Check In With Musician & Entrepreneur, Kristinia DeBarge
I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend my Saturday than visiting with Kristinia DeBarge at her home in Lake Las Vegas shared by her fiancé, Adonis Shropshire, and his two children. I’ll start by giving a recap of this wonderful day (and fantastic evening), and then lead into the interview.
It was October 10th and my assistant, Charlie, and I arrived at Krissy’s (as we call her) home around 1pm, where we were greeted at the door. Krissy, being such a beautiful person inside and out, showers me with gifts from her new Krissy D Cosmetics gloss line and a few new Chanel face masks before heading out for lunch at this charming Italian place in Lake Las Vegas where Krissy is for sure a VIP.
After an hour of chatting, food, and drinks, we decided to finally begin the interview. (We came up with a great idea during the pre-interview portion of our time that I can’t wait to share, but more on that in a future post.) Interviewing a celebrity friend is something I’ll have to get used to. I have a general rule not to google my friends (I think it’s weird) — however, in preparation for this interview, I did google Kristinia and learned that the internet has nothing but love for her, just like her fans.
Post interview, we walked to Seasons Grocery and grabbed some cream of mushroom soup for one of her recipes. A little-known fact is that Krissy is an excellent cook and is working on something big in this field. She even has a cooking page on Instagram @MealsWithKrissy! (Keep an eye out for funny stories when this posts for BTS of the day)
Once we got back to the house, she took us right into the recording studio and put on a private concert for Charlie and I, where she shared some of here newest music. It was so incredibly fun (stories to follow), her new music is AMAZING, and I cannot wait for her fans to hear it all. Also, a cute tidbit, her now-finance actually wrote her fist single “Goodbye,” so there is no doubt in my mind that this pair will be making music together for years.
Ending the night poolside, the conversation, — everything was perfect! And you haven’t heard the last from Krissy and I, we have big plans, together!
*****Now onto our interview*****
Heather: Alright! I am Heather Marianna and I’m here with Kristinia.
Kristinia: Hi!
Heather: So, we are going to dive right in and talk all things about what is going on with Miss DeBarge! *Laughs* We have a lot to talk about! So, how have you been doing during COVID? You just had a new move, so do you want to talk about that?
Kristinia: Yes! COVID has been interesting! I had a little scare where I thought I had it. Good news — I did not have it, I only had the flu. It’s so weird during summer months. I got it right before my cousin’s wedding, the flu not COVID guys, just to make that clear!
Heather: Yes! So, make that clear, not COVID, COVID FREE!
Kristinia: Yes! Um, right before my cousin’s wedding, and because I didn’t know if I had it or not, I didn’t go to the wedding. She is like a sister to me so that kind of caused a little bit of a rift in our relationship. We are good now, but for a couple of months we were on the rocks. She was hurt and sad, totally understandable. So, I was dealing with that for the last couple of months and having the blues. But to take me out of the blues, I moved to my dream city which is Lake Las Vegas.
Heather: Your house is gorgeous, by the way! I was lucky enough to see it today. Gorgeous house… gorgeous house congratulations!
Kristinia: Thank you! Thank you so much. I love this home. I have not lived in a home like this for a long time. The last time I lived in a home like this was for 6 months and it was when I was 19, and it was noticeably short lived. So, I am hoping this is for years, and years, and years to come!
Heather: I hope it is too! So, tell me what made you fall in love with Lake Las Vegas, because it is remote out here! It’s not close to the strip, it’s not close to the scene. I know you are engaged now, do you feel like you’re nesting a little bit?
Kristinia: Yes! So, when I first came to Lake Las Vegas, I noticed obviously the water. I am a Pisces, so I’m a water sign. I’ve always had a dream to live on the beach, and right now I’m not at point where I can live on the beach, so I was like, “let me live on the Lake!” I made it, well, we made it a goal, Me and Adonis. We made it a goal to move to Lake Las Vegas in three years, a year ago, and we were so lucky. It’s so crazy because everyone is like, “man this has been a shit year.” But I feel the opposite personally, because I got engaged this year.
Heather: Congratulations!
Kristinia: Thank you babe! I turned 30 this year which is a big Milestone and we moved to our dream home this year! So, a lot of great things happened in this crazy whirlwind of a year, and now we are trying to get pregnant!
Heather: That is what I was going to say! You took the words right out of my mouth! I was going to say, “…It seems like you are nesting, is there something you want to tell your fans that are reading this?”
