Anjelika Washington has played several memorable characters on television shows over the years including Shameless, Young Sheldon, and Runaways. With her recent role on Netflix’s Tall Girl, there’s no doubt that she will have a long and successful career.
When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in acting?
I really decided that I wanted to be an actor when I was fifteen and I joined my first theatre class in high school. Ironically, because I failed drawing and painting. So, they were like you have to do something else. You have to do another elective. I had done theatre and a couple of plays when I was a kid in local community theatre, but it wasn’t until I had gotten into high school, I really started engulfing myself in it. I became obsessed with it. My teacher was very passionate about acting and instilled that into us, especially me. I soaked it up like a sponge. She said if I wanted to be in film, I should go for it. And, that was really all I needed.
From that point, what was the big break as far as your career?
My big break? I would have to say, Tall Girl. It was the first time globally people would have the opportunity to see my work. To me, it’s really special. I have done lots of television and different things, but not everyone watches all of those shows. It’s like if I’m in season nine of Shameless, people are not going to watch all eight seasons to watch my episode. Or, maybe they will. But with Tall Girl being on Netflix… Pretty much everyone has Netflix or knows someone who does so it’s a lot easier to watch. I would say, Tall Girl.
What was it about the character Fareeda that attracted you?
I loved that she was a free spirit. She speaks her mind. I love that she’s an amazing friend. She’s really confident. She’s funny. She totally owns everything about who she is. Fareeda, when I was reading the script, I found that she was a lot like me, but she is also who I want to be. I really connected with that. She is like the me that is already there and the me I am growing to be.
When you say the person you are going to be, what do you mean? In what way?
I think we can always grow to be more confident, more self-assured and more secure with who we are. I am a regular human like everyone else. Everyone feels insecure at times, but like the line that Fareeda says, “Yeah, I have problems, but I roll with it.” Everyone does that, but what I think I’ve learned from playing this character and what inspires me is how much she owns who she is. And, if anything ever does bother her, she keeps it pushing. She is not going to let it ruin her day and she keeps going. I’m like that in ways, but of course, I have my moments. I’m an artist, but I think I’m inspired by my character to just keep going and not let anything faze me.
How has the experience of being in the movie affected your growth and development on a personal level?
Wow, being in the film Tall Girl had definitely affected my growth as a human being, as a woman, and as a friend. I think that what I’ve learned the most is that I love how, through social media, you can interact with people who are fans of your work, which is really great. But I’m growing to learn that how your likes and followers increase really doesn’t define you as a human. It doesn’t take anything away from your personal values which I think is exciting because of my generation… We put so much pressure on that. Now I feel like it’s not a big deal. I love being able to connect and engage with people, but it doesn’t change who I am as a person. I have definitely been growing just in that.
Share with us how life including your past roles prepared you to take on this character.
I think that my work experience thus far really prepared me for that role. I feel a lot more comfortable in my auditions. I now make bigger and bolder choices than maybe I did earlier in my career or when I moved to Los Angeles and started acting. That was really a huge part. I heard that I was the only person who danced during the audition. I made the choice that Fareeda would do that, so I did it. But also, I think working in L.A. has prepared me as well because that was the first time I filmed outside of Los Angeles. I was born and raised in California, so I had never filmed in another state. That was a new experience for me. Working out-of-state was really cool. I had the chance to explore a new place where I didn’t know where I was going (laughing). I love New Orleans. I love the culture and I love the food. I love how we were able to incorporate all of that into our film. It really helped bring our film to life.
Are there any particular things you consider when deciding on a role?
No, not really. It’s more so the story. Do the characteristics of the character serve the purpose of the story? There isn’t really an attribute of a character that I wouldn’t play. I am open to anything as long as it makes sense. Hopefully, the story is positive and if it’s not positive, I would consider whether it sheds light on something real, something that I’m passionate about, or a story that needs to be told.
BE’N ORIGINAL
