“There’s still so much work that has to be done.”
One thing about Chastity, she’s a hustler and “no” is not in her vocabulary.
BUZZFEED: Seeing you transition into acting has been beautiful.
“There’s still so much work that has to be done."
What was your main focus back then vs. now that youre building your career in Hollywood?
Jonica Booth: Ten years ago, I was just focused on living life.
You know what, I’m gonna live, that’s what I’m gonna do!
Then I went on reality TV [inBad Girls Club].
It was a lot of just fun and freedom…I felt fearless.
I was fearless then.
Now, I’m fearless, but not as much as when I was in my 20s.
We’re human and things change.
For me, I love acting.
I want to get better at it.
I want to continue pursuing it.
That’s the difference between then and now.
What initially drew you to the character?
Honestly, Morgan, the character found me.
It took a lot of learning to realize Jonica is not Chastity.
I initially did the audition as Jonica.
Once I become more established, I’m going to show you my first audition tape.
I was like, “What, I’m Chastity!”
They denied that audition so quick.
I didn’t get a call back or anything.
And I’m like, “I thought I did great.”
But then, shoutout to [casting director] Vicki Thompson and her cast and team.
She came back like a month later and we did some things together.
I initially contacted them, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
Anyway, when they got back to me, they gave me notes.
With the notes, I realized that I went into the audition as a tomboy.
I went in there as a cute girl with curls.
So when I went back with those notes, I tapped more into Chastity and who she was.
Chastity reminds me a lot of my friends.
I wouldn’t have done it justice had they accepted me with my first audition.
It was very important for me to embody who that character was.
You truly brought this character to life.
So, I made sure I did what I needed to do to learn who Chastity was.
Issa Rae and Syreeta Singleton, the showrunner, they didn’t know Chastity.
They just knew that they wanted this character.
But when I asked them, “Hey, what do you want her to do?”
They said, “We want to see your choice.”
That was beautiful, because I don’t know if I’ll be blessed like that on every set.
Some people are like, “No, we want it to be like this.”
But Issa allowed that range for me and allowed me to make a lot of choices for this character.
I guess I appreciate that actually, because that means she trusted me.
I did my homework to figure out what this character’s supposed to look like.
I actually really did.
I called all my stud, gay friends and was like, “What’s up?
Do y’all shave your legs?
I got questions!”
And what kind of feedback did they give you when they finally saw your portrayal on screen?
She was crying to me and I’m thinking, “Thank you!”
I didn’t know what to say.
I was just trying to become this character, but I love that she felt seen.
I feel like everybody should feel seen on TV at some point.
There was a time when Black people just didn’t feel seen, period.
There were so many times throughout history where we weren’t being seen.
I’m gonna change that.
That’s what we’d do.”
Your character arc in the show has been one of my favorite things to watch.
What have you enjoyed most about Chastitys character development from Season 1 to Season 2?
What I enjoy most about Chastity is that we really got to show the viewers who she was.
In Season 1, we just saw the goofy, clown, in-the-way Chastity, who still made plays.
Don’t get it twisted!
People forget Chastity got their song played in the club.
You might not like how it got done, but Chastity got it done.
In the second season, you got to really know Chastity.
That’s like a lot of us out here.
You might not like how your friends are trying to get it, but they’re hustling.
I’m glad that they showed the real struggles that Chastity was going through.
We all see people and judge what we see.
We don’t even know what this person went through today.
How can you judge this person?
I got into it with somebody at the grocery store before.
I don’t know what you went through."
Someone could have died.
She could have found out she was sick or something.
So it’s like, we never know.
So, yeah, I’m glad that we got to show that on Season 2.
We definitely got to see how multi-dimensional she was.
But in reality, she’s a go-getter.
And that’s something to be admired.
What have you learned about yourself after playing this role?
It was so beautiful to see.
So, this season was very personal for me.
I had something to prove to myself.
How did you tap into that?
Did you think about your brother?"
And I’m like, “No, because I smile when I think about him.”
I think all Pisces should be actors…and Cancers, because we’re emotional people.
To know that I have feelings for a fictional character is so Pisces of me [laughs].
How am I feeling sad for a fictional character that I’m in the process of creating?
With acting, you have to be free.
You have to not care about being cool or looking cool.
So, I allowed myself to feel exactly what I was saying.
And that’s what came out.
I’m glad it translated on screen the way that I wanted it to be.
I’m sorry about your brother.
I lost my brother as well…my twin brother.
I’m sorry, Morgan.
That’s a different key in of pain.
I actually want to start a grief group, because so many people are losing people.
I’m realizing a lot of people are losing their siblings and parents.
You thought you ate with that?
Who are you to say that?
Talking to someone who actually knows what I’m dealing with and gets it would be good.
Something can trigger you out of nowhere and no one would get why you’re just sad or crying.
They don’t get it and I don’t feel like explaining it to them.
