Desiree Ross – Greenleaf

By starrymag | May 13, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

What are the recent projects that you are working on?

Currently I am working on “Greenleaf,” a new show created by Craig Wright, that is being produced by Harpo Films and Lionsgate for the OWN network.

Please tell us the premise of the show “Greenleaf” and about your character Sophia.

The story is about Grace Greenleaf played by Merle Dandridge, returning home after twenty years when her sister Faith (Terri Abney) dies. Her parents, played by Lynn Whitfield and Keith David, run a Memphis megachurch. Then, there is a bunch of intense drama that unfolds from there.

My character, Sophia, is the daughter of Grace. She is new to the idea of church and having a large family-especially one who lives together in one gigantic house. She grows as a person, deals with daily teen struggles and has to deal with adjusting to a new lifestyle.  Sophia is pure in all of her intentions.

What made you want to be a part of the show?

It’s going to be a great show and I love drama. Also, I get to work with Oprah and Emmy winning actors who have taught me a lot about acting and are all around fabulous role models. I’m sixteen years old, which means I have to do school on set. So, if any of them see me just walking around set they always stop me and make sure I am not skipping school. It’s like having nine parents. [laughs] But I also liked the idea that I could be on a show where I could act like a normal, natural teenager. I’ve auditioned over 200 times and being a normal kid, with normal problems, is not the normal audition.

Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

I haven’t had the nerve to really make any formal requests. I’m the newbie. The writers for the show constantly readjusted the scripts prior to filming and I saw a lot of readjustments made to Sophia. I think once the writers watched our portrayals of the characters, they began to make changes that fit our interpretation.

What did you find challenging about the role?

Actually, Sophia and I are so much alike I don’t find her hard to portray. That’s probably why I got the job in the first place. My manager and agents saw the breakdown of the part and they both said instantly, “This is Desi.” Then, Oprah hired me off of my first video audition tape with no in-person audition or screen test.  Sophia and I both live between two cultures so I get all the readjustments she is going through in season one. The real challenge is juggling school, work and a social life.

What was it like for you working and filming with Oprah?

Okay, so before I met her, she and Craig sent me this awesome bouquet of flowers with a card from “Oprah and Craig Wright.”  I live in Columbia, South Carolina so I can only assume the delivery person was wondering why this little random house was getting flowers from Oprah. Then, when I met her, I didn’t know how to greet her. So, I stuck out my hand to shake hands with her and she just grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a hug. That was how it started. But then I realized I didn’t know how to address her. Do I call her Oprah? That just didn’t sound right because Oprah is … well Oprah. I’m from the South and we say “Ma’am,” but most northerners find that rude. This was a real problem. So, I decided to call her Ms. Winfrey. But these were real huge problems I put a lot of thought into. It started off a bit confusing, but by the time we filmed together I was comfortable around her. She is just as wonderful in person as she is on TV.

What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Greenleaf?”

The table scene in episode one was the first day of filming when everybody was just meeting each other and getting to know each other acting-wise. It took two days to film and by the end of day one, Lovie [Simone] and I had every single line on all thirteen pages memorized and copied how each actor said each one. A lot of people got a kick out of it.  It was crazy full of drama and you see all the family’s problems brought up in that scene.

You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you will be receiving?

Of course.  And here is my information if anybody wants to connect with me online and share their thoughts on the series or “Sophia.”

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4524361/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDesireeRoss/

Instagram: desireeross_

Twitter: thedesireeross

Is there anything you want to be sure we share with fans about the series?

Make sure you watch the show because it’s gonna be dope. Also, be sure to keep up with my social media (if you want) to see what I am up to and hear more about the show – you might get a glimpse of some behind-the-scene pics.

What do you think it is about the show that will make people want to tune in for the series?

The acting is really strong and you’ll be on edge every minute of the show. You may need a stress ball for while you’re watching, the drama is just that intense. Our writers have a lot of clever wording and jokes weaved in. The whole show will just be unreal and just that amazing.

 

 

 

“Greenleaf” launches with a two-night premiere on June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and June 22 at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.