Warning: This interview contains light spoilers for season 1 ofRun the World.
And that’s a big reason why the formerGreekstar joined the cast of the Starz comedyRun the World.
Did you all do anything extra to build chemistry?
Amber Stevens West, Corbin Reid, Bresha Webb, and Andrea Bordeaux are the stars of ‘Run the World’ on Starz.Cara Howe/2020 Starz Entertainment
AMBER STEVENS WEST:This is one of those instant-bonds situations.
We’re thinking she would probably play Renee."
And I was like, “Yes, that’s my friend in real life.
Tosin Morohunfola and Amber Stevens West in their Nelly and Kelly Rowland costumes on ‘Run the World’.Cara Howe/2020 Starz Entertainment
I already love her.”
And it’d be so much fun."
So we already had chemistry with each other for 10-plus years.
Amber Stevens West and Tosin Morohunfola on ‘Run the World’.Cara Howe/2020 Starz Entertainment
But then we did chemistry reads, and those work!
Corbin came in for the first round of chemistry reads and was reading to play Ella and Sondi.
But to me and Bresha it was very clear she needs to be in this group.
And it’s how it feels in real life.
The chemistry between us is very real.
We have a lot of fun together, and so nothing’s being faked.
So I think chemistry reads are so essential, and it makes such a big difference.
It’s so much more fun to watch people who really are enjoying each other’s company on screen.
Did you get immediate flak for that, or did viewers leave room for nuance?
People were definitely split.
Some people would be like, “What is this girl doing?
I would never cheat on him.
And I think that’s even more relatable because we’re all really quick to judge.
People love to judge each other and say, “How could you do that?
How could so-and-so cheat on so-and-so?
They’re the most sought-after celebrity in Hollywood!
How could they do that?”
So I think that you slowly judge Whitney less as you get to know her through the season.
And it’s not anyone else’s business to judge the choices that they make.
you’re free to just be a friend and support them through this difficult time in their life.
That’s what her girlfriends are there for.
Whitney definitely won people over with her “Dilemma” performance at karaoke.
Do you normally go as hard for karaoke as Whitney does?
I’ve had that party before.
Yes, I do.
Another thing that resonated this season was the therapy episode.
Did that feel like a highlight through this process?
I loved that episode.
When I read it, I was so excited by it.
I think it’s just so well written.
It’s so balanced between all four characters and learning the backstory of their friendships.
And it’s also nice to see women go to therapy.
It just destigmatizes it.
Mental health and wellness is huge, and we don’t need to judge each other for going.
I love the different approaches that all four characters take to their therapy.
I think all of that’s really funny and fun to watch too, because it’s so real.
From her spitting out that she cheated to them having sex to him still needing space after.
It’s all surprising because you just don’t know.
This is the only choice that makes sense for this character, so you’ve earned this moment.
And then the conversation that she has, you just don’t know where it’s going to go.
So you’re on the edge of your seat that entire episode, and it feels very real.
And I loved the way it ends, honestly.
I think that that’s exactly how it should end.
Did you film the scenes with Tosin before you filmed the conclusion where she comes back to her friends?
No, I filmed showing up to my friends first.
Yeah, we filmed that out of order.
We didn’t want it to be choreographed necessarily, like best for the camera.
Because they’re not in their own home, they’re in their friend’s apartment.
And then ask the director, ‘Okay, how do you feel about this?
How can we move around?
Get the DP in here.
Where do you actually need us to stand for it to look the best?
But this is what makes sense for this moment.'”
But we did it.
Do you think that was a goodbye from Ola?
I mean, me as a viewer, I want to see this Nigerian wedding.
I am here for that.
I want that whole experience on TV.
I do love that his character needs more time.
That’s just so real.
And I do love that they end up sleeping together because it’s like, how could they not?
It says so much about his character and what kind of a relationship they really have.
It truly is a very supportive one, and that’s what makes it so heartbreaking.
But this really changes the game.
Are you excited for people to now be able to watch the full season in one sitting?
This show is super-easy to binge.
So if people prefer to watch their shows that way, I think they’re going to love it.
So yeah, I look forward to getting just even more people, more eyes on the show.
I think it’ll just grow our audience, and then people will be more excited for season 2.
I still love appointment TV, though.
Delayed gratification is a good thing.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
