Actress Dior Goodjohn chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about “Head of the Class” on HBO Max, and being an actress in the digital age.
On being a part of “Head of the Class” on HBO Max, she said, “It was a surreal experience. I mean this was my first series. But I wasn’t as surprised or shocked being on a set when I was one of the regulars as I thought I would be. I had always assumed when I did book my first series, throughout filming I would feel as though I was in some kind of dreamscape. However, playing in “Head of the Class” was quite the opposite.”
“It felt like home,” she admitted. “There is something so energetically and spiritually safe and welcoming about my co-workers and amazing team that we were so grateful to have on set. The entire cast and crew grew to be great friends and truly become family to one and another. In turn, I never once really felt like I was filming a “TV show”. It was as if I was with my friends back home, hanging out, acting ‘stupid’ together, and filming each other.”
She was drawn to her character, Robyn, for many reasons. “Playing Robyn is like having my unapologetic side turned on at all times. She stands up for what she believes is right. She does all that she can to make sure she does right by her friends; ensuring that they are protected and happy. If she wants something, she goes after it, no questions asked. She is an extension of who I am. Everything just flows very easily and I never have to overthink when it comes to her,” she said.
On being an actress in the digital age, she said, “Honestly, I feel blessed. The fact that I am privileged enough to be doing exactly what I love and what I was meant to do, in an era that offers me so much opportunity and freedom is rare. There’s a time and place for everything, for me, that just so happens to be now.”
For young and aspiring actors, she said, “Now, I know I’m young, and these words might sound funny coming out of my mouth. This business is tough. More than you’ll ever know, so you have to be honest with yourself and be 100% sure that this is what you truly want to do. If acting makes you happy, allows self-expression in a way that nothing has before, and if this is what you feel you’re truly meant to do, this is what you need to know.”
“I don’t care how old you are or how many people have told you these same words. please, by any circumstances do not give up. You’re going to hear 1000 no’s before you hear one yes. However that single yes is gonna make all those no’s feel completely nonexistent. Out of all the people in the industry, you just need one to truly believe in you. Whether that’s yourself or a producer or a casting director, it doesn’t matter. As long as you have faith in that you’ll succeed,” she said.
Regarding her dream acting partners, she said, “I’m kinda already working with crazy talented people, but I tend to visualize myself and Viola Davis in a film together one day. She’s my inspiration. Her dedication to her work and her talent makes her a force to be reckoned with, and if I could ever have the privilege of learning anything from her in person and not just through the screen of my television, I would be forever grateful.”
On her definition of success, she said, “Success is not material. In my opinion, most people have the wrong idea about the entire concept of success. I don’t believe it’s right to base success on how much money you make in a month, how many people are envious of you, or how many awards that you’ve won. Forget about everything that you’ve accomplished/achieved in life or what you’ve been told makes you successful by definition. If after all of that, you can stand in front of a mirror being completely honest with yourself and you are proud of who you are as a person, that’s how you know you’re successful.”
She concluded about “Head of the Class,” “Well, there’s not much I can say about it now because I know that if I open my mouth I’ll end up spoiling something hahaha. But what I would like the people to know, is that we all had the most amazing time making this show. And at the end of the day, with everything that’s going on in the world if you need an escape, sit down, turn on ‘Head of the Class’ and I can guarantee you at the end of 30 minutes you’ll have ‘oooh-ed’ and ‘ahhh-ed’ and shared at least one real, ugly, laugh with your entire neighborhood.”
