London Brown – American Soul

By starrymag | June 3, 2020

By: Paige Zinaman

 

 

Q) What are some of the recent projects you’ve been working on?

 

A) A recent project, which is airing I believe Wednesday, is “American Soul.”

 

Q) You’re joining the cast of “American Soul” which is airing its second season this Wednesday. What can you tell us about your role?

 

A) I play an artist by the name of Bootsy Collins. Bootsy Collins was in a band of his own, but also with James Brown.

 

Q) This show is inspired by Don Cornelius. Where does your character fit in with this music legend?

 

A) Don Cornelius was the host of “Soul Train,” a very popular music show that introduced new musical acts to mainstream and goes into the lifestyles of his personal life and encounters with famous musicians and comedians. Basically, I’m the feature name in the relationship Don Cornelius had with James Brown and James Brown Band.

 

Q) Is there anything that you personally brought to Collins?

 

A) I mean, there’s always some sort of improvisation and things like that may of work it’s way into the script. I like to think those kinds of things will make it into the script, but we definitely want to respect the script and the writers. But in the process, artistically, they will let us kind of improv a little bit and that is something as actors we can appreciate.

 

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

 

A) Man, I did a lot of research and watched a lot of films. Watched some clips online and listened to a lot of his music. Anything that would put me in the ball park of Bootsy Collins I wanted to do. It was such short notice. I got a call one evening telling me to look over the script and shortly thereafter I agreed to do it I was on a flight to Atlanta to go shoot it. So, the prep time was very, very short. I just did a lot of studying. I just wanted to see how he was playing the notes and what his personality was within interviews to hopefully convey that.

 

Q) Did you find yourself relating to him in anyway?

 

A) I found myself relating to him through his passion. Most artistic people are very passionate people, so I was definitely able to understand some of that side of him and the discipline it took to perfect his craft. I just wanted to focus in on my discipline with portraying him and, hopefully, I did him a little justice with that.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working on “American Soul?”

 

A) Yeah, yeah absolutely. I was familiar with Darius McCrary. He played Eddie Winslow on “Family Matters.” I grew up watching him, so when we were able to connect on set it very natural. It’s a respect thing. That’s what it all comes down to is respect but also for me I was fans of their work.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite or memorable moments while filming?

 

A) I think it has to be just being backstage and between takes sitting on the side. We would do impersonations and having candid conversations about our ups and downs in acting and that sort of thing was just a natural bond.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has made “American Soul” a fast fan favorite?

 

A) I think the fact that there’s nothing on screen like it. So, when people are able to tune in…I grew up in part of the era, so for me it just took me back to childhood days. But I think for younger generations that have never seen or experienced it they are able to witness the wardrobe and understand the history and I think for adults they are able to appreciate the same thing I feel which is a nice through back to the ‘70s and ‘80s.

 

Q) Being a part of social media can be a good way of connecting with fans. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you’ll receive to your episodes?

 

A) Hopefully, they enjoy it. I’m sure my followers are going to be surprised because they’re seeing me come from “Ballers” playing a totally different character. They’ve never seen me in a wig and with any kinds of facial hair. So, that’s going to be very special for them. You’ve got to take the good with the bad. I’m sure people are going to have positive things to say and they’ll have negative things to say. The positive, if it applies, cool I’m glad they enjoyed it. If they for some reason didn’t enjoy it, it’s cool. It’s fine for me. For my true believers, I hope they enjoy seeing me in a totally different light.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) The main thing is, hopefully, people are inspired. If they have a dream or a calling that they would not sit on that. Your life changes when you go after the thing that you’re supposed to do. You’re way happier and way more fulfilled. Hopefully, they’re inspired by my tenacity to pursue this thing called acting. I think a lot of times people have these dreams and they sit on them. And I think sometimes you’re afraid because if you work nine to five you have a lot more security than your dream job and sometimes it takes a lot of sacrifice to go after the thing that makes you happy. But if you do, you end up way more fulfilled. I hope people are inspired if nothing else.