Angela Robinson – The Haves and the Have Nots

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) We’re actually headed back to the studio to film the next season. We’ll be busy with that until around the summer.

Q) What is new this season and with your storyline for Veronica?

A) Right now, the character is up to her same antics. She is still blackmailing her son. She is still under the assumption that her husband cheated on her. Those two things I think are pushing her over the edge with regards to her addiction. I think you will see in the season finale (in three episodes) more of the same, but all of the pressures of the affair and her inability to control her son will probably weigh very heavily on her. The worst thing you can do to a controlling person is to take away control.

Q) In regards to her addiction, where do you draw from for this portrayal?

A) She has been really clean ever since we have been doing the show. If she falls of f the wagon (which I don’t know if she will or not) it would probably be the first time since the show has been on. It hasn’t happened yet, but it’s up to Tyler Perry if it happens that way. She has been an addict who is not using, which sort of makes that frustration and push for control even more harsh because she is not leaning on the drugs. It may cause her to push harder against her family.

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think that I bring to it my training and my ability to play what he has written. So, I definitely bring what was written when we started the process. It was an uppity black woman who is against her gay son. He has given me so much more to play now. I’m just so grateful. I try to bring a real honesty to the script and to the lines that he gives me. I try to play it as truthfully as possible. That doesn’t always make you the most likeable person on the show, but I do know people (especially in the LGBT community) that have gone through a lot of what my character has put my son through. I try to represent that as truthfully as possible.

Q) What have you taken away from working on the show?

A) Being around the other cast members I take away great friendships. We’re all very close and it’s been a pleasure to work with them. What I take away from the success of the show is the fulfillment of knowing that I’ve had the honor of being a part of a show that people seem to enjoy. I get to work with Mr. Perry who is a joy to be around and is also an inspiration. I take away many things from the show.

Q) What guest stars can you tease are to come?

A) I really can’t say…

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive during episodes?

A) It’s very interesting! I come from the theater world and I’ve done theater my entire career and I’ve never read reviews. I’ve asked people not to share reviews with me because I believe whole heartedly if you choose to believe the great things people say then you have to also take in the bad things people say. I try to not listen to any of it and just do my work the best way that I know how. With social media and with Twitter, having to tweet live in particular during the show I don’t get the option of saying, “I don’t read reviews” because every tweet is a review! I pretty much just have to be grateful to the fans, which I think we have the best fans in the world. They are so amazing. I’m grateful to the fans. They are so invested in the characters, which is really good. I just have to always have an attitude of gratitude toward the fans and this opportunity. Even though they hate Veronica or they hate something that she is doing, I have to just be grateful that the point I was trying to get across in my acting came across and it made them feel something. I always say you know when you have done decent work as an actor when your audience feels something, whether it is good, bad, love or hate. As long as they feel something, as opposed to a same ending and no one feels anything about it. I’m just grateful the audience and the tweets received tell me that people are feeling something.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure to share with fans?

A) We could not do it without the fans. It’s just always such a pleasure to run into the fans in the grocery store or in the mall and see how excited they get. I just want to say thank you, thank you for supporting the show. I think sometimes people think the show is a reality show because they will see me and immediately say, “You have to be nicer to your son!” I don’t have a son. So, it just tells me it is so real to so many people. I appreciate every moment interacting with the fans and I appreciate them watching the show. 

 Tune in to the next episode TUESDAY AT 9/8C

IT WILL BE EXPLOSIVE AND BRING SOME SHOCKING MOMENTS