IN CONVERSATION WITH XOSHA ROQUEMORE

interview by JANA LETONJA

Xosha Roquemore stars in Marvel’s ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, which has gained major success since it’s release. She is best known from her breakout role on ‘The Mindy Project’, and has since also starred on ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ and ‘Family Switch’. Next up, we’ll be seeing her in Netflix’s highly anticipated series ‘Forever’.

‘Captain America: Brave New World’ was one of the most highly anticipated Marvel films. How did it feel being cast on a project of such scale?

Being cast in this was one of the most exciting moments of my career so far. When it comes to movies, it doesn't get much bigger than the MCU. I have to admit it wasn’t on my radar to be cast in a big budget franchise, so when I got the offer, I was a little shocked. But ultimately, I was excited and my excitement and joy never went away. 

Marvel films come with a lot of secrecy. How challenging was it to keep details under wraps, and how did you manage to navigate the excitement while staying tight-lipped?

It was so hard to keep everything a secret. We wrapped principal photography in June 2023 and I’m just now finally able to say I am playing Agent Leila Taylor, secret service detail lead for President Ross and friend of Sam Wilson. I don’t know how I managed to not spill the beans for 2 years. I’m the worst at keeping secrets. Marvel runs a tight ship, and I was just happy to be on board and play by the rules. Plus spoilers are no fun.

You recently wrapped filming Netflix’s series ‘Forever’. What can you share about this project, and how does it differ from your previous roles?

‘Forever’ is a beautiful new series based on the classic Judy Blume novel. It’s about 2 teens falling in love for the first time and all that comes with that. I’m super excited to be a part of this show. I got to work with so many folks that I’ve admired for years, like Mara Brock Akil, Regina King and Anthony Hemingway. And it’s my first time playing a mom on TV which is kind of a trip. I mean, I’m a mom in real life, but my daughter is only 7. It’s a bit of a rite of passage for an actress to get to play the mom on a show about teens. It feels cool to have crossed over to the grown and sexy era of my career. 

You’ve played such a diverse range of characters, from comedy in ‘The Mindy Project’ to dramatic films like ‘Precious’. What draws you to a role, and do you have a favorite genre to work in?

I’m very drawn to roles that I think I can have fun with. I love challenging myself and diving deep into characters, finding their nuances and idiosyncrasies. I honestly love working in all genres. Comedy and drama can sometimes feel interchangeable because no project is 100 % comedy or 100 % drama. For example, 'Precious' is obviously a drama, but my character was light and comedic. After working on 'Captain America', I’m definitely interested in doing more action movies. I loved all the physical prep. I had to learn to be in my body like a military trained secret service agent, which was hard in the best way.

Looking back at your career, what has been the most defining moment for you as an actress so far?

Working on ‘Precious’ was my most defining moment so far. I was only a few months out of college when I booked it and, in that moment, I knew that I would be a working actor in this business. Then we had the most amazing time on set. Lee Daniels blessed my life in so many ways after. We won Sundance, got nominated for all the awards. People still quote my line about my favorite color being fluorescent beige. It’s in a Beyoncé song. It doesn’t get any more defining than that.

With so many standout roles under your belt, how do you prepare for a new character? Do you have a specific process or routine?

I feel like whenever I get a new role, my first step is reading the script a bunch of times like a detective looking for clues about my character and the world of the story.  I just let my imagination run wild and make choices about my character's past, present and future based on what’s on the page and my own experiences. 

The entertainment industry is evolving rapidly, especially in terms of diversity and representation. How have you seen Hollywood change, and what progress do you hope to see?

I’ve seen a lot of positive change in the industry. We still have a very long way to go but there’s definitely been a push for more diversity in front of and behind the camera. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a lot of the people who are making those changes and breaking some of those thick ass glass ceilings.

You have such a charismatic presence both on and off screen. How do you stay grounded and maintain balance in such a demanding industry?
I think my daily routine is what keeps me grounded. As a mom, I’m always busy with school drop-off, appointments, playdates and making dinner every night. Doing the day in day out work surely keeps me feeling balanced. Motherhood never sleeps and kids will keep you humble. It’s nice to have that balance though because Hollywood can be stressful as hell. Got to keep your regular friends and family close to navigate this zany business.

Many actors have a dream collaborator. Is there a director, writer, or actor you’d love to work with in the future?

Oh Gosh, I have more dream collaborators than I can even list. Donald Glover, Barry Jenkins, Tyler The Creator, Colman Domingo, Emerald Fennell, Zoe Kravitz, Ryan Coogler, Emma Stone, Mike White, the whole creative team of 'Hacks', A24 as a whole company, just to name a few.

What’s next for you, besides ‘Forever’? Any dream projects or roles on your bucket list?

I voice a character on an animated show that’s coming to Adult Swim on 9th March, called 'Oh My God…Yes!'. It’s the first animated series on Adult Swim created by a black woman, my friend Adele 'Supreme' Williams.  Then 'Forever' comes out after that. Beyond those 2 things, I am excited to see what opportunities come my way this year. 

CREDITS:

photography KEVIN SCANLON