Exclusive Interview with Good Trouble’s Nicki Micheaux

Freeform’s Good Trouble is one of this year’s breakout hit television shows. The Fosters tackled many social issues over its 5 season run and this spin-off is no different. I had the chance to sit down with Nicki Micheaux and talk with her about her role as Sandra Thompson and the show’s importance in society today. Keep reading to see what she had to say!

Tell me a little bit about how you got into acting originally.

I started off doing theater in college. Afterward, I got myself to LA and started auditioning.

Was there a specific person or experience that you would credit with helping you decide that acting is what you wanted to do for a living

My brother was a musician. I watched him struggle so hard to be a musician and I just thought, “if he can do it so can I.” I guess I was always afraid of being a “starving artist.“

Over the years, you’ve had a lot of different roles on many different platforms. Do you have a personal acting “bucket list” of things you still want to accomplish in your career? If so, what are some of the things on it?

I definitely want to do more Shakespeare. I love that. I also would love to be a badass and a Marvel movie but they haven’t called me yet [laughs]. I have so many amazing actors that I would love to work with—so many actors that I love.

Let’s talk about Good Trouble. How did you get the role of Jamal’s mother, Sandra Thompson?

I came in, auditioned for the part and was lucky enough to be cast for the role.

Although Good Trouble is a spin-off and features new characters, like Sandra, were you familiar with The Fosters before you got the role? If not, did you go back and watch any episodes so you were at least somewhat familiar with the world you were entering?

I just went for it. You knew the two main characters are on their own journey and it was an entirely new set of storylines.

Sandra befriends Malika, one Callie & Mariana’s flatmates, because of Malika’s passion for getting justice for Jamal, who she didn’t even know. What’s it been like working so closely with Zuri Adele?

I love working with my Spellman sister. She’s amazing and it was a blast working with her! Some of the scenes that we get to do are so beautiful. I can’t wait for everyone to see them.

The Fosters franchise has always done a great job sharing social justice issues that are a part of our everyday life like Jamal’s story is. How important is it to share the story of Jamal’s case with the viewers at home?

I think it’s very important to share that case as well as all the other issues at the show tackles. I love the fact that we tackle them all at once because in life we’re dealing with them all at once. Personally, I think the show should be required viewing.

Kind of going off of that, was this a role you felt you needed to get because of how important the story was and you wanted to be a part of telling it?

Oh absolutely. There was no way I was gonna turn down this part. I worked very hard to fit it into my schedule. We are in a very special time right now and a lot is changing. As an artist, it’s important to tell this kind of stories. Every voice needs to be heard.

Since Good Trouble is all about what it is like being in your 20s and figuring out adulthood, what is something you wish you had known in your 20s?

Wow, what do I wish I had known in my 20s? I wish I had known to trust my gut. Over the years, I have found that instinctually I knew what was best for me. When I follow that instinct, it has more than often turned out pretty good.

Lastly, we’re called Talk Nerdy With Us because we all have an inner nerd. So what is something that you’re currently nerding out about?

I don’t know if this is a nerdy thing but yes, I’m very late to the Game of Thrones party but I’m finally catching up. So it’s the only thing I’m really, really into right now.

You can follow Nicki on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to catch Good Trouble on Tuesdays at 8/7c on Freeform.

Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard