From the South Side of Chicago to the Pride Lands of Africa, Tiffany Boone has had a varied career on screen and stage. Starting out in the 2006 indie film Hamilton (no, not that one,) the Baltimore-born actor has since played roles in The Chi, Little Fires Everywhere, Nine Perfect Strangers, Hunters and The Big Cigar.
Now, she’s on the prowl in Mufasa: The Lion King, both a prequel and sequel to the 2019 live-action remake. Tiffany plays Sarabi, a young lioness separated from her pride, who meets a young Mufasa and his adoptive brother Taka as the trio try to find a new home away from their families. Sarabi, who eventually becomes the queen of the Pride Lands, plays a pivotal role in Mufasa’s journey, finally giving some depth and complexity to the character of Simba’s mother.
Ahead of the film’s release, GLAMOUR sat down with Tiffany to talk about what it means to be part of the Lion King story, working alongside the real-life legacy of Beyoncé and Blue Ivy, the strength of showing vulnerability as a Black women and why behind every powerful man is a group of women.
What drew you to the role of Sarabi?
I didn’t realise I was actually auditioning to play Sarabi – I just saw The Lion King and was like ‘I’ll audition for any character! I just want to be a part of it.’ Then hearing that Barry Jenkins was directing it and reading the sides, I was like 'I don't know what character this is, but she seems like a really cool chick.'
Did you draw on your own experiences to play her?
Sarabi is coming into herself at a time when she’s lost her pride, her community. She’s having to find a lot of independence and confidence while holding in a lot of pain. I can definitely relate to that, growing up and trying to be tough when you’re dealing with such big emotions as a young woman. Even now, at my big age, I’m trying to be strong.
Do you think there’s strength showing that vulnerability, particularly as a Black woman who is often expected to be strong?
Totally. I was listening to a podcast the other day where a woman said that crying is showing weakness. I felt really sad for her to think that. I think it actually takes a lot of strength and bravery to show your softer side, to open yourself up to people and show your sadness and vulnerability. The older I get, the more I realise I don't have to take on the weight of the world. I don't have to fix anybody else's problems. I just have to be present for myself and my family and do the best that I can. I know what the world thinks I'm supposed to do, but that's not my business.
There’s a line in Mufasa that really stood out to me – ‘your fight is my fight.’ Does that resonate with you?
It does. My friends and family would say I'm a fiercely loyal person. If someone hurts someone that I love, I’m the person to ask ‘who are we fighting?!’ I'm always trying to look out for other people, especially the people that I love. In general, I think the world would be a better place if we watched out for and looked after each other. We're in such an individualistic society right now, and a lot of what Mufasa is about is community and sticking together.
Both Mufasa and Nine Perfect Strangers asked questions about leadership – what makes a good leader?
A good leader, to me, is someone who listens more than they speak. I think a lot of leaders puff up their chest and are really loud. They might have the title, but a true leader listens and pays attention to the people around them. That’s something you see in Mufasa – he’s perceptive. He's watching out for everyone around him. He hasn’t got the loudest voice, but when he speaks, everyone listens. That's what I think a great leader is.
Would you rather be liked or respected?
I'd rather be respected, for sure.
Mufasa has an all-star cast, including Beyoncé as Nala and Blue Ivy as Kiara. Did you get to work with the duo?
Sadly not, I didn’t even know Blue Ivy was a part of the film until everyone else in the world found out. But just from watching Blue Ivy's performance in the film, as someone who is such a big Beyoncé fan, watching her over all these years to see her have children and see them grow up… we all feel like Blue is our niece. I feel pride seeing her beautiful performance in this film. She is magnificent as Kiara.
You played Gwen Fontaine, wife to Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton, in The Big Cigar. Was it important for you to represent the women of the Black Panther movement too?
Yeah. Getting to play Gwen was amazing for me. Even as a person who has always been interested in the Black Power movement and who played a character who was part of that, I still didn't know who she was. That’s indicative of something that happens a lot around the Civil Rights Movement, the women don’t get the shine even though they were so important. If there's a man in front, you better believe there's ten women behind him that are really making things happen.
To be able to show Gwen as this woman pushing Huey P. Newton to be a better person and who was part of the organisation was so important to me. We always need to show complex female characters. There is a trap to just write a woman who is just standing next to a man. She's just the girlfriend or the wife. I want to know the nastiness of her. If I don’t see that on the page, you better believe I'm going to be talking to a writer or director and saying ‘this doesn’t feel right, how do we make this more interesting?’ I don't want to play the good girl all the time. I want to play a villain.
How do you deal with taking on that complexity of character and looking after your own mental wellbeing?
I can take a character off quite easily, but I also like to laugh and be light in between takes. When I get home, my favourite self care is to sleep. Honestly, when I can find time to sleep, I'm gonna sleep.
What empowers you to feel your most confident?
It’s a journey. I don’t want people to think I wake up so confident and everything’s perfect. That's not it, it’s work. If I’m honest, therapy is what sends me back to centre and gives me confidence, it reminds me of who I am. It’s important we talk about and normalise going to therapy, especially as Black women.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Don Cheadle is such a grounded, cool person. He always says ‘don’t take yourself so seriously’. He’s like ‘girl, this is just a job. Just have fun and go about your life.’ I appreciate that.
Do you think there’s been a genuine shift in the industry post #MeToo, particularly knowing the playing field is not level for all women?
I do feel like there has been a change. I think back to some things that happened, flippant comments and energies on set… I think everyone is more careful. I know people are like “woke culture, cancel culture, we can’t say anything anymore,” and no, there are some spaces you’re not allowed to say or do certain things. That creates a safer environment to make our art.
We have intimacy coordinators now and people making sure that it is a safe space. I don't think it makes set more stifled, I actually feel freer to go to work and know that somebody is going to be watching out for me and that if they're not, I can speak up for myself and I'll be listened to. There's always room to grow, but I think we've made some great strides.
Tiffany Boone stars in Mufasa, out in cinemas Friday 20 December.
