Jahi Di’Allo Winston – Queen & Slim

By: Kemberlie Spivey

Q) Queen & Slim is in theaters now. Please tell us the premise for the film. is about?

A) Queen & Slim is about a black man (Daniel Kaluuya) and woman (Jodie Turner-Smith) who are forced to go on the run through America after they shoot and kill a racist police officer out of self-defense. Beyond the main turn of events, it’s about an amalgam of things, love, injustice and what it truly means for one to be free.

Q) How did the project come to you?

A) I first found out about the project on Twitter, after the first press release had come out. I remember being captivated by the one sentence premise, thinking, “It would be cool to be a part of something like that. I can’t wait to see it.” A few weeks, maybe a month later, the breakdown for “Junior” came through just like any other audition. I put myself on tape for it, didn’t hear anything back for a few months and then (director) Melina [Matsoukas] said that she wanted to Skype with me. I auditioned for her over the computer and a few days later I got the role…Here we are.

Q) What can you tell us about your character Junior? 

A) Junior is a black teenage boy who idolizes Queen and Slim, as well as their journey, and has a fierce desire to take action against police brutality.

Q) What about your character Junior resonates with you and what was his initial breakdown like?

A) Something about Junior that resonates with me the most is his intense passion for fighting back against the injustices that plague black people across the country. Lena [Waithe] did an incredible job at making him a direct symbol for how my generation approaches activism and for the anger that we all have towards systematic racism. I immediately felt all of this from reading the breakdown and then reading the script.

Q) What was a scene in the movie that you found challenging to film and why?

A) The scene I found the most challenging to do was the protest rally scene. I found the most difficult part to be maintaining stamina and energy throughout the entire day because that was the only scene, we shot that day. The next day, after shooting it, I woke up completely sore on the right side of my body and my voice was extremely hoarse. I have to admit that made me feel pretty proud.

Q) Talk about working with co-stars Oscar nominated Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith.

A) Working with Daniel and Jodie was amazing. They both were extremely kind from the moment I met them and while I was there, they both kind of took on the roles of “big bro” and “big sis,” which was pretty comforting. Watching the two of them work was like having a front row seat to a masterclass, I loved every minute of it.

Q) What is a favorite behind the scenes moment that stuck with you while filming Queen & Slim?

A) A behind the scenes moment or moments that stuck with me was getting to interact with Jodie and Daniel. I spent the most time with them, so whenever we got to converse it was pretty cool.

Q) What advice did director Melina Matsoukas offer during filming that you took to heart?

A) I think rather than advice, something that I loved about Melina was how nurturing and reassuring her energy was from the get-go. She always calmed me without even trying (I think that’s her superpower).

Q) What message do you hope fans take away from watching Queen & Slim?

A) I hope all audience members are able to sympathize with these characters and their individual journeys. I believe strongly that black audience members will be able to empathize with these characters because of how poignant and close this story is to our real-life experiences. Even if we all don’t know what it’s like to be on the run from the police force, I believe all African Americans (to a certain degree) know what it’s like to exist in America and feel targeted by the world. So, I hope that translates onto screen.

Q) Are there any projects you can share with fans that you are in the works that you are excited about?

A) I have a film slated to come out in the Spring of 2020 that’s really special. I can’t say what it is yet, but I’m excited for everyone to see it. I have an Instagram show that I do called “IG’s Got Talent.” I also have an upcoming event called Cafe’ SHINE where young vocalists come and show case their talents at an open mic forum, that date is TBD.

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

A) THANK YOU. I LOVE EVERYONE OF YOU.