In celebration of Juneteenth, STARZ hosted a #TakeTheLead panel at Refinery29 Unbothered’s The Glow Up event in Atlanta, featuring a dynamic conversation between actresses Gail Bean and Psalms Salazar, and hair/makeup artist J. Denelle from STARZ’s P-Valley about their role in amplifying narratives about Black women. Here, we spoke to Gail Bean about her thoughts on Black modern television, her character on P-Valley, and how readers can “take the lead” in their lives.
There’s a changing of the guard happening in Black Hollywood, with a recent crop of buzzy new TV shows that are helmed by Black folks, star Black leads, and tell Black stories. One of them is STARZ’s P-Valley, which takes place in the fictional Mississippi town Chucalissa and follows the lives of Uncle Clifford and the girls of a local strip club as they navigate life’s obstacles in the deep South. If you’ve watched it, then you know that the plot goes beyond shining light on the sex work industry and the artistry of pole dancing — at the heart of P-Valley’s DNA is empowerment through an intersectional lens. It’s a message that one of the show’s newcomers, Gail Bean, says is crucial in telling the kinds of stories that people can relate to.
Prior to taking on the role of Roulette in P-Valley, the actress was best known for her portrayal of Wanda in FX’s Snowfall, as well as a stint in the second season of Issa Rae’s Insecure. But for Bean, it’s less about having a string of hits under her belt, and more about creating content that depicts the vast and wide-ranging facets of Black lives. And while it’s important to showcase Black luxury, the other end of the spectrum — the more realistic portrayals — is just as critical. Because, Bean says, with the power of representation comes a great responsibility to the community.
Keep scrolling to read Bean’s take on the state of Black modern television, what it’s like to work with a female-dominated cast, and what makes her feel empowered in her personal life.
You starred in the FX show Snowfall and now you’ve joined P-Valley for season two. What does working on two of the most popular shows in Black modern television mean to you?
“Our stories are the brainchild of incredibly talented Black creatives. It means inclusion and diversity as well as security. Being a part of these programs means responsibility to my culture and my community. It means I have to do my due diligence so that I do not make a mockery of Black content. I believe it’s important to show we live in multiple intersections. I know we’re in a ‘Black Renaissance’ of showcasing Black families living in luxury, large suburban homes, two-parent households, and excellent jobs. This reality is not the case across the country at this very moment.”
What was your reaction when you got the call to star in P-Valley?
“I was ecstatic. I immediately purchased a pole to practice. I didn’t even know which character I would play, but if I was going to be a dancer, I wanted to be ready.”