Atlanta-born Hit the Floor and Powers star Logan Browning exudes beauty, grace, and passion in all that she does, even when she’s playing the “mean girl” we all love to hate or even hate to love. Embarking on her newest project as Samantha White in Netflix’s adaptation of the 2014 film Dear White People, making its debut in 2017, the rising actress tells us about her guilty pleasures, dating, self worth, and staying true to herself. Be sure to catch her in Hit the Floor’s one-hour special this Labor Day, September 5.
Cliché: You’ve appeared in The Bratz Movie, Meet the Browns, Hit the Floor, and Powers, and now you’re embarking on your newest undertaking in Dear White People. Having played various roles, which has been your favorite and why?
Logan Browning: What I like most about my career is that each job has prepared me for the next. I continue to be challenged by the scope of the project, character, genre, etc. Bratz was my first movie so everything was new and fun because I was a teenager experiencing having a full-time job on a film set. Meet the Browns was in many ways a sitcom boot camp. We filmed an episode each day, which is an unheard of pace. Being able to improvise comedy became an integral skill as well as retaining new material at a rapid pace. Hit the Floor has overall been my most challenging role yet because of how physically and emotionally demanding it is. I was not a professional dancer before the show, and we do a full dance number each episode. My character is so nuanced; she takes a lot of my time and attention to fully commit to bringing her to life. In Powers, I got to live every actor’s dream and play a superhero! We have an amazing stunt team with whom I train for fight scenes along with being hoisted in the air on wires to look like I’m soaring around the city. For me, it’s hard to pick a favorite role because each holds a special place in my heart and has propelled my career in a favorable direction. For each project, I am grateful for the lessons and memories.
For me, it’s hard to pick a favorite role because each one holds a special place in my heart.
Bathing Suit: Kopper & Zinc
Touching on your characters a bit, you’ve played some mean girl roles, like Jelena on Hit the Floor, but you exude this humble and sweet personality. How does it feel playing characters like that?
Well thank you. It’s just fun! I play extreme dress-up for a living. Playing characters who appear different from how people see me is a constant exploration. [I like] trying to understand the way they think, react, and make choices. It is enjoyable to experience another life. I could say it’s like meeting someone new each time and then they become a life-long friend or acquaintance—depending on the character. I will have all of my characters with me forever. I know them as separate from me, which allows me to be free in making the boldest choices possible when bringing them to life.
Congratulations on your new role as Samantha White in Netflix’s upcoming series Dear White People! That’s exciting! I’ve seen you on social media as one of many celebrities that speak up about the racial issues in society. So with that, what does being part of this series mean to you and what new challenges do you think you’ll encounter playing your character Samantha?
Thank you so much! I’m honored and excited to be a part of this project and the Netflix family. Netflix original shows have a charm and a vulnerability that is refreshing in this age of commercial break cliff-hangers and oversaturation of ‘reality’ television. Stranger Things is my current indulgence; well, it was until I finished it in two days!
Becoming Samantha will challenge me to create a character who wears many masks. She is fighting for and struggling with the one thing she cannot take off: her color. Currently I’m engulfed in a part of my preparation where I’m researching the history of colorism and African civilization. I believe the biggest challenge will be in the eyes of the viewer of every race, to embrace this social satire as entertainment, art, and a necessity.
I am constantly evolving as a woman, an actress, and a brand.
If you could pick any type of movie and be cast side-by-side with an actor you’re dying to work with, what genre would it be and which actor would you choose?
I get this question a lot, and unfortunately my answer is very simple: I have no idea! The most fun I’ve had as an actress has come from the ‘unknown.’ I don’t want to predict my career too much. I can say, in terms of genre, I would love to do a big box office Marvel movie someday.
So, if you weren’t acting, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Well I’m not actually acting 24/7, so I do have time to be doing other things occasionally. I’ve recently rediscovered a love for reading. I’m intrigued by philosophy studies as well as poetics. I am currently studying French. I would love to be an interior designer, house flipper, creative head of an advertising agency, or maybe run my own business. I have an affliction for American homelessness as well as a passion for the development of confidence and future planning of young women. I’m young myself, and open to life’s possibilities. Who’s to say I won’t eventually pursue one or all of those things?
When I’m off, I actually still like to be pretty busy. A great morning run followed by brunch with someone I love, maybe later a museum or some other socially/emotionally stimulating activity, and end with making a yummy dinner or trying a place I’ve never been with some of my favorite cast-mates. Movies, plays, and live music are always winners in my book.
Okay, let’s talk hair! I’ve seen you post your naturally big, beautiful, curly hair on Instagram and your message of embracing your most authentic self. How do you stay true to yourself in the industry?
Thank you for noticing and complimenting! Honestly, I’m still learning who exactly it is I’m staying true to. I am constantly evolving as a woman, an actress, and a brand. I decided I wanted to embrace my curly hair because I thought it was beautiful. I love that it is an extension to the world of my DNA and who God made me to be, and it’s also so much easier than straightening. I love being a ‘curly girl.’ I know it’s not for everyone, but I do hope that my actions and intentions will positively influence the world around me. My hope is that everyone feels comfortable and confident in their own skin. By owning our own beauty, we give others the permission to do the same.
By owning our own beauty, we give others the permission to do the same.
Maxi Dress: AMI Clubwear; Necklace and cuff: NMD
We’ve all got one when it’s time to indulge. What is your guilty pleasure?
I am an avid ‘people watcher!’ I’m not exactly sure if that counts as a guilty pleasure, but if I could sit somewhere unseen and watch people or listen to their conversations, I’d be very entertained!
You’re beautiful, young, and successful, but we rarely see you in the media making headlines about love connections, which in retrospect is a good thing, but tell me: what’s the story on your dating life?
Over time, I’ve learned to keep my dating life from being too public. The word itself—dating—should be reason enough. When you’re dating, you’re getting to know people. In that process, relationships will flourish and fail. You already have to deal with the beauty and the pain on your own for a time. Extending that to the public creates the potential to lengthen a painful breakup. It’s also not my prerogative to have multiple partners attached to me in the public eye forever. I’m very picky about who I allow into my world, but you still won’t catch me parading my relationships on social media or around town for the aforementioned reasons.
Just to leave us with some wise words, tell me: what do you consider to be your five keys to success?
1. Work hard
2. Have gratitude
3. Have fun
4. Be prepared
5. Constantly improve
Read more Entertainment Interviews on ClicheMag.com
Logan Browning Has Arrived: Photographer: Quavondo, Makeup: Lysette Castellanos, Stylist: Melissa Lynn. Featured Image: Metallic Dress: Wow Couture, Gold Disc Earrings: Wanna Collection.
