ANDY LALWANI SHIRA LAZAR PHOTOGRAPHY BY: REVRY
Culture Q
Revry TV
Revry, the first global LGBTQ+ network, has debuted its first original queercentric news series, Culture Q. Its hosts, actress/writer/influencer Shira Lazar and actor Andy Lalwani (“Blame the Hero”) oversee the weekly series’ mix of pop culture, entertainment and politics.
HOW DID YOU LAUNCH WITH REVRY?
SL: I’ve known the founders for over a decade so it’s great to finally collaborate on this project. We wanted to take what we’ve built with “What’s Trending” and bring it to the LGBTQIA+ community. After many discussions and brainstorms, that became Culture Q!
AL: Culture Q was no easy show to come into fruition with. It definitely took a lot of time to make sure everything was represented the way we wanted and true to the LGBTQIA+ community. Overall, we wanted to make sure that voices and people are heard through media.
TELL US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE Q AND COVERING NEWS FROM A QUEER-FOCUSED PERSPECTIVE.
SL: GLAAD’s Media Report recently called out many outlets for their coverage of the queer community which shows how important it is for representation and the proper coverage of these stories. Also, as we continue to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and policies, we need safe and credible spaces to get information and to continue the conversation towards change and action.
AL: A lot of stories can be washed away in mainstream entertainment and news. With guests from all walks of life that we interview on this show, we will offer true and authentic perspectives of all genders, sexualities, races and more. Culture Q is a platform and driver for those diverse narratives to exist and be amplified.
ERICA WHEELER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: GETTY IMAGES
GUARD
LA SPARKS
Likely to be named WNBA’s MVP for 2021, Erica Wheeler is getting recognition both on the court as guard for LA Sparks as well as off: The 5’7” player is currently towering from Nike billboards throughout Los Angeles.
AS A WNBA ALL-STAR, WHAT IS IT LIKE HEADING INTO THE 2021 SEASON AND STARTING THIS NEW CHAPTER WITH THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS?
I am happy to be in LA. It has been all love since I got here. Heading into this new season, my main focus is to stay consistent and do whatever my coaches ask of me. I’m really just embracing this opportunity to be in a championship culture. Being a 7-year veteran is amazing, but there is always room for improvement.
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR POSITION FOR ADVOCACY?
Make no mistake, I am not an activist. However, I always use my voice and platform to speak the truth and bring awareness to real situations that are happening in daily life. I think the WNBA players did an amazing job keeping a lot of conversations alive to bring awareness to the BLM community. I’m proud to be a part of that.
WHY IS LGTBQ+ REPRESENTATION SO IMPORTANT IN SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT?
I think it’s very important because in ALL SPORTS and the entertainment world, there is the LGTBQ+ community. We all are human. And as a human, whether you are black or white, I think we should always support each other. More importantly, we all as humans should support each other based upon our skill, right? The world is evolving daily. One day, we all will be on the same page where support and representation are first nature. I’m looking forward to amplifying more representation through content partnerships with companies like Revry, the first global queer streaming / TV network.
GRIFFIN MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LELUND DUROND THOMPSON
THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT
HBO MAX
Actor, artist and activist, Griffin Matthews rose to prominence for Invisible Threat, a musical he co-wrote based on his experiences volunteering in Uganda. These days, Matthews can be seen 30,000 feet in the air as the fellow flight attendant in HBO Max series, The Flight Attendant.
FIRST REACTION TO WORKING WITH KALEY CUOCO ON THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT?
I wanted to work with Kaley, who is truly a brilliant actress and even better human. When I first read the pilot of The Flight Attendant, I was like: “How are we gonna make a murder mystery funny?” That was the challenge. A delicate balance of rooting the characters in the horrifying reality and then injecting humor all throughout. I wanted to be a part of that.
FAVORITE PART OF ITS FILMING PROCESS?
