You’ve spent most of your career in music and fashion and started acting in 2018. How did you choose the project you wanted to be in, and how did you do it? King come to you?
Oh, baby, I didn’t choose them. I auditioned a few things but didn’t make it. COVID has definitely shaken every musician I know who goes on tour, because it’s our bread and butter. So any chance for something, I’ll take it. I like acting. Kinda easy. That’s oversimplifying it, but it’s different than writing a record because it’s already been written for you. But I’m really scared because I don’t know what I’m going to do, and I’m considering what I can do remotely. During COVID, I had my nieces a lot while their parents were at work, so that’s Aunt Beth’s daycare here. I thought, “I can really see myself doing this and having a really fulfilling career.” So I thought maybe I could get into childcare development and take classes online or something. But after that [Monarch] came out, and they portrayed the character as a fat lesbian singer, and I really wanted that part. I was really trying to get it. I auditioned four times, and I was like, they’re going crazy if they don’t cast me. First, I’m Southern and familiar with all that stuff. I [also] play music for a living. I’ve been up against really great people and I’m really proud that I got there. It arrived at 11 o’clock.
You play as Gigi Taylor-Roman, the daughter of two country legends, she is a rising country star. Can you tell me a little more about what we can expect from Gigi?
I’m one of seven kids, so I know what it feels like to be a little sister. Even though my sister and I are close and we love each other, it’s not a rivalry or anything, but I can definitely relate to Gigi and Nicki. I really understand how society and sexism create the idea that there can only be one queen, like this town isn’t big enough for either of us. It reminds me, bear with me if you want, you know Bikini Kill? It reminds me of the 90s when Hole and Bikini Kill, the media created this rivalry. People will ask in interviews, “Bikini Kill or Hole?” And I think it’s Tobi [Vail] from Bikini Kill, who said, “Why can’t you like both? There’s enough room for everyone. Why should it be this?” So I can understand that in sisterhood and being a music doctors and how the patriarchy pits us against each other and how that even happens in families.
How do you personally relate to Gigi and her experience on the show?
I think for Gigi, there’s someone who fits the chubby kid or whatever other people feel like they’re more or less different. No less, but whoever has already charted their own path because they like it, this isn’t going to work for me, so I’ll have to make up for it as I move on. I can really relate to Gigi like that.
