Watch the trailer below. When I tell you it was such an unexpected call. How does it feel to see that response to your character? As for his relationship with Rae, Elie considers her “a big sister in real life,” someone he can call whenever he has an issue in his personal or professional life. Ahmal is gay, but Elie makes it his business to subvert stereotypes about Black gay men and give Ahmal the complexity he deserves. “You're just gonna have to wait for that part. He also wrote Send Help — a story about a first-generation Haitian navigating Hollywood after his family moves into his loft — which is being developed at Participant Media's SoulPancake. “There's some differences between the two, and how white gay men are approached and how Black gay men approached and how white gay men are accepted and how Black gay men are accepted,” Elie said. And if I'm not the one for you, then just move on," he said of Ahmal's experience. I said, ‘Oh, this is cool, but they’ll never pick me. I talk. So from the moment he was first cast on the HBO series, which centers on Dee and other Black millennials figuring out life and love in L.A., Elie has committed himself to research in preparing for the role. What Insecure's Jéan Elie Learned From Playing a Gay Man, Ahmal. He’s a different version of what a gay Black man can look like. I'm confident. They may not have seen me, but heard my voice in [the series] Alvin and the Chipmunks. In addition to these endeavors, Elie is involved in the world of short films and working on a plan to monetize these productions for diverse filmmakers. And what are Elie's hopes for this season of Insecure? Since first appearing on season 2 of Insecure, Ahmal has been known for comedic moments, particularly ones arising from his love-hate relationship with his sister. Because he’s always had his opinions no matter what. What is Ahmal and Kelly’s beef with each other (all theories welcome)? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts . He tried to “mirror” that in Ahmal. Like the Insecure co-creator and star, Elie is a content maker as well as an actor. Not stereotyping them. While Elie has been spared many homophobic trolls on social media, he has also had to deal with another facet of playing a gay character: people assuming he’s gay and hitting on him. Well, he worked at the management firm at the time. He's also someone who’s also representing another demographic of people. His gay friends helped clear up some of those questions too. 6 “SugarCane”, Suite Life Vlog : Haiti Through My Eyes Episode 1, Photos: Haiti Fashion Week :Designer Nora David, Your Favorite Haitian Snacks and Made in Haiti Products on BonbonLakay, Kreyòl Essence Haitian Beauty Products Featured On Shark Tank Jan 12, [Listen] L’union Suite Exclusive Interview With Orange Is The New Black Haitian-American Actress Vicky Jeudy, Former Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin Speak To L’union Suite About Haitian-Dominicans Deportations, JeanoMusic Celebrate Diversity & Love in Paradise Train Video. In particular, he cited his friend Mike and his boyfriend, a couple he admires. ESSENCE sat down with Elie to chronicle how he ended up playing Ahmal Dee, why fans love him so much whenever he pops up on-screen and how as a heterosexual man he’s ensuring his gay character isn’t playing into stereotypical tropes. Log in sign up. Elie recognizes the "thick skin" that is required to continually be around people who want to change you "versus accepting you for who you are. Elie saw the positive impact that his character brings to the world firsthand after a longtime friend, who he never knew was gay, came out to him and thanked him for “playing me.” Elie’s “mind was blown.” And it brought home the importance of what he was doing. He joined the writers’ room on season 2 of Netflix’s Magic for Humans. I’m a heterosexual man. The hit dramedy series Insecure continues to receive critical acclaim as it follows the perspective of two black female protagonists navigating life in Los Angeles. But what happens is a lot of times if I don't reply to them, they're like, ‘Yo, I know you see my messages. That is what's so important to me in playing Ahmal. Insecure, also starring Jay Ellis, Yvonne Orji, Natasha Rothwell and Amanda Seales, airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. We can make it work. He gives me a call telling me that they want me. “[I] told my brother about [that] whole situation and after he passed away, I decided I wanted to fulfill the dream he and I had for myself—to come to L.A. and pursue this acting thing for real,” he says. There is still a road ahead in “fighting for changes to make that not be a big thing anymore,” he added. Ahmal is Issa’s comedic younger brother who’s never afraid to tell you exactly how he really feels. Yall play so much! Insecure fans rave whenever you hit the screen. Season 4. Press J to jump to the feed. And I feel like in a union, within a couple, or with people, you should just let the person be. I was so shocked and happy because I watched Insecure at a world film festival a year before when I was premiering one of my short films there, A Gentleman Always, and I said to an interviewer there that I could see myself on that show. Also, you're acting, and I took a chance. Insecure got FUNKY last week as Issa and Molly finally had it out over Molly’s ugly behavior (we’re sure #TeamMolly was triggered by that statement but go awf). How they could look the other way about sin when it came to an aunt bringing a married man to the table, but not extend acceptance when it came to their gay son? "Like, why are we wasting each other's time? “I usually don't say anything. Posted by 21 days ago. He is himself completely and he loves himself. He’s not stereotypical.”