Imani Lewis is quick-witted, insightful, hilarious, authentic and absolutely lovely. We left this interview completely charmed by her charisma, and we think you’ll be swept away too.
Interview with Imani Lewis: Cal is a Jellybean
Kaity: [00:00:00] Hey, everyone. Welcome back to This Lesbian Ship is Intense. I'm Kaity.
V: And I'm V.
Kaity: And we are back to talk to you about our favorite show, First Kill, and we cannot even play coy or hide our excitement because we have accomplished a great task.
V: Yeah. So, you all have no idea how hard it has been for us to keep our mouths shut about the efforts that we have been making to have a special guest, Miss Imani Lewis to join us.
But y'all, she is, she's got a lot on her calendar and we've also gotta figure out our calendars. So it has been something that we have been working towards and it's finally happened, y'all
Kaity: She is here, and she loves First Kill as much as we do. And we are very [00:01:00] excited to chat about this show that we all love
V: Today we have here with us Imani Lewis.
Imani: Hello, hey everyone. I'm so excited to be here.
V: Thank you so much. We're excited to have you.
Imani: Thank you.
Kaity: Yeah. We're so excited to talk to you and I wanna ask how your past month has been, but you've been so busy. Have you even-
Imani: Yeah
Kaity: -had a chance to enjoy the reaction to First Kill?
Imani: Yeah. Oh no. I've definitely. I take nights where I just indulge in all like the fan edits and like all the comments and everyone's just so sweet and have been so, so supportive of the show. So every now and then I like allow myself to drown in the love that First Kill has been receiving. But yeah, it's been a busy month. It's been, it's been busy, busy, very busy on this side. Yeah.
V: I'm glad you give yourself some time to like indulge in it. Cause I think especially when you get into fandom, you need to have some good boundaries of like, cause you get sucked in really fast and overwhelmed.
Imani: Yeah. At first, at first it was like terrifying. And I was like, Nope, not gonna look at any of it. Like, I'm just gonna put [00:02:00] things up and just act like, I didn't- just act like I don't see any of it. But then I finally let myself, like, I think, I think when things go on social media, it's like very like you're really rolling the dice. Like everyone could really like tell you how much they love you and how excited they are for you and beg for a season two.
Or they could be like, boo, you suck. You know? So it's like, I don't really, I don't, you know, I try not to indulge too much, but when I saw the comments and saw everyone like pleading for a season two, I was like, oh my God, like, people love this show? And then I was like, okay, well, what else do you guys think? You know, like fans are awesome. They're so, so awesome.
V: Yeah. So, I mean, talk about like, overwhelming. Um, not only is this popular here in the States, you know, because the show has been allowed to be broadcast in other countries. Like the, the love is global and I wonder what that's like.
Imani: It's bananas. I feel like they go so, oh, of course I love and adore and appreciate all of the beautiful countries and places and people from them that have been enjoying First Kill and [00:03:00] promoting the show.
But Brazil does not play about First Kill [laughter] They are gonna step every time. And I just, wow. Like that's when I really was like, oh my God. Even when I see like a lot of like responses and a lot of love, like in Spanish,
V: mm-hmm
Imani: I'm like, wow. Like, oh, this is like, this is a big deal. Huh? Sometimes I forget like that, like, oh, you know, I'm so wrapped up in doing the work and how much I enjoy the craft of it that I forget like, oh, people are gonna watch this and then have opinions on it. Okay, cool. So this, the outpouring of love has been like, so heartwarming.
V: That's, that's so true because you go and you film and you do all of the work and you don't reap the benefits until you're done with it.
Imani: Yeah
V: Absolutely. And you're right, Brazil goes hard.
Imani: They go so hard. They go so, so hard. But yeah, we like do all this filming and then we just like hand off our work and we're like, all right. Hope it's great. Hope we did, hope we did enough. So when we saw it back, we were like, oh my God, you, you, you never imagined that it looked how it looked.
Kaity: How [00:04:00] long was it from when you finished filming to where you got to see like the fruits of your labor?
Imani: Ooh. So we started filming last, uh, the March of last year. Okay. We finished around, I wanna say August and then it came out June of this year. So, my math isn't too great, but quite some time, a little over a year, a little over a year. Yeah.
Kaity: Oh, that has to be like the most anxiety inducing thing. Like-
Imani: Oh my God, you have no idea. It's like, oh man. And, and it's like, the closer you get to it, it does not settle. It amplifies the anxiety like, oh man, like, you know, I feel like if anything that, that the time that you like, aren't like after you finish filming, maybe the first few months, you're like, oh my God. Oh my God.
But then you kinda like, not forget about it, but you're like, oh, that was a cool thing I did. I really had a good time. And you know what? That's all. I know we had a good time. We did good work, leave it there. And then it's before it comes out and you're like, holy shit 190 countries are gonna see this like, [00:05:00] I should rethink like my performative choices, like did I? Yeah. It's like definitely as you get closer to it coming out that you start to be like, oh my God, like, this is happening.
V: Yeah, definitely.
Kaity: So I have to ask this is in quite demand. Uh, what's it like to have thousands of lesbians in love with you overnight?
Imani: [laughs] Shout out to the lesbians. Man.
(laughter)
V: Loyal fanbanse.
Imani: Oh my god. All I'm gonna say is Twitter is a very interesting place and they wear it on their sleeves. They're like, I see- I can't even begin to like, describe to you the things that I read and see, they think I don't, but I see it. Like some of the comments will be like Imani I'm on my knees in a Wendy's right now.
[laughter]
Why are you doing this? Right? I'm like (laughs) like the comments are [00:06:00] just the, the quote tweets, all of it. Wow. I love the lesbians seriously.
Kaity: It's all love though. It's all love.
Imani: It's so much love and it's only ever love and I have nothing but love for them, nothing, but love
Kaity: You'll get to see it, experience it in person, cause you're going to Clexacon
V: Yeah,
Imani: I cannot wait! I cannot wait to go to Clexacon. Oh my God. I'm so ecstatic. I cannot wait to meet these people. Cause I feel like on the internet it feels. It feels like so many people, but it feels like, oh, so far, you know what I mean?
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: It's like, oh, but it, they make it feel like close and close knit, like a community. So it doesn't feel as far, but it's gonna be totally different. Like it's totally different when you get to feel people's energy, like in front of you and you get to speak to them and like, hear them, tell you their stories of like their own personal experiences and what they learn about themselves, or are learning about themselves through the show. That's what I can't wait to see. I can't wait to feel their energy in person. So make sure you guys come to Clexacon!
V: Oh, I think that there are gonna be plenty of people who are gonna be there to support you all. They are very excited.
Imani: I cannot wait. I cannot wait.
V: [00:07:00] So our podcast title used to be This Lesbian Shit is Intense, but iTunes made us change it to ship. Um, but anyways, um, this lesbian shit is intense. And so we wanna start a with drama and, um, ask you, you know, Sarah Catherine, she referred to Juliette as a fuckboi in our last-
Imani: [laughs] I heard
V: -uh, episode with her, our our interview with her. So, um, what would Cal have to say to that?
Imani: Oh, I feel like Cal would be like, girl, please. Okay. You were simping over me okay... you were simping over me. She was simping over me. I can see why she'd say that. I completely understand. But I also feel like, Cal was very calculated and I feel like when you're messing with a fuckboi, like the point of a fuckboi is like, they think that they, like, you have no idea that they're playing with you, but Cal was very aware, you know, like everything was very tactical.
Even that ,everything leading up to like that pantry scene was very very like strategized, [00:08:00] you know what I mean? So it's like-
V: oh yeah
Imani: You think you're a fuckboi, I'll let you have that. You know? ,
V: I mean, that's real skill. Just like, I'm gonna let you believe that.
Imani: Yeah. I'm gonna let you think, but like, no, baby, this is chess. Not checkers.
V: Yeah.
(laughter)
Imani: But no, but she's very no, but Juliette was very bold. Like very- that, that Sarah Catherine was spot on about like, she was like, no, I know who I want. I know, listen, there's this party. I think you should come. I'll spin the bottle. oop, well I guess it landed on you gotta go in the pantry. you know what I mean? It was all very strategized as well. but no, Cal, Cal knew what was up.
V: Yeah.
Kaity: Yeah. But it's like, we talk about Juliette being down bad for Cal. But the only reason that the legacies were discovered is because of Cal
Imani: mmhmm
Kaity: and the fact that she couldn't stop paying attention to Juliette.
Imani: That's very true.
Kaity: So,
Imani: No, they were equally simped. Let's not get this, they both were crazy about each other. For sure. I think Cal like maybe was a lot [00:09:00] more reluctant to showing it initially.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: but oh no they both-- to call Talia Burns and tell her that you're not coming home. You are playing a very dangerous game. So no, she was definitely simped out to like call Talia Burns and tell her no, mom, I'm staying here.
V: Yeah. They both, yeah, they, they both were very serious about each other.
Imani: Absolutely a thousand percent.
V: I'm gonna jump to another question, um, that relates to this, which is we've heard Sarah Catherine talk a lot about the chemistry read that y'all had and how she sat with other women who were going for the role of Calliope and what drew her in to you as Calliope.
And so I'm wondering, kind of like on the flip, what about that chemistry read or what about your interactions with Sarah Catherine made her Juliette for you?
Imani: Oh, it was immediate. Like the moment I heard her voice, I was like, oh wow. She's like, so like soft. And so like, like subtle, like [00:10:00] she has a, like a very like subtle power to her. Like she's a, first of all, she's an incredible performer. So first and foremost, I was like, oh, this is gonna be easy because to do a scene with an incredible scene partner is like, trying to win a championship game and you have LeBron on your team, you know what I mean? It's like, this is gonna, this is going to work fantastic.
