"Orange Is The New Black" star, Danielle Brooks, renowned for her character as the light-hearted Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson, revealed that her role in the prison-inspired Netflix series has been inspired by her choice of veering away fromthe stereotypical Black woman.
In an interview with The Guardian, the 27-year-old happy-go-lucky Taystee in "Orange Is The New Black" said that at first, she thought twice about accepting the role. But luckily, the cast director of "OITNB" explained that Brooks role is not the vindicted and nasty black woman commonly portrayed by the media.
"More like the light of the prison," Jane Euston, the casting director, told her as she accounted. And then the rest is history. The critically acclaimed actress said that right from that moment, she knew that she would not be playingas the "angry black woman" and that she will be portraying one of the most likeable characters in "Orange Is The New Black."
Brooks' role as Taystee is meant to last only up to two episodes, but things have turned into her favor and she remained alive and well in the midst of the animalistic world of prison. Until the fourth season which endedwith the death of Brooks' on-screen best friend, Poussey Washington, Taystee remained to be the light of the prison.
Morello is the epitome of poise and grace. pic.twitter.com/aBDCf5AcH0
— Orange Is the New... (@OITNB) 18 September 2016
Danielle Brooks expressed a desire to break stereotypes only choosing roles, as Taystee in "Orange Is The New Black," which hide more than meets the eye. For Danielle Brooks this perspective is one of the most important lessons she learned as an artist.
Yo I swear the @Oitnb writers have allotted me the chance to some of the coolest ish ever! Big ups to them! Season 5 is about to be — Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) 9 September 2016
Even off the cameras of "Orange Is The New Black," she lives up to her learned nugget of a lesson. Just recently, Danielle Brooks signed herself up for "The 67% Project" together with Refinery29 with a beautiful end in sight: to spread optimism among every woman, encourage them to love their bodies.
"The 67% Project" pertains to the plus-sized women that comprise sixty-seven percent of the females in the United States. For the "Orange Is The New Black" star, "The 67% Project" not only represents her but also includes loved ones as her mom, sister, aunt.
Currently, Danielle Brooks is working on "Orange Is The New Black" Season 5. Once more, Taystee is set on adding some goodness in the world, according to the "Orange Is The New Black" star.
Do you love Danielle Brooks? Share what rings true about the "Orange Is The New Black" star in the comments below!
