Since the late 90’s Southside native Erica Hubbard has been a fixture on film and television in several projects, including Save The Last Dance, Chicago Med, ER, Akeelah and The Bee, Everybody Hates Chris, The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants, and Lincoln Heights. Though making her name in Hollywood, the NAACP Theatre Award-nominated actress still holds on to her roots as a theatre kid from Chicago and maintains an active presence in and around the city.
Fresh off her turn as the voodoo priestess Ernestine on BET+ crime drama The Family Business: New Orleans, Hubbard is entering new territory in her career as she undertakes her first project in the newly popular vertical short-form and/or micro-drama format in the upcoming scandal-filled series, “King of the South: The Atlanta Reign”. The new but rapidly growing format features mini movies and shows made specifically for viewing on phones and electronic devices that can clock in with episodes as short as 1-3 minutes long. Though still coming into its own, some of Hollywood’s major players, including Issa Rae and her HooRae Media, are getting in on the new way of doing things.
N’DIGO recently caught up with the multifaceted actress to talk about her upcoming new projects, how her theatrical training still serves her, and her thoughts on tackling the brave new world of vertical shorts.
N’DIGO: What is your philosophy as an Actor?
Erica Hubbard: To always explore the character. Their circumstances and motivations can change in any given moment. So I’m trying to find the truth in those pivotal moments. We develop different habits and grow to learn different experiences daily and in our work, and you have to search for a deep level of humanity in the process. The work is found in the moments of vulnerability and authenticity.
How did you begin your journey into the world of acting?
I started as a theater kid when I was nine. Before I knew it, this southside kid was training at the Piven Theatre up in Evanston, and then I was on to theatre camps in New York for more training. From there, I signed with The Ford Agency and began doing commercials, voice-overs, and modeling. I then went to Columbia College Chicago and majored in Journalism and minored in Theater. Immediately after graduating, I worked on the movies Light It Up and Save The Last Dance before I had to move to LA because, at that point, all the work was still there for the most part. Not long after moving there, I landed the ABC Family Drama show Lincoln Heights (now on Disney+ and Hulu) and then jumped back into film and booked Akeelah and The Bee, A Cinderella Story, and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in a row, and I have been blessed to work consistently ever since.
Who is your favorite actor at the current moment?
Viola Davis is my absolute favorite. I saw her on Broadway in August Wilson‘s Fences, and her stage work is impeccable. I’m still that theater kid at heart, so I especially look up to thespians who have done a lot of stage work, and lemme tell you I am in AWE of her remarkable and impeccable work ethic!
Has there been a moment you’ve had a revelation about the craft while working on a project?
Oh yes! Working with the amazing Angela Bassett on Akeelah and the Bee was life-changing. Watching her in action made me take note and changed how I saw myself as a creative. I am forever grateful for the experience of working with such a creative genius and living legend! I also have to add that working with Chadwick Boseman when he joined the cast of Lincoln Heights was incredible as well. He would allow me to ask him question after question on set and ended up being a mentor to me. I learned sooo much about character development from the time I got to work with him.
Please tell us a little about your latest project, King of the South?
King of the South is a vertical series produced by Upscale/Hartbeat/Codeblack that’s releasing in late summer.
The series was adapted from a novel by Blake Karrington and is set in Atlanta. It centers around a wife and husband who have major trust issues while running a business together. These two really have a torn marriage rift with infidelity on top of the power struggle for control of their business and seemingly endless betrayal. My character Amara is sorta pulled into this crazy world and really just trying to keep her sanity while fighting to not lose all she’s put into this marriage and partnership.
Can you talk a little about the brand new landscape of Vertical series and Micro drama that the industry is experiencing?
It’s a different world and a new age. Technology has made entirely new ways for people to watch and enjoy TV and movies. We have a generation or two that is mostly watching content on their phones and tablets these days. It’s close up and quick, and you can travel with it and not miss a thing. Remember we had to wait a week for our favorite shows to come on….and sit through commercials! So yeah, it’s a new world indeed, but I’m enjoying navigating it and taking it on.
In addition to your latest acting ventures, you’ve also put your author hat back on for the new eBook “Answering The Call”. What can you readers expect from the book?
Answering The Call is all about learning multiple techniques on self-awareness and how to shift your mind to regulate your emotions to stay in a positive mood. I want it to be an empowering guide to help people live out their lives through positive affirmations and thought-provoking messages about self-love and spirituality.
Best advice on when and how to “answer the call”?
Listen to your intuition always, and the more you say yes, the more opportunities come your way!
Favorite Comfort Movie?
I promise it’s not just because I worked on this film….But He Who Findeth is really a great film that I rewatch all the time. I just really love the ultimately sweet story and overall affirmation and message that hard work truly does pay off in the end.
Favorite inspiring quote or affirmation?
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
What’s on the horizon for Erica Hubbard?
I’m trying to keep busy out here and accept the blessings as they come. I’m excited about a thriller I worked on called Deadly Surrogate that’ll be released this fall. It’s a suspense about a tragic accident that happens after my character, Lori Bascomb, learns she picked the wrong surrogate and all about her horrible past only AFTER she lets her move into her home. Also, closing out the year, I have a holiday film coming in December called The Ex of Christmas Past, where I portray Katina Rivers, who finds out her ex is dating her colleague and things go crazy from there. We’ll see what else there is to come. I am just grateful to be able to continue doing what I love….in all its various formats lol…
For more information on Erica Hubbard, please visit www.linktr.ee/1ericahubbard and follow her on Instagram at @1ericahubbard.