You know what I mean? Like, so I felt a different kind of like confidence, cause you say all these things in your mind before you go in. But like as soon as I heard her voice, I was like, oh, I see why she's Juliette. Like I completely understand why, like there's a subtle power here. The performance was awesome, but she naturally was just so sweet even when she introduced herself just so sweet and just had just like this incredible energy to, to her. So like immediately I was like, oh no, I can definitely, I feel comfortable to be Cal-
V: mm-hmm
Imani: -when I'm to next to this Juliette, I feel like I almost feel like I transform into Calliope the moment I'm with Sarah Catherine, because I feel like I'm, I'm not standing in front of Sarah Catherine. I'm standing in front of Juliette.
V: Ooh, I love you saying that because relationships, [00:11:00] dynamics, you know requires both partners. And so in order for you to be Cal, you needed to have Juliette. And to know that that, that worked so perfectly for the both of y'all. I just, I love that.
Imani: Absolutely. I feel like I, I, of course I related to Calliope and I had an understanding of her, you know, of her as an individual and like, like her dynamics with her family and that her dynamic with herself and her self-awareness and her, the way she likes self ensures.
But I feel like to see Calliope with Juliette is a different version of the, like the Caliope that she is by herself or with her family, like it's a completely different person. So I was definitely able to channel that when I was working with Sarah Catherine.
Kaity: Yeah. And it's interesting that you're saying that because I feel like, especially in the first half of the season, Calliope is very emotionally reserved and guarded.
Imani: Very.
Kaity: So how do you balance those aspects of the character while still making her relatable and likable?
Imani: Oh, I think, I think it was just important that when playing Calliope, like. She's guarded. She's not [00:12:00] a bitch. You know what I mean? Like she's not mean, you know, she's not like a mean girl. She has to protect herself and she has to protect her family.
And then, you also have to remember, she is a product of her training, you know what I mean? So everything that she is is a mirror, she's just mirroring what she has been like, what she has seen in her house, what she's been told to do. So it really would, whether had been Juliette or anything else, like that's how she is.
And I'm sure that's how she was in every, all 8,000 schools that she would travel to. Not get to know anyone, you know, because she came there on a mission, you know? So I think that's just, uh, that's I think that's just a testament to her training, you know, but I also wanted to, but there's so many moments-- that's, it's a testament to the writing as well, because there's so many moments that are written where it's like, you start to see her little chink in her armor.
It's like, okay. Yeah, she's a trainer, she's a monster hunter. She's all these things, but she's also like sixteen
V: mm-hmm ,
Imani: you know what I mean? She's also queer as shit. So, you know, like. There's this cute girl in front of you who doesn't [00:13:00] look as scary as you've been trained to think she is, and she invites you to a party. And she's the only person that's spoken to you here. You're accustomed to not speaking to anyone, to not having pictures in your yearbook. You know, so, I think it was, I think Juliette just ignited a different kind of experience for Calliope so it was, I just wanted to make sure that I, that I showed that, you know, showed that like, This is different. So of course there's going to be a change, you know, in her. And again, Calliope's not mean, she's not like a bitch.
Kaity: nuh-huh
Imani: She's just trained. That's all, she's on a mission. That's all she's focused, you know?
V: Yeah. I, I, I think it's so nice of you to talk about, like it's a testament to the writing it's a testament to all this, but it's a testament to your portrayal because there are a lot of times that the writing for a character is not intended to portray them as a bitch.
And the actor isn't necessarily portraying them in that way. And yet they miss the mark and it doesn't feel like someone that's relatable, someone that you like, and that's really a sadness, you know, like if I'm watching something and I'm like, I know you're not supposed to be someone I dislike and yet I don't, I don't buy into it. And with Calliope-
Imani: Yeah
V: -We just did episode five and we get to that switch, that [00:14:00] point where she's really a teenager.
Imani: Yeah.
V: And it was just so, so beautiful to see that like, exactly, like you said, Cal isn't mean she's not a bitch. She's a product of her upbringing and she's a product of, and people don't give enough credit to the fact that this girl doesn't get to do shit as a teenager. She doesn't get to be in a yearbook.
Imani: Yeah
V: She doesn't get to do extracurricular activities.
Imani: Yeah-- that. And I feel like, I think on a personal level, like I think just being a black woman in this world, like we were a constantly like under the, the trope of like mad black woman.
V: mmmm, mm-hmm
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: So like, as the co-lead of this show, that will not be my truth. That is not my truth. And I'm going to make sure that that is seen bright and clear. Like I am not gonna, cause I, I feel like there was already a thing of like one, I am so much bigger than Sarah Catherine. like, I not even just bigger, I'm just taller. I'm just a lot taller than her. So there was already that build, um, my physical build, you know, like, and then again, she's a fighter, she's a trainer, she's all these things that, that could, um, easily be misconstrued as [00:15:00] like. Uh, like she's a threat, you know what I mean? Like, no, she's not a threat. She's not barbaric. She's not violent in these ways. She is trained, you know what I mean?
And even then it's controlled. So I think, I, I think on a personal level, it was just so important for, for me to, to show that like, no, this is not the mad black woman story. This is the educated, equipped, guild-certified member. Like, you know, like I want that to be the thing that shines through. And I think I just have a conscious effort of that because I, I feel like it's so easy to fall into that kind of like trope and I'm not.
Kaity: Yeah. And like, there's so many, like Calliope is the character that I attached to most watching it because, you know, we talk a lot about how both charact-- both Juliette and Calliope um, Both have a different queer allegory in their stories and Juliette's is more fighting her nature and Calliope's more fighting tradition.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: and that's something I relate to more.
Imani: Hmm.
Kaity: Um, and so one of the things I love about Calliope is how [00:16:00] introspective she is, which makes complete sense with her life and her upbringing.
Imani: Mm-hmm ,
Kaity: but I love the balance. Like even in the first episode where she's like, I'm a trained hunter and I'm killing vampires, you know, she's drawing the tattoo on her arm
Imani: Yeah!
Kaity: And we don't get to see, I feel like, black girls on television and be kids, you know?
Imani: Yeah
Kaity: And I was so happy to see that in the first episode.
Imani: Absolutely. I feel the same way. I think like, it was important that we saw her emote, you know, and that she's not always, uh, that there are so many layers to her. And I think that was the biggest challenge of this, just embodying the character she was ever-changing all over the course of one episode.
Like she was not who she was at the top of the episode, the top of the episode, by the end of the episode. Like something had shifted in her, something had changed about her, even in just seeing how she, like, again, like you said, like her drawing and marking herself, or even just her like longing when she sees like the, the, the tattoos on her brothers.[00:17:00]
V: Mm-hmm,
Imani: just,
Kaity: mm-hmm,
Imani: across the dinner table when she doesn't get a card with a responsibility. It's like, you see, you know, like, and these are all little things. It's like, she's, Cal's still a kid. You know what I mean? And again, she's like, I feel like she's fighting for like her position, like her position in her family, you know what I mean?
And that means so much to her. And I think it's important that we see, like, there are things that matter to her, you know what I mean? Like in the world, like she is who she's trained to be, but when she's with like she's with like her family or like when she's with people that, that bring about that sense of like compassion in her or the sense of like, um, just the, the teenageness in her, like that, that bring about feelings in her.
I think it's important that we see this softness in her, but then I think it's also dope that we see the switch where, when she's in that moment and she draws the thing on herself and she immediately knocks herself out of it. She's like, okay, then train harder. It goes straight to, all right then put your gloves on.
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: You know what I mean? Like if all you wanna be this thing, don't sit here and long about it. Don't sit here and cry about it. Don't sit and draw it on your arm, earn it. You know what I mean?
V: Yeah.
Imani: And I think it was important that, that we see that in a young woman, because I think [00:18:00] that's why it's so important that we like, like, when we hear the lines in the background and the narration about how the world sees young women, like our empathy or our compassion or all these things are things that mean that we need to be protected or that make us weak.
And I feel like it's important that we saw that in those moments, you allow that to be your fuel to make you go harder. You know what I mean? And to, and to
Kaity: mm-hmm,
Imani: be the person that you see yourself as in the mirror every day. Even if the world doesn't see it yet, you know
V: yeah,
Kaity: and I love,
V: okay.
Kaity: Oh, go ahead.
It's just like, you sparked so many interesting things for us about like your performance
Imani: Let's hear it all [laughs]
V: yeah. I, I was gonna say that, I think that you actually kind of really touch on one of my next questions, which was because Calliope seems so self-assured, especially in the beginning, you know, she seems so certain of who she is, so certain of her purpose and what she's here to do. And when we see that switch with Juliette, you know, one of the questions that I think that came up for us was, you know, how much of this is self-assuredness and certainty of who she is internally and how much of that is an acceptance of [00:19:00] the imposition of the family.
And not that they're imposing it upon her, in this kind of like negative way, but this, you know, this is the family that I've been molded around and this is who I'm supposed to be. And, um, I feel like you've, you've kind of touched on that. I, I don't know if you have more to say about that, but like that's where my brain was going is just like how self-assured is Cal because that's who she wants to be and is, or how much is that her just accepting, you know, the role that's been set for her?
Imani: Oh, I think it's very much, um, I think it's a mixture of both and I feel that way because I feel like it's no different than like growing up in a household where everybody in and around your house speaks Spanish.
V: Mm-hmm ,
Imani: you know, so in, in return you end up speaking Spanish and a part of that cause of the training, you know, like that's, that's what your ears is trained to hear. And then your mouth is trained to say, but then the other half of that is then you grow to love your culture. You grow to, you know, to love all the other things about the culture, you know?
So I feel like it's definitely a blend of both like one, like the training, because it's in her mother, it's in her father, it's in her two brothers and they're all- she's the [00:20:00] youngest in the family, you know what I mean?
