PASSION AND A PURPOSE
New ‘Batwoman’ Javicia Leslie takes on role, premiering Sunday, aiming to empower others
When Javicia Leslie moved to Los Angeles, she often rode down Sunset Boulevard to look at the row of TV and film billboards for inspiration.
As an aspiring actor, she often parked underneath her favorite ones to study before an audition. For years, Leslie made this her routine, hoping that one day she’d see her own image up there on display in Hollywood.
Her dreams became reality when the 33-year-old actor — who starred on CBS’ “God Friended Me” and Carl Weber’s “The Family Business” on BET+ — recently saw a billboard of herself donning the black-andred Batwoman suit.
Leslie now stars on The CW’s “Batwoman,” which premieres its second season on Sunday. Replacing Ruby Rose, who left the show after its first season, she’s the first Black actress to portray the superhero, an avowed LGBTQ central character.
Leslie plays the role of Ryan Wilder, who spent years as a drug runner while dodging the Gotham police. Her character has lethal hand-combat skills but is still a kind-hearted person who lives in a van with a plant.
In an interview, Leslie spoke about carrying the mantle as the new Batwoman, the importance of the character being a lesbian and having a conversation with her mother about her own sexual orientation. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Question: What compelled you to study for roles under billboards?
Answer: I needed that visual to remind myself of what the end goal was and what I really wanted. It just motivated me. It was fun. Sometimes, I’d study until I fell asleep.
Q. So this is something you manifested?
A. I feel like everything I’m living right now, I’ve spoken into existence. Even with Batwoman, I did an interview in May, and I was asked what role I wanted to do next. And I said, “I want to play a superhero.” The following month, I got the audition. I didn’t even know they were looking to cast a new Batwoman.
Q. What does being DC’s first Black female lead superhero mean to you?
A. I always just remind myself that my purpose isn’t for me. My purpose is to empower other people. God brought me here for a reason. He put me in this position for a reason.
It’s nothing to fear because I know this will empower someone to see a Black female superhero. You don’t get to see it often. It’s so epic. I grew up on Batman and Catwoman and the Joker and Penguin. Now, to see blackness in that, I think it’s very inclusive, very empowering.
Q. What’s the importance of this character being a lesbian?
A. It’s important to have representation in general. Fans of DC represent everyone, whether it’s about race, whether it’s LGBTQ.
Q. Before telling your mom about landing the Batwoman role, you informed her about your sexual orientation as a bisexual. How was that conversation?
A. I never had a fear of talking to my mom about anything. It’s to the point where I don’t have to talk about a lot of things. She already knows. So, when we had a conversation, she was, like, “I am your mother. There’s nothing you can tell me that I didn’t already know.” My mom, that’s my best friend. She’s very supportive.
Q. How did your character Ryan endure being homeless?
A. That may seem like the bottom to some people, but that was the top of what she’s been through. To even have her own van and take care of herself, that meant something to her. She comes from foster care and abusive foster homes and people not caring for her. The one person that cared about her was murdered in front of her. I think what may seem like nothing to someone else is a lot to her. She holds on to it. She cherishes it.
Q: How did circumstances mold your character?
A. I think that, if there is anything that roots the darkness in her, it’s probably a little bit of revenge. The vengeance she has for the ones that killed her mother. How can you truly fight for what’s good if you can’t forgive? How can you truly be on the right side if vengeance is what empowers you?
Q. What do you want people to take from your career so far?
A. There’s so many times where I could have said “This is hard” and walked away. But you must keep going.
One of the things I live by is that, if you follow your passion, you’ll find your purpose. You must find your purpose in anything you want and speak it into existence. Then, you need to have the work ethic to support it.