Joy Rovaris has experienced career highlights from most actors’ wildest fantasies. Few can claim that they’ve had Oprah in the room to celebrate big milestones. “I’d have to say it’s a tie between two pivotal moments,” she says. “The first one was getting the call that I booked the role of Bobbi Kristina while I was harnessed up in the air standing in for Storm Reid on the set of A Wrinkle in Time. I was across from Oprah, Mindy Kaling, and Reese Witherspoon while Ava DuVernay was below directing. Once I told them the news, Ava got all the cast and crew’s attention, and then she and Oprah shared the news of my booking. Everyone celebrated and congratulated me. It was such a surreal moment to experience in the presence of such legendary greatness. My second most surreal moment was the first day I met my cast mates at Tyler Perry’s home. Well, calling it a castle is more fitting! It was Good Friday and we all stood around his fireplace where he gave the most heartfelt and life-changing speech. I had chills because I could feel the immense passion and gratitude exuding off everyone. Something about him being so intentional to bring us all to his home and fellowship with him before we began this Beauty in Black journey together was otherworldly. 100% a ‘nobody pinch me’ moment. I thought I dreamed big before, but seeing his accomplishments up close like that unlocked a whole new level of dreaming for me.”
There’s nothing like deceptiveness to infuse a role with energy. “Gillian is like a quiet storm brewing. It takes so much strength and patience to sit on the massive secrets that she has. Waiting until the moment when revealing them brings her the biggest reward. Her inferiority is a sacrifice she’s committed to in order to achieve her bigger long-term goals. She’s calculated and patient.” Beauty in Black animates a rich and often hidden world. “One of my favorite aspects of the show is that it gives a glimpse into the world of old money Black families. Being from the south, I’ve grown up around many old money wealthy Black families, but it wasn’t until my adulthood that I realized most of America, if not the world, doesn’t even know they exist. Now, most of them aren’t even remotely as full of the drama that happens on our show, but I still love the idea of it being represented on TV.”
Speaking of exclusivity, Joy had the privilege of joining the Tyler Perry universe. It’s an unparalleled atmosphere. “I feel blessed! Tyler takes such good care of his people. I’ve worked on all types of productions – from Indies to the major studios, and Tyler Perry Studios was just different. From our trailers, full on makeup and hair salons, down to the gym on the lot. Everything was the best of the best. But what stood out the most was the people. Everyone there was warm and welcoming like they actually enjoyed what they did. I’d never been on a production where every day started with a prayer and expressions of gratitude. It was refreshing and centering.” Her character Gillian is a woman learning agency in the face of great personal hardship. “At least initially. I feel the more ‘L’s’ she survives, the more she becomes aware of her power. She’s motivated by her desperation for better than she came from. Gillian’s eye is on the prize and there’s not much she’s not willing to endure to get that prize. But she could potentially lose everything, including her life.”
While there may be no love lost between the cast on screen, they are borderline inseparable off set. The angst is for the cameras only. “We’re a family. We talk almost daily in our group chat and I attribute that to that first day we all met at Tyler’s house. I’ve never experienced a cast our size where everyone genuinely gets along. Since filming, I’ve seen at least one or two of them pretty much weekly. I probably see Crystle, Steven, and Tamera the most because we live close. But between morning walks with Richard, filming auditions with Steven, comedy shows with Malik, and even visiting Ms. Debbi’s home on the east coast, we find ways to be together. And that was my experience with the crew too. Nohemi from wardrobe recently stayed at my house when she visited LA. We really love each other – despite what you may see on screen.”
Joy hopes plenty of treats are in front of her. “I’m not sure what God’s got planned for my future but I’m so excited cause I know it’s going to be so good. When my grandmother gets really excited about something (even gossip), she calls it ‘goody goody gum drop’ good. That’s how I feel about my future. A whole lot of ‘goody goody gum drop’ goodness on the way.” Always trust grandma’s intuition. Beauty in Black drops on Netflix October 24th.
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Joy Rovaris Claws Her Way to the Top in Tyler Perry’s “Beauty in Black.” Photo Credit: Randall DeLeon.
