Lovell Adams-Gray Talks Power Book II: Ghost, Gaming and Will Smith
Lovell Adams-Gray from Power Book II: Ghost on what inspired him to act, his role as Dru Tejada and
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I used to watch Will Smith in everything. I love the joy and energy he brings to his work. He's so big, fun, and fully expressive. Every day at school teachers, and kids would tell me I was so extra and I should be an actor, and I was like, 'aight.'
You studied film and acting at Humber College, correct?
Yes, it was a program called Acting for Film and Television. It was a two-year program, and it gave me the tools I needed to start my career.
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What benefits of studying acting in higher education?
You'll get a lot of tools for your toolbox! It's an age-old cliche, but especially for black actors in the modern-day, growing up, there were a lot of plays and narratives that I didn't know about, and these works are at the forefront with instructors at these institutions. To learn about ourselves and the things that are in the pantheon of black culture that hasn't been in the mainstream is eye-opening. For myself, I like to focus on one thing at a time. I don't often do so, but I do my best to focus on one thing. If given the challenge to go to a place, put my head down and absorb, I feel like I thrive in that place. In higher education, I don't have to learn on the job and apply things instantly; I can practice and fail. There's not a lot of spaces where you'll be able to do that safely. The biggest thing I've learned from acting school was that it's an ensemble. An institution for actors is great, but if you grew up doing community theater, that's also just as valuable. You can go and be together with actors, keep each other honest and challenge each other and that's the ensemble.
What challenges did you face preparing for Dru Tejada on Power Book II: Ghost?
I don't know how to draw. That was the biggest challenge for me. Dru is a beautiful visual artist, and the way I express my art is through my body and my voice; drawing was challenging to get into because it was a sore spot in school.
What kind of responses do you get from the LGBT+ community on Dru Tejada?
I get a lot of love. A lot of people tell me Dru is important. Seeing Dru's love for Everett, his vulnerability and strength are valuable. The responses let me know I can keep going safely and that I have the support of a lot of people.
There are questions about you being a straight man playing a gay character and how you prepared for that role?
Playing a gay character as a straight man is an important perspective because it's an exercise in empathy. Power is a show based centered around black and brown communities. Power talks about drug dealing, death, power, fashion, and many things important to the Black community. And we're talking about a community of people that have been ostracized for a long time. In my position as a straight man, it's a privilege to tell the story of Dru, embody him, and shine love through him. As an artist, it's our job as actors to do that. LGBT+ black and brown boys are dying, not were, are dying because of the way people see them, because of hatred. Playing Dru is a responsibility I have that I don't take lightly.
How are you able to decompress from all aspects of Dru?
I'm a huge gamer! I love the PlayStation. I'm playing on my PS4 until I get my PS5-- I've asked people who want to get me a PS5 --and I'm playing The Last Of Us Part 2; I can't put it down. It's a beautiful story, the acting is incredible, and I play it every day.
What is your favorite genre of games?
I love adventure games, single-player games. I'm not a big fan of first-person shooters, even though I play Call of Duty with my boys. For the most part, I stick to one player. There's a love called Ghost of Tsushima
What roles are you manifesting for your future?
I don’t often talk about this because I’m very much a keep my head down kind of guy and pray on it. One of biggest goal is to co-star with Will Smith in film. I think he’s one of the greatest actors of all time, he’s a beautiful spirit and I love the messages he portrays in his work. I also feel like I can play Denezl Washington’s so really well so those are my number two.
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