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Actress
Erica Hubbard plays ‘Lincoln Heights’
most popular character Cassie Sutton,
the High School teenager who is
discovering her new neighborhood and new
friend ‘Charles’ that is of different
race. They’re relationship doesn’t sit
well with Cassie’ father and police
officer Eddie Sutton. Along with a new
environment Cassie has to deal with the new
changes in her old environment; home.
But what
about the actress behind the character?
Erica Hubbard' bright smile and angelic
face doesn’t fit the bill of ‘Cassie’.
But then again, that is what is
remarkable about her character; that the
world is full of innocent faces doing
not so innocent things. And even more
remarkable is the versatility Erica
displays with roles portrayed in films
such as ‘Lighters Up’ and ‘Akeelah and
the Bee’; and with ‘Lincoln Heights’.
What’s it
like living in Los Angeles? Are the
celebrities down home?
Erica:
A lot of celebrities are not from LA so
they are down home. I would say Angela
Bassett is the most down home. I was
nervous when I met them (Cast of Akeelah
and the Bee). They’ve been in
Hollywood.
How did
you land the role for Lincoln Heights?
Erica:
I didn’t audition. I’m on break and I’m
in Chicago visiting family. I get back
to L.A. and they are like you have an
audition tomorrow. I went in and didn’t
pay it any mind. In L.A. you just
audition after audition. I didn’t have
the entire script memorized. I was just
so casual they loved it. The pre read
was first and then they put me on tape.
And they were like perfect. I didn’t
think anything of it. They called me the
next day and said they are going to
test. I was screaming. But I calmed
down. I tested on Saturday because they
were starting to film that Monday. There
were 5 girls in the room with these big
contracts we had to sign off on. I was
the only one with out a lawyer. They
asked if I could stay around saying I
didn’t fill out something right in the
contract. The other girls left and they
jumped up and down screaming I got the
part. They flew me out that Monday. I
cried hoping we would get picked up. It
was a gap until we got picked up.
What’s it
like being on the show?
Erica:
This show is not your typical urban
show. A lot of subject matters that we
discuss have not been discussed before.
The writing staff is phenomenal. We are
executive produced by Kevin Hooks. The
people who we work with are from ‘Soul
Food’.
The
topics you cover are serious. Is this
considered ‘a family’ show?
Erica:
We mix it in together so nobodies lost.
Our stories happen in every community.
Do you at
times feel like the people you work with
are trying to get more out of you and
your character? Is the working
environment a positive one?
Erica:
It’s collaboration; a collaborative
effort is good. It’s more genuine like
that. In real life you do what you feel
comfortable.
Where do
you think your career will go from here?
Erica:
It’s weird… you keep auditioning tried
to get your foot in the door. I take
heed to my acting and being to get more
exposure to get the role. I’ve had
auditions with one line. You want people
to believe in me as a performer and the
work I bring to life.
Are you
and your character anything alike?
Erica:
Yes. Cassie and I are a-like because I
have shyness about me. You know, it’s
funny… When I start thinking I have to
step out of character; become totally
different from Cassie.
How will
you sustain your longevity in this
business?
Erica:
Longevity is a big thing in this
industry. I have a theatre background so
I’m versatile.
Who would
like to work with?
Erica:
I like to perform so much I want to work
with everybody. I have to say Jennifer
Hudson right. She possesses humility.
It’s so hard for an unknown to make a
mark. Until you become a name you have
to do what you do. When you get into the
door you have to prove yourself. I have
to prove to myself and them. You have to
know you first. I keep doing that
and the skies the limit. That is where
I’ve been fortunate.
It gets
real steamy w/the love interest on the
show, Charles; any thing you want to
give away to the audience?
Erica:
When people come up to me… Charles and
Cassie that is the number one question.
But we’re just real good friends.
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