Exclusive Celebrity Interview: Celebrity Actress Erica Hubbard
Jeremy Copeland: Erica thanks so much for agreeing to do this interview with Me and Luxe7Magazine. How are you doing?
Erica Hubbard: Hey! I am doing really great, and thanks for the interview with Luxe7Magazine!
Jeremy Copeland: What got you into being an actress? Was that always a 1st passion of yours?
Erica Hubbard: When I was younger my dad said I use to imitate different lines from scenes on television on commercials or television shows, and he knew that’s when I had a passion for being an actress. He said it was always something I was fascinated with when I was around the age of 9 years old. So, he had a friend that worked for Sears and my very first job was modeling for Sears through his friend. I really liked modeling as a child; so then we had to find an agent and they started sending me out for commercials. One of my very first commercials I filmed at 9 years old as well. Soon after that I started doing voice-overs, theater and then I eventually worked on films and television jobs in Chicago. After graduating from Columbia College and hosting a morning kids show I moved to California and started working in the entertainment industry on the West Coast.
Jeremy Copeland: Being an actress who has had the formal training and etc do you have more of a confidence when you walk into auditions?
Erica Hubbard: I feel it is very important to have training in your profession because it gives you the confidence you need to maneuver with in your career, and helps you to trust yourself that you can do the job. I feel very fortunate to have trained with some of the best teachers in the acting industry from Columbia College in Chicago. I was fortunate to take theater courses with teachers from Second City, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Piven Theater etc. My teachers taught me a lot about what embodying a character really means. That’s the reason why I was able to play Madison in A Cinderella Story which is very different from Kiana in Akeelah and The Bee or Cassie from Lincoln Heights who is very different from Kita in Let’s Stay Together. I love watching versatile actors like Tom Hanks, Angela Bassett, Tilda Swinton, Hilary Swank and emulate their work ethic into my craft. Plus, it gets boring to see the same actors do the same techniques in every project. All the people you portray cannot act the same way because everyone in life is different. With that being said, I strongly believe the right training helps you book more roles and join all three unions as an actor: SAG, EQUITY and AFTRA.
Jeremy Copeland: What was your first major role as an actress?
Erica Hubbard: I feel very fortunate to say one of my first major roles as an actress was playing Jasmine in the hit-movie Save The Last Dance.
Jeremy Copeland: How did you being a star on ” Lincoln Heights ” playing the role as Cassie come about?
Erica Hubbard: I had just completed Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants and I was resting and visiting my family in Chicago when I got the phone call to fly to California and audition. I passed on the role at first because I wanted to stay home and spend time with my family. So, after a week I flew back to Los Angeles and got another phone call that the role of Cassie had not been booked and production was still looking. I go in for the first audition, and then I get a call shortly after saying I have to go in for network because they are moving fast on this project and they need to book this role. I go in on another audition and shortly after all the girls were dismissed except me and that’s when they told me the good news… that I had got the part of Cassie Sutton. We shot the pilot in San Diego and waited for weeks to see if the show would get picked up and we all were so blessed that it did! We shot four great years filming back in LA. I am very happy to say that the show aired on ABC Family, and now it’s currently on Netflix and TV One Network. I love the longevity of Lincoln Heights airing on television and all the support from the fans!
Jeremy Copeland: What actress did u look up too growing up?
Erica Hubbard: The actresses I looked up to growing up and still do are Phylicia Rashad, Helen Mirren, Tilda Swinton, Oprah, Angela Bassett, Kimberly Elise, Debbie Allen, Meryl Streep, Cecily Tyson, Queen Latifah, Whoopi Goldberg, etc.
Jeremy Copeland: All of your roles are so versatile and different. Do you not like being stuck in a box and being free to work different roles?
Erica Hubbard: Thank you, I love living and portraying different lifestyles because it is a form of freedom to create. However, if it is a great story I think ultimately that’s really what matters in accepting a project.
Jeremy Copeland: What is that one role that you have not played that you would love too.
Erica Hubbard:I would love to play an action hero with super powers in a film. Last but not least, a good thriller would be nice as well for a movie role.
Jeremy Copeland: What was it like being cast for BET’s Let’s Stay Together?
Erica Hubbard: It really was an honor to be cast as Kita on Let’s Stay Together because it gave me the opportunity to be on a sitcom in a recurring role, and most importantly make people laugh and fall in love with my character’s upbeat personality.
Jeremy Copeland: What are your Tips to staying a working actress?
Erica Hubbard:My tips on being a working actress is plain and simple, if you are truly passionate about a role you will get the job that is meant for you. In the meantime, always keep yourself working on your skills in the industry by being in a play, in film festivals or taking acting classes. Remember as the old saying goes, “Practice makes perfect!”
Jeremy Copeland: Tell me about Erica’s Style, what do you like to portray on the red carpets and in everyday life?
Erica Hubbard: My style catches people off-guard because I am spontaneous and like to keep my wardrobe exciting. One day, I want to be preppy, the next day I want to be a vixen and maybe another time I want to be a business women. I have had red-carpet looks that range from elegant to casual. Depending on my mood for that particular day determines my fashion statement for that moment…Lol!
Jeremy Copeland: What’s Playing in your IPOD right now?
Erica Hubbard:I love Adele’s Music and basically a lot of her songs gets my day going.
Jeremy Copeland: What are your thoughts on Reality TV, Do you watch it? Would you do it?
Erica Hubbard: Occasionally, I watch reality shows when I have the time. I think it is an opportunity if someone is on the right reality show. I would consider it later on in my career because it can be a good one that people watch and support.
Jeremy Copeland: What is your method to rocking out at an audition?
Erica Hubbard: Honestly, prayer helps me first to get through my scenes because I always love being in touch with my Spirit.
Then, my method to “rocking out” an audition is being relaxed doing acting exercises, and then I inhabited the character I am portraying in every beat of the scenes using all my senses and instincts.
JeremyCopeland: What has been the hardest Role you have had to play thus far in your career?
Erica Hubbard: I can’t say I have had a hard role because when you are cast in a project they are confident you can portray the character, and that makes me feel confident once I book the job. However, I can say I was nominated for a NAACP Theater Award for a play I performed in, and I had to cry every night for a month or so. The moments I had to go through to cry every night was hard on my body, but it truly prepared me for my crying scenes on Lincoln Heights being Cassie Sutton.
Jeremy Copeland: What’s Next for you in 2012
Erica Hubbard: I happy to say my character Kita Whitmore returns to BET’s Let’s Stay Together for some episodes in January 2012.
Also, I am really excited to say I wrote a couple of fun books for children which you can find more information about on: www.booksbyericahubbard.com.
I am reading my books for a literacy campaign that my non-profit (www.theericahubbardfoundation.org) is having in 2012!
Jeremy Copeland: What’s a Stamp that you want to leave on the industry?
Erica Hubbard: The “stamp” I want to leave on the industry and with everyone who supports my career is that I cared about the projects I took.
Also, I left a good impression with my community giving back through my non-profit as well as the images I portrayed on television and in films. Hopefully, my work uplifts everyone who views it and I can continue to make great projects for the community that supports my journey!
Jeremy Copeland: Describe yourself in 3 words.
Erica Hubbard:
Loving
Humble
Courageous
Jeremy Copeland: What’s one thing that you want my Luxe7Magazine readers to take from you from this interview?
Erica Hubbard: Please keep supporting me and thanks so much for all the love you have embraced me with! Lastly, keep in contact and visit me on www.twitter.com/ericahubbard and check out my website for updates at: www.ericahubbard.com (Peace &Love Always!)