So I feel like. I don't, listen, I don't wanna say kids, but like younger people are very impressionable. You know what I mean? And like absorb all these things. So I feel like it's been in her, it's been in her bloodlines for years, you know, when she was six, when she wanted a, a katana, you know what I mean? Like, so this is, of course I think she grew an interest into it and like, it was like, no, this is something I really wanna, and I think it's a part of like, Cal's just like characteristics to like, be like tenacious and to want to master the things that she like gets a grip on or anything that intrigues her.
And I feel like we see that in her relationship with Juliette as well at first she's reluctant. But then when she allows herself to like, be open to it, she's like, okay, well, what's your favorite memory? or with this, but you know, like, okay, now I wanna make, I wanna make this work, you know, or, you know what, let me take you home to my parents. I know that they'll protect you. I feel, you know what I mean?
V: That's what I was going to say
Imani: Like I want this to work, you know, I feel like once she wants something to work, she's going to go to the end of the earth to make it work. For sure.
V: Yeah. The bringing Juiette home--
Kaity: whether it's a good idea or not.
Imani: Yeah, completely does not matter if it's a good idea or not she's like, this is passionate. I'm [00:21:00] passionate about this. I think I'm gonna go full-fledge with this.
V: The next step in our relationship is you come home with me.
Imani: Yes. Come home to my monster hunter parents and we're gonna go upstairs and that's just it and you're just gonna deal with it.
Kaity: I loved how you were talking earlier about how you were so intentional in wanting, um, Calliope to have these layers. And so she's not like, so she doesn't come off aggressive because especially in her relationship with Juliette, because I was so captivated by how you were portraying Calliope in episode five specifically,
Imani: mhmmm
Kaity: because she's so protective of Juliette, which is so interesting because Juliette is the one who can't die. But also -
Imani: [laughs]
Kaity: Also because she's like, so she's protective in a way that's very attentive to Juliette.
Imani: mm-hmm yeah.
Kaity: And not like a I'm I'm doing this for you. It's like, she's paying attention to her and that's how she's protecting her.
Imani: Yeah, absolutely. I [00:22:00] think Cal is a protector, you know, I feel like she goes that way about her brothers. She's that way about her family, you know? Like, and when it boils down to it in her dream, of course, she's like, I have to choose between you and my family. I choose my family, you know, she's like I have to, I have to protect what's mine.
Um, but I think, I think that's just in her nature because that's what, that's what she knows to do-- to protect. And she lives in a world where she is constantly having to protect herself. You know what I mean? So I think even just as a young girl, you live in a world where you constantly have to protect yourself where you can't walk down certain streets at night, or you have to kind of peek over your shoulder a little bit or keep something into your purse. You know, you always, I think just as a girl period, you just always have to think to protect yourself.
So to be trained, really just ignites that like at any given moment. Like, and it's so funny, I don't think it's in the show, but, uh, initially, um, there was some narration where Calliope's talking about when she goes to like school. And how she doesn't talk to anyone and she's like, well, what am I supposed to say? Hi, I love Beyonce and I [00:23:00] can break your neck in four seconds.
you know what I mean? Like, that's just what I, you know what I mean? Like it's like, like, what am I supposed to say? Like, I know that I have this strength to me. So I think we see that in her, like in her relationship with, uh, with, uh, Juliette, because she grows a comfortability. And like, once she like grows comfortable with Jules, she's like, this is something that means something to me now. Now I need to protect it.
Just like being a monster hunter, something that means something to her. So she constantly has to protect it. Her family means something to her, so she constantly has to protect it. I think that's just her love language to protect.
V: I was literally gonna say, I was like, oh my God, this is like, her love language is like, when you matter-
Imani: Yeah. When you matter, I protect you with everything in me.
V: Yes. I love it.
Kaity: What do you think like brings out, what do you think brings out that like soft side of Cal in episode five? Like, is that how Cal is in a relationship or is it just Juliette? Like what brings out that giddiness in her.
Imani: I think it's Juliette. And I think it's Juliette because she's like the ying to her yang, you know what I mean? Like she's like where Calliope is strong and prominent and all these strong things, Jules is like, [00:24:00] aw, just come lay down. You know
(laughter)
Imani: You know, Aw, I can hear your heartbeat when you lie... you like me. You know what I mean? Like, I feel like she brings out like the kid in her even seeing, I feel like in episode five, that's where we see like Cal reciting Shakespeare on the, on the, you know, in the auditorium because no one's there and it's just that she can be herself, you know. And I feel like we really get to... yeah, we really get to see like the inside-- like Cal's like a jelly bean, you know, like on the outside, it's hard exterior, but then it's like, once you press it a little... it's like oop im softer, like im soft in here. I just was shy at first that's all like im soft, you know.
V: I'm already thinking of like the memes of like Cal as a jellybean now.
Imani: You know im gonna become a jellybean!
Kaity: You're gonna be a jelly bean.
Imani: Maybe not a, okay. Let's say a pistachio. Yeah. She's a little harder to crack than a jellybean., she's a little hard than a crack than a jellybean. Maybe a walnut okay, maybe a walnut.
Um, but yeah, I, I, I think, um, in episode [00:25:00] five, that's where we really get this... I think it's really Juliette that brings that out of her. I think Juliette is just, just soft and sweet and empathetic. And I think Cal like finds a different kind of comfortability to, uh, express feelings within herself. With Juliette, then she would with her family one, because I think Juliettete can understand because she's on a similar like plight and like having this question.
Like you don't have to be who your family's telling you to be. You can just be yourself. You know what I mean? I feel like there's points in the story where they both say that to each other.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: Where, uh, Cal tells, uh, no, I think ju-- it's when it's, when. Juliette when Cal brings Juliette to the house and then they go to her room, the parents go to her room, then they leave and Juliette's like, wow. I often think I have it harder in this situation, but now I don't feel that way. Or when, uh, it's the, we think it's a dream sequence, but she goes to go talk to her brother Theo and then comes back
V: mm-hmm
Imani: and she's, she's like, you know, I just love to hear how you're talking about your life. Like, like it's yours, you know what I mean? Like it's your life. I feel [00:26:00] like they just instilled that strength in each other. And I think, uh, she's just a safe haven, like a, like a beacon of like hope to Calliope. I think so.
V: I would agree with that. I think that it's a lot about Juliette and, um, since we're talking about relationships and let me just stir up more drama... Tess.
Imani: Yeah!
V: Your ex (laughs) I'm so, like, I think in this, I don't know if it was this episode or in the past when I was talking to Kaity and I was like, where the hell did they meet? Is there a Guild convention? I mean, like, I dunno how much you know about your, about Calliope's history with Tess, but like, how did that happen? What was that relationship like? Is there anything...
Imani: Right? They don't really give much like background story to that. Um, but I, I, I would assume that it's very much because they're in the same Guild.
V: Yeah.
Imani: You know what I mean? Uh, we saw some Guild members at the house. Didn't see a whole lot of young queer girls there, know what I mean?
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: So I can imagine that that like sticks out, like a sore thumb. Like I'm in the Guild, you're in the Guild. What's up, you know what I mean? , you know what I mean? Like OK, cool. Like that's [00:27:00] what I foresee, because if you're in the Guild nine times outta ten, like nine times outta ten Tess was born into that as well. You know what I mean? They're around like the same age. So I think it's something like the Guild is a very, it seems like a very close knit society, you know?
V: Yeah
Imani: So I'm sure it was like some years in the making. I'm sure there's some history there.
V: I think you also really hit on like a realistic queer experience, which is depending on where you live, you may not have a lot of options.
Imani: Right. So it's like, let's give it a shot, you know -- Fuck it let's see if this works. I mean, like
Kaity: You can't be destined to love every person in your life.
Imani: Exactly. And I think like they probably grew up, like, of course they were best friends, you know? So I, I feel like they grew up that way and then I'm sure as they came into their identities was like, you know, you're not...
V: Yeah.
Imani: Too hard, you're not too hard to look at . You know what I mean, you know what I mean? That's what I think. That's what I foresee. Yeah.
V: I love it.
Kaity: So a lot of fans probably don't know this and I didn't know this until I [00:28:00] started doing research for the show, but Felicia D. Henderson is like a legend in Hollywood.
Imani: Yes!
Kaity: Like her resume is insane if you go look it up.
Imani: Oh yeah.
Kaity: Um, so what was it like for you to be the star of this show for the first time and have her be your show runner?
Imani: Felicia is the reason I am on this show. Let me tell you, Felicia D. Henderson, I am forever indebted to that woman. When I tell you she supported me and continues to support me in every way you can think of that is mama bear right there, like on set, off set, that woman cares with every fiber of her being.
And there wasn't a moment on that set that I did not feel heard or seen or safe, even off set just, she's just such a nurturer. And that woman goes hard and I, I would always crack jokes to her because she had like, she had like a StairMaster, like in her house, like when we were out shooting. And I was like, I can only imagine her on this.
Like, I'm Felicia, I'm making this shit happen. I'm the [00:29:00] reason this show is flowing. And then she gets off. She's like, good morning how are you? How are you feeling? Everything alright? You know what I mean? But I feel like on the StairMaster, that's like her at her best, you know what I mean? Like that's where she like musters up Felicia D. Henderson. You know what I mean?
(V and Kaity try very hard to contain their laughter because Imani was acting out Felicia on the stairmaster and was a whole comedienne)
Imani: Like that woman is incredible. The fact that she can even juggle all the things that she juggles and then still do it with such poise and such grace and care. She cares for that cast and crew. She cares for that show. She cares about this story and like, it's just, I'm, it's been such an honor. It is such an honor to work beside her, to work for her, to be with her.
