Sunday, August 16, 2015

Interview with POWER star Lucy Walters!


Photo: Google.com
Friday I got a chance to chat with the beautiful, Lucy Walters. Lucy is known for her sassy role as Holly Weaver on the Starz original series POWER. Lucy was extremely kind and very humble. It was a pleasure working with her. Check out the interview below! 

Charisma: Who is your favorite actress? 
Lucy: Laura Linney and Diane Keaton were sort of some of the early influences when I was first figuring out what I really wanted to do. I felt like they were both smart and interesting women. They were not like traditional beauties. I felt like they were more like regular people that I could relate to who were making interesting choices with their career. 



Charisma: When did you realize you had a passion for acting?
Lucy: Well, I started off as a performer. I've played the violin for the most of my life. I grew up in Houston and I used to sing whenever there were children's parts for the Houston Grand Opera. I think I got a taste for the thrill of performing and I really kind of thought it was like a hobby for a long time. Acting was just fun! I didn't know it was viable to make a career out of this. It took a long time for me to figure out that you can make a living out of this. 

Charisma: What inspired you to audition for the role of Holly Weaver?
Lucy: I was just a big fan of our show runner Courtney. She's a really fascinating, smart and interesting woman and you don't see many women show runners especially, women of color. I just thought she was a bad ass! I wish there were more of her in this world because she's really special! I knew the other writers in the writers room and I just believed in that team. I didn't think there was any chance that I would actually be considered for it because it's not the normal role that I typically get casted for and I'm so grateful that I was. I often play the good girl and I can tell you Charisma, that it is so fun to play the bad girl. (Laughs) Kind of liberating you know.

Charisma: What was your favorite episode of Power? 
Lucy: Oh, wow. Here's the best thing about Power, every episode I watch I'm like "uhhhhh" (laughs) and every time we read the script I felt like, "That's incredible, it couldn't get any better" and then next episode I'm like "Even better". You watched this last one. You know. It was so good but too much because I love me some Sinqua and I was just really upset. Episodes five and six were really gifts to me because Holly has so much more to do this season. We got to see it was some depth to her. Holly kind of keeps it all zipped up with a really tough girl image. We got to see her vulnerability. There's some real complicated emotions and she's never allowed herself to feel love.



Charisma: I don't even think I have a favorite episode of Power. (Laughs)
Lucy: Yeah, I know. Each week gets better. I have no idea how you could make a third season. It got so good Charisma!



Charisma: It got to the point where I couldn't wait until Saturday. I had to start watching it on, on demand at midnight.
Lucy: Staying up on Friday night. (Laughs) that makes me so happy!



Charisma: What advice do you have for young girls trying to accomplish their dreams? 
Lucy: I have two words. Grit and authenticity! Just work really hard. In a lot of ways I feel like I am not a shoe in this industry. I don't know anyone, I was not a supermodel, my parents weren't famous. I think there is really something in not expecting anything! I was always willing to say yes to everything and outwork everyone in the room. I really believe in authenticity. I feel like when I learned to love all of the parts of me that in the past I've tried to cover up and pretend weren't there, those are the things that ultimately set you apart. Instead of down playing your flaws, embracing them has been empowering. Why cover it up? Embrace those flaws because that's what makes you interesting. At the end of the day that's all we have. It's always going to be someone younger, prettier or whatever but just knowing what makes you, you is what people respond to. 

Charisma: I love that answer! What can the world expect next from Lucy? 
Lucy: I always laugh because everyday they keep me on this show is like a gift because if they can let Shawn go they can kill off anyone. (Laughs) This summer I've been shooting a couple of independent features and I've been shooting a film in New York called "Here Alone". I have film I did a couple years ago which is just now being released in Walmart called "Lies I told my little sister". Holly is so fun but she's very different than what I've gotten to play in the past.



Charisma: Great! Now here's my last question Lucy. You have to spill it. Does the tv do Omari any justice? Is he more fine in person or on the big screen?
Lucy: Charisma, that is a perfectly, perfectly, perfectly formed human. I'm not even actually convinced that he is human. It's just like what do you even do with someone like that? He's of a different realm, like a marvel.



Charisma: (Laughs) 
Lucy: You need to get him on here! You should reach out to him he's such a down to earth good guy. You know his wife did PR for a long time so I know he would be happy to do it. 

Charisma: I know. I've reached out to his staff for the past year and half but I eventually gave up because I know he's super busy!
Lucy: I'm sure he is but I will say this, when I see him next and I'm not sure when that will be but I will mention it to him. 

Charisma: Please! That's like the perfect interview.
Lucy: You know Joe is very approachable too.


Charisma: Yes, I tried reaching out to him as well. I'm so obsessed with the show that I reached out to the whole cast. 
Lucy: Aww, well I will put in a good word for you. I just think they're all really swamped right now but I'm sure someone will reach out because, what you're doing is really special. It really is!

Charisma: Thank you! I just really hope this inspires other writers. A lot of people stop because they think you always have to have the right amount of funds and able to travel but as long as you have technology you can make a lot happen! It's not always about money you just have to have the time for it.
 Lucy: Yes, the willingness to do it! The grit, the hard work.

Charisma: Exactly! The hard work. 


Facetime photo with Lucy and Charisma.