Getting to travel the world together. It was literally adult summer camp every time we hopped a flight to another country! We saw each other in our pajamas and glasses and loopy from jet lag. We ran through the markets of Bangkok and found ourselves standing in the middle of a square in Rome at 1AM having drinks with new Italian friends.
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR POSITION FOR ADVOCACY?
I’ve been pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a black gay man in this industry (and in America) for my entire career. I often feel like I’m pushing boulders up hills. Still fighting to be seen. Still fighting to be heard. Fighting for a seat at the table and cutting my hands up trying to build my own. But when I have been lucky enough to get a foot in the door, my mission is always to push the narrative about the beautiful complexities of who we are as black men. We are soft. We are hard. We are queer. We are masc. We are fathers. And lovers. And skinny. And big. And intelligent. We are... everything. We know that and it’s time for the rest of the world to catch up.
HARLEY QUINN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY: KELSEY HALE
CRUEL SUMMER
FREEFORM
At just 22, Harley Quinn Smith already had decades of industry experience, thanks to a debut turn as a baby in 2001’s “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” Since then she’s appeared in everything from Best Picture Oscar nominee “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” to YA classic “Supergirl.” Today she stars in the critically acclaimed Freeform series, “Cruel Summer,” as the quirky, outspoken and possibly suspect Mallory Higgins.
WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO “CRUEL SUMMER” AND WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE BRINGING THE CHARACTER OF MALLORY HIGGINS TO LIFE?
I’ve always felt like I was born in the wrong decade. I identify so much more with the 90’s than our current day and age, so to be able to feel like I was really living and existing in that time period was a dream come true. Secondly, I absolutely love my character so much it’s annoying. Mallory is someone who I wish I could’ve been like in high school — she’s confident and secure with herself.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE BEHIND THE SCENES MOMENTS FROM FILMING?
One of the best days was when Olivia [Holt] and I had to roller skate. I actually am quite scared of doing physical things on camera and this show has made me now roller skate, bike, run AND worst of all, dance.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE NEXT UP ON THE HORIZON?
I’m honestly just very happy with where I currently am in life, and I’m more present than I maybe ever have been. Finishing “Cruel Summer” felt like my life’s biggest accomplishment because shooting during COVID is no joke. The fact that we were lucky enough to make and finish this show during a pandemic is truly a miracle and so I’m just riding a wave of gratitude lately and it’s been pretty lovely. I’m going to resume my animal rights podcast, “Vegan Abattoir” and continue advocating for the cause however I can.
JESSE LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY BY: KELLY BALCH
RUTHERFORD FALLS
NBC
A Chinese/American, non-binary actor, Jesse Leigh plays Bobbie, the trusted assistant to Ed Helms’ character on Peacock comedy “Rutherford Falls.” The role marked Leigh’s first role on a comedy series, one that allows the Manhattan Beach-raised actor to bring his barrier-breaking work to a ground-breaking show.
WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO “RUTHERFORD FALLS” AND WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE BRINGING THE CHARACTER OF BOBBIE YANG TO LIFE?
Before I auditioned for “Rutherford Falls,” I found a news article online stating it was the largest Native American writers’ room ever. Then I read the script and noticed how relevant and smart it was. This was immediately a project I wished to be a part of.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE DEVELOPING BOBBIE’S FASHION STYLE?
Before I met with our wardrobe department, I created a mood board. On top of the mustard-yellow background were photos from the 60’s and 70’s: funky patterns, suits and bell bottoms. Our first fitting was so much fun. I felt like I was straight out of “Saturday Night Fever.” After a few more fittings, Bobbie’s style fit more into the “small town” of Rutherford Falls. I am in love with how Bobbie’s wardrobe turned out.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE BEHIND THE SCENES MOMENTS FROM FILMING?
I had the privilege of shadowing our director Sydney Freeland for three episodes. She is making waves in Hollywood right now: directing, writing and producing. She handled everything with poise, while I scribbled notes hastily on my legal pad. I learned so much from her and am forever grateful for that experience.