Like she is just, she is a force to be reckoned with. And I just I'm so, so grateful for Felicia like that woman, like even the most subtle of notes
V: mm-hmm
Imani: Have saved me in season. Like, she'll say things like, you know, like, let's see those eyes. Let me see those eyes. I mean, like that's, what's gonna trap them. Keep your eyes open. Don't roll em. Nope. Let, just let them see your eyes and I open those eyes up and they'd be [00:30:00] like, Jesus, your eyes. I'm like that's Felicia. Felica told me, Felicia told me the power of the eyes. She is incredible. She is she, and she does it with... just shout out to Felicia
Kaity: And, and she knew what she was talking about, because that's why you have thousands of lesbians in love with you now.
Imani: Absolutely. Oh, she knew.
V: Yeah. Yeah.
Imani: She knew she was like, the girls are gonna eat this up. OK. Open those eyes.
(laughter)
V: No, like for real like that scene,
Imani: She knew.
V: I remember like at the party, when Juliette looks over at Calliope and then Calliope has like just a smallest little smirk and the eyes--, I was like, oh my God! I was like, oh, this is amazing.
Imani: Yes, absolutely.
Kaity: It's all about tension. We don't, we need to see the tension.
Imani: Yes. Yes. That was, that episode in particular. Oh incredible. That was, oh, that's when we were shooting with Jet Wilkinson another star, another absolute,
Kaity: oh, the, the way you can tell that the first episode is directed by a queer woman. Like you can tell.
V: mm-hmmm yeah.
Imani: Yes. We walked [00:31:00] every part of that episode. Like every part of it. And it was incredible. Even, even that very scene that you're talking about when I'm looking on the couch, Jet's like shouting things out to me, like. All right. You see her, you're intrigued by her. Now you think she's a monster, now she thinks like terrible, you know, like, I guess it's like, like some of it was to be used for like Cal's POV and then like Jules's POV, you know, where it's like, Cal sees it, like, Ooh, she's flirting with me. The Cal's looking like, yeah, I'm about to get her ass like, you know what I mean
(laughter)
V: She came to that party with a stake in her pants.
Imani: Right. All that, so I think it's so funny that we see scenes like that. And it's like, oooh the tension, and it's like Cal had fucking stake in her shorts by that point. Like she was sitting on a couch with a Perrier and a stake in her shorts. Like she was on a mission. No, it's so good. It's so, so good.
V: I'm so glad. Um, I, we attended the spaces with Felicia and with
Imani: mm-hmm
V: the, um, actors of the Burns family. And that was really great and really powerful. And I'm so glad to hear the experience that you have had, [00:32:00] because especially because, so Kaity and I started this podcast, um, specifically, um, to talk about not just a lesbian relationship, but one that focuses on queer women of color.
Imani: Mm-hmm
V: There is a lot in Hollywood where we see, um, that women of color, even when they're hired, aren't treated with respect in the spaces that they're hired to work, um, where it comes to things as simple as having someone who can do your hair, um,
Imani: Right.
V: Making sure that the makeup artist knows how to do your makeup, things of that nature.
Imani: Mmm-hmm.
V: Like really the things that I have learned, um, in following media so closely. And so when we went to the spaces and we got to hear Felicia talk about it, and Bryce as one of the writers talk about that experience, like my heart soared, because this is what it should be. You know, this is what it should be like
Imani: Yeah.
V: And how important it is to have the representation behind the scenes and on the camera.
Imani: Absolutely incredibly important. And I'm telling you, like, if you were to [00:33:00] walk on that set, you'd be like, this is why this show looks this way.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: From hair to makeup, to wardrobe, to directors, to first ADs-- queer women and men everywhere of all shapes, colors and sizes. And they all played a part in this story.
Even just like offering their own advices and, and telling us about their own stories and their own truths and their own struggles in society. And like me and Sarah Catherine just were like a sponge. We were like, yes, yes like all of this is important. All of this is important because yes its acting but representation that is not an act, you know what I mean? Like that is very much real. And I think we all were well aware of the importance of such representation and diversity in this show.
So like we took from, I'm telling you-- directors, first ADs, second ADs, COVID safety, everyone that you can think of that was a moving part. Like there was, there was, there was representation all over that set. So it was hard not to, you know, you get in a chair with someone and you, you know, you get your makeup done by them every day or whatever. It's like, what's [00:34:00] your story? And they're like, oh, girl let me tell you, you know what I mean? Like, or they'll tell me their feelings.
Or, I'll, I'll ask, like, I'd be asking questions. Like, did this seem realistic?
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: Was this done with grace? Was this done respectfully? Is there something that I'm missing? Is there a beat that I'm missing? Is this stereotypical for me to do this? Is this, you know what I mean? Is it like, okay, we're pushing something here, you know what I mean?
Like, how do you feel about the story? How do you feel? Because they all read the sides. They read the scenes, like they were equally as engulfed in this story, you know? Like, so I think that's what you see in this show. Like that's, I, the, the goal, at least as far as my knowledge was, it's not like... pushing an agenda
V: mm-hmm
Imani: But it is instead shining a light. You know what I mean? Like it is to show like these..
Kaity: Hundred percent
Imani: People like these people exist. I need you to see this and I need you to see that even behind the cameras, they're the reason why the things you enjoy exist. You know what I mean? Like,
Kaity: You know,
Imani: moving parts.
Kaity: It's so cool to hear you say that because it feels really special to [00:35:00] watch something that has that level of investment. And, you know, I think people, to be frank--and this is my perspective--I think people weren't ready for the Burns family on television or ready for Calliope, especially in genre television, because they're not a black family made for white people.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: they are a black family on television portrayed authentically
Imani: mm-hmm
Kaity: and I just think that it's so cool to watch because I don't feel like you get to see that on television.
Imani: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. When I, even when, before, like my brothers were casted, like when I came in, when I first flew in, uh, we were doing training before we even start, said any dialogue to each other.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: So we were in training and I met, when I met Aubin to play my mother, I was like, dope. And then when I met my father, I was like, dope. Okay. And then as my brothers was like, this show is crazy. Like, so it was a group there just checking all the boxes. Like I love that it was a family of many hues and shades. We didn't [00:36:00] all look the same, you know what I mean? Like, and then I love that. Like, there's a part of the story. Yes. Theo was my brother. And that is Talia Burn's son
V: mm-hmm
Imani: and don't let anybody tell you any different, you know what I mean?
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: Like, and she wasn't letting anybody tell her any different. And I just, all that is so important to see, because that is that's so real. And that's really what a lot of families look like. It doesn't all look like we all came from the same parents. It doesn't all look like we're all the same shade or hue. Like, no, like there's variations in these families.
And it's, it's so dope to see. And I think it was important to see that they are a close knit family. They all sit down and have dinner together. You know what I mean? There's no like hierarchy. We are all a team, you know what I mean? Like we are a team, but even then, like, I love seeing that, although Jack and Talia, like clearly love each other. They work as like colleagues almost
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: they're like, no, we need, need to steer this ship. But then there's still moments where she's like, that's my daughter, Jack.
V: Yeah.
Imani: And I need you to understand that first. You know what I mean? I think, I think it's all so dope and I love that they are an educated, wealthy, equipped family. They don't have some kind of like [00:37:00] history and like, oh, well Theo was arrested or something.
No, none of that. It was none of that. It was like, they they're rich because they're damn good at what they do. You know what I mean? Like,
Kaity: yeah.
Imani: Uh, um, but I think even scenes like, um, and shout out to Jet Wilkinson for this scene, it's when Cal's running from the party.
V: Mm. Yeah.
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: The cop cars and the fire trucks go by.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: She has done nothing to allude. Like they have no idea that any of this, like where she just came from or what she did, but the moment those lights touch her, and it's a slow motion. It's like, we are really thrown right back into the reality of outside of the supernatural. This is really what her life is like. This is what the life of a black woman is. Like, you know what I mean, of a black person.
Kaity: Mm-hmm
Imani: He didn't even have any inkling, you know, she's just outside by herself. She could have been running from someone, you know what I mean?
V: Yep.
Kaity: Right.
Imani: That story could have been anything, but she knew immediately like, oh shit, you know, like take off, like, this is still like, this is your world outside of the craziness.
V: It doesnt matter that vampires exist.
Imani: Exactly.
Kaity: Yeah.
Imani: I'm trying to save [00:38:00] your world, Mr. Man, you know, like I'm trying to clear your environment of things that you don't even know exist. Okay.
V: Yeah.
Imani: You're welcome.
Kaity: Right.
V: And I think that you're exactly right with the, with the shining a flashlight. Like this is what I love about First Kill is that within every single episode, there is no shoving in your face to say racism exists.
Imani: Mm-hmm
V: You know, women's like bodily rights, you know, it's not shoving it so forcefully, but it acknowledges the world that we exist in. And these things are pervasive. Like it doesn't need to be said explicitly for you to see the implications of all of that. And I love it.
Imani: Oh absolutely.
Kaity: And I wanna say, it like, the show, I feel like trusts you as actors to be able to get those points across because we feel it palpably.
And like, I, I think it's so- you can just tell how much effort you and Sarah Catherine put into representation because there's not a scene where I just feel like, oh, I wish they did something different. Like that usually is how we feel.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: Mostly because we're [00:39:00] relegated to side relationships, not the main relationship.
Imani: Right.
Kaity: But like, we get to see all of those moments where I feel like you can throw like a little bit of something that's really character based in there.
Imani: Right.
Kaity: And, um, so I think that's, I just want you to know, like, we're not just saying that, like, we really feel that when we're watching.
Imani: Thank you so much.
V: Yeah and I was gonna say we're really honest people
Imani: No, and I appreciate it so much cause that's really what we were hoping for.
