey — who has become a star in his own right. That's not luck. That's legacy by design.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Brittany Perry-Russell |
| Hometown | Texas (born and raised) |
| Based In | Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Dancer, Choreographer, Producer |
| Best Known For | 13 Reasons Why, Family Reunion, We Can Be Heroes |
| Dance Training | The Edge Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles |
| Artists Danced For | Beyoncé, Rihanna, JLo, Chris Brown, Usher, Pharrell, Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Janelle Monáe, Nick Jonas, Kanye West, and more |
| Choreography Credits | Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, All American, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Making the Team, Black Don't Crack (Viola Davis pilot) |
| Son | Isaiah Russell-Bailey (actor) |
| Talent Management | Clear Talent Group (choreography) |
| @bperryrussell (417K+ followers) | |
| TikTok (Solo) | @bperryrussell (142K+ followers) |
| TikTok (Joint w/ Son) | @RussellHustleInc (2.8M+ followers) |
| Contact (Business) | RussellHustleInc@gmail.com |
Dance Career: From Texas to the World's Biggest Stages
Brittany Perry-Russell's entertainment career began where all great dancers start — in training. A native of Texas, she relocated to Los Angeles to study dance at The Edge Performing Arts Center, one of the most respected commercial dance programs in the country. Her professional career took off quickly. Her first major gigs were touring and performing with JLo and Usher, and from there the momentum never stopped.
Over more than a decade as a professional dancer, Brittany has performed alongside an extraordinary roster of artists: Beyoncé, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Pharrell, Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Iggy Azalea, Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, Jessie J, Janelle Monáe, and Kanye West. She was also a dancer in Michael Jackson's This Is It concert rehearsals — a credit that places her among an elite group of performers.
One notable piece of history: Brittany was one of the dancers featured in Chris Brown's "Wall to Wall" music video — a fact her son Isaiah proudly shared with his millions of TikTok followers in a Mother's Day tribute that went viral with over 700K likes.
"When I look back on the opportunities I've had, I'm still in awe. Acting is a passion of mine, but there is nothing like being on stage as a dancer. I'm truly grateful I get to do both."
— Brittany Perry-Russell, Dance Mogul Magazine Interview
Choreography Credits
Brittany's work behind the camera is just as impressive as her work in front of it. Her choreography credits include the CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the CW's All American, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Making the Team, and the Viola Davis pilot Black Don't Crack. These credits span comedy, drama, and sports entertainment — a reflection of the range she brings to movement direction.
Acting Career & Filmography
The Transition from Dancer to Actress
Brittany's move from dance to acting was deliberate and methodical. Her screen debut came in 2002 on the TV series Cedric the Entertainer Presents, where she appeared as a dancer. That same year, she took on the role of Betty Everett in American Dreams. From there, small roles opened bigger doors. She appeared in films alongside major stars — Tropic Thunder (2008) with Ben Stiller, The Campaign (2012) with Will Ferrell, and Sparkle (2012), the Whitney Houston remake.
Breakthrough: 13 Reasons Why
Brittany's most recognized recurring television role came as Tracy Porter in Netflix's 13 Reasons Why (2017–2018), appearing in four episodes across the show's first two seasons. The role placed her on one of the most-discussed shows of the streaming era and demonstrated her ability to hold dramatic weight in a serious ensemble.
Netflix & Beyond
Perry-Russell joined the cast of Netflix's Family Reunion (2019–2022) as Candy/Essence, appearing in three episodes alongside her son Isaiah. In 2020, she was handpicked by director Robert Rodriguez for the role of Red Lightning Fury in the Netflix superhero film We Can Be Heroes — making her and Isaiah the first mother-son duo to portray superheroes in a Netflix original.
Her lead roles include Carl Weber's The Preacher's Son and the holiday film A Stone Cold Christmas (2018). More recently, she appeared in Landman (2025) and Palm Royale (2025), continuing to build a body of work across premium cable and streaming platforms.
Complete Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Cedric the Entertainer Presents | Dancer | TV Series |
| 2002 | American Dreams | Betty Everett | TV Series |
| 2004 | Starsky & Hutch | — | Film |
| 2008 | Tropic Thunder | — | Film |
| 2009 | Michael Jackson's This Is It | Dancer | Concert/Film |
| 2011 | Honey 2 | — | Film (Universal) |
| 2012 | Sparkle | — | Film |
| 2012 | The Campaign | — | Film |
| 2012 | Behind the Candelabra | — | Film |
| 2010–2013 | Glee | Recurring | TV Series (Fox) |
| 2013 | This Is the End | — | Film |
| 2014 | 90210 | — | TV Series |
| 2017 | Grey's Anatomy | Harmony Vasquez | TV (ABC) |
| 2017–2018 | 13 Reasons Why | Tracy Porter | TV Series (Netflix) |
| 2018 | The Preacher's Son | Lead | Film |
| 2018 | The Choir Director | Donna Wilson | Film |
| 2018 | A Stone Cold Christmas | Alice Miller (Lead) | TV Movie |
| 2018 | Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. | — | TV Mini Series |
| 2019–2022 | Family Reunion | Candy / Essence | TV Series (Netflix) |
| 2020 | We Can Be Heroes | Red Lightning Fury | Film (Netflix) |
| 2020 | All American | Choreographer | TV Series (CW) |
| 2021 | Lazarus | Detective Gray | Film |
| 2025 | Landman | Ralph's Waitress | TV Series (Paramount+) |
| 2025 | Palm Royale | Robert's Backup Dancer | TV Series (Apple TV+) |
Social Media & Digital Presence
Brittany has built a substantial digital footprint beyond her acting and dance career. Her personal TikTok (@bperryrussell) has 142K+ followers with 2 million likes, where she shares dance content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and lifestyle posts. On Instagram, she has 417K followers.
The joint account she runs with her son Isaiah — @RussellHustleInc — is where the real viral magic happens. With 2.8 million TikTok followers and over 40 million likes, their mother-son dance and comedy content has become a blueprint for family-centered entertainment on social media. Their Instagram joint account has 107K followers.
In her own words, TikTok became a creative outlet during the pandemic — a way to connect with her son through choreography and give audiences something joyful. That authenticity is what set the RussellHustleInc brand apart from trend-chasing accounts.
Building a Legacy: Motherhood Meets Entertainment
Perhaps the most remarkable chapter of Brittany Perry-Russell's career isn't any single role or performance — it's the way she has intentionally built a creative legacy with her son. From taking Isaiah to sets as a child, to co-starring with him on Family Reunion and We Can Be Heroes, to creating a viral social media brand together, Brittany has modeled what it looks like to use the entertainment industry as a platform for family empowerment.
For a deeper look at how the Russell family operates as a creative unit, read our full feature: Brittany Perry Russell & Isaiah Russell Bailey: The Ultimate Mother & Son Entertainment Duo.
What's Next for Brittany Perry-Russell
With 35+ credits across film, television, music, and digital media, Brittany Perry-Russell has already accomplished what many performers spend an entire career pursuing. But the trajectory isn't slowing down. Her 2025 credits in Landman and Palm Royale show she continues to book premium projects across networks, and her growing role as a producer and choreographer signals a shift toward even more creative control.
Whether she's choreographing for a network series, co-creating content with Isaiah, or stepping into her next on-screen role, Brittany Perry-Russell embodies the legacy of Black creative directors and choreographers who shape culture from the inside out. Dance Mogul Magazine is proud to have been part of telling her story since 2020.
Explore More on Dance Mogul Magazine: Discover how dancers are shaping the entertainment industry in our Mogul Spotlight series. Browse our Store for empowerment-focused publications and workbooks.
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