With ‘Forever’ Lovie Simone learns to appreciate the parallels.

Photography & Words by Dio Anthony

Fifty years after Judy Blume's controversial and bestselling novel Forever was released, her story comes to life again, in a Netflix series for a new generation of young adults and lovers to digest. This time around, Mara Brock Akil is at the helm, with a new interpretation set 43 years into the future, with Black protagonists, Keisha Clark [Lovie Simone] and Justin Edwards [Michael Cooper Jr.], set in 2018 Los Angeles. It's a whole new world set in a familiar time. With conversations around consent, social media, the things that last, and the universal throughline of our first love. 26-year-old Lovie Simone leads the cast with an honest and vulnerable performance--which seems to be the key ingredient of her secret sauce: showing up with authenticity and conviction. A couple of days before the premiere, we take a moment to talk about the things she's learning about her own life and the lessons that have taught her the most.

American Studies: You’ve had some really standout performances in your recent projects—and I was wondering, if there was a specific “aura” or vibe you kept top of mind when developing this character for the screen?

Lovie Simone: For this one, it was very different, because I'm not too familiar with LA life or LA culture, andI knew that was a big element in the show. So that was at the forefront of my mind when addressing Keisha. I knew that she was an LA Girl through and through, just like I knew that LA is one of the characters in ‘Forever’, because Mara wrote it that way. So for me, it was more so just trusting what Mara wrote and what Judy Blume had originally orchestrated for me for me to be able to step into this character.

What are some things you’ve learned while navigating your 20s? What little pockets of wisdom ground you?

Grace. Actually holding grace for yourself has been essential and key for me. A lot of the time, during teenage years and in the early 20s, it’s easy to be hard on ourselves, because of the standards we set and the milestones and places that we want to reach. I’ve learned to take the time to be gentle with myself, and understand that I’m here for the first time–just like anybody else in the world.

What's one thing you’ve learned to love about yourself lately?

Definitely my ability to hold grace for myself. That’s a big one for me, because it allows me to move through the world with a lot more acceptance.

What kind of student were you like in high school? Were you a quiet observer, Class Clown? Or secret overachiever type?

I was very opposite from my character in the series. I wasn't too into my studies. I was the kid that got bored very easily. I felt like my mind was moving very fast. I excelled at gym and English and art. But as far as the chemistries and the sciences–I would not have gotten the same grades as Keisha. I did run track briefly like Keisha, but I definitely did not have the same goals as her.

I remember my track coach coming up to me after a race with the seniors and the juniors, while I was still a freshman at the time, and he was telling me—you know, “Lovie, you’re really fast, I'm gonna start putting pressure on you.” And I remember thinking, “this is my last day doing track.” [Laughs] I couldn't do it. I’ve been finding a new respect in track, because I was scared of it when it was originally presented to me in high school.

Did this experience with this role in ‘Forever’ make you think about those days when you were running track, and the people that did have that ambition that’s portrayed in the series?

Yes, I think about it all the time, because I had to think about it when playing Keisha, because she was that girl. She was that character that was going to take it seriously and take it to that next level. Mentally it makes you feel kind of like Kobe Bryant– rest in peace– because it’s very dedicated. It's very intentional. It's very clear.

What's one thing you feel like you'll never stop wearing?

I'll never stop wearing colors I like. My Silhouette might change, my shoe wear might change, depending on what my body can do–but I will always wear colors.

What's one item that's always in your bag?

I would say some lip gloss. I love hydrated lips.

The series taps into grief and memory, and the idea of second chances. Did this role make you reflect on your own ideas of what’s important to you–and about the things that last?

It definitely highlighted community and the importance of community. With my character Keisha, you see that she literally wouldn't have gotten through anything if it hadn't been for her community, and I also feel that way with the character of Justin as well. In the show, you just see how much everyone's family and friends are helping them get through these times and these curiosities that they have answered throughout the season.

“ It’s very intentional. It’s very clear. ”

— Lovie Simone

Is there a scene from the show that changed the way you see yourself as an actor?

I would say that at this point in my life, I’m sure of myself, and to portray somebody who is not was very nice. Especially because of the way I have been in the past.To be able to show true intimacy or true sadness.--it was nice to be able to be at that point, and I was very proud of the work that I did.

What’s one thing that you’re very proud of right now? Something personal.

I'm proud of the way that I'm communicating with people. I feel like my style of communication is getting where I want it to be. I like to be a problem solver, and I’m understanding that there can be gray areas.

What's your definition of confidence right now?

Full acceptance of self. Full awareness of self is confidence.

Is there a personal ritual that you won't skip, even on a busy day?

Even when I'm busy, even when I am two wine glasses in, I will be washing my face. I will do my whole skincare routine. I don't care. I’ll be washing my face because I need to [laughs].

What's a moment in your life that was like pure bliss to you?

Oh, my God, If I could just replay being born, but I don't remember that [laughs]. Any moment with my twin sister, where we are dying laughing together. I do enjoy being a twin, having a twin to laugh with and to be with in moments where life can be a bit gloomy. To be able to just laugh with my twin sister is really nice.

Being twins–do you feel that you have an underlying connection that just isn’t matched with anyone else?

I do think so. I think we definitely feel for each other, and we definitely understand each other on a level that I don't know if other people can relate to. I honestly cannot relate to people when they say that they were born alone. I wasn't born alone.

“Full awareness of self is confidence.”

— Lovie Simone

What's one thing about you that people don't know, but you kind of really wish they did know about you?

That I'm a tomboy and a goofball. I think I give off a very serious and very girly image to the public. But my life is about so much more than what’s visible.

What's it like to be living your dream as an actor, doing projects that resonate with you, at a young age. All the while adding to the book of representation?

Honestly, I feel like I'm living in my dream, even when I'm not booked and busy. I am very grateful and I'm just glad to have this space. Gratitude around everything.