Kristinia: Yes! So, for everyone. I know you guys have been asking me “Where’s the music, where’s the music, where’s the music?” and I was supposed to put an EP out in the summer, so please forgive me.
Heather: I am sure you will be forgiven!
Kristinia: *laughs* I am done with the EP, but I’ve decided I’m going to drip feed the songs and the EP’s. I am releasing a few EP’s and then one right before my 31st birthday, which is March 8th.
Heather: That sounds fantastic!
Kristinia: I have all the songs done already, I am recording one more, and almost all of them are mixed and mastered. So, for all of you guys that have been patiently waiting because I have been telling you guys “This month, next month, next month- “Ok, I promise you it’s going to happen. I promise you! Four songs at a time though.
Heather: And it sounds like you have been busy not worrying about that so much because you are worried about getting pregnant.
Kristinia: Yes!
Heather: So, let’s talk about that! Your pregnancy journey here.
Kristinia: Yes! I just started trying to get pregnant in March, right around my birthday. My birthday night is actually when I started. *Laughs*
Heather: Yeah! As you should!
Kristinia: You know, I have been really struggling. I just found out one of my closest friends is pregnant. She just found out literally a week ago. I am super happy for her, but it is a little bittersweet I can admit.
Heather: Yes, of course.
Kristinia: Part of me is like “well, I want to be pregnant!” You know, so, my mom had me at 17, and she was young. Basically imagine, I don’t know if some of you youngsters know who this is, but people my age or maybe a little younger will get this. Imagine being in high school and dating Justin Timberlake! That’s what my mom basically was doing in the 80’s with my dad–
Heather: –Yes!
Kristinia: …Because for some of you guys who don’t know, my dad is part of a huge famous group called DeBarge from the 80’s, and after he was with my mom, NO sorry, before he was with my mom, he was married to Janet Jackson so…
Heather: I DID NOT KNOW THAT!
Kristinia: Yes! They were married!
Heather: Wow!
Kristinia: They were each other’s first love.
Heather: I love Janet Jackson, but I am glad that they’re not together and we have you now! *laughs*
Kristinia: Thank you! Thank you, and there is even a whole other thing on that. I will let you guys google that! We will touch on that later. So, long story short my dad and my mom linked up and he was 9 years older than her. So, he was like, what 24? She was 17 when I was born. We will not get into how that was frowned upon, but long story short–
Heather: —Times were different then too!
Kristinia: Yes, times were different then, the 80’s were crazy as we all know. My mom had me very young, and my dad was always on the road. He was always busy, so she practically raised me by herself. My dad was in and out of my life, but he was an amazing father. I went on the road with him a few times. I actually went on stage with him as a baby.
Heather: Oh, we have to find those videos!
Kristinia: Yes, and that is really where my whole fascination with music derived from. That was the catalyst.
Heather: You started incredibly young when you were like 14!
Kristinia: Yes! So, people don’t know this, but my mom had me at a lot of performing arts camps and schools and voice lessons and all that kind of stuff because at 3, I told my mom I wanted to be a singer! At 3 years old!! Who does that at that young age?
Heather: You were determined!
Kristinia: I was determined!
Heather: And look at you now!!
Kristinia: Thank you babe! So, I did all that, and then my dad took me on the road with him when I was 12/13 years old, and after being on the road with him performing, I decided I wanted to go and do it on my own. He actually asked me “What is your dream?” and I said, “I want to meet Baby Face, that’s like my goal in life is to meet Baby Face and work with him.” He said “I can introduce you to him” because my uncle Al and he lived together at one point and they did music together.
Heather: That is so great!
Kristinia: I said “I want to meet him on my own.”
Heather: You said that to your dad?
Kristinia: I said that to my dad at 13. Now I am like, wow, I was such a little bad-ass girl huh?
Heather: Right!! Role model for sure!
Kristinia: I was so confident! So, I told him I said “Dad, I am so grateful for everything you have done for me thus far, but I want to show and prove to myself that I can do it on my own!” So, he said okay. By the time I was 14, I was already on American Junior Idol which only had one season. I made it to the top 20 and after that, I was signed to Baby Face by the time I was 15 years old!
Heather: Good job!
Kristinia: So that was pretty Fricking amazing! So, I was signed to Baby Face up until I was 21. I was also signed to Island Def Jam through Baby Face’s company Soda Pop. I was the first artist on Soda Pop, the first breakout artist! Actually, I ended up being the only breakout artist, but him and L.A. Reid signed me together to Island Def Jam two weeks before my 19th birthday.
