Emma Hunton – Good Trouble

By starrymag | June 25, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Originally your character Davia was described as a “no-holds-barred teacher.” How has she evolved since then?

A) I think the writers are really great about sort of adapting to who we are and they are really open to when we think that something doesn’t sound the way someone our age or the way our character would say it. They really are great about sort of evolving the writing to match us. I think that sort of helped evolve my character a little bit. This season we’re lucky. We’re going to see Davia in her work environment so we’ll get to see that a little bit more. I always think of Davia’s personality as so loud, brash and she says whatever she is thinking when she’s not at school because she has to keep herself reserved at school. So, I think we’ll get to see those two different sides of her personality more as the season plays out.

Q) Where do things stand in Davia’s romantic life?

A) She’s still kind of dealing with Jeff (Chris Sheffield) in her life. We’ll sort of see more so as the season plays out that she’s trying really hard to sort of let that go because she doesn’t really have feelings for Jeff anymore. But she’s really responsible for blowing up his life, so I think you’ll see the push and pull of her not really wanting to be in his life anymore. It’s almost like a succubus – it’s really hard to get rid of. So, she’s single, but she’s dealing with the repercussions of trying to end things with Jeff and her new found feelings for Dennis (Josh Pence), trying to sort through that mine.

Q) Will we have the opportunity to learn more about Davia’s dad this season?

A) We haven’t really talked a whole lot about Davia’s relationship with her father. We see her mom come to visit her this year, which is really great and the interesting relationship they have. We kind of saw in Season One how Davia’s mother doesn’t really approve of her plus sized lifestyle so when she comes to visit that’s very much in your face. We kind of talked a little bit (me, Joanna [Johnson, Bradley [Bredeweg] and Peter [Paige]) how they think Davia’s mom had her young so their whole life has really been Davia and her mom. Davia’s really been the parent in that relationship. So, I hope they dive in some point into who Davia’s dad is as I think it would be a really interesting thing to find out.

Q) We love that Davia is such a body positive, plus-sized role model! What kidn of fan feedback have you received to the character?

A) I’m loving the fan feedback I’m getting because it’s not just people applauding me for doing something that we should all feel comfortable doing. But it’s people who are feeling comfortable to live outloud in their bodies and are finding a new definition of beautiful. To be a part of that movement is very, very empowering. I get so many messages and comments from girls who say they are finally comfortable wearing crop tops and shorts and that they don’t care their legs are out because they see Davia doing it and they see me doing it. And that feels like that’s just like the coolest thing that has happened to me so far throughout this whole process because I never had anyone who gave me the confidence to do that. So, being able to provide that confidence to other women has been the highlight I think of my journey so far with “Good Trouble.”

Q) We’ve loved cameos from “The Fosters” in Season One. How will that play into this season as well?

A) I can’t give away too much, but I think it’s safe to say that like anybody in their mid-20’s when they move away, especially not too far from behind and your family is pretty close, we’ll see more of the Adams Fosters throughout the series for sure. I have to remain pretty tight lipped though about who we are going to see and when we are going to see them.

Q) What we loved about “The Fosters” was we saw these multidimensional characters that are complex and compelling, who are loving and layered, but also messy, vulnerable, and at times self-sabotaging. What do you think it is about the dynamic of these core characters that really resonates with the audience with the way that they are written and portrayed?

A) I think that nobody is perfect and even people who like to think that they’re perfect are still not perfect. I think we can all kind of relate to that we don’t all feel as guilty about making dumb decisions when we see someone, we admire doing them too. I think it’s important that we show we mess up. That’s why I try to own up to everything I’m doing in life and on the show. Not that it gives people permission to be assholes, but I think you’re a little bit easier on yourself when you do mess things up a little a bit. It shows that nobody is perfect. Everybody is human. And they are funny situations sometimes. Maybe they aren’t the way you live necessarily, but you can get a kick out of someone who has the balls to do that kind of thing. I think of Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) and Raj (Dhruv Uday Singh) stealing the disco ball back in Davia’s birthday episode. It’s these crazy situations that I’ve never done anything like that, but I definitely know the girl who has. I think that’s fun for people. I think when you see people in crazy situations you’re like, “Oh my God! They did that too?!” It kind of takes the pressure off and lets people breathe a little bit easier.

Q) The show hasalways been wrought in this poignant and provoking emotional angst but it also sharply intertwines these moments of levity that are endearing and disarming. How does the series continue to take these tumultuous interpersonal relationships while maintaining the light and levity in such a brilliantly balanced way?

