Atlanta native Gail Bean got her first big break after staring in Sundance film Unexpected. Since the 25-year-old has had roles in Insecure and Atlanta and is currently starring in FX’s Snowfall. Bean’s authenticity shined through as we discussed her acting and writing careers and making the big move from Georgia to California.
You’re a multifaceted artist, being that you’re an author, a poet, an actress, a model. How do you maintain the balance of all those arts?
It’s fun to me! I feel like I used to be like, “Sit down and make time for yourself.” But, everything I do is time for myself so I just kind of make a schedule. I really use my calendar. I write notes everyday. That helps me balance everything.
Do you ever find yourself using one of your art crafts as a means to escape from the stress of your fast-paced life? If so, which one and why that particular one?
Poetry… Poetry is definitely my safe zone from everything. Poetry, even though I can be free in [acting], poetry is something that if I don’t want anybody to see or hear I can… It’s basically like going to the top of the mountain and screaming. I don’t judge myself in it. There’s freedom and I just love words!
You dropped a very intimate work of what you call not poetry, but BEANetry. For your poetry book Lavon, what did the process look like for you writing it?
I just had a bunch of poems when I moved to [California]. I didn’t know anybody, so I was writing all the time. I was like, “I want to release this for me.” When I worked at this retail store, I would write at work on little note cards that we were supposed to hand out to people. There were finished and unfinished ones and at some point I said, “I want to put this out. I want to shoot some visuals.” My friend was like, “You need to make a book!” I was truly running from making a book, but I did it!
Certainly there is so much vulnerability that comes with releasing the worst that you did. Why did you choose to share your story in particular?
I feel like I wasn’t the only one going through it and a lot of times people need to hear stories to help motivate them, let them know they’re not alone. Because I felt like sometimes when you’re going through things, you feel like you’re the only person going through that thing. It’s just much easier to share it with the world. Even if you are the only person going through it, now the world has your story and so you’re not going through it by yourself.
After the dust settled, what would you say you learned during and perhaps, after you published Lavon?
Through that reflection I was able to overcome my fear. I was able to overcome a heartbreak and pain. But most importantly [I learned that], art is the best way of expressing. Expressing yourself is the best form of healing.
Essentially you grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, but as you got older you made the brave move to LA. How was that transition for you emotionally and mentally?
Emotionally it was a roller coaster. I was on a high. I just felt like this is where I need to be for my career. But it was hard. I was leaving everything I knew: my friends, my family. It was a culture shock when I got here. Here there’s so many other ethnicities. But mentally and emotionally I feel like it also helped me grow. I wasn’t used to being on my own. I’m not going to lie. I called my brother one night crying and telling him I wanted to come home and he was like, “No, you’re going to be alright.” I said, “Okay.” But it’s a roller coaster because although you have success, it can get very lonely out here. I feel like what LA does [is grow people at their core]. It made me better, because I was myself.
You play Wanda on FX’s Snowfall. What does it take for you to transform into her?
Hair, wardrobe, make up… all of those amazing people help me to transform into Wanda And help me to truly feel like an LA South Central girl from the 80’s. They are amazing. And that is hard because especially out here, in production, you don’t have a lot of people who are well versed in doing Black people’s hair and makeup.But, I love everything about my vanity team. We talk. I do my research, looking up all things LA in the 80’s. I also spoke with people who are here and have been around since that time.
Aside from Snowfall you have been in major television shows, such as Atlanta and Insecure, as well as different films. What role has been the most life-changing and why?
First let me start off with the films. Unexpected was the first major project I booked in my whole life. It went to Sundance. I’ve always wanted to go to the film festival. It gave me the exposure I needed to get some notable reps. I got a manager from that. Also the director from Unexpected represented me for Atlanta, which is one my favorite projects to have worked on. It’s home. It is the first major project that I shot in Atlanta. That meant a lot. It will always hold a special place in my heart. So Unexpected, because it definitely changed my world. It put me in a whole new ball game.
Thank you for talking with us at Urban, but before we go what’s next for Gail Bean?
I’m currently shooting a movie, an independent film titled American Woman. I’m shooting it with Brittany Hall from Ballers. The director is Shatara Michelle Ford. [This has] all female department heads, female leads, Black female leads, Black hair and makeup artists. So, it’s major and I love it! I have a film called Skin In the Game, which will be premiering at Urban World festival in September in New York. And, Snowfall is still going! [Also, I’m] dropping visuals for my poetry. The next one drops September 5. But thank you so much!
Sciler Williams