Heather: So amazing!
Kristinia: THEN, I got into acting. I did Christmas in Compton when I was 20, with Eric Roberts, Cuba Gooding Jr’s younger brother, and a couple of other people you guys would know too, they are like B-list actors. Miguel Nuñez–
Heather: —Oh, I love him!
Kristinia: Yeah, he’s awesome. I did that and it was my first breakout movie role. When I was 22, I did another film called School Dance with George Lopez and he played my dad!
Heather: We love George Lopez!
Kristinia: I got the role, so, ok! Even though I was really close to Nick Cannon at this time, I still had to audition, and I didn’t have any special treatment… A lot of people were like “Oh you were going to sign to him at that time” because I was actually almost going to sign with Nick Cannon during that time as his artist but Nick was like “Look I would really love for you to be in this role but I have other producers, and it’s for Lions Gate and you need to audition, I can’t favor anyone.” So, I auditioned, I didn’t get a call back, and three to four weeks later they call me, and they said, “You got the part!” So, I did that, George Lopez plays my dad, Wilmer Valderrama plays my brother, and Kevin Hart and Lil Duval are in it, and Mike Epps is my principle.
Heather: I love that.
Kristinia: So many great actors are in this film. Katt Williams… so this was my first star breakout role. I was the main character, it was me and Bobb’e J. Thompson was my love interest in the movie. It was a comedy and I had so much fun filming it, and that’s when I got dropped from Island Def Jam. Long story short.
Heather: Why were you dropped?
Kristinia: So, I wanted out of my deal and I was working with somebody that I did not feel had my best interest.
Heather: Unfortunately, now, I think because of COVID and all of the things going on, and we saw the tweets from Kanye about the music industry-
Kristinia: Yes.
Heather: And how the deals are not in your favor so let us talk about that! How the deal was not in your favor?
Kristinia: So, the deal actually was in my favor. So, get this, ok I had a really great first deal for an artist — especially because it was my first deal. Every artist knows, and if any other artists are listening right now you guys know, that your first deal is fricking trash. Always! That’s how you get into the industry. You must pay your dues.
Heather: That is with any industry! I had to pay my dues giving everybody free skincare! Yes, I get it!
Kristinia: I was actually extremely fortunate. I got to negotiate more than what a normal first deal would be, but I was in business with somebody who was manipulating my advance and manipulating my budget and using it for personal stuff, so I ended up owing way more than I should have.
Heather: And that is a little bit about what I was saying with the current Kanye tweets and stuff. He was tweeting about the deals and about mismanagement and people on payroll that should not be on the payroll and you know, not owning masters and all these things. And you learned that, I mean you are 30 now but you started to navigate that world at 14.
Kristinia: Right.
Heather: So, its been half your life and you are so young.
Kristinia: Thank you babe! Yeah it has been, and honestly I’m grateful for everything that’s happened to me in my life because I feel like as far as the music industry goes, I feel like I’m 50 years old in the music industry with all the knowledge that I have, but I’m 30. I have a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience, and I think where I’m at now in my life I know part of me is not over, but I had to take a step back in order to love what I do. Because you can become very un-infatuated and very unenthused with the music industry fast, and it can bleed into your passion and I never wanted that to happen–
Heather: –Yeah, with any industry really!
Kristinia: Yeah, exactly! You know with skincare, and makeup, and the Beauty Industry. You’re more of an expert than I am in that world because I’ve only been in that world for two years!
Heather: I would not say that, you’re doing great!
Kristinia: Thank you, Babe! But you know, I have this wide-eyed and bushy-tailed outlook and perspective with beauty and the industry because it’s new still to me.
Heather: Speaking of beauty, I want to go back to the pregnancy stuff because we kind of got off on a tangent, but since we are talking about beauty, what made you start Krissy D Cosmetics and go into skin care, because you’re clearly killing it. I know I had your eye shadow palettes in my store, and we did an event, and everything sold, and everything was great, and you are really doing a really great job in the cosmetics world, and now you’re branching out into the Beauty world, so what made you want to do that?