A) I think that the writers were so clever in writing these beautiful flawed characters that all have vastly different opinions. So, I think that the moments of levity come from being there for each other as a family and as a Coterie. I think that when any one character is going through anything crazy or out there, I think the moments of levity come from there checking each other and being there for each other and admitting that we don’t’ all have the answers, but we’re really lucky to have people who do. So, I think that they did a really great job of making these characters that complement each other so well that could not have bigger differing opinions.

Q) These are such complex characters with many areas shaded in gray. Can you talk about how we explore that more this season and the themes we see?

A) I think that when you’re first out of college and you’re not living with people because you have to, but living with people because you choose to it kind of helps you challenge your character a little bit. I think, basically throughout this season, we’re going to see a lot of everybody getting more integrated in each other’s lives and realizing not your first belief or opinion is the right one or the one you are going to stick to. I think in the first couple of years when you move out you’re kind of an asshole and it’s okay to be an asshole because you’re young and you’re figure it out and you’re a mess. And I think these people are really at a point in their lives where they think, “Well, what if I don’t really want to be a mess anymore. What if being a mess isn’t really fun anymore?” So, I think we’re going to see a lot more of that this season. I know definitely for Davia for sure all the stuff she’s going through with Dennis makes life a little bit more real to her and you definitely see the warmer side to her personality come out this season, which I’m really excited for people to see. We’re going to understand why she is the way that she is, especially when we meet her mother.

Q) Was there someone you were hoping to share more scenes with this season?

A) I love that they gave Maia [Mitchell] and I couple more scenes because Davia and Callie just are so far on the opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Scenes with us one-on-one without us being at a dinner party kind of don’t really make sense. So, they’ve given us a couple situations in which Davia and Callie have these one-on-one brief conversations, but to me they are so funny. And it really shows the audience and Davia and Callie that they do have similarities and things in common. Even though they don’t really make sense on paper, I hope I get more scenes with her because the scenes you guys will see this season are really funny.

Q) What is an upcoming episode that you are excited for fans to see?

A) I’m really excited for fans to see the fourth episode. We meet Davia’s mom. We kind of understand what makes Davia tick and why she’s a little bit cold sometimes. I think we also see where her personality comes from and why she’s able to make a joke out of everything. I think it’s going to be a really important episode for anyone who has gone through any body issues or eating disorders or body dysmorphia. I think it’s going to be a really powerful episode that will resonate with people and people will walk away feeling a little heartbroken over.

Q) This is your first recurring television role. What has that experience been like so far?

A) Oh my God! It’s been amazing! I keep saying to everyone that I don’t think no matter what I work on that it will ever be this special again. Everybody truly and whole heartedly (without any sarcasm) is the nicest person I’ve ever met on any set. I genuinely enjoy going to work to see them every day.

Q) What message do you hope people take away from watching “Good Trouble?”

A) I hope the message people take way is that you don’t have to necessarily agree with someone to find common ground. Not everyone is perfect and we need to give millennials more credit. We’re a lot smarter than people think we are. [laughs]

Q) You’ve starred in a ton of iconic stage productions: Wicked, Freaky Friday, Next to Normal as well as starring in unauthorized musical parodies of Cruel Intentions, Stranger Things, and Edward Scissorhands. Do you have a favorite theater role?

A) I loved playing Elphaba in Wicked just because it’s so iconic and it’s a musical everyone knows and loves. I had an absolute blast while I was doing that production. I loved doing Next to Normal. Any chance ever I get to work with Michael Grief is a career move well spent to me.

Q) Is there a theater role you haven’t yet gotten to play but would love to?

A) I’ve been doing theater since I was ten years old, professionally. So, I think I would really love to do a role that someone hasn’t done yet. I think I’ve been really lucky to play some of the most iconic leading ladies in musical theater history and I’m so blessed and honored to have done that. But I’m really ready to put my own stamp on something.

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

A) It’s so crazy to me how fast we can all communicate with each other over the internet these days. It really freaks me out because I was born in the 90’s and I was on the cusp of when the internet came out. So, it’s crazy to me. I enjoy it because I like communicating with the fans. I like feeling personable, open and available to them. But I also like that because it’s on my phone I can just turn it off and put it away. I try not to let any negative comments seep in. I just try to be there for people who may need help going through something. I definitely like that I can reach out to them when ever.

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

A) First of all, thank you! Second of all, I’m always here so shoot me a question! Ask me anything. Keep hanging around. Keep watching the show. I will try to make you all proud.