Essence_USA__February_2018

Ava DuVernay is
wearing a Petar
Petrov dress, Alexis
Bittar earrings and
her own ring.
Stylist, Jason
Bolden/Tack Artist
Group. Hair, Vernon
François using
Vernon François/
Artists and
Company. Makeup,
Uzo for Nars
Cosmetics/Vision
Nation Artists.
Manicure, Nettie
Davis/kenbarboza
.com. Set Design,
Walter Barnett/
Opus Beauty.
become for this generation what Judy Garland’s Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz was
for previous generations,” Winfrey says. “She gets to be that. This little Stormy, our
little Stormy, gets to carry that on for generations to come. She gets to be that light
for girls like herself.”
Such pronouncements could make anyone panic, but not Reid. “I had a little
pressure when we first started the movie. When we were filming, I wasn’t
thinking generations and generations are going to love it. I was nervous because
it was my first leading role,” the teen says. “This is a huge milestone in
my career, to be in a movie with Ava DuVernay directing and Miss Oprah
being in it. When I think about it, I
don’t really know how to feel. There
are so many emotions. But it’s just a
great blessing that will forever
change my life.”
Despite starring in a Disney film
alongside major movie stars, the
Atlanta native is incredibly grounded,
thanks to the constant guidance of
her mother, Robyn Simpson. Winfrey
asserts that Reid has been brought
up to be confident, humble and
well-mannered.
DuVernay echoes Winfrey’s praise
of the young actress. “This girl is a
generational talent,” the filmmaker
says. “This girl is 14 years old; she’s
not a kid who gets lucky with a performance.
You couldn’t just have a
kid who could come in and say the
lines well. The person has to be a
deep-rooted, real actor. And Storm
was the one.”
While Reid impressed DuVernay
during her audition, the teen was
almost unable to be in the film due to
a prior commitment to a Disney
Channel project. But the director
was undaunted. “Ava fought for her,”
Winfrey explains. “I remember when
they put out the search all around
the world and then I remember
when Ava said, ‘We found her, but
she’s with Disney.’ Ava went to the
higher-ups and she fought for her
and said, ‘I want her.’ First the answer
was no, but she wouldn’t take no for
an answer. She hung in there and
she fought for her.”
Many directors would have simply
cast someone else in the role, but
DuVernay refused to let Reid slip
through her fingers. “I couldn’t see
anyone else besides her in my own
head and heart once I saw her audition,”
she says. “She was so perfect
in the role.” »
I SAID, ‘THIS IS HOW I SEE IT. I SEE THIS AS BEING
MULTICULTURAL, EVEN DOWN TO THE MAIN CHARACTER.’
I’M LIKE, ‘SHE’S GOTTA BE BROWN.’ —AVA DUVERNAY