INTERVIEW: X Mayo - Writer, Actress and a Light that Cannot be Hidden!
“I have so much confidence in starting something because I've completed so many things”- X Mayo
Hey Hey!!
“[the purpose of Proverbs] is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives.” Proverbs 1:3 NLT
Sometimes our creative careers can get hectic and overwhelming and between the multiple gigs/jobs/classes/castings/opportunities/etc. - it can sometimes seem like we are doing a lot but not truly moving forward. Or like we are in a constant cycle of doing but never gaining momentum. But, what if every dead-end job, interesting internship, “waste-of-time” casting call, etc., etc. is all there to develop a discipline and/or unique curriculum in us that would have never been cultivated otherwise? What if in the doing - even if it seems it is a waste of time - we are learning and being prepared for what will happen later in life? If so, let us not grow weary in all of the doing, for in it we are learning and disciplining ourselves for who we will need to be in the future, (aka it’ll all be worth it!)
For this week’s SC Interview, I got to chat with the outrageously funny X Mayo! She is a writer (‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah’), actress (‘The Farewell’, ‘Strangers’) and founder and host of 'Who Made the Potato Salad’, a comedy show starring and made by people of color. What I enjoyed learning most about her is her prudent attitude towards her career - she knows a successful future awaits her and so she stays busy and thus, stays ready for the many opportunities that are coming her way. It is obvious that X Mayo is on the brink of a very special time in her career and I am looking forward to seeing what awaits her next. Check out the interview below:
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1. You are a writer for ‘The Daily Show’ - how did you end up getting this opportunity?
Well, there are many things that led me to get this opportunity. I've been performing theatre since I was a kid, started producing at 18, went to film school, did production work, etc., I quit acting in 2009 because of the rejection and fell back in love with performing in 2013. I wanted to do comedy but when you come from the hood all you know is Def Comedy Jam, BET Comic View, etc., I basically thought stand-up was my only option. I've always been funny but, in 2015 I found out about Upright Citizens Brigade and started learning what improv was and became obsessed with it because it was like my two loves; theatre and comedy had a baby. I worked very hard at UCB. I was an intern, I was at that theatre every night watching it or doing improv. I was blessed to audition and be put on a house team called "Top Heavy" and later on the team "Too Damn Much" I LOVE LOVEEEE both of my house teams and had thee time of my life performing on that stage with my teammates. Legit, some of the best memories of my life! I did not allow me being on a house team to make me comfortable. I had started my own all-black improv team, I created my own ALL POC Sketch comedy show "Who Made The Potato Salad?" and co-produced another show at UCB called "Unsung Heroes." At UCB the highest-ranking of house teams are Weekend teams. Their shows are always SOLD OUT and have the best performers at the theatre. I was asked to 'sit-in' with this one-weekend team and did it off and on for almost a year and had no idea that a producer here at my job was on that team. A week before I was about to move back home to LA I got asked to submit to the show. I walked into my interview here with 67 cents in my account and the rest is history. The reason I mention all the other stuff I was doing was because I know that's what helped me get the job. My bosses knew I was producing quality live shows, I was a guest series regular on a show, I had something to show them. I wasn't waiting around for an opportunity, I was creating them, and that says something. I was ready.
2. You most recently were in ‘The Farewell’ (great film). What was it like to receive direction from Lulu Wang?
Lulu we STAN! It was amazing to receive directions from her because she's an actor's dream in that she is so kind and allowed me to bring my perspective to Suze.
3. You have been apart of Upright Citizens Brigade and you are a founder of Who Made the Potato Salad - so you must be around creatives a lot. In your opinion, what is the one perpetual habit that you believe keeps creatives from moving forward in their career?
Laziness and Fear. PERIODT. Talking it and not walking it. And it's not just being in fear it's allowing it to govern their lives. I get scared all the time! But my attachment to my purpose, not the project, is what fuels me to feel the fear but do it anyway. Viola Davis said that "Courage is fear said with prayers" and I couldn't agree with her more. I also think I have so much confidence in starting something because I've completed so many things. My experience tells me that no matter the obstacle I will come out victorious. But yeahhhh it's frustrating sometimes, especially with my people lol Do you know how many talented people I meet that are STARS? I mean ta-len-ted! I'm talking people who could easily have their own show on NBC. Do you know how many genius ideas I hear from people about apps, themed restaurants, clothing lines, etc.,? But their lazy and/or scared and it irks me for about 30 seconds and then I realize I have to respect people's right to be average.
4. Biggest disappointment in this industry so far?
Finding out that all skinfolk ain't kinfolk.
5. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Woooo chileeeee that's loaded. hahahaha. To be honest, the bible says "The steps of a good man are ordered" and I REALLY BELIEVE THAT! God has done exceedingly, abundantly, above all that I can ask or think of, so I will mention what "I think" I'll be doing in ten years but, I'm sure God will blow my mind as he always does. In ten years, I see me having opened up my own studio back home for people of color who want to create content. I want it to be like a monthly fee they pay to use the space and they can do podcasts, music, make digital content, etc., It will be located in; Inglewood, Watts, or Compton. I want to continue to grow mentally and physically as well as build financially and set an example for my baby brother and make sure he, my mom and my dad want for nothing. I will have retired my mother and bought her a house and my dad a house. I want to take my whole family; tia's, tio's, cousin's, etc., (and girl it's about 60 of us, we Mexican lol) on an annual trip as a family out of the United States cuz I want my family to see the world. As far as my career I plan to continue to focus on the work, the whole work, and nothing but the work. When I get caught up in expectations its skews my intention and I get lost, you feel me? Yes, of course, I don't work aimlessly. I really want to sell Television shows, star in a show on a major television network, get mentored by Shonda Rhimes and Queen Latifah and be in a movie by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Most importantly, in ten years I will still be making a difference in my community and constantly working so that people of color have safe spaces to create and that they know all the secrets to this industry so that there's so many of us in it you can't deny us. Yeahhhh that's what I want more than anything, to continue to be the change I want to see in the world.
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Seeee????? Isn’t she great?! You can find X Mayo on Instagram at @80dollarsandasuitcase! She also throws super fun panel/party events for people seeking to learn more from others who also work in the entertainment industry. The next one will be taking place in Los Angeles on 2/29. (SN: I went to the one in NYC and it was amazing!) More info below:
80 Dollars And A Suitcase Productions in collaboration with Brunch 2 Bomb will be hosting the next POC Entertainment Panel+Party to Los Angeles! Representation is a constant struggle for people of color but this event will showcase the many voices of color within the entertainment industry. In addition to a panel, guests will also have the opportunity to network with veteran artists of color who not only know how to navigate the industry but can also provide advice for other up and coming artists. Please come out and enjoy dialogue from our panelists' whose credits include: Mixed-ish, Insecure, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Daily Show, Astronomy Club, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Big Mouth, and more!
Date: February 29th @ 6PM
Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/2Sf4FjR
If you end up going, please let me know what you learned from it! I hope you enjoyed getting to know X Mayo and all of what she is doing. Can’t wait to see how all her hard work comes together to work for her in the future. #SisterhoodCinema