Kristinia: Ok, so when I was younger, around 13 years old, people would always ask me, “If you were not going to be a singer, what would you be?” I always said a makeup artist. I said “duh I’m obviously going to be a singer, it’s not even an option, but if not, I would be a makeup artist.” They asked me why, and I said, “Because I really enjoy doing makeup.” My mom, who was 30 at the time, was my age. This is crazy, I can’t even imagine having a teenager right now at this age! I do, but we’ll get into that later. They are my stepchildren. So my mom, at 30, would actually come and ask me to do her makeup. When I was 13! She would be like “I really love the way you do makeup ,can you do mine?” and I would say, “Of course!”
Heather: That is a talent!
Kristinia: Thank you! So, I’m no “Makeup by Mario” and I’m no “JR.”
Heather: Yes, I love JR, and he’s done my makeup and its been great!
Kristinia: Yes! But you know I think that when I’m really taking my time, I have a little bit of my own style that people do enjoy and like. What you may not know is that I actually am a certified makeup artist now!
Heather: Oh, yay!
Kristinia: When I came to Vegas, I invested in that and I went to school for a week and I did 30 (or however many) hours it was for makeup training, and I have a certificate and I am a certified makeup artist!
Heather: So maybe you should do a makeup event for your fans so they can get their makeup done by you!
Kristinia: Oh my god, that would be so amazing!
Heather: I think that would be hilarious and great at the same time! You would have a line out the door sweetheart!
Kristinia: Aw, thank you babe! That would be so fun, and I would really enjoy that! By no means am I a professional, but I wanted to have the knowledge. I didn’t want to be just one of those girls that came out with a makeup line, “oh it’s fine, it’s cute..” No! I really do have a passion for it. When I took the class, I was thinking, “Gosh I really have a new respect for makeup artists. This is hard work. This is very time consuming. Your arms get tired, your back gets tired, like it’s very tiring.” You think, oh this is such a fun job, but it’s hard work.
Heather: I think it’s very admirable that you went and took the class, and you know exactly what it takes to be a makeup artist. That says something different about you and it differentiates you from a normal celebrity who is going to put out a makeup line. You are very much in the thick of it! Like you wanted to know how to apply the makeup, and I am sure you applied that knowledge into creating your own palettes.
Kristinia: Absolutely, yeah.
Heather: “What colors would we use? What things would we use?” That’s why I think your palettes are awesome, and all the new stuff that you’re going to come out with — we can talk about that if you want — the brushes and everything. Everything that you create is going to be because you learned that knowledge and I think you have a one-up already!
Kristinia: Thank you. Definitely, and I feel like I do, too! Honestly, there were so many things that I learned, and I was like, “Wow, I did not know that.” Like with color matching and there’s warm and cool tones. I almost felt like there was so much science to makeup.
Heather: Yeah, I had no idea when I went blonde and got the new Kim Kardashian palette, and it was all lighter tones–
Kristinia: —Which by the way I love the blonde on you.
Heather: I know! I’m going to go back to black next week though because my hair is so damaged.
Kristinia: Well I think it looks so good on you.
Heather: Well, thank you! I started doing my makeup differently. Like different colors because my hair was lighter. Now my face looks better. I thought, why the hell have not I been doing this the whole time?
Kristinia: Yes! There are so many tricks too! What I love about makeup is that it just enhances your natural beauty! Like you have beautiful hazel eyes right?
Heather: Green… Greenish.
Kristinia: Well now they look Hazel because of your blond hair, and probably with your black hair they look greener.
Heather: Yeah! Green and gold.
Kristinia: So that’s the great thing too about hair and makeup, is that you can manipulate the eye color you have.
Heather: Exactly. Just like I’m manipulating my hair with these hair clips. *Laughs*
Kristinia: Well, no one can tell. You are wearing it well. Actually, that’s a song by DeBarge “You Wear It Well.” Like how I tied that in? But yes, I have always been passionate about beauty and I knew when I was a little girl that I was going to be a star, and I just knew I would be in the limelight so it all just tied in together. I saw myself as a brand as a little girl. I wanted a makeup line and a clothing line, and I saw myself as a full-on brand.
Heather: That’s amazing, and look at you now. You are a brand!
Kristinia: Thank you! You are too!
Heather: Yes, but this interview is about you, not me, honey. *Laughs*
Kristinia: I know, but you know I’m going to give you praise!
Heather: *Laughs* Yes, but this is all about you! Ok so let’s go back. You are in lake Las Vegas now, and you are trying to get pregnant and you started on your birthday, and how excited are you?
Kristinia: I’m so excited but I can admit I feel a little deflated. Any ladies out there, if you have any suggestions or advice, I would really appreciate it!
