Yahoo Lifestyle Kyanna Simone On Unabashedly Embracing Her Agency And The Joys Of Creating Found Family In ‘The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat”
Hulu’s drama The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Edward Kelsey Moore, is a heartfelt period piece reminiscent of other classic ensembles such as Waiting to Exhale or Steel Magnolias. The film follows three best friends, Odette (Aunjanue Ellis and Kyanna Simone), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan and Tati Gabrielle) and Clarice (Uzo Aduba and Abigail Achiri), known as “The Supremes” because of how close the women are since their youth, who, for over four decades, face the difficulties of love, marriage, loss, grief and occasional joys that life has to offer. When a sudden illness and devastating heartbreak threaten to break the bonds of their friendship, they must figure out a way to survive the new storm with love and courage.
Here, Simone talks to Deadline about being fearlessly Black in Hollywood, portraying stellar actresses and stepping into her role as Odette.
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DEADLINE: How did you find the role for this film?
KYANNA SIMONE: My reps told me about a meeting with Tina [Mabry]. To which I thought, “Oh my gosh. Straight to the director. That’s so cool.” And it was actually for another role, which I was really excited about. I had already started reading the book, I was reading the script, and I had fallen in love with the story so much that I started gearing towards Odette. And I was like, “Man, I don’t know.” Every once in a while, when I read a project, a role really speaks to me, and that was Odette, and I did something that I’d never done before. I went into the audition room with Tina and I read the other role as if she was Odette. It was a big risk to take, but it was something that God spoke to me about, and it was like, “If you really want a chance at this, let her know how you’re feeling.” And so, I was like, “Either way it goes, I want to be a part of this project.”
That night I got a call from my reps that Tina wanted me to come back in and read for Odette, which was confirming my instincts that felt right at the moment. So, we did the chemistry reads, which were really fun because we were mix-matching three girls on Zoom [after a couple of rounds] eventually, I met Tati [Gabrielle] and Abigail [Achiri], and there was just an immediate spark. I remember the day that I got the call that I booked The Supremes, all I could think was, “Who got Barbara Jean, and who got Clarice?” And to our surprise and satisfaction, it was all three of us, which was a beautiful bow to the entire audition process.
DEADLINE: What kind of prep work went into playing Odette? Because you have the book version of her, then the script version of her, and then there’s the Aunjanue Ellis version of her in the future. All of this had to funnel through you in order to make your own version of the character, which sounds like quite the task.
SIMONE: I definitely tried not to put too much pressure on myself when it came to perfection because this is art. So, it has to be interpreted by the person that’s delivering it and receiving it. In reading the script and the book, my idea of Odette was so colorful, fearless, and bold when it came to her personality and characteristics that I took my time really dissecting how I would want to portray her—on top of that, sitting down with Aunjanue and getting to know her, her mannerisms, her way of thinking, and, of course going through her entire catalog of amazing performances. I mean, talk about a lioness, a powerhouse.
Putting all of that together and just hoping to breathe life into this character so that other people get to receive her the way I did was the biggest goal. The accent I used in the movie came from the way I could hear Odette in my head as I read the book and script. Every time she spoke, it seemed like she was an old soul. She’s raised by her mom, who was a strong and bold woman as well, and she is the anchor, she’s the rock in this friend group. And there’s something to say about a young girl who can be almost like a mentor to her friends who are the same age as her. I was like, “This girl has to have some soul and heart in her voice, vocalization and accent.”
DEADLINE: Odette is so fearless. I love the scene where she threatens to fight Barbara Jean’s stepdad. What are some things you relate to when it comes to Odette?
SIMONE: I definitely relate to Odette’s confidence. And even going back to my childhood, like I said, I’ve always been very outgoing, very outspoken, and as a young kid, it’s very common that people want to quiet you down. Being too loud and too much can be a lot in a structured setting like school, especially when you’re young. This is something Odette’s gone through her entire life. People have told her that she’s too much, she’s too bold, she’s too out there. But at some point, in Odette’s brain, it clicks, “Actually, this is who I am, and I will embrace it. And if you love me, then you love me; if you don’t, then you’re just not my people.”
And that’s something that I embrace as well. It’s like one day, it clicked, I was like, “You know what? Actually, it’s very fun to be yourself, and that’s when you meet the people who truly love you.” I feel like I got my own Supremes in my life when I stopped trying to fit into a box, and I just let the people who love me love me. Now, was I born fearless like Odette? No, not totally. But I think that’s such a beautiful thing when you imagine; what if a young girl was born without the ability to have fear? As a Black woman, you have to be fearless, strong and you have to be able to hold a lot of things on your shoulders. At least, that’s what we’re told. I feel like Odette does this with so much grace, and she takes that facet of being a Black woman and shows the power and beauty of that position. Yes, we’re strong. Yes, we can take on things. Later in life, she shows the beauty of asking for help and accepting help from the people she loves and loves her. And I just think that’s beautiful.
DEADLINE: Going back a bit to your portrayal of Odette. You’ve also played younger versions of Oprah in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Octavia Spencer in Ma and now Aunjanue Ellis in this film. You’re collecting the cinematic youths of these outstanding Black actresses. Who else would you still like to portray or work with?
