Learn More about the Star of CW’s All American: HomeComing

CREDITS

Photography - Sarah Krick I @sarahkrickphotography

Makeup - Paul Blanch I @paulyblanch

Hair -Preston Wada I @prestonwada

Styling - Monty Jackson I @mrmontyjackson

Congratulations on your role in CW’s All American: Homecoming! Can you tell us more about what the show is about and who your character is?

Thank you so much! It still feels so insane that it’s finally airing! Homecoming is a show about an HBCU in Atlanta called Bringston University, where we follow a group of young black students discovering what it means to embody black excellence and all of the pressures, drama and fun that comes with that experience. Our showrunner, Nkechi, was inspired to create A Different World for the newer generations and that’s exactly what this show gives. I play Keisha McCalla, a young half Black, half Filipino, pre-med dancer from Detroit. She’s never afraid to have some fun, hype up her friends, or tell them about themselves when they need it. I feel really lucky to love her and know her.

What are some things you did to prepare for this role? What was it like to actually be on set and be a part of such an exciting project? What was it like to see your face on the television screen for the first time?

I rewatched Beyonce’s Homecoming and Drumline at least 4 times each, fell down video rabbit holes of HBCU dance teams and took as many dance classes as I could afford (which was not a lot). Being on set for the pilot was insane. March of 2021 I flew in to LA from Chicago to shoot after booking this from a series of zoom auditions. We started shooting on location in Hollywood with the original cast pretty immediately after I got the official offer. Before this show I was working solely in the Chicago theater scene so this is my first real television gig I’d ever booked. I’d just dropped out of theater school, was working random restaurant jobs to pay rent, and had never taken an on camera class before - so, overwhelmed couldn’t even begin to describe what I was feeling. But we had such a good time! I hated having to wait to start shooting the season after we did the pilot, but when I finally got back on set with this incredible cast the excitement was next level. Everyone is so talented and goofy and so passionate about this project, it made creating this world and these relationships incredibly special. We have way too much fun on this set honestly. Having an all-black cast has created an environment where black culture and joy is allowed to flourish in a way that isn’t often seen, so we share a lot of laughs. Every day of shooting really feels like a dream. Playing Keisha feels like a dream.

The first time I watched my work on TV I was playing a 15 year old snitch on Chicago Fire, and my god was it was a learning curve. I’m really critical of myself honestly, so watching myself back is always really weird. It takes a few watches to actually enjoy what I’m seeing, because the first few times I’m looking for things to learn from and what other choices I could’ve made. It feels surreal and very educational every time, I love getting to learn from working on something first hand.

What does diversity and inclusion mean to you? How do you empower yourself and those around you?

Diversity and inclusion means working to make sure people who have never felt understood before, can finally feel seen. Telling stories that showcase people who are grossly underrepresented, marginalized and misrepresented. It means showcasing culture authentically and creating a world where we grow and learn from our differences of the human experience. I want to show kids who look like me that we can do and be anything, and the older generations that their hard work wasn’t for nothing.

When I need to empower myself, I think of all of that and remember who I am within those ideas. I think about the cultures I was lucky enough to be raised in remind myself of everything my ancestors did to get me here. I try to think about how proud and excited they would be to know I get to tell a story so close to home. I think about all the things my parents did to ensure I had a good education. About all the racism and financial strife they faced just so I could stand on all ten toes and say I wanted to be an actor. I just remind myself of how thankful I am for everyone that made me who I am and it makes the hard days much kinder.

What is something that most people are surprised to learn about you?

That I’m a Jaguars fan. Duval representing till the day I die, shout out to Jacksonville’s Westside.

What are your top 3 beauty essentials?

Water, Fenty blotting papers, and minding my business.

Outside of your career, what are some things that you are passionate about?

That’s a tough question because there are so many things I’m passionate about. I’ve been pretty passionate about space and its exploration almost my whole life. I wanted to be an astronomer after I saw the movie Contact for the first time with my dad, but could never keep up with the math of it all.

More pressingly though, I’m passionate about our facing the global climate crisis with consideration of the working class. I hope to (somehow) be in a position to aid everyday implementation of sustainable and affordable renewable energy in the near future. Because the climate clock is ticking and living renewably is not exactly affordable to the mass population. I’m passionate about a day we can bridge that gap and live in world where renewable energy is accessible and affordable to all, not deemed as a luxury. I know I’m truly just an actor, but I hope to be a philanthropic actor at the very least.

Netta Walker