She just didnt knowhowclosely theyd be working together.
InG20,Martin plays Serena Sutton, the daughter of US President Danielle Sutton (Davis).
But its Serena who ends up taking charge, using her smarts to help her familyand save the world.
Jacob Webster
Martin says it was her off-camera conversations with Davis that helped inform her performance the most.
Shes so down to earth and chill, Martin says.
It was amazing, Martin says of their reunion on set.
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He is forever my dad, so honestly, nothing changed at all.
Off-screen, family is an omnipresent support system in Martins life too.
While the actor and I spoke, her mom helped to take down her box braids.
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(Talk about a family who supports you in every way!)
Glamour:InG20, Anthony Anderson plays your dad, which is a very similar dynamic toBlack-ish.
What was it like working with him again?
Ilze Kitshoff
Marsai Martin:After the show [Black-ish] ended, we kept in contact with each other.
He reaches out to my family, and I reach out to his, and the feeling is mutual.
It was lots of fun.
Ilze Kitshoff
It always looks fun when you guys are onscreen together!
Your character, Serena, uses her smarts and coding abilities to ultimately save the day.
It reminded me ofShuri inBlack Panther.
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How do you feel roles like this expand the narrative of Blackness and womanhoodgirlhoodonscreen?
Speaking of perception and representation, her hair was in locs for the entirety of the film.
I knew that I didnt want my hair out.
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When I was reading the script, I immediately wanted locs.
That was my whole thing.
At first, we talked about hair color.
Ultimately, it came together super well.
I felt really in character.
Switching gears, I did my research on you.
You are a young boss in the industry.
But its really rare when that happens.
Ive learned to give myself, and other people, grace.
Tell me Summer Cookout.
I entertain a lot of my family members, my aunts, and my uncles.
We do family reunions and cookouts all the time.
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Bring in real professionals who have done festivals before.
Talk to the people who have had successful ventures like that and understand that world.
And I think thats the fun part about it.
I will continue to do that because Im not in a box.
I dont want to be in a box.
Im not just an actor.
I call myself an entertainer.
I like to make people smile and change the world one business at a time.
How do you manage your schedule and practice self-care?
My parents, my parents, my parents, my parents.
It reminds me that Im not alone.
Im not alone in this.
I dont have to do everything.
I shouldnt do everything.
Honestly, I didnt hear it in my own house.
I didnt hear it when I was on set.
I didnt hear it from my friends who saw it after, or my grandparents who saw it after.
When it comes to the internet, I really didnt care.
I was just happy to be there.
I was all in my head too.
Im like, Dang, they dont want me to be a little older?
I was newly 18, and that year was really fun for me.
I know, thats right!
Youre turning 21 this year.
Do you have anything fun planned with your friends?
I had aShrek-theme birthday party for my 18th birthday.
Ive loved the game ever since I was allowed to play it.
And all I did was drive.
I finally was able to get the game when I was 13, and thats when I finished it.
I finished the game probably about five or six times.
I love that game.
I know the ups and downs, the cheat codes, all the things.
So it only makes sense for me to do it for my 21st.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
