Portraying Mimi Marquez on Fox's new TV musical, the '2 On' singer admits that her inexperience as an actress gave her difficult time in switching on and off her intense emotions.
- Jan 28, 2019
AceShowbiz - R&B star Tinashe is having a hard time channelling the intense emotions required for "heavy" scenes in new TV musical "Rent (2019)" because of her inexperience as an actress.
The "2 On" singer has dabbled in acting over the years, previously landing guest roles on "Two and a Half Men" and "Empire", but she will face her biggest onscreen challenge yet on Sunday, January 27, when she stars in a live TV production of hit stage musical "Rent".
Tinashe portrays Mimi Marquez in the show, which follows a group of young New Yorkers in the 1990s as they struggle with issues of addiction, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS.
Dealing with the heavy subject matter has proved to be tough for the 25-year-old, especially when it comes to separating life and art, because it's her most dramatic project to date.
"I still don't think I'm as good at that as other, maybe more seasoned, actors in terms of getting to that emotional place every rehearsal because it is so heavy," she told Us Weekly.
"Sometimes it's hard for me. If I get to that emotional place, it will ruin the day. The rest of the day I'll be in my feels (emotional) and some of our cast members are just really good at turning it on and turning it off. So, that's just something that I'm working on - how to feel with these deep issues as a character and then still be able to go about my day."
Luckily, Tinashe has a close group of castmembers to turn to if she needs any help or advice. Vanessa Hudgens, who performed in "Grease Live" in 2016, and "Jesus Christ Superstar Live!"'s Brandon Victor Dixon will be part of the line-up, as will Kiersey Clemons, Jordan Fisher, singer Mario, "The Greatest Showman"'s Keala Settle, and musician Brennin Hunt, who plays Mimi's love interest, former addict Roger Davis.
"Rent" premieres on U.S. network Fox on Sunday night.
