“I just want to be some queer kid’s Angela Bassett.”
Netflix helped reinvent the way we watch TV when they gave usOrange Is the New Black.
Looking back, what initially attracted you to this role and what are your feelings toward the character today?
“I just want to be some queer kid’s Angela Bassett."
That was over 10 years ago [laughs]?
I had multiple auditions a week.
Back then, the only Netflix people knew was the delivery DVD service.
I’m a firm believer that there’s a path for me, and Poussey was on my path.
She was supposed to be a part of my life, and that’s how I found her.
I feel incredibly blessed to have played that character.
Poussey really changed me as a person.
There’s so many great qualities to her.
I’m just happy I accidentally fell into it.
Can you tell me what you meant by that?
I was not an out actor when I first got the role.
I don’t think many people know that.
And I had some of those voices.
It was really through Poussey, who has always been comfortable with who she is.
She’s such a beautiful light.
Although your character was out, during those early seasons you hadnt spoken publicly about your sexuality.
You revealed that a cast member accidentally outed you in an interview.
Whats something people might not understand about the act of being outed?
How do you view the situation today?
But ultimately, even with me, it means that someone took something from you.
That was not that person’s to give away.
To make that declaration, regardless of what everyone might have thought at the time, that was mine.
I wasn’t able to present it in whatever way I wanted to.
It was just really, really, really scary for me.
But that has to be a personal journey.
Being able to come out is a huge part of your personal journey.
And I didn’t have that.
Im Black, Im gay, Im a woman.
My country hates me!
Do you still feel that way?
I 100% think that is a part of my journey and my responsibility, even.
I had a little trepidation about going out for another character who was queer-identifying.
I wasn’t gung-ho about it.
Think about all the Black women in the world, right?
They’re all so different.
I’m so happy that I was able to find my way through that thinking.
Now, I see the roles and opportunities that I’ve been given as a real blessing.
I just want to be some queer kid’s Angela Bassett.
I know all the little kids who wanted to be the president after Obama.
I’m not saying I’m Obama, but, I mean, that would be dope.
Love was a product of that show.
You met your wife Lauren Morelli there, who was a writer on the show.
You two welcomed a daughter named George Elizabeth.
Youre about to have a 3-year-old on your hands.
What has been the most surprising thing youve learned about yourself when it comes to motherhood?
Oh, George is a lot like me!
She was born four days before my birthday.
She’s a real performer.
Somebody just gave me a little me to reparent [laughs].
I really understand patience on a different level now.
But as we moved forward, I’m constantly just purely delighted by her.
The things that she says and the way she makes us laugh, it’s been awesome.
And honestly, it’s opened up another way that I see my wife.
We’re coparenting now, and it’s shown me how well we work together.
How has the way you parent your daughter differed from how you were raised?
I think there are a lot of people in our generation who have stuff with their parents.
I hesitate to go into too much detail, because I really do love my parents.
They did a great job.
But, like…I don’t hit my kids for discipline.
I don’t think I necessarily felt like a full person until later…after childhood.
It’s important for me to see George as her own person.
She’s a being that I want to respect in this world.
They’ve just always been really supportive in that way.
What keeps you hopeful about the future for Black and queer people?
I’m always challenged by his thoughts and his thought process and how he thinks about the world.
They’re just fluid AF!
They make me hopeful.
I want to learn from every generation.
What do you want your contributions to Black history to be?
Wow, that is a question I never thought anybody would ask me.
Growing up, I went to an all-Black school, almost my whole life before college.
I want to be known for my authenticity.
I want to be known for my genuineness.
I want to be known for my excellence in my field.
I don’t really have a bunch of dreams about being an EGOT.
It’s not really about that.
Those kinds of rewards are great, but they’re also political.
Who was your first queer crush?
I didn’t know that I was queer until I went to Juilliard.
I was, like, 19, and it was the first time I moved to New York.
You had these dancers walking around all the time with different amounts of clothing.
That’s also where you met Danielle Brooks, right?
Did you have a Black queer fashion icon growing up?
I really didn’t.
I mean, at the time I was so confused.
I would probably pick Bow Wow.
What has been your proudest moment being Black and queer?
Probably when Lauren and I got married.Martha Stewart Weddingswanted to have us be their first queer couple featured.
We weren’t originally interested in it.
There’s a line between what we keep private and what is public.
What are your hopes for Black queer representation?
I just want us everywhere.
I also want queer people to be able to play their straight icons.
I just saw this A24 movie a couple of nights ago calledLove Lies Bleeding.
I saw it, and I wouldn’t call it a queer story.
It’s just their story.
That’s just who they are.
It’s not a point in the plotline, it’s not some struggle.
And this was set in the ’80s, too.
I’m done with queer tragedy stories, and I’m done with Black tragedy stories.
I don’t want to do a slave movie.
I don’t want to see us getting hosed down and all that stuff.
I’m just like, “Can we tell these white people we’ve got joy?”
We should be able to see those images.
It’s just understood.
I’m tired of seeing so much tragedy when it comes to Black and queer stories.
Do we experience pain?
Of course, but that’s not the entire experience.
I want to see more of just living.
I’m right there with you!
Can you imagine something like a BlackHarry Potter?
Yes, I’m right there with you.
Lastly, how much progress do you think has been made for Black LGBTQ+ people?
The progress that I have seen in the time that I’ve been here has been great.
It’s just taking too long, in my opinion.
I kind of felt like I had a bit of a silver spoon in a way.
I was really shielded from those kinds of experiences.
I understand that my circumstances are extraordinary.
I completely understand!
Samira, thank you so much for speaking with me.
It’s been a pleasure.
you could learn more about Samira Wileyhere.
And be sure to check out the rest of ourBlack, Out & Proud interviews.