We were like, like me and Sarah Catherine would really sit down with, with everyone. We talked to Victoria, we talked to Jet, we talked to the director, we talked to Felicia, but me and Sarah Catherine would really sit down and put our heads together, like, and look at these scenes, like, okay, like let's break down this scene for what it is, you know, as, performatively.
But then let's look at the bigger picture here as well. Like there are so many groups of people and we need to know that we're doing this with grace, you know, and we're doing this with care. You know, there was a lot of thought, a lot of communicating going into like the, the prepar-, the preparation for these scenes.
V: Not to put a lot of pressure on you, um, as an actor. Uh, but something that I read in one of your interviews, was you [00:40:00] talking about some of your own idols, people that you look up to, people that you maybe hope to work with one day, and I'm certain that you've seen a lot of, um, compliments and appreciation for you, but I wonder what is it like for you to be the representation for people?
Imani: It's still so hard to even wrap my mind around because I, again, like, I don't see myself through the lens that the world sees me through.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: you know what I mean?
Kaity: Mm-hmm
Imani: I appreciate it, but I feel like I wake up and know, I know what I look like when I first wake up in the morning, you know what I mean?
Like, so I'm like, that's sweet, but I think like, it's still hard to wrap my mind around, but I'm just, God, I'm so grateful. I am just so, so grateful. And I think I'm just in a place of just utter and complete like gratitude. Um, it's just, it's crazy to see, because I feel like I'm, I still just feel like this, like young girl from like Southside, Jamaica Queens, like, I'm like, I'm from, I'm from New York, you know what I mean?
Like I'm like, okay, this is cool. But it's, it, I think the messages and [00:41:00] like, when I, when I hear it out loud, like when girls tell me like, yo, you have no idea. Like, I feel so seen when I see you, it, it's your complexion, it's your fucking nose ring. It's all this. Like, you have all these things where I'm like, yo, you look like me.
You know what I mean? And it's crazy. Like, it's, it's so crazy. And I, I, again, I'm just, I'm so, so honored. And I just still feel like, I don't know. I feel like sometimes I feel like a kid pretending to be an adult. You know what I mean? Like, I feel like we're all just a bunch of kids pretending to be adults or doing what we think adults do, whatever adults do looks like.
Like when I go to a doctor's appointment, I'm like, damn, like, this is what it all comes down to. Like, I dunno, what the fuck's going on. You know what I mean? Like I don't know any of my information. So I think it's really dope. Like when people like tell me that they, they- it's really dope to be in a position to like, be that for someone else. And I always, really would like speak heavily on that.
Like even in my music, like I wanna be that I wanna like be the person that made it out of, cause I am from nobody's Malibu, California, you know?
V: Mm-hmm
Kaity: Right.
Imani: So it's like, I wanna be like made it out of that. And I made a name for myself and, and I just, I just really want people to feel like seen when they see [00:42:00] me, I want them to see themselves when they see me, like, it's not about me.
If I just have to be the vehicle to, to allow other people to see that things are doable and that these goals and these, like these kind of opportunities are tangible, then so be it. Um, I'm just grateful to be in the position to do so.
V: I think that's exactly it. It's just, it is seeing the representation, lets you know that you can do it too.
Imani: Yeah it's important.
V: And I'm just so happy.
Kaity: Calliope is a groundbreaking character on television. There are not a lot of black lesbian characters on television, let alone dark skinned, black lesbian characters.
Imani: Yep.
Kaity: And like Calliope has saved people's lives.
Imani: Yep.
Kaity: Like I just want that known, like people have messaged us and told us, and like that shows how far behind Hollywood is and how far ahead First Kill is. And I don't think people acknowledge that enough.
Imani: Yeah, it means so, so much to me. And I'm telling you, it's not until, and that's why I can't wait to get to [00:43:00] Clexacon. Oh my God. It's not until you talk to the fans or even just the people involved in making the show.
Like they would always be like, girl, you have no idea. Like you have no idea. I'm sure you're, you know, you're working. I don't wanna throw you off. I know you're in your zone, you're Calliope, but girl, thank you. Like, or just telling me just like how good it feels to like, even in these interviews. Like when I talk to like the interviewers, you're like, yo, like you have no idea.
Like you have no idea what this done, what this has done for my daughter. You have no idea what this is doing for my queer son.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: For, for me, for my queer self, you know, for like, or like the teenage queer me that wish I heard this, you know, or like wish I saw someone that like looked and sounded like that.
And I feel like there are so many different categories of like people that I feel like. It's it's just so wonderful that we get to see that, like, I think it's a big deal for interracial couples.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: I think it's a big deal for the adolescent, uh, community for teenagers, cause God, I, the only thing harder than being a teenager is being a mother. Sorry, but , you know what I mean? So like, or like to be a queer [00:44:00] teenager, like,
V: Yeah
Imani: Oh God, like, you know what I mean? Like, so I'm like, oh God, like just to be a black woman. To come from a black family. Um, there's just, there's just so, so many incredible groups of people that are represented on this show. And I'm just so glad that we finally see it.
I'm so glad that we're here. I'm so glad that we're here and I'm so grateful to all the incredible messages and comments that I receive. It does not go unnoticed. It's a lot!
V: Yes.
Imani: It's a lot. I can only, I can't be everywhere at once, but I, I love and appreciate and adore all the people that have reached out and just shown anybody that's even watched a minute of First Kill.
We all love and appreciate you so, so much so, so much.
Kaity: And I think that's why from the beginning, like lesbians global-, globally have like united behind the show and are fighting so hard for it.
Imani: Yes.
Kaity: Because like, it doesn't exist. And like the last time we had a show, that wasn't diverse, but that featured a couple like this was like 20 years [00:45:00] ago.
Imani: Yeah.
Kaity: So it's like, it's not like this happens.
Imani: Yeah.
Kaity: You know, and then to see the intentionality behind it, it makes it so much more special.
Imani: Absolutely. I agree. A thousand percent, a thousand percent,
Kaity: The thing that's interesting is Cal is out to her family from the beginning.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: And she has this unwavering support from them in terms of her sexuality.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: But the thing that's interesting about First Kill is like, homophobia still exists in the world, but it doesn't exist in the Burns world and in Cal's world. So. How does that, like, what does that mean for you in the show and representation?
Imani: Oh, it means everything to me. I think coming from, I know, like I can only-- coming out in, in your, to your family period, regardless of what your family looks like is not a walk in the park.
You know what I mean? Like that is that, that I have, all my closest, the people on this planet that I would die for are queer. You know what I mean? Like
Kaity: [00:46:00] mm-hmm
Imani: All of my best friends, all of them. So it's like, we compare stories and I hear their stories. And, and like, I know that that is not a walk in apart.
It's especially not a walk in the park when you're like, um, from like minority families,
V: mm-hmm
Imani: Or from like, you know, like Caribbean families or Hispanic families, or just, that's usually cultural, like culturally, that's a problem for a lot of people. Or like if you come from a very religious family or whatever the case may be, I know that that is not, um, that is not always, everybody's like experience, you know, it's not always a walk in the park and it's not always an easy conversation. So I think it's especially important that we see that in the Burns family. Um, especially because Cal's, the only daughter, you know what I mean?
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: So it's like, she got two older brothers that could have easily been like-- girl what? You know, but they were like, that's not the problem Cal, the Cal, the problem is that she's a vampire, you know, like I, don't know why you don't see that, you know, , I think it's incredibly important that I feel like even throughout like the siblings dynamics, like [00:47:00] we confide in each other, like when Theo's going through something, he called me, you know what I mean?
V: Yeah.
Kaity: Mm-hmm
Imani: Like when Apollo's going through something like, or like, like I call Theo or Theo would call me or Apollo would call me or like, I'd be, even when Apollo walks away, I'm on his laptop, helping him out. Like it's like, we just can't help, but to support one another. And I just think it's, I think that's the bigger picture, whether it's about her sexuality or not.
I think it's important for families. For each other, cause that's what makes it family, the support, the love there, the respect for each other. Even if, even if you have to love, respect and accept something that you do not feel, you know what I mean? Even if it's not your truth, it doesn't have to be.
V: Yeah. Yeah. It doesn't have to be for you to respect someone else.
Imani: Absolutely. I think it's incredibly important. And I think like, I think it's important that we see that in a black family as well, because I feel like the black man or just the man in general is always taught not to like emote, but to like keep those things to, to themselves or don't cry, you're a man, you know what I mean? So I feel like. To be able to see like, to that kind of level, like she, like it's about her sexuality and that's never a point of conflict. It's [00:48:00] never a question.
Kaity: Yeah.
Imani: Like, I think it's so important to see that and to see that they can still work rhythmically. Like they still like this. It's not a hope. It's not like a thing to like overcome
V: Yeah there's no awkwardness.
Kaity: And that's a credit.
Imani: Yeah
Kaity: And I think that's a credit to Felicia because
Imani: mm-hmm,
Kaity: Every, every man on this show actually, like there's not a man that I hate, which is really rare for me. and [laughter] and, um, but especially like all three of the Burns men, even Jack who, you know, we have some problems with, but
Imani: Of course
Kaity: They all have an emotional complexity to them.
Imani: Absolutely.
Kaity: We get to see a range of every single, from each of them. And that's a rarity on television still.
Imani: Absolutely. Every one of those men break down and cry in that.
V: yeah.
Imani: That is incredible to see.
V: That is something that I, I don't know if we said it in one of the other episodes or it's something that we're planning for the future, which is that we really appreciate that it doesn't feel that any of the characters get vilified,
Imani: mm-hmmm
V: That we get to see that the characters are complex. And because people are complex, there are many ways to [00:49:00] perceive a situation, to react to a situation. But no, one's made a villain here in a very traditional sense. Um,
Imani: Right. Absolutely. If you don't like the character, it's only because of the circumstances, you know what I mean? Like, and that's what makes that's and I feel like it's also a testament to like your own beliefs, you know, like where you draw your line in the sand, you know? So like you, there's gonna be points where they'll look at Cal and be like, Cal girl, what the hell? Do they, did they not make it clear in the Guild code of honor, like, you're going against the grain here. You know what I mean?
