Alexandra Shipp is best known for her role as the iconic mohakwed super heroine 'Storm’ in X-Men: Apocalypse and Deadpool 2, as well as playing Aaliyah in the Lifetime TV movie about the late R&B singer’s life, and Kimberly Woodruff in the 2015 Oscar-nominated film Straight Outta Compton. With her star on the ascend for some time, the actress is now gearing up for her next big screen release, tick, tick…BOOM!, an adaptation of ‘Rent’ creator Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical. She’s in-demand, but for us she talks about taking up her rightful space in contributing to culture. What can’t she do, am I right?
Left Top Bossi & denim pants Eytys
Right Full look Diesel
Within the political climate of Black Lives Matter, and black acting talent being underrepresented on the big screen for too long, what’s your take on how to continue to diversify the industry, and how should it nurture new raw talent with fresh ideas?
I think the main hurdle artists today face is racism. To really create change in this institution, we have to tell more diverse and inclusive stories. I’m personally tired of the straight white male perspective and would like to see a newer and more fresh approach to storytelling. We’ve seen every royal colonising story there is. We’ve seen the white saviour. We’ve seen the man sweeping a woman off her feet. I want to see real adversity, something I can relate to. Why not try to tell something different?
Left Denim pants Eytys
Right Full look Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello
So true, and your own movie career has spanned a diverse range of characters and stories, what do you look for when it comes to choosing projects?
Every job is different, but when I’m choosing a project, I’m looking for the opportunity to occupy a space in which I’m not usually seen. I didn't go to college nor did I study political science, so this is my form of activism. I target roles that weren’t originally written with a woman of colour in mind. I also look at how much work is there for me to do within the story: does she speak? When she speaks, does she have a voice that affects the narrative of the story? This mindset/checklist helps me not only find the roles that interest me, but helps put myself in a position where I can inspire those who look like me to see themselves with more possibilities.
Top Bossi & denim pants Eytys
Talking of possibilities, in ‘tick tick BOOM!’, you play Larson’s (Andrew Garfield) girlfriend Susan, a dancer, who is tired of continuing to put her life on hold while he ponders if his own impossible dream is worth the cost. How did you fight to make your own dream a reality?
In many ways, I feel like I’m still fighting. There’s so much I want to do on this planet, and for us humans, we only have so much time to do it! When I first moved to LA, I didn't have much in the way of opportunity. I didn't have any connections or even friends, so I had to make due with working multiple jobs and scrounging to afford acting classes. I also worked at a couple music studios! I honed my craft between singing, acting and songwriting and kept my head down and allowed my work to speak for itself. I’m still doing that today and I love the opportunity to learn more and further the reality that has always been living in my head!
Left Full look Chanel
Right Full look Diesel
So how did it all begin for you then?
I have always wanted to be a singer, so at 10 my mom put me in theatre camp and I fell in love with the stage in a new way. With music, I was being myself, but with acting I was able to encompass a whole new physical being. I became fascinated with creating back stories and diving deep into the things that make my characters tick. I knew it was something I always had to do from then on!
And with talent in abundance, and an admirable determination, you’ve achieved so much already, which Jonathan Larson (on whom tick tick…BOOM! is based), eventually did in his quest for success - what does success mean to you?
Success, to me, looks like respect in the way of acknowledgement. When someone is great at what they do, and others see that and respect that and acknowledge that… man, that’s the best feeling! I wish Jonathon could’ve gotten the chance to see the impact he made with his brilliance. He’s inspired generations with his success and it’s truly been an honour to be a part of telling the world more about him.
Left Earring Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello
Right All Calvin Klein
His musical Rent was inspiring and deliberately diverse, tackling the AIDS crisis by putting HIV positive characters at the forefront, and also gay characters and a cast that featured Hispanic and black leads. It made people look at musicals in a different way and was ahead of its time. What do you think its impact has been on musical theatre today, and in particular casting black actors / performers?
I think that RENT has moved the needle forward for BIPOC performers in major ways. It showcased the fact that a great performer/performance isn’t indicative of one’s racial background, but their talent. There’s systemic racism and bias in every institution, and Jonathon was able to look that beast in the eye and say “ I really don’t care.” Since then, I think there’s way more opportunity for BIPOC actors and writers. But don’t get it twisted, it’s still not equal. There’s more work to be done and more opportunities for people in a place of power to diversify and grant positions to people of colour.
So who are the other writers /filmmakers inspiring you right now?
I’ve been a fan of Ava DuVernay for a very long time. She not only has an incredible eye for directing, but she produces forward thinking projects as well. It’s the type of career that I admire and would love to follow the footsteps of!
Left Vintage Gianfranco Ferré
Right Top Bossi
You mentioned singing is a big part of your career too, and you’ve released your own tracks like “Dirty Long Sleeve Shirt”. Which performer do you admire, or what song has had the most impact on your life?
Music has always played a huge role in my life. There were times when I felt like the only one who could understand me was Alicia Keys! The minute I heard ’Songs In A Minor’ I started playing piano and writing my own songs. To this day, I draw a lot of my inspiration from that powerful goddess!!
Left Top Bossi & denim pants Eytys
Right Earring Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello
So outside of your appreciation for Alicia and work, what else brings you joy?
Spending time with women who I admire and look up to brings me so much joy! Women are incredible and inspire me to deepen my understanding of what’s possible. I learn so much from women and how they operate and move about this earth.
Ok, so the clock’s tick tick ticking…. last question, Garfield’s character Larson is profoundly concerned with time in the movie, and thoughts that he’s running out of it. What are your personal goals over the next 5 – 10 years, and what are some things you are still looking forward to doing?
In the next five years I’d love to get to a place where I’m not only making music but touring and playing live shows! I love performing in front of a crowd and the thought of a stadium singing along to my songs gives me goosebumps! In the next 10 years I’d like to dive deeper into writing and directing. I want to be behind the camera and showcasing female driven BIPOC stories. I think that I’m meant to be a forklift to young and diverse talent in my industry, ever reminding audiences that everything is possible for anyone.
…
Interview by Kate Lawson
Photography by Doug Inglish
Fashion by Yael Quint
Make-Up by Cherish Brooke Hill
Hair by Mitchell Cantrell
Nails by Amber Studer
Photo Assistant Brian Stevens
Production assistant Denise Solis
Digital Tech/ Retouching Maxfield Hegedus
Stylist Assistant Karla Garcia
Production by Lisa Perkins & Yael Quint
Production Design Isaac Aaron
Special thanks Initiative PR