Heather: Did you think it would be easy?
Kristinia: I thought it would be so easy! I thought I would be like “Ok, I am ovulating let’s go.” and be done.
Heather: Yeah! But you know there’s so many factors, you know? A little tidbit about me, you know I am 42 years old–
Kristinia: –Don’t strike me down for this, but there’s another part of me that is a little relieved that I haven’t gotten pregnant yet, because there’s so much more I want to accomplish. I shouldn’t think like that because I know there are so many bad-ass moms out there who are super women and they accomplish their dreams and goals even with kids, but there’s a part of me that’s scared. Like how am I going to still achieve all these goals I want to achieve in my life? Is that natural? Am I crazy for thinking that?
Heather: I think that’s a natural reaction. The few times I was super late on my period I was actually like, “No one is going to know I’m pregnant. I am not telling anyone. I am just going to pop a kid out like Kylie Jenner.”
Kristinia: *laughs*
Heather: We all have these crazy thoughts.
Kristinia: I know, and I feel like something is wrong with us. What is wrong with us? Why do we think like this? It’s depressing!
Heather: I think you will be able to do it all, and you can sing 9 months pregnant, and you can do all of those things. And I know you want to get back to acting (so let’s talk about that) but I think its just normal because you just got engaged and just turned 30.
Kristinia: I’m not married yet, but I am already trying to have a kid. I feel ready. I’m scared, but I’m ready.
Heather: And your man is a good man! I love him, he is great!
Kristinia: Thanks babe! He has two kids already and he’s very accomplished and he’s a Vet, you know we can talk a little about Adonis. He is a Grammy award winning producer. He’s been nominated 21 times and he has won 17 and he has three in the house. If you ever do a “Men Series” let me know and you can interview him.
Heather: I would love to!
Kristinia: He is very intelligent, and very intellectual, and a great conversationalist.
Heather: Every time I met him with you, he has been a ray of sunshine. I always said, “I really like that guy with her.” He is always so welcoming. Just a really good one. So, of course you want to try to get pregnant now. Its not like you can plan a wedding right now during COVID so you may as well pop the baby out and do it, later right?
Kristinia: I know, that’s what I was saying too. I was like, if anything, we can have the baby at the wedding right? Which would be amazing!
Heather: Of course. I know you already told me where you want to have the wedding (but we’re not going to tell anybody that because we’re going to keep that information to ourselves), but I think that right now you can’t really even start planning. You don’t know what’s going to happen yet, so you might as well have a baby. You do not have to be married. This is 2020 almost 2021.
Kristinia: Yes! You know what’s crazy, is that my cousin had her baby first and just got married and her son was in the wedding. He’s five years old, how cool is that? Now he can look back when he’s in his 20’s and 30’s and say, “I was in my parents wedding.”
Heather: And your fiancé’s children will be in the wedding. I got to meet them today and they are so cute.
Kristinia: I love them! Jada is a pre-teen and a little ray of sunshine. They are great kids. I honestly always tell him even though I do not have a relationship with your ex-wife, I think you both did an amazing job with them.
Heather: That’s great!
Kristinia: They are great kids. His son is 15, and he’s starting to care about his looks.
Heather: Yeah? You can put a face mask on him!
Kristinia: Right?! He asked for a teeth whitening kit for his birthday.
Heather: I have a friend who has a teeth whitening company! I will give you the number and she will come to you and do it. It’s called Lit Teeth Whitening.
Kristinia: Yes, that’s the age they start to care about their looks and stuff.
Heather: Yes! Ok so let’s wrap this up. You talked about the Eps that you are going to be dropping. Let’s talk about the future for Miss DeBarge. Where do you see yourself in two years? Five is too long. Obviously you are going to be married, and be a mommy you think. What is your perfect picture, and what do you want people to know that’s coming up? Oh man, strike this question because the way I asked this was bad. *laughs*
Kristinia: No! its not a bad question. That’s why I love you. You are such a go-getter and it’s just so innate in you, so you don’t even know how to be any other way. I love that about you. I have a lot of that too. Sometimes I hide it and I think its because of my fear.
Heather: You can’t let fear-
Kristinia: I just love how you are so fearless. If I had one word to describe you, it would be fearless.
