Honestly, if you only know Bre-Z as the loyal, snapback-wearing Coop from All American, you’re basically missing half the story. It’s wild to think that Calesha Murray—the woman we all know as Bre-Z—didn’t even plan to be an actress. She was a barber. Not just a "cut hair in the garage" barber, but a legitimate, third-generation professional who was styling hair for Akon and Ludacris long before she ever stepped in front of a camera.
She’s got this raw, Philly-born energy that you can't just teach in an acting class. Most people don't realize that her first big break on Empire happened because of a chance encounter in a barbershop. That’s not a Hollywood script; that’s just her actual life.
The Empire Era: How Freda Gatz Changed Everything
Back in 2015, the world met Freda Gatz. If you watched Empire, you remember the tension between Freda and Hakeem Lyon. Bre-Z wasn't just playing a rapper; she is a rapper. She had been writing rhymes since she was 14, and that authenticity leaked through every scene.
Freda Gatz was supposed to be a short-term thing. But Bre-Z was so magnetic that the producers kept her around for 31 episodes. She brought this gritty, vulnerable edge to the show that felt miles away from the soapy drama of the Lyon family. It’s funny because she actually recorded her own raps for the soundtrack. Most actors have to lip-sync someone else’s bars, but she was in the booth making sure the flow was right.
Breaking Down the Filmography
She hasn't just stuck to TV. While the small screen is where she’s a household name, her movie credits show a different side of her.
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- Fat Camp (2017): This was a pivot. She played Winnie in this teen comedy, showing she could do more than just the "tough kid from the streets" trope.
- True to the Game 2 (2020): She stepped into the role of Taj, jumping into the gritty world of urban crime dramas.
- Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story (2025): One of her more recent projects where she plays Toni Ménage. It’s a biographical look at the freestyle legend Lisa Lisa, and seeing Bre-Z in a period-adjacent piece is a total trip.
- If I Go Will They Miss Me (2026): This is the one everyone is talking about right now. It’s a heavy, atmospheric project that’s been in post-production, and it really pushes her into "prestige film" territory.
Why Coop on All American Still Matters
We have to talk about Tamia "Coop" Cooper. For many, Coop is the heart of All American. She’s the bridge between the glitz of Beverly Hills and the reality of South Crenshaw. Bre-Z has gone on record saying that Coop is basically her in high school. That’s why it feels so real.
When Coop came out to her mother in the show, it wasn't just a "TV moment." It was a cultural touchstone. Bre-Z handled that scene with so much care because she knew kids watching at home were living that exact reality. She’s become a bit of an icon for LGBTQ+ representation without ever feeling like she’s trying too hard to be a "symbol." She’s just being herself.
The character has survived gang wars, shooting attempts, and a messy music career. Watching her transition from a kid trying to survive the streets to someone trying to navigate law and justice in the later seasons has been one of the best character arcs on modern TV.
Small Roles You Might Have Missed
She’s popped up in places you wouldn’t expect. Did you catch her in The New Edition Story? She played Peanut Bell. It was a small role, but it showed she had the range to fit into a high-budget biopic. She also did a stint on the series Tales, which turns hip-hop lyrics into anthology stories. It was basically the perfect playground for her.
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The Barber to Star Pipeline
It’s kinda crazy to think she moved to Los Angeles with literally one dollar in her bank account. One dollar. She didn't have a manager or a grand plan to win an Emmy. She just knew she could cut hair and she knew she could rap.
Her nickname, Bre-Z, actually came from her grandmother. Apparently, as a baby, she wouldn't stop crying until someone shut the window. The "breezy" air was the only thing that calmed her down. It stuck. Now, she’s one of the most recognizable faces on The CW.
What's Next for Bre-Z?
If you're looking for where to see her next, keep an eye on her music. While her filmography is growing, she’s still dropping projects like Full Circle. She’s also doing more reality-adjacent stuff, like MTV Couples Retreat, where she shows a much more personal, "behind-the-scenes" version of her life with her partner.
She's also expanding into voice acting. She recently did work on the Good Times reboot as G-Money. It’s a different vibe, but her voice is so distinct that you can tell it's her within three seconds.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you want to catch up on her best work, don't just binge All American. Start with Empire Season 2 to see the raw version of her talent. Then, track down 16 Bars or True to the Game 2 to see how she handles a more cinematic lens.
- Watch the Rap Battles: Look up the Freda Gatz vs. Hakeem battles on YouTube. They aren't just scripted; she actually wrote her parts.
- Follow the Music: Check out her EP The Grl. It gives a lot of context to the lyrics her characters often perform on screen.
- Support Independent Film: Keep an eye out for If I Go Will They Miss Me. It’s expected to hit the festival circuit soon, and it’s likely to be her most critically acclaimed performance yet.
Bre-Z isn't just another actress playing a part. She’s a stylist, a lyricist, and a survivor who happens to be great in front of a lens. Whether she's holding a microphone or a script, she stays Philly to the core. That’s probably why we can't stop watching.
Keep an eye on the 2026 release schedules for her upcoming indie projects, as she's shifting away from teen drama into more mature, heavy-hitting roles.