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PEOPLE/ARTS Wednesday 11 OctOber 2017
‘Legends’ star shatters stereotypes with Muslim superhero

By NICOLE EVATT that now. ... Going through
Associated Press that experience taught me
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) the power of saying ‘no’
— Tala Ashe is thrilled to and saying like, ‘Actually
debut her new character, I’m not OK with that.’ And
a Muslim-American super- if that’s all there is out there
hero joining season three for me then it’s OK. I’ll go
of “DC’s Legends of To- work in a law firm pouring
morrow.” It’s a particularly coffee. I’d rather do that
poignant moment for the then to be part of promot-
Iranian-born, Ohio-reared ing that stereotype.”
actress who described the Her experience playing
hardship of portraying ste- Zari, a computer-hacking
reotypical characters in superhero in “Legends,”
the past. which returns Tuesday,
“I have been part of proj- could not be more differ-
ects where it is not dealt ent.
with sensitively or accurate- “What is great is (her eth-
ly and it’s incredibly pain- nicity) is an aspect of who
ful. It’s incredibly painful,” she is, as much as she’s an
said Ashe in an interview activist and she’s a strong
while promoting The CW woman and someone who
series during the Television speaks truth to power,”
Critics Association summer Ashe said. “It’s really impor-
meeting. tant that we have repre-
One of Ashe’s first breaks sentation in the media and
was on a soap opera. She specifically we have Mus- In this Aug. 2, 2017 file photo, Tala Ashe, a cast member in the CW series “DC’s Legends of To-
took the role to pay the lim-American representa- morrow,” poses for a portrait during the 2017 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in
bills, but said she would tion that isn’t just positive in Beverly Hills, Calif.
never agree to the part a sort of rosy, un-nuanced Associated Press
now. way, but is a real person. pressed when showrunners in television and certainly role model for young fans
“It’s still actually painful for And there’s so much of the brought in a Muslim-Ameri- in movies. I think we have and perhaps break down
me to talk about because other right now and there’s can writer to help craft her a long way to go in terms a few stereotypes along
I, it was such a stereotype,” so much making Muslims role and hopes that kind of representation in movies. the way.
she recalled. “I try not to ‘the other’ that I’m excited of inclusivity will spread But I think TV is doing kind “I’m excited to see what
berate myself for taking to play this character in throughout Hollywood. of the best job in terms of the reaction is and if it can
it because I understand what I hope will be a very “I do think there are more realizing that we need to make someone feel a little
the reasons that I did. But I nuanced and sensitive, ac- stories being told. I think reflect our world and that it less alone or — here’s the
would never, I would never curate way.” more stories can be cham- matters,” she said. big hope — if it can change
say ‘yes’ to something like Ashe was particularly im- pioned both in theater and Ashe aims to be a positive a mind,” she said. q
Original Bananarama line-up announces first U.S. tour

By HILARY FOX getting your songs sung’
Associated Press and I just thought it was
LONDON (AP) — It took a such a shame she had nev-
kitchen sing-song to get er experienced it with us
‘80s British pop group Ba- and it just seemed like such
nanarama back together a crying shame really.”
and out on the road after Fahey, who now lives in
30 years.The girl group’s Los Angeles, said she was
original members — Sarah excited to perform the
Dallin, Keren Woodward band’s songs live.“I am re-
and Siobhan Fahey — say familiarizing myself with our
they are touring the U.S. for body of work over the sum-
the first time in February. mer,” she said. “I was so
Fahey left the band in 1988 proud, it is really something
to form Shakespears Sister, to celebrate.”Rehearsals
and Dallin and Woodward began this week and tick-
have been performing as ets go on sale Friday. Some
a duo in recent years. They British tour dates have al-
were joined briefly by Jac- ready sold out.“It has been
quie O’Sullivan, who took a constant love wave actu-
part in a 1989 world tour ally this time around. Times
but left in 1991. have changed and people
“We were having a dance seem to appreciate us a lot In this Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 photo, members of ‘Bananarama’ from left, Siobhan Fahey, Sara Dallin,
around Siobhan’s kitchen more this time,” says Fahey. and Keren Woodward, pose for a portrait in London to promote their new tour.
a few years ago,” Wood- Bananarama’s stateside Associated Press
ward told The Associated success began with “Cruel
Press in an interview. “And Summer” of 1983, which “Karate Kid.”The group said ics to them as they walked and “Robert DeNiro’s Wait-
I said to her, ‘you just don’t became a hit after the it realized how big the song past him in his limo. ing,” which led to a London
understand the love and track was picked to ap- had become when Mike Further hits included “Ve- meeting with the Oscar-
how it feels when you are pear on the soundtrack for Tyson once sang the lyr- nus,” ‘’I Heard A Rumor” winning actor..q