Actress misses meeting people
Emmy Award winner Ashley Nicole Black is one of the writers and stars of HBO’s comedy series, “A Black Lady Sketch Show.” She recently was surprised to hear that Georgia politician Stacey Abrams said she’d want Black — or actress Viola Davis — to play her in a biopic.
“I was in shock,” Black said. “I’m such a big fan of (her) and her work. So the idea that she likes my work as well is very humbling. And to even be mentioned in the same breath as Viola Davis? I’m not worthy!”
Q: What have you been up to travel-wise during this pandemic?
A: I haven’t traveled at all during the pandemic. At first, I was spending a lot of my down time taking long walks with my dog — too long. She started refusing the walks!
My mom built a gazebo in her backyard with a couch, chairs, fans, a TV, the works. So our new vacation spot is her backyard with a glass of ice tea.
Q: How do you feel about not being able to just hop on a plane and get to your next location for a project?
A: I miss it so much.
Not the traveling, but the people you meet while you’re traveling. Whether I was performing live or interviewing people for “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” I always got to have great chats with people on the road. That’s the best way to know what people are thinking about
and what they think is funny. I can’t wait to get back to it.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: I enjoy my own company. People think it’s weird or scary for a woman to travel alone, but I love it. I like to sit quietly in a cafe reading a book and letting a language I don’t know wash over me. I like chatting with strangers. I like figuring out directions with the confidence that even if I get lost, I will be OK. I like trying new things. I like abandoning new things immediately if it turns out I don’t like them.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I love San Juan, Puerto Rico. It’s beautiful, the food is amazing and there’s always some partying going on and it’s totally cool if you join in. I would recommend you leave one night open, don’t make plans, and just walk around the city. You are bound to find someone to dance with.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: I love going to Ojai, when I’m in L.A., and upstate when I’m in New York. Just getting outside of the city, going to a nice house with a chill vibe and cooking.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” For whatever reason, I don’t watch Food Network at home, but if I am in a hotel it is on from the moment I check in to the moment I check out. I love Guy Fieri and, though he doesn’t know it, he is my most constant travel companion. Guy, if you’re reading this, run away with me.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: Post-pandemic, all I want is a little house, with a pool, a hot tub and a beautiful view that I can take my dog to. That’s it.