SIMONE: Oh my gosh, I have so many people I would love to work with. I’m always thinking about who else I can portray because it’s a beautiful honor for someone to say, “I can see you playing this person so-and-so years ago in their past.” We’re talking about Emmy nominees, Oscar nominees. These are people that I look up to, and I hope to be in their shoes and in their positions one day and, reaching back to the next generation and being to them who Oprah, Octavia, and Aunjanue are to me. So, first of all, that’s a beautiful thing, and when it comes to who I would love to work with, I would love to work with Regina King again. She directed me in one of my first TV shows. I was in high school. It’s called Being Mary Jane. It was such an experience. I was 18 at the time, and I was mind-blown. And to this day, every time I see her, she’s always so kind and supportive, and I’ve just always been like, “I can’t wait until I’m actually able to be on a set and have dialogue with you and really get to play.” So, I hope for that one day. Viola Davis would be another one.
I feel like whenever I’m able to work with these thespians and vets, my instrument gets even more fine-tuned and I want to continue to grow and I mean, having a scene partner like Viola Davis would be an ultimate dream.
DEADLINE: This film takes place from the ’50s to ’60s to the ’90s. What other outside research went into your role for the film?
SIMONE: YouTube was very helpful with just watching videos of fashion, high school trends when it came to black women in the ’60s. I actually have done a few period pieces. So, every single time, I want to make sure that I’m truthful to those beautiful, intricate parts of being a girl at that time. Of course, the super important part about that time when it comes to history in the Black community is Civil Rights, Martin Luther King, and things of that nature. It’s really beautiful to pinpoint what the young kids were getting into when it came to love and friendship, fashion, likes and dislikes, and that’s what I researched.
Like what were trends? What were the dance moves? How did guys court girls? How did girls court guys? And different mannerisms and things like that. Also, I talked to my mom; she was a young girl in the ’60s in the South. She told me a lot about how at the time you’re living in the moment of the Civil Rights Movement and things like that, you’re also going to school, and there’s gossip in the school, and there’s places like Earl’s Diner that everyone goes to commune and have a great time. And I think that’s what is so beautiful about The Supremes is it really touches on girlhood in such an intense time in our history.
DEADLINE: Can you talk more about what it was like to build a rapport with Abigail, Tati and Aunjanue?
SIMONE: Well, Tati and Abby are my girls. They are my forever Supremes, and I’m very lucky to have been able to work with them. I learned so much from them. Especially Abigail and her ad-libs when it came to scenes. She often had these perfect, hilarious [additions] at the end of a scene, and I would be like, “She’s genius. She’s just so great at that.” And Tati, with how she’s so able to exude emotion, especially when it came to the intense parts when it comes to Barbara Jean’s son, and I’m just watching her kill it, and it’s just so inspirational. I’m just so thankful to have these two women as my peers, and I get to grow in the industry with them. I mean, I can’t wait until the day that we get to work together again.
And then, when it comes to Aunjanue, I genuinely wanted to do her proud. After making sure that I went about Odette in the most authentic and relatable way, I wanted to make sure that I’ve done my due diligence in understanding Aunjanue’s craft and watching all of her projects. This is a veteran who is getting the flowers she deserves. I’ve been a fan for a long time, so it’s an honor and privilege to be sharing a role with her, and the fact that she told me that she trusts me with young Odette… when Aunjanue tells you that she trusts you, you’ve got to take that seriously! It encouraged me even more, and I found that we share a lot of personal aspects in life. So, having her as a new friend and mentor is one of the best things I’ve left The Supremes with.
DEADLINE: I’m curious since this movie is about chosen family and friends. Have you had any piece of advice that has stayed with you? Specifically, do you continuously say anything to keep yourself encouraged in this industry?
SIMONE: I actually have two. One is my hashtag on every post: “I hope you dance.” My mom has always said that to me. I actually knew the quote before the song. Since I was a young child, I was told to be a lot less of myself. And at one point in fifth grade, my mom said, “I’m going to tell you this thing, and it’s a quote, ‘When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.'” She was like, “I don’t ever want to hear you saying that someone else blocked your blessing because you listened to them.” And I being in fifth grade I was obviously like, “OK? I don’t know what you’re saying.” But that encouraged me to be in the talent show that year. I literally ended up dancing that year with my friend. Being up on that stage, performing freely, and letting myself fly was the absolute best. I think at that moment, it kind of clicked what my mom was saying, which was, “If you have a dream, you go for it. And if an opportunity that you desire is in front of you, don’t let fear get in the way.”
And then my godmother always says to me something that keeps me grounded, “Ordinary girls do extraordinary things,” which is just kind of staying true to yourself because, in this industry, a lot of things can get really big. And with all the flashing lights, the best part is to keep you in the equation. And that’s what I always hope to do. I never want to look in the mirror and not recognize me.
DEADLINE: Where can people catch you next?
SIMONE: My first animated episode just came out a couple of weeks ago for the show Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on Disney+. That was really fun to do. I have Sanaa [Lathan] to thank for that. She encouraged me to look more into voiceover, and I did, and then I got that. Then I just finished a Hulu film called Eenie Meanie, I play a character named Baby Girl.
DEADLINE: What projects would you like to be considered for in the future?
SIMONE: I like projects that make people think and feel a new sense of strength within themselves. A lot of times, I feel that the most in sports films. They get you pumped up and make you want to chase your dreams and pursue the things you truly have dreamt for and believed in. I want to play a boxer one day. I really do. I’d love to tell stories about women in sports or strong women in any sense, in the office and in their families. And hopefully, one day, I can play a superhero, though I did play a bit of a superhero in Project Power, I want to go all in.
[This interview has been edited for length and clarity]
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