Chantal Thuy – Black Lightning

By starrymag | March 20, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I am currently working on getting the book rights for a film I would like to produce, which would be a Vietnamese Canadian story. I am also doing a really cool live action short of a popular Manga next month, “Tokyo Ghoul: Re- Anime.” I’m playing “Rize” to Osric Chau’s “Kaneki.” It’s directed by Michael J. Murphy and produced and written by Scott Eriksson and Nik Shaw.

 

Q) We’ve been seeing you as Grace Choi on “Black Lightning.” How was the character originally described to you? Were you familiar at all with the comic series before joining the show?

 

A) As per the original character breakdown, Grace was described to me as a bartender who would become a confidant and love interest to Anissa (Nafessa Williams). I wasn’t familiar with “Black Lightning” before auditioning for the project so when I did my research I discovered the awesome, amazing, badass character that is Grace Choi.

 

Q) What kind of research did you do to get into character?

 

A) I do a mix of things! First off was definitely researching who Grace is, as written in the comics, and reading lots from the DC source material. Then, I started asking the basic human questions and personalizing the experience; what’s my relationship with Anissa? What do I want right now? How do I feel about people, places and things around me? What’s my history and background? What happened in my life that makes me who I am now? And then on set, I just play and connect.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on “Black Lightning?”

 

A) I’ve watch Nafessa on “Twin Peaks,” which was awesome. I Google stalked everyone else and was thoroughly impressed by them.

 

Q) Did you and Nafessa Williams get to spend much time together to develop your on screen chemistry?

 

A) We didn’t have much time before shooting to meet up, but we are both playful enough as actors and human beings to get deep into all those loving, sexy, raw emotions that create chemistry. So, I’d say it came naturally and it helps a helluva lot when you’re partner is super talented and charming.

 

Q) It’s nice to see Anissa Pierce, an LGBTQ character, portrayed as being supported by their family – and an LGBTQ character of color. Was that something you took notice of about and appreciated when you first read about the series?

 

A) I LOVED the way “Black Lightning” portrays the Pierce family as a supportive family unit, even as the parents are separated and the girls are finding their own way. And yes, the portrayal of our LGBTQ characters is celebrated as being completely normal (because it is) and not making it out as an issue to be fixed, explained or scrutinized. It just is. It’s beautiful, it’s made mainstream and ordinary and to quote all the girls tweeting about this, “It’s what we deserve.”

 

Q) With Grace, you have provided such important, positive representation as a bisexual woman of color as well. Is an important societal message something that you seek out when deciding what roles you are going to take?

 

A) Yes, I started acting first of all because I love it, but also because I felt there was such a lack of representation in the media for women of color, particularly Asian American. And I know that representation matters. I know what it feels like to not have someone who looks like you to look up to when you’re a kid. I know what it feels like to be bullied at school, to not feel like you fit in anywhere and to feel like you don’t have a voice. My goal has always been to fight for and speak up for those who don’t feel seen, hear, and represented.

 

And I’m so proud to be able to play Grace because she truly is a positive portrayal of bisexual woman of color. I feel so lucky and blessed because I couldn’t ask for a more fitting role that embodies everything I am and fight for. I am excited to see what the showrunners and writers have in store for Grace going forward (crossing fingers for Season Two).

 

Q) In today’s political climate, why do you think it is so important to have a person of color as a superhero and someone for viewers to look up to?

 

A) It goes back to my previous answer–representation matters because we all need someone who looks like us to relate to; to raise our hopes and aspirations. I never saw a superhero who looked like me when I was growing up and, honestly, I didn’t think I was ever going to. We’re human beings and we are designed to want to belong, feel loved and be accepted by our community. We all need to feel like we have the right to be the hero (or superhero) of our own life journey. And it’s good when TV shows can help us realize that. And in this political climate, the more diverse storytelling we can bring to light, the more empathy we can create cross-communities. All of our voices need to be accounted for.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming this series?

 

A) Seeing all the cosplayers in their various outfits that our costume designer, Rebecca Gregg, put together. It was surreal. And I just loved watching stunts and seeing the team work with cranes and wires and really fun looking flips over cars. The whole crew and cast were so nice and fun to work with.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying the fan feedback you receive to episodes?

 

A) The “Black Lightning” fandom is AMAZING. I have been having so much fun reading their tweets and seeing the gifs they’ve made for Anissa and Grace and their discussion of ship names. Everyone has definitely been incredibly supportive and I am so grateful to the fans. They are also seriously hilarious and I am a big fan of their wicked sense of humor in turn.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) You’re all in my heart and I really love you, but I can’t say what’s going to happen next cause 1) I can’t and 2) it would spoil your fun. But thank you to each and everyone one of you for your love and support. It means so much to me, you have no idea. I hope to continue bringing you guys as much love as you bring to me. Stay tuned!