So I’m with you, Morgan.
I am with you.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
One thing fans can always expect from an Issa Rae production is representation.
From the predominantly Black cast to you personally identifying as bisexual and playing a LGBTQ+ character on screen.
That was back during the first season, so that made me feel like the show was touching people.
When it comes to seeing bisexuals portrayed on screen, what tropes are you tired of seeing?
I would like for people to erase the idea that bisexuals are confused about their sexuality.
It really bothers me.
Because it’s like, “Are they really?”
They know exactly what they like.
They like who they like, and that’s just what it is.
Um, yeah I am, but I’m dating this person.
Or if I’m dating a man, they’ll say, “I thought you liked girls?”
Yeah, I do, but I like him in this moment.
Honestly, I wish humans just erased caring about what other people do in their bedroom.
Let’s not worry about who or what this person likes and things of that nature.
As far as being bisexual, again, bisexuals are not confused.
They know what they want.
They want that person.
We’re fine, people…leave us alone.
That’s my thing too.
Why does what I do in my bedroom have something to do with you?
As far as coming out, I didn’t tell my parents I was straight.
I didn’t have to do some big sit-down, because I didn’t tell anybody I was straight.
I didn’t tell you I was anything.
You want them to have integrity, dignity, and things of that nature, be honorable.
That’s what I think a parent’s ultimate goal is to protect that child in that way.
I’m not out here doing anything wild.
I’m doing great.
I tell them, “You guys did great with me.”
This is the test.
We’ve done a lot of self-reflection during this interview.
With this being your first major acting role, what have you learned about yourself?
From playing this role to working in Hollywood, I’ve learned that I do care what people think.
I feel like that’s misinformation.
But I do care how my work is perceived.
I do care about my representation on set.
When it comes to the people that you value, their opinions and things like that matter.
Season 3 is coming!
What do you want to see from your character?
I need Chastity to get a win.
I just want her to get a real win.
I wanted to see her show that it was possible that there are successful studs in this industry.
There are also successful managers out there.
I want them to know there is gold at the end of the rainbow.
So, I hope they show a little of that.
I want Mia and Shawna to come back to Chastity.
That’s the reunion we all want to see!
What inspires you as an actor nowadays?
My inspiration is when I’m looking at the Emmys.
I want to be there.
I want the world to know my brother’s name.
I feel like I have to keep going to say it on different levels and on different platforms.
That’s the inspiration.
I don’t feel like, “I’m gong to work, that’s just my boss.”
It’s like, nah, that’s Issa…Issa Rae.
Let’s not forget she also dropped her wine, Viarae, that same year.
How could you not be inspired when you’re in these rooms with these people?
I’m not here as a plus one.
I’m here because I’m supposed to be here.
My name is on the list.
So that’s an inspiration in itself.
What’s next for Jonica Booth?
I’m getting back into stand-up comedy.
I just did my show at the Comedy Store and I’m gonna do another one.
Not only is she a big comedian, but she’s a comedian that I respect.
She’s also doing something with Netflix.
I also want to get back into my clothing line.
And, of course, I’m looking to get another role.
I can’t wait to see you on my screen again!
Who was your first queer crush?
I love me some Nia Long.
But I really love Hennessy Carolina…Cardi B’s sister.
Y’all would look cute together.
That’s what I’m saying, Morgan!
She needs to stop playing.
you oughta tell her that.
Hennessy needs to call me.
Who was your first fashion icon?
Oh and Teyana Taylor.
So many people have compared me to Teyana my whole life.
She’s super dope.
I think she makes iconic statements with her style.
Like, her and Rihanna?
What are we saying?
And Zendaya, she eats up the carpet every time!
I be trying to eat the carpets up too a little.
But when it comes to fashion, Teyana and Rihanna got it in the bag.
What advice would you give to young Black queer people?
The advice that I would give to young Black queer people is be proud of yourself.
I know it’s tough.
I know you’re moving through something.
I know you feel like you’re alone, but you’re not.
There is a whole community that supports you; there’s a whole community that’s just like you.
Be proud of yourself.
You have to own that shit.
You’re gonna be okay.
And that’s all I will say.
Earlier, you mentioned how important it is to have representation of all kinds on screen.
Was there anyone that you had growing up that you saw on screen that made you feel seen?
Spinelli was my girl.
I was a tomboy, I like basketball, and I liked hanging with the boys.
What has been your proudest moment being Black and queer?
That was the one for me.
It made me so proud to know how the world received it.
But I think we have progressed a lot, especially within the queer community.
A lot more things are being accepted, for example gender-neutral bathrooms.
Well, not everyone, but those that are trying are really making a difference.
In my opinion, the older generations are trying to understand it a little more too.
With each new generation, it seems we become more understanding and more loving.
If we were all more loving, more things would be accepted.
Thank you for chatting with me, Jonica!
