CLAUDIA LOGAN USES ACTING TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE SILENCED AND OVERLOOKED
Many people may not realize that seeing yourself being positively represented in the media is a privilege that everyone can’t relate to. While discussing her new show, her career as an actress and her beginnings in her hometown of Detroit, Claudia Logan puts in perspective how challenging it can be to understand the dynamics of the politics behind body image and language in the film & tv industry. If you want to know how the NYC living actress has learned to use her distinctness to her advantage as an actress, keep reading below:
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
You’ve appeared in many movies and tv shows like New Amsterdam, Harlem, The Equalizer, Hightown and Tales of the City – just to name a few. Tell us your story and how you initially got into acting.
Growing up, my career choices shifted by the minute. It was in 5th grade when I realized that the arts would be something I’d have as an escape from my home life at the time. Just getting on stage was so joyful and fulfilling to me.
Once I entered high school, I learned that I could make this profession; being taught under the leadership of my drama teacher Ms. Marilyn McCormick. She gave me the permission to think larger than my circumstances and turn my experiences into art that lasts forever!
What have you learned as a new actress working with so many legends over the years?
Looking back over the years, I’ve truly been so blessed to work with legendary artists like Queen Latifah, Morris Chestnut, and Phylicia Rashad. With observance and conversation, I’ve learned that taking up space can be soft and light; that how one enters a room, interacts, and shows up for the work has a lasting impression. Aside from talent, intentionality speaks volumes and sets legends apart from others. As a believer in Divine timing, working with these icons at this time in my life, I am taking in everything as a teaching moment.
Let’s talk about your new show “Diarra from Detroit” on BET+. Being from Detroit yourself, I know you were excited to be a part of this project! Tell us about your character and what the show is about.
Being cast in “Diarra from Detroit” was truly a gift from God. I still have the video of myself having an ugly cry when I found out that I booked the role. The show is truly like nothing else you’ve seen on television; a mix of dark comedy, a suspenseful mystery with unapologetic Detroit flair. I play the role of Monifa, or “Crazy Moni”. She is a firecracker, with a heart of gold. She is Diarra’s ‘second in command’ in solving a cold case when her Tinder date goes missing. She’s really spicy but will always have tender hearted love and support for those she loves.
How did you prepare for the role of “Crazy Moni”?
I always carry the city of Detroit with me wherever I go! Being raised by strong Detroit women, it’s made me who I am today. When I received the audition, neither the role nor the work seemed too far removed.
I made sure I had as many wigs as possible and added my own flair to the language. It honestly felt like I was just putting myself on camera. Once we began shooting, I soon became the liaison for all things Detroit. At that point, I felt like I was making my city proud.
You once spoke about your struggles with being your authentic self, coming into the film industry. Talk to us more about how you have pushed yourself despite these struggles to show up as your authentic self while growing as an actor in this industry.
Growing up, I was always the bigger girl in the room. When I moved to NY to attend acting school, I soon learned the politics of body image and language of this industry. I wasn’t always the one being seen as a leading woman simply because of size or my “sassiness” as some teachers would describe my personality.
Those setbacks pushed me to activate more of my faith in how God wants me to tell my story and be the vessel to tell stories of the silenced and overlooked. Standing authentically and unapologetically in what I brought to the table led casting directors and producers to changing who they thought they wanted for a role. Seeing how far being myself has gotten me, I’m motivated to continue to shift more of the narrative.
You’ve been living in NYC for a few years while traveling all over the country for the roles you’ve played. What are some of your fave hangout spots in NYC?
It’ll be ten years in August since moving to NYC! I get really excited for live music so places like the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club, Nublu, Ornithology, or Groove.
For the combination of pool and live music, I like to attend Cellar Dog on a weekend. But Brooklyn has really stolen my heart. I love the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park, as well as black owned businesses like Deia, Sweet Science, Rogers Garden, Lovers Rock, Brooklyn Beso, and Mo’s.
For your career, do you prefer LA or NYC? Tell us why you prefer one over the other.
I’m probably being biased but NYC has a great mix of culture, art, uniqueness, and humility. The time I’ve spent in LA definitely made me fall in love with the sun, the land, and my tribe there.
But there’s nothing like a NY summer, a Brooklyn summer specifically. The heartbeat of the city is so infectious. It also feels like I’m successfully able to do both theater and tv/film out in NY. But whenever God gets me invited to LA, I’ll be open.
What are 3 things that you wish you knew about the industry when you were first starting out that you’ve learned over the years?
I wish I knew how Olympic it is to be shooting as a series regular, sleep is truly a luxury. Second, how to successfully look comfortable on the red carpet when your feet are on fire. Lastly, being a business is bigger than any show. Gotta be a boss in these streets!
If you could be a part of the project of your dreams, who would you star alongside, what role would you play and what genre would the movie or tv show be in?
I’ve talked about this for years, but I’d love to play Queen Latifah in her biopic. Regina King and John Boyega would be in the cast somehow. I would want that film to be as big as any biopic that Chadwick Boseman has touched.
What’s next for Claudia Logan? Anything you can share exclusively with Galore readers?
It’s been a blessing to have the show be so well received, so we are praying to be greenlit to shoot a possible season two later this year. In the meantime, I’ve been blessed to work back on stage in NYC this summer, including a debut at a prominent theater. Soon to come!
TEAM CREDITS:
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Sezen June Sinan (@sezen.june)
Photographer Assistant: Gizem Kaplan (@gigi.kaplan)
Retoucher: Irina Ri (@irina.rri)
Hair Stylist: Julissa of JYE.Braids Studio (@jye.braids.__)
Make Up Artist: Ja Nina Lee (@ja.ninalee)
Stylist: Kenya Sherron (@kenyasherron)