Heather: Can I tell you something honestly, that may help you a little? I did live in fear for a while because I had some very tragic things happen to me back in 2007. I lived in fear for a long time, and you just can’t live in fear because it ate me up inside. I’m trying not to cry, but you can’t live like that. As soon as I let that go my entire life changed. So, you have to let that go. Just be fearless in everything you do. Fearless in love, relationships, and in everything you do. You have to let go and not be worried. I don’t take no for an answer, and neither should you.
Kristinia: I love that about you. I think that’s why I am so drawn to you and why I want to do more with you — but I don’t want to give all that away yet.
Heather: We are not going to tell everyone what we have going on yet! *Laughs*
Kristinia: I think that’s why I feel like I belong here. I crave that. I crave women like you. I crave women who are entrepreneurs who uplift one another, and commend one another, and support one another, because that’s what I’m about. My uncle, who is an entrepreneur –I will touch on him quickly– he has his own motion picture writing company, and he has the biggest lighting company in Hollywood.
Heather: Can he help with our selfies? Kidding.
Kristinia: *Laughs* Totally! He invented his own light for the movie company. He’s big!
Heather: You need a “light” collab with him. *Laughs*
Kristinia: See! This is what I am talking about. He told me when I was 19. He helped me manifest my record deal. He said, “You need to have 3 mentors in your life. You can pick men or women, but for you I prefer women, that are doing more and have more knowledge than you, because that’s where you are going to be. So always surround yourself with people that have more, or are doing more, because that’s where you want to be. That’s why I am where I am in my life.” and I said, “Wow that is so powerful” because I was always that person to my friends or people around me, and I thought, “You know what? It’s my turn. I need to surround myself with people who are going to uplift me,” and that’s what I feel about you.
Heather: I really appreciate that! Well, thank you for doing this interview with me. You are my first one!
Kristinia: How did it go?
Heather: My first interview and it went amazing! Lets just talk about the fact that I had to google you for the first time, because I do not google my friends, and apparently she’s in a movie that she isn’t even in — but that’s a whole other story! We don’t even care. *laughs*
Kristinia: Ha-ha I am actually getting back into acting, I am reaching out to one of Heather’s friends very soon to talk about that. Even though I am trying to get pregnant… I can be pregnant in a movie! Why not?
Heather: It takes months for the script and production. Have your baby, and your husband (who is hot by the way) and your gorgeous step-kids, and beautiful new house, and there will be more coming from us (the secret plan we made we an hour before this). Thank you again Kristinia!!!
*****BONUS*****
Enjoy this bonus recipe from our new favorite chef, Krissy! Don’t forget to follow her cooking page on IG @MealsWithKrissy!
Krissy’s Funky Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients:
- 15 (6 inch) yellow corn tortillas
- Half of a medium white onion, diced or finely chopped
- 1 (15.5 oz) rinsed canned black beans
- 1 (15.5 oz) rinsed cannellini beans
- 1 can of (8.75 oz) rinsed whole kernel corn
- 1 rinsed can (2.25 oz) of sliced black olives
- 2 tablespoons Olive or Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
- 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
- 2 tablespoons dry mix low sodium Taco seasoning or 1 whole pack
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into small bite-sized pieces (about ½”)
- 2 cups Mexican shredded cheese (Any brand works)
- Chopped Cilantro (1/3 cup)
Directions:
-Season the diced chicken with the cumin and taco seasoning then set a side in a bowl or cutting board.
-In a large skillet or saute pan, bring the oil to a medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and stir to coat in the oil for two minutes until the the onions are sautéed well.
-Add the seasoned chicken and cook with the cover lid on top for 10 minutes (Make sure there is enough oil in the pan so the chicken doesn’t stick to the pan).
-Add the chicken broth, and let cook an additional 2-3 minutes on a high simmer.
-Add in the black beans, cannellini beans, corn and black olives. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes.
-While that is cooking, Pre-heat the oven to 350. Lightly mist a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange 5 of the tortillas across the bottom of the dish to cover the majority of the space.
-Once your mixture in the sauté pan is done cooking, take 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture using a spatuala spread it evenly across the tortilla’s forming an even layer across the whole dish, then sprinkle some Mexican shredded cheese and then layer another 5 tortillas across the top & add a 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture again on top of the tortilla’s along with the shredded cheese. Repeat this step one more time and the garnish with the remaining cheese and place in the oven for 30 minutes.
-Once the casserole is ready, carefully take out of the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes, garnish with cilantro if you like. Then cut into the casserole 8 medium square cut pieces and serve!