GENESIS HALE TALKS ABOUT REPRISING ROLE IN THE CHI AND UPCOMING ROLE IN CANDYMAN

Showtime's coming-of-age The Chi concentrates on The South Side of Chicago. Created by Lena Waithe, the city's low socioeconomic status is depicted where dreams tend to be nothing other than a dream, and where young adults are trying to find their footing in the world. The series focuses on different stages of black manhood and their narratives, and the inspiring way that they aim to thrive. Genesis Hale plays Maisha, a strong-willed young girl with a bright light. Maisha is one of Kevin’s classmates, and is true to herself, and embraces her own inner beauty, very akin to Hale herself. Hale also confessed that Maisha and herself are very similar due to their same creative tastes and academic awareness. They both are striving to go to college but still dive into their creativity abilities full-time. 

“It’s in our veins and we can’t get rid of it even if we tried,” the budding actress says. As much as they are similar, Hale jokes that the two young girls differ in men, and reactions to some diverse difficulties such as getting dumped for clout, or pursuing new romantic partners, or helping a friend out in dangerous situations. 

But leading up to the audition cast a few challenges on the young actress. She shared,

"I had to go over the lines in front of my mom and dad, which was kind of embarrassing because at the time my part in the script consisted of me cussing a lot. Then, on the day of, my mom and I had to scramble to do my hair. We had absolutely no idea how my hair should go, so it kind of ended up in this weird blowout-afro kind of thing. Lastly, I had to go through three auditions. The most stressful one was the absolute last one because I was in school at the time they called for me. My auntie had to come and snatch me out of school so that we could make it to Cinespace in time."

Hale tells Rival that her biggest struggle with the role is separating herself from Maisha’s being, but admires Maisha’s wise mind and intelligence. She started out as a bully but grew into a love interest. 

On working with co-stars Alex R. Hibbert and Shamon Brown Jr., “I tend to call them my sons…LOL since I take on this very motherly role when we’re together on set. However, we’re really like siblings. Every time we’re on set altogether it’s an amazing experience. We constantly challenge Ourselves and each other to be better each time we reset and roll. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids to work with.”

Season 4 will see Hale busting out a little bit more than her acting skills: her emceeing talent. She attributes that talent to being truly seen and authentic to herself. 

Up next Hale will be seen as Sabrina in the 2021 fourth edition of the supernatural slasher film Candyman,  directed by Nia DaCosta. It’s written by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and directed by Nia DaCosta who also had a part in writing it. Sabrina is an overprotective big sister to Billy in the projects of Cabrini Green coming out late summer of 2021. For the longest of time, Cabrini Green has been bullied by a folktale about a killer with a hook for a hand who is awakened by the repetition of his name in front of a mirror. 

Fun Questions: 

How did it feel to be Sesi Magazine’s Winter Cover Girl?

“Honestly, I had a ball. I loved it. The biggest present though m was seeing my mom find a magazine with my face on it in a store that she really really likes and proceeding to tell the entire Barnes and Noble that her child is on a magazine cover.”

What defines your fashion style?

“Comfortable but stylish. It actually really depends on the day because I can happen to some sweats and a hoodie with the quickness, but I can also step out when I feel like it.”

What products do you use?

“Right now, I’m a huge fan of this skincare company called Be Transcendent Skin. They really help my textured skin as well as my hyperpigmentation and acne. I also use a lot of Mac and Pat McGrath (thank you, Melissa).”

Who are your biggest influences?

“My mom, my dad, my grandparents, my brothers, Lizzo, B. Simone, Lena Waithe, and myself, to name a few.”

Do you have a favorite line from a poem you have written?

“I love all my lines. Although, if I could choose one it would be “I wish I was a Gemini”. It’s not too much of a bar, but it holds a lot of sentimental value as that line was the line that helped shape my Freshman year high school experience.”

What is your favorite type of poetry and who is your favorite poet?

“My favorite type of poetry is real poetry. The kind you don’t have to sugarcoat or use wordplay for unless it’s intrinsic. My favorite poet is K love the poet as well as my father. Besides life, they are my biggest inspiration for poetry.”



If you could interview anybody in the world who would it be? 

“My 12-year-old self. Simply to clear a few things up and remember what life was like as my true self before some of the biggest decisions of my life.”

Catch The Chi on Showtime.

Meet the Author

Brianna Vacca is a Philadelphia-based writer. She has an unhealthy addiction to true crime documentaries, celebrity gossip, and writes overly dramatic sad songs.