The newest highly-anticipated original series, “The Porter”, premiers on BET May 5th. This exciting and true story stars “The Young & The Restless” vet and Clark Atlanta alum, Loren Lott.
Lott will be playing the role of “Lucy Conrad”: a beautiful darker complected black girl that faces challenges with her community because of the hue of her complexion yet undeniable beauty. Audiences can also look forward to her character having a few show stopping performances in the series full of lavish costumes and intense choreography highlighting her undeniable broadway showmanship.
21Ninety caught up with the dynamic actress, singer and dancer to talk about her new show “The Porter”, being on Broadway, colorism and more!
Liz Smith: I have to say thank you to BET, the cast and every one who had a hand in bringing The Porter to our screens. Sadly I never knew anything about this story and I know with every episode I’ll learn so much about these true events in history. What’s one unique discovery you came across while filming this show that more people need to learn about?
Loren Lott: A really unique experience that I was having the whole time was that Black people had thriving great lives outside of white people. I think usually when we do period pieces, or anything like that, you know, it’s a lot of like trauma. It’s a lot of sadness or it’s just a lot of like what we went through with white people, when in reality being Black wasn’t just depressing. It wasn’t just segregation and lynching. You know, it was actually Black people in love. People were at clubs, they were dancing, singing, making food and we had Black life. I loved experiencing and learning more about that while filming this. It was beautiful.
LS: In what ways did being on Broadway prepare you for the role of Lucy Conrad?
LL: Broadway definitely prepared me for this because I had to go to boot camp and learn how to dance, you know, like in the 20s Style. I was so sore, I worked so hard but I was so ready to work and to grind and all of that because Broadway is a rigorous schedule. Broadway is a lot. It’s a lot of dancing. It’s a lot of singing and so to be thrown back into that for TV I was like, oh, I’m used to this. Yeah, I can handle all this dancing everyday breaking my back crying a little and bleeding…yeah. Broadway makes you so strong and brave because you can’t let your nerves stop you once that music starts and the show is going. There is no cut, there is no anything. Broadway taught me how to be bold enough, I had no fear. I was just like, oh, let’s go! So I would say it made me brave and it really did prepare me to take on this role head on with the dancing and the grind of it. Nothing hindered me at all.
LS: As a woman with melanated chocolate skin like yourself I know first hand how colorism can affect you and your self esteem, confidence, etc. While it’s very prevalent in the Black community it’s also happening outside our community. Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to overcome discrimination against you in the industry?
LL: Well, I would say I was very blessed to be raised by my mom and grandmother who did a lot of empowering I mean, we can call it brainwash, whatever, but they painted my world Black and successful. Black for me was elite and educated. The richest people that I knew were Black. Every doll I had was Black. Every painting in my house was Black, beauty to me was Black. So for me when someone didn’t see that I just knew that they were ignorant. So I just chopped them off to being ignorant. My mother made it very clear that my skin was chosen by God and if someone has a problem with it they actually have a problem with God not me because God wanted me to be this color he wants everybody to be how they are.
LS: I know you’re meant to be a superstar because even when you’re not trying to go viral you do by authentically being yourself. Recently the most precious video has been circling the web of you singing “Almost There” by Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana, and the babygirl you’re singing to most definitely thought you were a princess. Did her reaction spark any desires in you to one day get into voice acting for animated films or go out for a role as a princess?
LL: My dream is to play a Disney princess. That’s my dream! And I actually do that, to children all the time. Embarrassingly enough, I’ve been able to convince children so far that I am Moana, Tiana, Ariel, though I’m Black and they believe it. I start singing, you know, and I can sound like any any of them because I’m psycho. I was actually very surprised that the video ended up in so many places. I wasn’t even going to post it on Instagram because I didn’t think anything of it. Growing up, my first princess was Brandy and I think that that did wonders for me.
I can still be a princess in real life and make a little girls day.”
– Loren Lott
@lorensharice Thanx little Nayelly for seeing the #disneyprincess in me💙 #princesstiana #singing #almostthere #cutenessoverloaded #princessandthefrog
LS: Speaking of going viral, fans of yours know you kill the influencer game on the web. As an actress does this help you express ideas and get creative in ways you might not have been able to portray as an onscreen actress yet?
LL: Um you know, I will say, it does make you a lot more comfortable, even if I don’t really give it credit. I’m on camera, seeing myself, seeing the faces that I make all the time so then when it comes time to actually be on camera for bigger things, I know myself so well. I realize now that it does add to my comfort being able to fully express myself.
LS: You appeared on American Idol and made such a great impression. It’s ironic that today the franchise show celebrates 20 years. Just as the show has evolved so have you and your talents. What differences have you noticed in yourself and skills from your time being on American Idol to now?
LL: I was so young. I was so nervous. I would say that I have found my voice a lot more. Back then you could convince me of anything especially coming in as an underdog because I wasn’t an artist. I was just somebody that they kind of casted because I could sing. I always felt like I needed so much guidance. Now I’m gonna sing exactly what I want to sing. I’m going to do exactly what I want to do and whatever I do is going to be good. Back then I definitely didn’t have the confidence to stand in the room and own my voice. I needed so much affirmation so I would say after years, I have gained a lot more confidence. I’m a lot more sure of myself.
Bet on yourself
(📺 : The Porter | @lorensharice @KevinHanchard) pic.twitter.com/BajTdE9USm
— CBC Gem (@cbcgem) April 3, 2022
LS: What’s next for you and how can everyone keep up with you, support and follow you?
LL: Oh, my gosh, I literally want to tell you what’s next so bad but I just know that I can’t yet. However, I will say that I booked a small fun role in my first big movie that’s going to theaters. I’ve been praying for an opportunity like this forever. I also have a Christmas movie coming out in December and of course my social media. I have a lot going on there. So definitely continue to support I make a lot of videos with my best friend Jasmine and we have a great time! Oh, also I’m on a show called “Churchy” that I start filming this week. So I’m super excited and I just hope that people give “The Porter” a chance, because it’s so well done and such an important story.
@lorensharice This is my first premiere for one of my shows😭 I definitely cried lol so excited for you guys to meet me as #LucyConrad on #ThePorter on BET+ 🙈💙 #actress #blackactress #livingthedream #dreamcometrue #luxury #glamorouslife