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Saturday 9 January 2021 people & Arts
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Q&A: Javicia Leslie takes on Batwoman role to empower others

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP: How did your character
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Ryan endure being home-
Javicia Leslie moved to Los less?
Angeles, she frequently Leslie: That may seem like
rode down the popular the bottom to some peo-
Sunset Boulevard to view ple, but that was the top of
the row of erected TV and what she's been through.
film billboards for inspira- To even have her own van
tion. As an aspiring actor, and take care of herself,
she often parked under- that meant something to
neath her favorite ones to her. She comes from foster
study before an audition. care and abusive foster
For years, Leslie made this homes and people not car-
her routine in hopes of one ing for her. The one person
day seeing her image on that cared about her was
full display in Hollywood. Her murdered in front of her. I
dreams ultimately became think what may seem like
reality when the 33-year- nothing to someone else is
old actor — who starred a lot to her. She holds onto
on CBS's "God Friended it. She cherishes it.
Me" and Carl Weber's "The AP: How did your charac-
Family Business" on BET+ — This image provided by The CW shows Javicia Leslie in a scene from "Batwoman." ter's circumstances mold
recently saw a billboard of Associated Press them?
herself donning the black- Leslie: I think that if there
and-red Batwoman suit. tion. Answers have been looking to cast a new Bat- representation in general. is anything that roots the
Leslie will star as the caped edited for length and clar- woman. So, I truly believe in Fans of DC represent ev- darkness in her, it's prob-
crusader on CW's "Batwom- ity. manifestation. eryone, whether it's about ably a little bit of revenge.
an," which premieres its AP: What compelled you to AP: What does being DC's race, whether it's LGBTQ. I The vengeance she has
second season on Jan. 17. study for your roles under first Black female lead su- think what I love so much for the ones that killed her
She succeeds Ruby Rose, billboards? perhero mean to you? about my show is that ev- mother. That is enough.
becoming the franchise's Leslie: I needed that visual Leslie: You know, I always ery character is really a How can you truly fight for
first Black actress to portray to remind myself of what just remind myself that my great representation of ev- what's good if you can't
the superhero, and will be the end goal was and purpose isn't for me. My erything. forgive? How can you truly
featured as an avowed LG- what I really wanted. It just purpose is to empower AP: Before telling your mom be on the right side if ven-
BTQ central character. motivated me. It was fun. other people. God brought about landing the Batwom- geance is what empowers
In "Batwoman," Leslie plays Sometimes, I'd study until me here for a reason. He an role, you informed her you?
the role of Ryan Wilder, I fell asleep. Like I had to put me in this position for a about your sexual orienta- AP: What do you want peo-
who spent years as a drug wake up and drive back reason. With that, it's noth- tion as a bisexual. How was ple to take away from your
runner while dodging Go- home. ing to fear because I know that convo? career so far?
tham police. Her character AP: So this is something you this will empower some- Leslie: I never had a fear of Leslie: There's so many times
has lethal hand-combat manifested? one to see a Black female talking to my mom about where I could have said
skills but is viewed as a kind- Leslie: I feel like everything superhero. You don't get anything. It's to the point "This is hard" and walked
hearted person who lives in I'm living right now, I've spo- to see it often. It's so epic. where I don't have to talk away. But you must keep
a van with a plant. ken into existence. From I grew up on Batman and about a lot of things. She going. One of the things I
In a recent interview, Leslie the very beginning to the Catwoman and the Joker already gets it. She already live by is that if you follow
spoke to The Associated detail. Even with Batwom- and Penguin. Now, to see knows. So when we had a your passion, you'll find your
Press about carrying the an, I did an interview in blackness in that, I think conversation, she was like purpose. I think God puts
mantle as the new Bat- May and I was asked what it's very inclusive. Very em- "I am your mother. There's passions in us for a reason.
woman, the importance role I wanted to do next, powering. nothing you can tell me ... You must find your pur-
of the character being a and I said, "I want to play a AP: What's the importance that I didn't already know." pose in anything you want
lesbian and having a con- superhero." ... The following of this character to be a My mom, that's my best and speak it into existence.
versation with her mother month, I got the audition. I lesbian? friend. She's very support- Then you need to have the
about her sexual orienta- didn't even know they were Leslie: It's important to have ive. work ethic to support it.q

Avenatti's trial over Stormy Daniels book funds set for 2022

By LARRY NEUMEISTER ald Trump in online postings guilty to all charges. q
Associated Press while Avenatti represented
NEW YORK (AP) — A trial for the stripper and porn star. Solution Sudoku
Michael Avenatti to face In 2018, Avenatti regu-
charges that he cheated larly appeared on cable 1/09 Difficulty Level
ex-client Stormy Daniels out news programs to attack 7 4 3 9 6 1 5 8 2
of proceeds from her book Trump after suing him over 8 9 6 5 2 4 1 3 7
was delayed Friday until a $130,000 payoff Daniels 1 5 2 7 8 3 4 6 9
next year. received shortly before the 2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc. 4 1 8 6 7 5 2 9 3
U.S. District Judge Jesse M. 2016 presidential election 3 6 9 4 1 2 8 7 5
Furman in Manhattan said to silence her about claims 5 2 7 3 9 8 6 4 1
a Jan. 10, 2022, date will of a tryst with Trump a de- 6 7 1 8 5 9 3 2 4
In this April 16, 2018, file photo, adult film actress Stormy Dan- be firm for the once high- cade earlier. Trump has de- 2 8 4 1 3 7 9 5 6
iels, left, stands with her then lawyer, Michael Avenatti, during a flying California lawyer who nied any affair. 9 3 5 2 4 6 7 1 8
press conference outside federal court in New York. sparred with President Don- Avenatti has pleaded not
Associated Press Puzzle on Page 13