WHY IS REPRESENTATION SO IMPORTANT IN FILM AND TV?
Trans and Asian actors have typically been hired to be the butt of the joke in sitcoms. That is why it is important to me to play characters who are confident in themselves. It’s refreshing to play a character whose identity is not brought up as a device of conflict. Bobbie simply is themself and is focused on their work in Rutherford Falls.
SHANGELA PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JAKE STILLS
WE’RE HERE
HBO
Actor and Drag Performer D.J. ‘Shangela’ Pierce rose to fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and has appeared in film and television projects as varied as A Star is Born, Lovecraft County, and Station 19. Shangela is the co-host and consulting producer on HBO’s Emmynominated unscripted series, “We’re Here”, returning for season 2 this year.
WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO HBO’S “WE’RE HERE”, AND WHAT WAS IT LIKE BRINGING THE DOCUSERIES TO LIFE BOTH IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE CAMERA?
When the creators of the show pitched me the idea, I was immediately drawn in because the show was aimed at amplifying the voices and stories of LGBTQ people in small, conservative towns similar to the one I grew up in. Bringing the show to life has been a powerful and emotional journey for both me and all my drag kids because we’re dealing with real life issues that many times have been suppressed or willfully ignored. Also, my role as both a cohost and a consulting producer makes sure I’m a nonstop Werqin Girl.
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR POSITION FOR ADVOCACY AND ACTIVISM?
I am grateful to give visibility to a number of underrepresented groups. I’m bi-racial, proudly raised in a Black household, gay, from a poor background in a small town in Texas. But hey, I’m living life proudly and working to be the best version of myself. I hope that my journey inspires others to know they can do the same. I definitely lend my voice to important matters affecting our community and love to team up with others to make a difference. In the last year, I created a Feed The Queens initiative and helped give more than $100,000 in food grants to out of work drag entertainers. I also have launched food donation programs in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and utilized my social media platform to spread awareness on many social injustice issues.
WHY IS REPRESENTATION SO IMPORTANT IN FILM AND TV?
Visibility matters. Especially to those who are not used to seeing themselves in tv and film. Seeing someone who looks like us represented in an authentic way makes all of us feel our dreams are possible and our lives matter.
SHERRY COLA PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JONNY MARLOW
GOOD TROUBLE
FREEFORM
Shanghai-born, Southern California-bred Sherry Cola knows about life imitating art. As the star of Freeform’s “Good Trouble” she plays Alice, a first-generation lesbian Asian-American who dreams of being a comedian. It’s a role that reflects her own life as a bisexual Asian-American women.
WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO THE CHARACTER OF ALICE ON “GOOD TROUBLE”?
Since an experience like this has been missing from the screen for so long, I really felt the importance and the impact of Alice. I was ready for her to be a role model. Not only is she discovering how to feel comfortable in her own skin and learning how to stand up for herself, she’s also juggling love, friendship and family — just like all of us in our messy 20’s.
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR POSITION FOR ADVOCACY?
If you talk the talk, you should walk the walk. Period. If I have something of a platform, I refuse to waste it. From doing stand-up comedy on stage to posting a #StopAAPIHate poem on my Instagram, the goal is always to open up minds, however I can. Social media is a blessing and a curse, sure, but there are powerful resources at our fingertips! It’s up to us to use it for good.
WHY IS REPRESENTATION SO IMPORTANT IN FILM AND TV?
The reason hate crimes have increased against the Asian community is because we’re seen as insignificant, and that’s with no help from the stereotypical punchline-serving roles that we’ve been given since the beginning of time. We have to keep calling it out in order to see a change. Representation matters! Every single story is worthy and deserves to be told, and I’m not giving up until it happens.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE NEXT UP ON THE HORIZON?
You can catch me in Paramount’s upcoming animation, The Tiger’s Apprentice, which I’m thrilled about. I’m in it with Sandra Oh and Michelle Yeoh, among many other Asian icons. What a dream. I’m also crafting my own comedy special, so stay tuned for that!
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