Lashana Lynch expresses the importance of bringing an authentic Black image that represents who we are, no matter where we are in her recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

Lashana Lynch
Lashana Lynch in No Time To Die promo poster
Image credit: Universal

“I’ve been cast to tell an authentic story, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

Lashana will be making history, when she takes on her role as agent Nomi, the first Black and female 007 character in the most talked about and anticipated Bond movie: No Time to Die. Not only that, she plans to bring the Black experience to the cinematic blockbuster with her.

“In every project I am part of, no matter the budget or genre, the Black experience that I’m presenting needs to be 100 percent authentic.”

“I didn’t want to waste an opportunity when it came to what Nomi might represent. I searched for at least one moment in the script where Black audience members would nod their heads, tutting at the reality but glad to see their real life represented.”

During the interview, Lashana spoke about staying true to herself,  “I have found ways to remain respectful of others but still true to myself.” Beyond just staying true to herself, Lashana sets out to portray the truth of Black women in every role she is casted in. “In every project I am part of, no matter the budget or genre, the Black experience that I’m presenting needs to be 100 percent authentic.”

Lashana Lynch
Credit: Richard Phibbs for Harper’s Bazaar

“If something felt misrepresented or inaccurate – for example, the dynamic between a mother and her child, or the way we might wrap our hair to sleep at night… I had to learn to speak up.”

Outrage took to social media when it was leaked in April of last year that a Black woman had been cast as a 007 agent and in the interview reveals she “deleted her social media apps, meditated and saw no one but family.”

The British actress acknowledges that her authenticity may not always be well received. She said: “I just have to remind myself that the conversation is happening and that I’m a part of something that will be very, very revolutionary.”

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Melan Magazine (@melanmagazine)

In an industry where the depictions of Black women are not always authentic, Lashana spoke about the importance of telling our stories, because we never know when you will have that opportunity again. “When we have the opportunity to talk, I’d always rather speak to you as though it could be the last time we get to say these things.”

Lashana reminds us that we should strive to be our authentic selves and speak our truths even in a society that may not always accept us. We deserve the world to see who we really are and to celebrate that. Lashana has done this throughout her successful career and has accepted that she is a part of social change.

Showing the world who we really are, without worrying about the expectations of others or what they think only allows people to accept the true, authentic version of us.


Read more in the December 2020 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

This article was written by Nicole Hemming

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

*
*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.