. Ahmal gets to say what he feels and how he feels. “I want my relationship with my girlfriend to marry their relationship because their relationship is so dope,” he said. Regardless, Elie said it’s flattering to have admirers. Breaking the mold of what they thought of how they view or how they envisioned a Black gay man to be. By doing this research and giving life to Ahmal, Elie has developed his own opinions on representation. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! And I don’t see people really giving him shit for that. "You're supposed to love me for who I am. 15. User account menu. “I just wanted them to feel that Ahmal was a real person and where his feelings were coming from were very legit and how he feels," the 32-year-old actor expressed. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The entertainment industry could start this endeavor, Elie said, “by showing different colors of a Black gay man. Jéan Elie: I was hip-pocketed by Fullscreen at the time and they sent me on an audition for Insecure. So I'm excited to share it,” Elie said, concluding, “I'm just finally happy to get a character where I could really sink my teeth in and really live between the lines.”. “Why does one prefer the top versus the bottom and and vice versa? “No one's more excited about your project than you," he said. “He's also a person who matters. 15. “I don't want to misrepresent who Ahmal is as an individual,” Elie stressed. ‘RESIDUE’ Is Merawi Gerima’s Salient Archive On The D.... Teenage Filmmaker Leans On Michelle Obama's Words To Tell �... Everybody Loves Shay Lia's Sunshine-y Vibes for This Week's ... Sean 'Diddy' Combs Launches Black Political Party. 16th Montreal International Black Film Festival: 120 Films From 30 Countries + Impactful Special Events! “At least you got to be yourself," Ahmal tells his sister about family gathering, but he stressed that ex-boyfriends tried to change him too. I played the son of Gabrielle. Lara Trump Says 'Dead Cats' Are Voting for Dems at 'Trump Pride' Rally, Ratched's Global Success Proves the Power of Out Queer Actresses, Trump’s Lesbian Niece Adds Her Own Shade to 'Crazy Uncle' Comment, Biden Vows to Mom of Transgender Girl He'll Protect LGBTQ+ Rights, Sunil Gupta's Exhibit Spans Five Decades of Rare Queer Images, Texas Social Workers Can Now Refuse Services to LGBTQ+ Clients, Rape, Death Threats Heaped on Bi Politician After Anti-Trump Video. How do you move through life like that? Haitian-American actor Jean Elie has landed a recurring role on the second season of HBO’s hit series Insecure starring as Ahmal Dee, the younger brother of “Insecure’s” main character, Issa. I read the script. Haitian Artist BélO Wins Grand Prize in Prestigious 2020 Unsigned Only Music Competition, Meet The Haitian Woman Behind Broward Family Dental Care, Haitian-American Designer Glavidia Alexis Dominates Delray Beach, Skal Labissiere Return To Haiti After 7 Years To Host Basketball Camp, You are Invited to L’union Suite’s Strike for Education Bowling Tournament, Suite Life Vlog: Haiti Through My Eyes Ep. And people were laughing in the room as well. But if you're constantly trying to change me, that means you didn't want me in the first place. Additionally, Elie looked to his own Black gay friends, who “move through the world as strong, confident Black men who just happen to be gay." What do you want people to walk away with after watching Ahmal? By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our There's no difference between myself and another Black man who happens to be gay.”. Designer Kerby Jean-R, Montreal Black Filmfest (@montrealblackfilmfest) b. And at that point, I [tried] to put it behind the back of my head and forget it, which is the only way you can cope with all the rejection that happens in Hollywood, especially as an actor. And that's why I feel that Ahmal brings to the table, [helping] those men who feel like they have to hide who they are.”. He was then told to improvise a scene—and he crushed it. He asked them questions like “When you were growing up, how was the family dynamic? They’re the same way, and I love them for that,” he added. That gave him the confidence to move forward as professional actor. #GrowingUpHaitian ⁠ In a scene from a recent episode of HBO's Insecure, "Lowkey Thankful," Issa Dee (Issa Rae) and her gay brother, Ahmal (Jéan Elie), share a Thanksgiving meal at a Mexican restaurant after a medical emergency disrupts their traditional family plans. He’s not stereotypical. However, in that moment, Elie wanted to humanize his character for viewers. Insecure (TV Series 2016– ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. He used these stories as “a rough outline” for Ahmal and his history. How did you approach your first boyfriend? People may not know that I used to play in American Crime [during] season 3. “Yeah, he's also a man on TV,” Elie would respond. ESSENCE: Can you talk about how you got the role? [Ahmal] represents a different type of gay Black man now. Even within his friend circle, there are those who asked him why he would play a gay character on TV. They are also fascinated by the obscure origins of his feud with Kelli (Natasha Rothwell), one of Issa’s friends. Elie asked his circle a lot of questions — and he even kept a journal with their responses. I’m just gonna be me," Ahmal tells Issa. #YourVoteMatters✅ How do you keep people so close but so separated from you? I leave it alone. What are some other roles you’ve played that people might not know about? Some common misconceptions [are] that they’re all feminine and sassy, maybe more like a caricature—not the person I wanted to portray. And when it came to Black gay representation in the media landscape, Elie, who is straight, wanted to make sure he got it right.