Or like, or you may support Cal and be like, fuck that, Cal do you, shes's cute I get, you know what I mean, she's cute I'd risk it. So like, there's gonna be plenty of fam. Like some people are gonna side with Jack. Some people are gonna hate Jack. You know, some people are gonna like side with Talia. Some people are gonna be like, girl, that is not your son. You know what I mean? Like people are gonna, you know, it all feel like it all depends on where you land, you know, I feel like, but that's the point of like complex characters and going through these emotions to bring about these kind of conversations, you know,
V: So I'm gonna switch gears to, I think maybe a little bit more like sad, um, which is, you know, towards the, uh, end where, um, oh no, [00:50:00] this is, this is not Theo, this is Calliope.
So when the family decides to do the severing, uh, for Calliope,
Imani: Mm-hmmm
V: um, for Kaity and I, it really read as a queer allegory, it really read as, um, like maybe something like electric shock shock therapy as an attempt at conversion therapy. And we don't know how intentional, like that parallel was or if that was something that like we just particularly thought of.
So the question being, what was it like for you to portray Cal, going into that situation where her family says you have a connection that you should not have, and we're going to sever that even though Cal was like, no, no, no, I don't want to have a severing.
Imani: Right. That is an incredible take on it. I don't, I don't think I even thought that far.
That is an... Shout out to y'all. That was deep. Um um, wow. Now that you say it I'm like, well, you know what, there was no part of me that didn't feel like it was wrong.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: You know, like, I feel like for you to force anything on anyone is wrong. That's how I feel. [00:51:00] But, um, I understood their purpose though, because again, Juliette, although we know her like characteristic wise, you know, like she's very, she very much posed a threat in the sense that she could kill me at any given time.
Um, but I could never kill her, even if I wanted to, you know what I mean? Like I don't have the know how, so I definitely understood their like perspective. And again, they're from a family of monster hunters. I I'd be, it'd be silly for me to expect anything different, you know.
Kaity: Right.
Imani: You're like, you know what? We tried to tell you to stay away.
Now we're gonna have to go in with the, with science. We're gonna, you know, so, um, but I do, I do see how, like, it can, it could be like symbolic for. You know, this being something that's like in like a lot of like households, especially when it's like about like queerness and stuff like that. It's like, oh, like, well, we, we tried this, we tried to pray it away.
We tried to do this, you know, there's all kind of tactics that people use. And, and, and it's so funny to me cause it's like, God, would it be that hard to just accept it? Is it that big of a challenge?
Kaity: Right, right.
Imani: You would rather send me [00:52:00] to shock therapy than just be like, all right l I guess, you know what you eat doesn't make me shit so I guess, you know what I mean? Like why, why is, why is that so much harder? You know what I mean? But
Kaity: right.
Imani: Um, I think, I think it's important that we shined a light on that moment and I think it's important that we're having the conversation that we're having right now about that very point, because I know that a lot of people are gonna see themselves
V: mm-hmm
Imani: in that moment or see their experience in, in that moment.
Um, but I think in, in preparing for that moment, I just, I really wanted to show, I really wanted to show that Cal trusts her family, you know, like even when she doesn't agree, even when she's like, no, but you don't understand. And she still didn't feel safe enough to express like mom like I adore this girl, like I do. I'm sorry. I do. And she's wonderful. And if you accept me then just accept that I'm dating her!
V: Yeah
Imani: and that's that, you know, like, like, you know what I mean?
Kaity: Mm-hmm
Imani: and I feel like that's, I wanted to show that truth that even in that moment, she was willing to have fucking silver pump through her before she was like, well, you know, because it's that big of a challenge, you know? And in Cal's case, it being that it's like [00:53:00] blasphemous to date, like something that we hunt,
V: Yeah
Imani: You know, you know, and that's, I can definitely see this, this, um, the symbolism there, but I just really wanted to challenge- I just really wanted to channel that she trusts her family enough though, even though it goes against her feelings and like what she knows to be true about herself, at least in that moment, she's like, all right, but I have to trust my family and I have to choose my family.
V: Yeah.
Kaity: So I wanna ask in re- in relation to this, a more fun question.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: um, so because we've watched the show many times at this point, uh, we've now started thinking beyond what we've seen. So we've really developed this whole theory about the show. So because Cal and Juliette are still connected post the severing.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: We were like, hmm why is that? So since Juliette is a descendant of Lilith,
Imani: mm-hmm
Kaity: We've started to think like, are the monster, monster hunters, a descendant of Eve, and like, [00:54:00] could Cal be a descendant of Eve?
Imani: Ooooooh.
Kaity: Like, what do you think about that?
Imani: I think that's hot. I love that. I think that'd be so dope. I think that'd be so cool.
I hope you're right. I gotta make some calls cause that's so ill. That would be so dope. It'd be like, whoa, I feel like it would open up the parallels of this story times a thousand. It'd be like, oh shit. Now we have some history that we didn't even know existed. That'd be really dope. I think that'd be really, really cool.
Um, but I think on the surface it was dope to see like, can't break what you didn't make. you know what I mean?
(laughter)
Imani: You know what I mean, like it is what is, look where's the, maybe it's just what the heart wants, what the heart wants and you can't stop that Mrs. Burns.
V: Our love is too strong.
Imani: You know, like that's just what it's like, hate to break it to you.
Um, I love that. I love that. I would love that. I think that'd be really, really ill and I think it'd be, I think maybe it would change how like the Burns and Fairmonts look at Juliette and um Calliope's dynamic
V: mm-hmm
Imani: And I think it'd make for an interesting turn of like [00:55:00] maybe we kind of have to work together here.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: Because there's something like bigger here, like, okay. Even it's beyond, like, of course you guys fell for each other because it was a connection that was made years before you guys knew each other. You know what I mean? Like, and, and now it's, it's, you know how people like, say like soulmates, like it's like when you re-incarnate, like sometimes in like new life's times, like you'll, you'll run into all these different people to try to find your one. I feel like, because both lineages were like thousands of years in the making
V: mm-hmm
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: I could definitely see that being a thing, like this was meant to be, we just didn't know why yet.
V: Yeah.
Imani: We thought it was just, you know, a crush that turned into love or turned into this relationship, but it was like, no, you two kind of have to be together. And I think that'd be, I think it'd be cool to like see the Fairmonts and the Burns kind of have to work together because of that
Kaity: Right
Imani: Also because they kind of being shunned by their organizations, like from like, you know, the, the Fairmonts and what they're going through with like, uh, because of what hap- you know, what happened with the snake and all that.
V: Yeah.
Kaity: uh-huh
Imani: And then Burns with the Guild, you know, like we kind of don't have [00:56:00] anyone, but each other, so
Kaity: Right.
And also it opens up, I think both girls for like, uh, a power that they didn't know that they have in an interesting way where like Juliette has never wanted it and Cal has always felt destined to it.
Imani: Yeah
Kaity: And I think that would be like a cool dynamic between the two of them.
Imani: That would be so cool. We gotta write this down. This is getting so cool.
V: I remember when Lillith like first came up, like Kaity went into a deep dive on Lillith and Eve, and then like, it's just grown. We have a lot of theories about y'all being the chosen ones and this prophecy.
Imani: That's awesome. That is really, really cool. And I think it would definitely take us on a different kind, like a different kind of world, like that would take on a different kind of world because it's, I always say like, there's still so much,
Kaity: Yes!
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: I feel like First Kill has space to grow. It has so much space to grow and to evolve.
And there's so many like monsters that we haven't seen yet. Like we saw, like, but even in the monsters that we see, like we don't even really get to understand like their [00:57:00] dynamics and their histories. Cause I doubt Juliette's the only like quote unquote monster, that you know, has like, Nope I have a story here. You know, like even
Kaity: Right
Imani: When the shambler was in the house, like he didn't attack anyone until he was attacked. He was like, I'm just looking for my shit.
V: Yeah.
Kaity: Right.
Imani: You know what I mean? Nobody came you to, nobody told you to come steal on my shit. And now I'm back to get it, know what mean, nobody asked me why it was important to me. Maybe my grandfather gave it to me. Maybe my grandpa shambler gave this to me and I'm coming back for it.
V: It's a family heirloom.
Imani: Exactly. And it wasn't yours to begin with. Mr. Apollo. Thank you.
V: Yes. Oh my God.
Imani: One thousand percent
V: So I'm curious as to your perspective, because I have been really suspicious of the Guild because of everything. [Imani nodding] Okay. Yes. Yes. Okay, good. Cause I was
Imani: Me too.
V: Everything that's happened. I'm just like Jack, Jack more so than Talia, I think. But Jack has seemed so certain of the Guild's, you know, support and guidance and like doing what he's asked to do and seeing, you know, situations as [00:58:00] opportunities that for me, I perceive as they're setting you up to fail, like I'm so scared and worried for you all. And so, um, yeah, just curious. What, what do you think about the Guild?
Imani: I think I'm scared of the Guild's power, like in the power that-
V: mm-hmm power.
Imani: -they have over like, like, like again, uh, when it came to, uh, all the members of the Guild, like, like, uh, Tess's parents and stuff like that, like, um, I feel like it got to a point where they had been knowing each other for years barbecuing with each other, knew each other's babies when they were babies.
All of that went out the window. The moment the Guild was like, no, tell them they're out. They were like, sorry Guild said so, you know, like all that. And that, that scares me a little to know that it took little to no- all it took was a turn of like turn of heart from the Guild for them to completely like, be like, Nope, forget them.
