Maniac Magazine’s Cover Shoot with Samira Wiley
Celebrities often have limitations on what they’ll share with journalists. Even though they’re in the public eye, they’ll set boundaries about what they are comfortable revealing formally. This doesn’t stop the public from speculating, of course, about who is dating whom or whether someone has a “baby bump.” This issue’s cover model, however, has such an incredible role on such an outstanding show that we happily spent the entire interview talking about her career and her propulsion into the public eye. Who needs gossip when you have a breakout star on your hands?
On a gorgeous summer day, Samira Wiley walked out onto the cozy café patio wearing a gray tank top, jeans, and no makeup. Despite her understated accessorizing and petite frame, Wiley’s aura filled up the whole space. Her eyes sparkled as she introduced herself. She was quiet, and maintained a confident presence. As we began the interview, her quiet spirit gave rise to a depth of character that seems fitting coming from an actress from one of entertainment’s most successful series.
The Netflix original series, Orange is the New Black, has made instant stars out of its massive, mostly female cast. The women on the show represent nearly every race, size, and sexual orientation. The show has generated a huge fan base and twelve Emmy nominations, making it a cultural and critical success. Perhaps more importantly, however, is the show’s portrayal of complicated and layered female characters. The characters and the beautifully written scripts allows this talented, multi-faceted ensemble cast the chance to shine through their dramatic and comedic acting.
And, boy, does Samira shine. She says, “I’ve known I wanted to be an actress my whole life. As long as I’ve known that acting was a thing that existed and you could get paid to do it, I wanted to do it.” She attended a school for the arts in high school, and while acting and theatre were her passion, she says she never felt validated by those around her. Samira says she didn’t feel a certainty that she was truly gifted until later.
Like so many of us (perhaps women especially), Samira doubted her gift. When she wasn’t offered the lead roles in plays, and wasn’t getting verbal affirmation she experienced disenchantment that for some of us would have meant quitting. Year after year, she attended a creative arts camp and never got that big role. Despite the disappointment of not being chosen, she marched on: learning her craft, studying her art, finding her voice.
Only after a college professor saw what the rest of the world now sees, and suggested Samira audition for the prestigious Julliard School for performing arts in New York City did she realize her potential. It was that small nudge that propelled her into what is now a career of incredible success and accolades. That ounce of encouragement from a mentor changed the course of Samira’s life, and allows her to use her gift in a very public way. Now she hears from people on social media and in person on a daily basis about how she inspires others and gives people hope. Her decision to stick with her passion now provides motivation for others to chase their dreams.
When I ask about Samira’s newfound fame, she seems somewhat uneasy. Her ambivalence is driven by her strong passion for her craft and the complications of navigating a new world where everyone already knows her (or thinks they do). “You know, I always loved talking to people, and just being out in the world and getting someone to like me through my own personality,” she intimates. Once people have a feeling they know you already, it’s hard to make those spontaneous connections. Deeply loving and loyal towards her fans, though, she says she feels their adoration for the show and also the deep connection they have to its characters, including hers. Samira says, “Because of the way the show’s episodes are released all at once on Netflix, people can decide how they want to consume it, which gives them a sense of ownership over it.”
Samira says the intimacy that Orange is the New Black provides through this unique structure made her a celebrity almost literally overnight. Despite the fact that she is still learning how to wade through the challenges of stardom, she feels her work is a ministry. As someone who was raised in the church by pastor parents, Samira knows something about the intersection of spirituality and artistry. She sees her acting talent as a gift she can offer to others. Her goal was not to obtain fame and fortune, but to work and to use her gift. Thanks to Orange is the New Black it looks like she’ll get both for a long time.
The show highlights characters with all different kinds of power—some of them use their power for good, while others use it to manipulate and gain control of others. And just like in real life, there are no clear villains and heroes; they’re all complicated people who are powerful in different ways. Samira’s character, Poussey Washington, developed greatly in the second season, and the audience learned more about her complicated backstory. We saw Poussey demonstrate power through integrity and loyalty.
Meeting Samira, it is clear there is much of her in the Poussey character. Her contemplative depth is offset by her contagious laugh and genuine warmth. Like her character, there is a quiet strength hidden behind a lightness. She feels that she has become a woman of power, but said she might not have said that a few months ago. Like many of us, Samira is slowly moving into her own strength, and she is finding power in the realization that she is an amazing, talented, powerful woman.
After years of feeling like she wasn’t quite good enough for those standout acting parts and hoping to be the lead in plays, Samira is now one of Hollywood’s breakout stars on a hit show. Even though she might not have acknowledged that she was a woman of power a few months ago, it takes a quiet strength to continue pursuing your dream in the face of little or no validation for years.
It is that perseverance that Maniac is celebrating in this issue. The characters of Orange is the New Black, and the many talented actors who play them, demonstrate a type of strength from which we can all learn. These deeply flawed, beautiful creatures keep going, and Samira Wiley is a true dynamo packed inside a small, beautiful vessel.
By Susie Meister
Photography by April Hubal
Styled by Kelsey Panicco
Makeup by Alexis Williams using Dior Cosmetics and Avene Skincare
Lighting Assistant: Jeremy Nelson
Styling Assistant: Nyle Fisher
Shot on location at Urban Cowboy B&B
