UP CLOSE WITH “KING RICHARD” STAR LAYLA CRAWFORD

Photos by Diana Ragland

Today on RIVAL, we have the amazing young actress Layla Crawford with us to tell us all about her growing career and the amazing experiences that have come with it. Perhaps you remember Layla as Young Tara from True Blood, Olivia Johnson in The First Family, or Kamran Hanna from NCIS: Los Angeles. Whatever you know her from, you will most certainly want to be seeing her as Lyndrea Price in the upcoming Biopic "King Richard" starring Will Smith, in which we'll be following the father and trainer of the legendary Venus and Serena Williams.

At just 16 years, Layla boasts over 10 years worth of professional career, consistently getting key roles and profiling herself as a future icon of the art form, refining her craft alongside directors and colleagues of great prestige. The fascinating young pro wowed us with her on-screen talent and the centered and down-to-earth personality she transmits when answering our questions. Check it out:

Hello Layla! Hope you're having a great day. Got some questions for you and we're excited to catch your thoughts on some things.

Hi, I’m having an amazing day! Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I’m excited to share thoughts with you all.

We know you started acting at the age of 6, which in retrospect is quite young to fully understand what you were doing. Do you remember a moment when you realized you were an actress and it was something you wanted to keep pursuing?

Honestly, I was an actress before I ever acted professionally. Since I was three years old, I had been dancing & participating in school plays. So by the time I actually started acting professionally, it was something that felt natural to me. I’ve been acting for the majority of my life now and I couldn’t imagine another career.

So far which role would you say has had the biggest impact on you as an actress? The one you feel like you've grown or learned the most from.

The role that had the biggest impact on me was definitely my role in True Blood as “Young Tara”. It was an experience I really had to dig deep for, as the character “Tara” has been through so much in her lifetime, and it was up to me to bring life to her troubled backstory. There were a multitude of emotions in that episode that I had not explored as an actress before. I put a lot of pressure on myself to execute it well and I'm really glad I was able to do the character justice.

Tell us a little bit about your role as Lynn Price in your upcoming film King Richard. Who do you feel she was as a character?

“Lynn Price” can be described as sarcastic, precocious, and a little mischievous. She’s one of Venus & Serena’s older sisters and she loves her family deeply. I loved playing her because through “Lynn” I was able to create so many special and funny moments that I feel audiences will enjoy. She has a very large personality and I’m excited for everyone to see my portrayal of this amazing woman.

What were your thoughts coming onto this project, was there added pressure tackling a biopic of this magnitude?

I definitely felt a lot of pressure bringing this story to life. This is an important and inspiring story that needs to be told, as the entire Williams/Price family achieved something extraordinary. I wanted to make sure I displayed who “Lynn” truly is and it was hugely important to me to present the family dynamic in an honest way. The entire cast really did an amazing job at embodying this story and I feel like it was executed with lots of detail, I’m really proud of this project. 

This must be a very meaningful and powerful film to participate in, it being Black-directed, starred and focused on contemporary black history. Do you feel like this is an ongoing trend that's gaining momentum in Hollywood right now?

This is a very powerful film. I feel that Black-directed, starred and focused stories are important and shouldn’t be treated as a trend. These stories are a part of our history and what better way to tell them then through film and television? Hollywood is finally catching on and I hope to be a part of future Black focused stories.

You've starred alongside some pretty big names before, but I’m guessing there's something extra special about being in a movie with Will Smith. How was it like working with him?

Will Smith is such a special person to me and working alongside him was unlike any experience I’ve had before. He truly treats everyone on set with kindness & generosity. He helped guide us girls through the whole process and we became like family. I’m so honored to be a part of the cast and thankful for the opportunity to experience his brilliance.

Your notoriety is rising and being a teenager your career is just beginning, where do you hope to be 5 years from now?

Five years from now I hope to be content with my life and choices. I see myself furthering my acting career, being a college graduate, and hopefully running a successful business. There are so many goals I have set for myself that I know will be fulfilled. I would also love to be a part of another impactful story like King Richard in the future.

Outside of acting, what other things inspire you? What sort of work or activities are you involved with?

I love reading and writing, specifically stories and poems. And luckily it’s something that goes hand and hand with my career goals. Reading and writing also provides me with a temporary mental escape. I am inspired by lots of things but especially learning and connecting with people’s personal stories. It’s on my bucket list to someday publish a book.

At the end of the interviews, we like to make a short Ping-pong round to get a better sense of your personality. Brief answers only. Ready?

Let’s do it!

Favorite singer or band right now: J. Cole & Mariah the Scientist. On repeat, always.

If you could have a conversation with somebody alive or dead, who would it be? My younger self, does that count?

Three things you like about yourself: My style, my humor, and my lips

Something you regret: Allowing past self doubt block me from my full potential.

If you were able to change something in the world, what would you change? I would change the stereotypes we hold about one another. If we lived in a judgement free and more positive world, people would be able to be their true selves.

Favorite color, fruit, and animal: Red, Bananas, Lions.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mariana González – Venezuelan journalist.

I am interested in novelty, talent and creativity. I put my lyrics at the service of those who genuinely strive to build an alternate narrative about the common and humdrum. Rival Magazine has been the open window to put a face on emerging talent.