You know what I mean? Like, or even, um, just how they started treating like the Burns, you know what I mean?
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: Where's Cal like wherever Cal is, the vampire seems to be and like, yeah, you're right. [00:59:00] But still, like, that's not,
V: You dont gotta say it that way.
Kaity: Right you dont gotta-
Imani: that's not the point the point is I don't like your attitude about it, you know what I mean
Kaity: Yeah.
Imani: I feel like it's organizations that can completely turn the people that you've grown to love and care about against you are the organization that's, that's the real scare.
V: Mm-hmm.
Imani: You know what I mean? I feel like, uh, I, I, I think it'd be interesting to see that like Burns against the Guild. Like, all right. Like almost like freelancing, like, no, we like, we do this for ourselves now. Like we're like, uh, like a, like a Renegade kind of Burns family. We're like. So they're like, well, the Guild has let us down.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: All we have is each other. And the knowledge that we have now, or maybe the Guild's, maybe been keeping some kind of information from them, maybe they know about the Eve and Lilith stuff and maybe that's why we're targeted in the first place.
V: Yeah.
Kaity: Yeah. Because they were real sketch about Theo, trying to find out more about legacies. Like they almost don't want them to know about them.
Imani: Yeah, absolutely. I think the Guild is real sketch. Um, but I, again, I think it's like most, most organizations
V: Mm-hmm.
Kaity: Yep.
Imani: When you get to the nitty gritty of [01:00:00] things, you realize it is not what they portray themselves to be.
Kaity: And I, I think that shows like the Burns children, how they're like. How it is an unofficial matriarchy in a way, because Jack is almost like a true disciple
Imani: mm-hmm
Kaity: but Talia always thinks a little bit deeper about things
Imani: Yeah.
Kaity: And you see that through all three of the children where they just don't go at face value, whereas like Tess betrayed her ex and best friend for the Guild.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: Where I don't know that any of the Burns siblings would do that.
Imani: No, absolutely not. I think it's in, I think, I think it's in- oh, what am I trying to say? I feel like when we see the Burns family, they're special in the sense that I feel like they're gonna be the family to break the cycle of whatever's been going on in the field for all these years.
And I love that there's a, a deep history with the Fairmonts and a deep history with the Burns, because that means, oh, there's still so much to learn.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: You know what I mean? Like what we're seeing on the surface
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: was years in the making, you know, like, I don't think any of it is like coincidence. Of all the schools that Cal has gone to, [01:01:00] of all the Tokyo, Japan and London, all the places that they've traveled, all these missions... when they get to Savannah, there's a change, you know what I mean?
Like, and she falls for the legacy that she found. Oh, and Cal's the one to find it? A legacy hasn't been found in years and then Cal finds her.
V: Yeah. They're fated.
Imani: And then she falls in love with her?. None of that is a coincidence. Like, you know, I don't think any, and then they, in each other's dreams. I don't think any of that is coincidence. Um, I think this is the factors that be, you know, still play a part in it, like, okay, when she bites you, you know, they can kind of be in your mind or make a, a monster hunter question their beliefs or whatever.
I think all of that is very true, but I think it's still it's way deeper than the surface. I think we're like at the tip of the glacier and underneath the water is like
V: Yeah.
Imani: So
Kaity: Yeah.
Imani: So much information to be learned. I think it could really expand and become something deep.
V: Yeah. Kaity and I were talking about how, like, we're ready for five seasons, cause there's so much that could be dug into with this.
Imani: Absolutely. I, I really- God, fingers crossed. I think it could be so, so [01:02:00] cool. And I think it'd be, I think, I think it would just open up the kind of audiences that we could attract too.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: Like, I don't think it's just, this is not just a, this is not just a show for one group of people. I feel like there for the science lovers, you know, the sci-fi lovers and then like, we, like, we blend some of the truth of science and, you know, in the, into the show and it's like, oh no, that's no, that's true.
I'm a scientist. It's true
Kaity: Yeah.
Imani: I'd like to see that. I want there to be like a, a element. I think First Kill has done a beautiful job of having an element for every kind of person in the show. There's something for everyone in this show.
Kaity: Yeah. It's almost labeled so much in the genre category. I don't think the show and Felicia get enough credit for the family drama that it is as well.
Imani: Mm-hmm, absolutely. Absolutely. I think it's a very layered show with very layered characters. And I feel like where there are layers, there is room to unravel and to learn, you know, and I think that's the fun of it all. Like, just enjoy the journey of it all, you know, just see, we don't know where we're gonna go, but let's, let's see it happen.
You know, like, let's [01:03:00] see it get there.
Kaity: So this scene is, Ugh, it's heavy, but at the end Cal, so I think fans have a really hard time with the words that Cal says at the end to Juliette.
Imani: Yeah.
Kaity: Where she-- I'm, you know, going to find out how to kill you and every legacy like you. But I, I was almost shocked that people had so such a hard time with it because I have so much sympathy for Cal in that moment.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: Because she's going through so much grief, like she's just lost the brother that she knows, her family has been turned upside down
Imani: mm-hmm .
Kaity: And then to find out that the only person she thought she had solace in-
Imani: Exactly.
Kaity: -was part of it, like, I think she's just in complete shock at that moment and is like fighting this pain and that's how it comes out.
Imani: Mm-hmm
Kaity: So, you know, can you speak to her state of mind a little bit [01:04:00] more in that scene?
Imani: Yeah. Cal is in complete shambles, like, okay. You can't confide in the organization that you work for. You, your family, what, your father just wants to kill your brother in front of you. You know what I mean? Like he just wants to kill
Kaity: And kinda blames you for like loving a vampire.
Imani: And blames me! You know what I mean? Like my brother equally is in shambles. You know what I mean? He feels responsible. Cause I got there after the fact, you know what I mean? Like
Kaity: Right.
Imani: Uh, then the one, the one person that she confided in outside of like the mess of her family, like is responsible for the turning of her brother.
I can't imagine which, which feeling she grabs first. Like I wouldn't know what to do. I wouldn't know what to say. I, I feel like, and again, Cal's 16 though. You know what I mean? Like, can you imagine, just imagine just struggling with your sexuality, like imagine if that was her struggle in itself. Imagine that that just being the one struggle and how difficult that is.
So imagin---. Like, I, I would be shattered, I, [01:05:00] Cal is shattered.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: She's just, just so disoriented. I feel like I, and I feel for Cal too, I feel for both of them, because I think neither of them could have ever planned that things would like, and it just seems like a long string of like misunderstandings, you know what I mean?
But because emotions are in the forefront, there's no space for anyone to hear anyone.
V: Yeah.
Imani: You know, so I think that whole spear to the chest thing was just, God, I am in shambles. And I'm so mad at you. And I don't know where to place all these feelings right now, but it, it also makes sense for me to place them on you because you turned him.
V: Yeah.
Kaity: Yeah. When you love someone, that's easier to almost let it out on them.
Imani: Absolutely. And to lash out on them and again, like Jules is like, she expressed, like, I feel like Cal trusted Jules, like, you know, like she trusted her. Like, I, we both know you have this power that you're promised me, pro- promising me that you're not going to use to hurt me.
And I'm promising that I won't do any of the things that I know to do to hurt you. You know what I mean? So it's like, [01:06:00] you vicariously hurt me through hurting, like people that I care about, you know, after I went like to bat to protect you, you know, so I can, I can completely understand her hurt and, and where she was coming from.
Um, of course in real life, we were goofing that night, you know
Kaity: Right?!
Imani: Like we were eating gyros, losing it,
Kaity: Which is like, which is like for fans, like I'm over here crying and you're laughing, you know?
Imani: No, absolutely. But then it got to a point like when we were doing the scene, like we couldn't stop crying, you know what I mean?
Like it was like, once you turn the water works on, it was hard to turn 'em off because it's so sad. It's so, so sad. It's such a sad ending. Um, and everyone's emotionally drained by that part of the show. You know what I mean? Like everyone's hurt, but I have hope I have hope that, you know, I think it's just one of those things.
Like if you've ever broken up with anyone for any reason, . Aw that shit hurts. You know what I mean? So .
Kaity: Yeah.
Imani: And then have you ever been a girl to break up with a girl? That shi-- I mean, like that's not an [01:07:00] easy process. So I like under I, understand that, that drama was very called for, you know what I mean? Especially the things that happens that got that point. No, completely understandable.
V: Yeah. And I, I agree with her being the teenager. Like, I mean, she needs a minute, like she needs a minute to process all this shit that just happened.
Imani: Absolutely Cal just needs a minute. She needs some tea, man. She needs some green tea and a bagel and she just needs to relax
V: Juliette, take your naivete home, give me a minute.
Imani: She needs to eat and relax, sit out for a minute. Like, I don't know where, I don't know when, but no, I, I, but I do have hope that, you know, usually when feelings subside-
V: mm-hmm
Imani: -you know, you're able to like think with a clearer mind and really put your head on. But I think Cal's the kind of person where again, she takes it-
V: mm-hmm
Imani: -and she lets it fuel her. You know what I mean? So I feel like it'll only fuel her to like. Be this hunter that she, that she knows herself to be like, I feel like she's gonna come back like fucking Serena, like
V: Yeah
Imani: She's gonna be like, super, like go hard,
Kaity: G.O.A.T! Cal's G.O.A.T [01:08:00] era.
V: With, with this ending. I think in another interview I saw that you had said that you want them to reunite. And I was wondering like, how do you kind of foresee that in like a season two of them reuniting, but also like, this is a big thing that's happened. And like you said, for Cal, it likely is gonna fuel this desire to want to be the best monster hunter and deal with that. So like, how do you see those two aligning where she's potentially going to be fueled to be stronger, but then also like... juliette
Imani: I feel like Cal and Jules are infamous for coming back together when they have a common enemy.
