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All of a sudden, my phone starts blowing up, like,Congrats!
According to Adams, Shante has no regrets about her decision.
The other day, she told me, I had a job.
I opened the door for this person, who opened the door for that person, Adams says.
Shante is so content with her place in hip-hop.
Im happy that this movie is giving her overdue recognition that she deserves.
Roxanne Roxannewas your first film audition out of college.
Is this all a whirlwind for you?One week after graduation, I moved to New York.
Two weeks after that, I get this audition.
You know, you get your first movie audition and you dont think,Im gonna get this.
This is the role.
It was more so,This is good practice.
Im gonna try my best.
Of course, I would have been and I am so lucky to get the role.
Its a role that any actor would want, with its ups and downs.
She was so ahead of her time.I admired that.
You see her today, and shes the definition of not looking like what you go through.
Shes so inspirational, so happy.
And yet, you see it in the movie, she didnt have the easiest life growing up.
For her to be the person that she is today is just awe-inspiring.
Theres Roxanne Shante, her stage name, and then theres Lolita, who she was at home.
What was it like juggling a character with two identities?She doesnt really like to be called Lolita!
Theres Shante and then theres Roxanne Shante.
Shante had a lot more responsibilities than I do, but it was important to differentiate those two personalities.
Thats her happy place.
I tried to figure that out, and find a good balance between the two.
Id never worn braces before.
If youve had braces, I bow down to you; I dont know how you did it.
I couldnt last a month.
The braces were cutting my mouth, and I didnt know what to do!
I was supposed to get the braces days before, but I didnt.
Instead, the braces came 30 minutes before we started filming!
I had 30 minutes to say some vowels and try not to have a complete lisp.
Those braces were cutting up my mouth so bad.
We went to lunch and I couldnt eat because everything was stinging.
Thats when Shante came in and was like, Weve gotta get this girl some wax.
This is how you do it.
Its only gonna help you get into character a little bit more!
Talk to me about working with Nia Long.
Im sure you grew up watching her movies.Of course!
The earliest memory I have of her is watching her inBig Mommas House.
I just remember looking at her and thinking that she was so pretty.
She was literally one of my idols growing up, especially once I got into acting.
The longevity that she has sustained in her career is definitely something I aspire to.
I mean, you know, shes not old enough to be my mom!
She became such a mentor to me.
It was my first film.
I didnt know anything about shooting a movie.
I went to theater school.
I came on set knowing two things: how to act and how to learn.
Im so used to theater directors who are so focused on the acting.
I really appreciated that.
I couldnt have given the performance if she hadnt been there.
Your scenes with Mahershala were really grueling.
What was it like working with him?
I learned so much from him just by watching him.
But he was the sweetest, making sure I felt good after every cut, after every take.
Hair is so important for black women, and that was a real turning point.
What did that moment mean to you?Ive cut my hair after a breakup before!
Roxanne cuts her hair, and then takes a bath and slips underwater.
First, black girls dont get their hair wet!
Thats when you know youre completely done, though.
Some people have said that they werent sure she was going to come back up.
She doesnt want to come back up.
She doesnt want to deal with this.
By that time in the story, its her son and her sisters.
She cut her hair off, yes, but it didnt actually change her.
You cut your hair off to feel free, but she was still caged.
Whats the story there?Its actually a funny story.
That song came on the radio and I was in the back seat singing along.
Occasionally, it was Stevie Wonder if it was a holiday.
We only had gospel or NPR if I was in the car.
My mom was a really big fan of oldies and R&B.
Whats your big ambition?
What do you want to do next?I want to do more movies likeRoxanne Roxanne.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
