Jurnee Smollett-Bell, making moves in life and her new season of Underground.
Last night I attended a girl-power themed event: the Underground season 2 premiere at the landmark DuSable Museum of African American History. Kyra Kyles, Editor-in-Chief of Ebony Magazine served as moderator with a Q&A discussion after an exclusive preview of the hit show’s second season premiere episode.
Before the show’s premiere media got a chance to talk to Jurnee, Kyra, and the President and CEO of the DuSable Museum, Perri Irmer (photo’d below).
Jurnee Smollett-Bell shared her take on playing the role of Rosalee, a biracial slave girl who grows up to fight for her and her family’s freedom in the show. The WGN America series does not hold back on action, drama and the heavy realities of slavery in the American south. Some of the themes of racism and social injustice strikingly resemble headlines and stories in recent years in our country and community. What makes this season even more exciting to see is the role of Harriet Tubman, the Moses of the Underground Railroad, played by Aisha Hinds.
“We bare the biases doubly as Black women, so I think seeing the characters of Rosalee and Harriet Tubman on this show is so important to see that on television, especially now.” –Kyra Kyles, Ebony
Kyra Kyles, Editor in Chief of Ebony Magazine
In the Q&A after the preview, Jurnee explained her progress as a woman and actress, finding a deeper connection with her character Rosalee, who evolves in the show as well. When it came to even participating in this show, she went with what drew her soul, not what people suggested she’d do.
“This one’s for me, I need to do this.” Bell was so dedicated to her role that she even completed all her episodes through the last trimester of her pregnancy! She explained that women has to do it in real life back then, so she wanted to do as much as possible, with encouragement from her husband Josiah Bell and midwife who was on the set with her.
“When I think my own personal life adds to my art in a lot of ways, I pull constantly from experiences that I’ve gone through—I don’t know any other way to act and be truthful.” –Jurnee Smollett-Bell
Jurnee and husband Josiah Bell take a photo with fans
Jurnee, now 30 and a new mom to baby Hunter, enters a new chapter in a fierce way. She has landed the cover—her first solo one at that—on the legendary publication of Ebony Magazine. In the March issue is all about women’s empowerment, something the starlet knows all too well as an advocate for several causes.
“The truth of the matter is women have always been on the frontline of change.” –Jurnee Smollett-Bell
View the cover reveal video here:
When asked about advice for aspiring actors, she gave sound wisdom that could definitely apply to any creative:
- Don’t ever stop studying [your craft] because it will continue to remind you of why you love it and motivate you to do it.
- The business side is an endurance test; you’ve got to stay in shape like a boxer or athlete mentally. Don’t go into the audition with the intention on getting the role, but do your very best in that moment that you could do.
- Constantly feed your creativity. What’s sometimes frustrating about being an actor is that sometimes you get into this pattern where you’re waiting to get approval to do what you love and that can eat away at your spirit. So I would say write a webisode, direct something—constantly stay creating something and stimulating that gift that you have.
- It will happen when it’s supposed to happen for you in your moment in your time; just stay connected to the love of it.
[bctt tweet=”Don’t wait to get approval from others to do what you love.” username=”bliss_bcs”]
Don’t miss the season 2 premiere of Underground on WGN America on Wednesday, March 8th. You can also chat with the cast during episodes via Twitter @UndergroundWGN #UndergroundWGN