V: Mm.
Imani: I feel like all it takes is for them to have a common denominator, like a common enemy. And it's like, damn it, I'm working with you, but not cause I wanted to. I feel like it started on the rooftop. You know, they both needed a reason be in the principal's office.
V: Mm-hmm
Imani: You know, episode five. They're both trying not to die at the hands of the zombie
V: mm-hmm
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: And trying not to let other people die at the hands of the zombie. Know what I mean? So I [01:09:00] feel like whenever there's like a common enemy, they're like, all right, we gotta, we gotta work together. And I feel like the moment they work together, it's like, they're able to see each other for what they've always seen each other as like the person that they're falling for, you know?
V: Oh, I like that.
Imani: And I feel like, yeah, I think she, I think, I think Cal was impressed by Jules. Like I think, I think there's a certain level of like, I am so impressed with this girl. Like she doesn't even mean to have these powers, even when they're fighting on the roof like,
V: mm-hmm
Imani: You can fight like, okay. Like
Kaity: mm-hmm
Imani: That's kinda hot. You know what I mean?
V: Yeah.
Kaity: Yeah. She's gonna be more impressed next season then. Right?
Imani: You see like a dark Jules? Hell yeah. I feel like there's gonna be a part of, and again, they're still crazy, like attracted to each other. So I feel like that attraction doesn't just die cause it's kind of hot between them. So I don't see that dying so easily.
Kaity: Yeah. And also like Cal doesn't deny that she doesn't, that she loves Jules. She's just like not acknowledging it. You know what I mean?
Imani: Yeah and I think it'd be silly of her to acknowledge it. And I think it'd be far-fetched for her to acknowledge it in that moment too. Like I love you too.
Kaity: Right.
Imani: But get off [01:10:00] my lawn! You know what I mean? Get outta here!
Kaity: It doesn't work.
Imani: It wouldn't have worked for her to be like, I love you too. I'm not gonna say it again. Get off this lawn. You know what I mean? Like it's not, it just wouldn't've fit. I don't think.
V: Yeah. Doesn't match.
Kaity: The payoff is gonna be, yeah, the payoff's gonna be way better when we hear it in season two now. Right?
Imani: Absolutely. I would love to hear Cal say, God willing there's a season two. I would love to hear Cal be like. I loved you, Jules!
V: Oh, the angst would be great.
Imani: Yeah. Like, like I loved you and this is what you did. Know what I mean? I feel like it'd be from a place of like hurt at first and then it'd come from like romance again.
V: Yeah. Ooh. I, I've been excited about season two, even more excited about like this, like this, um, possibility that you foresee, cause I think that that would work really, really well. Um,
Imani: Me too.
Kaity: Okay. So, um, I'm a big Mocha Bands fan
Imani: Ahhhhh!
Kaity: Um, uh, so I wanna know what is the difference [01:11:00] between the artist Imani Lewis and the artist Mocha Bands.
Imani: Ooh, big difference. I think Imani Lewis. Oh, this seems so deep Imani Lewis um, I think Imani is like me on like the day to day. You know what I mean? Like. Cool little jellybean man. Um, cool. I feel like I'm real cool. I love to laugh. I'm real giggly. I'm a reader. Like I read books. I have 12 books stacked in front of me right now.
Like I wish I was joking. Like I am a big reader. Um, yeah, like she likes to crochet. She likes to play Sudoku. She likes to play solitaire. Like I'm that kind of person, but then like, you know, I go to work and I try to do my best work and she's, you know, I think Imani--Imani's real cool. She's real chill. I feel like not to say that Mocha Bands is not, but I think, um, you know, and Imani is like real like professional, you know, like real like,
Hmm, Christine, good morning. How are you? I'm fine. How are you? The weather's nice. You know what [01:12:00] I mean? Like that's kind of my life , but I feel like Mocha Bands is like me at my cockiest. I don't even wanna say cocky, just like at my surest. Like that's the part of me. That's like what? You couldn't tell me anything if you wanted to, you know what I mean?
Like, no, that's, that's the, that's the version of me. That's really gonna pop her shit. Like--no number 10 in the world.
(laughter)
Imani: Globally, better check the boxes. You know what I mean? Like, like, she's that kinda girl, like, she's just like, that's that's me at my most confident, like, like I think they're all very true. They're all just the dimensions of myself, because I think they're all very, very true. It's not like anything's a persona.
Kaity: Mm-hmm
Imani: Um, I just think it's me, like, at my most sure and my most confident and my most, like, self-assured like, Nope, I'm gonna win. Nobody's gonna tell me I can't win because I already told myself I'm gonna win. It's written in the stars. Now it is what it is. And I encourage everybody around me to be that same way when I'm in that mode. Like what, girl? You're beautiful. Stop crying right now. What, you know, be for real, you know what I mean? Like she's like, she's a [01:13:00] lot tougher.
She's a lot more like, girl, what? Don't answer the phone. No, don't answer it. You make him call you, you know what I mean? Like call eight times and then you text him like, what, what do you mean? You know what I mean? Like, she's that way, like, there's just a, there's a certain era, like certain, like, I don't know, there's a certain swag to her. That's just a lot harder.
And you really see the New York in me with like Mocha Bands. Yeah. When I have to be Imani, I have to try to turn off my accent because Calliope doesn't have an accent.
Kaity: Yeah. So are we gonna get some more Mocha Bands? Like that's what the fans wanna know.
Imani: Absolutely. Oh my God. I can't wait for y'all to hear this new music. I am so freaking amped. Um, this would've come out sooner, but you know, making television shows is not overnight work, you know?
V: Yeah.
Kaity: Right.
Imani: Some time. Um, but yeah, there's never a time that I'm not working on the music. I cannot wait for you guys to hear this music because there's a song for every person I'm working on a project right now. And I can't wait to finish it up and hopefully I'll have a date soon in which it will be released.
V: Oh [01:14:00] fantastic.
Kaity: Oh yeah. I'm stoked, I'm like, uh, if we get that season two renewal we're blaring Mocha Bands, okay like
Imani: I can't wait.
V: Yeah, we've already decided we're gonna make a vampire themed, um, drink and then we'll play Mocha Bands and we are gonna have a party.
Imani: I love it. I cannot wait. I cannot wait.
Kaity: Thank you so much for chatting with us.
Imani: Of course, this was so much fun.
V: Oh, fantastic. Yes. Thank you so much. We were really excited. Uh, we weren't certain cause we know how busy you are. And so we were just like, oh, let's shoot our shot and hope that it, it happens
Imani: Yes, absolutely. I'm here. This was so much fun. And when I heard Sarah Catherine's episode I was like, awe, I wanna talk to them so bad. This is awesome, like this is gonna be so much fun. Of course. I'm so glad. Thank you guys so much for making the time for me.
Kaity: Holy shit... balls. That was incredible.
V: Um, that was, [01:15:00] I like, I just feel like I'm at a loss for words, because I was so nerv-, like I was nervous. I was just so nervous and then immediately it was great.
Kaity: Listen, y'all have been making fun of Sarah Catherine unjustly because I think V and I relate to her pretty strongly right now.
V: oh, Uhhuh. There were so many times where Kaity and I just really wanted to just like, you know, chin on hands, stare lovingly at Imani as she just talks so beautifully. Oh my God. It was, I feel blessed to have been in the same virtual space as her.
Kaity: Like, she just has that star quality. Like I look at her and I'm charmed instantly.
V: Mm-hmm
Kaity: Like, I was so charmed by her. I was like cast under her spell during that whole interview. So don't make fun of me. Like if I, if I sound a little geeky, like don't make fun of me, y'all it's I couldn't help it.
V: No, no, one's gonna. Like no [01:16:00] one should judge. Um, we completely understand what Sarah Catherine meant by, she did a chemistry read via zoom and immediately was like, butterflies, this is my Calliope because that is our Calliope.
Kaity: That? It's there. We see it. We get you girl. We are with you now. We are down. We are down on the ground with you. Okay. Like holy shit, man.
Um, but beyond being charmed, uh, completely by I-Imani, um, like it's just so fucking cool when you talk to an actress and she's so real and genuine and caring and passionate, like, oh, I could just feel it all. And I was like, holy shit. She's the coolest person ever.
V: Yeah. I, I just, I think that, it's just like, how do you even explain what it feels like to be so comfortable with someone that you've just met?
You know, like, because [01:17:00] cause truly, I think that's what it was is um, We got started. And then I don't know what the hell I got us distracted by. I got, but I got us distracted by something and Imani just rolled with it and it was just such a chill start to this. And I was like, oh, we're good. We're good. We've got a rapport. We got this.
Kaity: Yeah, she's so sweet. Oh my God. It's like, how can I just- She's an angel and she's graced us with her presence and I feel blessed.
V: Oh yeah. Especially cause like I, we know that she's really busy right now. So her fitting us into her schedule, like thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Um, not only for us, but the fans, because it has been highly requested and I, I just, I know that y'all are gonna love this as much as we loved doing this.
Kaity: Yeah. It's like if you're not in love with her after, I don't know what to tell you because it's all there for you. You know what I'm saying?
V: If you're not in love with her by this point, mm, get outta here.[01:18:00]
Kaity: So thank you all for listening to us. I hope you enjoyed that interview. We had the best fucking time. I hope you did too. You can continue talking to us about First Kill and this interview on Twitter @thislesbianshit, on Instagram @thislesbianship, please rate and review us and download our episodes on Spotify and Apple podcasts. And we'll see you next time.
V: Bye guys.
Kaity: Bye.
V: This Lesbian Ship is Intense is a part of the frolic podcast network. Find more podcasts you'll love at frolic.media/podcasts.