Within the video, photo shoot and feature, Samira let’s her natural laughter and happiness, and vulnerability take center stage:
· On being a role model as a black, gay woman: "It can feel overwhelming sometimes, representing so much for so many people at such a crazy time. But I feel like as artists, we have a responsibility to represent the times we live in," Wiley tells SELF. "When you have a platform and so many people looking up to you, I feel like it's your responsibility to step up to the plate."
· On “The Handmaid’s Tale” and what it means in today’s climate: "We started filming before the election, and sure, we still felt like what we were doing was relevant and timely," she tells SELF. "But once the election happened we were like, holy shit, our responsibly now is so much more to make sure that we present this with excellence so that people will pay attention."
· On playing two gay characters back to back: "I love Poussey, and I love Moira, and I'm so honored to be able to play these women who shed light on what it's like to be a woman today," "After I was done with /react-text react-text: 277 OITNB /react-text react-text: 278 I was like," and here Wiley adopts a booming, stentorian voice, "You are going to play someone hetero!" But "She (Morelli, a huge Atwood fan) was like, 'Do not walk away from this.' And it was good advice. Really good advice," Wiley says, adding about her wife,
· On her marriage: "I love having someone on my team. Also, the other day, she bought me a really dope tracksuit."
· On coming out: "I was 20 when I came out to my parents," Wiley says. "As soon as I finished telling them, my dad opened his arms, and I think he literally said, 'Great. Come give me a hug.'" · On growing her family: Wiley says she "definitely wants to be a mother…”
