As I reflect upon my time working alongside Gabby Sidibe on “The Deliverance,” I can’t help but marvel at the profound impact this remarkable woman had on me both professionally and personally. The conversations we shared on set were a beautiful blend of humor, wisdom, and raw emotion – a testament to her resilience and strength as an artist and human being.
[This story contains spoilers from The Deliverance.]
When pondering over the lead role of Ebony in director Lee Daniels’ new movie, “The Deliverance,” Andra Day sought advice from two sources: her faith and her mother
Initially, she [her mother] expressed some reservations, as Day shared with The Hollywood Reporter. Admittedly, Day herself was equally unsure about delving into the supernatural for the Netflix production. “She prayed with me about it and throughout the process,” Day said. “She made it clear to me that she wouldn’t watch the movie, not because she doesn’t believe the message is powerful. Her reason is simple: ‘If it’s not on Disney+, I won’t be watching.’ She jokes about keeping her up at night.” (laughs)
The film titled “The Deliverance” is now available for streaming on Netflix following its brief run in theaters. It’s inspired by the real-life account of LaToya Ammons, an Indiana resident who asserted in 2011 that she and her children were tormented by demons. This is Daniels’ initial, and supposedly final, foray into the horror genre. However, the producer and director considers this project, featuring Mo’Nique, Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Caleb McLaughlin, as less about fearing supernatural entities and more about exploring faith. This aspect of the story resonated with Day, and her mother, enough to get them involved
“She was genuinely thrilled and elated about the film and its narrative. The fact that it allowed us to portray a fully developed Black woman, while delving into the complexities of faith, pain, healing, and the pressure to appear flawless, made her feel proud,” Day said. “[Ebony’s] story is raw and imperfect, which resonates with me because it reflects real life.”
In the passage below, Day discusses her bond with Mo’Nique and Close while filming, finding solace in prayer during challenging moments, and the key takeaway she wants viewers to grasp: “Embrace and heed women’s experiences, especially for this movie, African-American women.”
***
How did this role come to you, and what made you say yes?
Initially, I got acquainted with the character in the movie “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” One of the film’s producers, Tucker Tooley, who is exceptional at his craft, was discussing the role with Lee Daniels, and Lee mentioned, “I think she could be our LaToya” – this was when the character was still known as LaToya. This point significantly influenced my decision to take on the role. It was all thanks to Lee, a visionary who creates profound roles for Black women, characters with depth and layers. I truly enjoy collaborating with him; he feels like family. So, it was an effortless choice for me
Initially, the movie’s theme gave me pause. As a devout believer and Christian, the subject matter of demonic possession seemed contrary to my faith. However, prayer helped me understand that fear shouldn’t be my response; instead, I should demonstrate my authority over such things. It was heartening to find that Lee shared this goal, as it was essential to portray this on screen. The movie being based on a true story and honoring the legacy of the woman at its center, who endured much and was long unheard by the system, made it all the more important
How did you manage to understand the mental state of a woman who, on one hand, physically and emotionally harms her own children, and on the other, grapples with the emotional trauma from being neglected by her own mother?
In my work, I collaborated intimately with both Lee and Patrick Smith, my acting coach. At times on set, I felt that portraying Ebony was more challenging than Billie Holiday due to certain personal resonances. It seems many women grapple, to varying degrees, with feelings of self-doubt, unworthiness, and undesirability. For me, the central theme in my performance was locating similarities between myself and Ebony’s story. The question I asked myself was, “What would I be willing to sacrifice everything for?” My answer was faith, a part of my life where I strive for excellence, to feel worthy, to be accepted, and to move beyond the influence of my past on my future. This shared ground between Ebony and me became the foundation of my portrayal
Regarding the children in the production, I deeply connected with them and they reciprocated warmly. They granted me the freedom to be authentic as Ebony on set. I was open with them about certain aspects of the character. I believe they recognized, since they portrayed her kids, that she was showering us with love and backing us up in every way possible – something she wasn’t always able to offer herself. I empathize with Ebony’s struggle to strive for the best despite having limited resources, attempting to carve a brighter future when she didn’t have the necessary tools for it
What was it like playing that opposite of Glenn Close as your mom?
The experience was simply astounding. If you’ve seen her in that movie, you know the transformation was breathtakingly extraordinary. It was a tremendous privilege, and I shared with others my readiness to join the set merely to observe this exceptional artist, to absorb from her wisdom, which I managed to do. However, what made the experience even more special was discovering she is one of the kindest individuals I’ve encountered throughout my life. Her spirit is remarkably youthful and filled with a delightful, carefree energy that I believe contributes significantly to her versatility. She takes her craft seriously yet remains generous in sharing her knowledge. She’s a joy to be around, always striving to perfect her performance. It was inspiring to witness such an accomplished actor who could have coasted through the role, but instead approached every day as if it were her first, which is an invaluable lesson about maintaining a student’s mindset. This attitude was shared by Mo’Nique, Aunjanue Ellis, and even the younger talents like Omar Epps. They are icons in their field, but they approached each day as if it were their first, which is truly a beautiful reminder to never stop learning
As a fan, I can’t help but wonder about the intriguing dynamic between Mo’Nique and her character in Precious. Instead of embodying her award-winning role as Precious’s mother, she steps into the shoes of the social worker, dealing with a troubled parent. What were some of the discussions we had on set during filming?
In a heartfelt manner, our interactions were primarily light-hearted and affectionate, yet occasionally delved into profound discussions. She shared insights with me that I couldn’t have wished for more. It was as if the universe had bestowed upon me an extraordinary group of people. During our filming, she told me two things that resonated deeply. Calling me “sweet baby,” which is her endearment for people, she said, “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re talented; you’re gifted. That’s special, that’s rare.” She also encouraged me when I seemed distressed during scenes and the pain felt real, “Allow yourself to release it,” she advised. “Your mind understands you’re acting, but your body doesn’t. It still feels the pain and trauma. A joke now and then reminds us we’re just pretending.”
What scenes were hardest for you, and what did shaking them off look like?
In this pivotal moment of the story, I was both the demon character and myself, creating an intriguing duality that made me realize: If I couldn’t find a shared understanding between the demon and Ebony, it would mean the end, it would be game over. This scene was incredibly challenging to portray. Anytime I had to depict harshness, emotional distress, or physical violence towards my on-screen children, it was excruciatingly painful. To move past these tough emotions, I strive to approach every scene with purpose. I entered this film with a sense of peace from God because I believe I’m not meant to fear such situations – they are under my control. During the filming process and even afterwards, it was all about prayer. It might sound simple, but prayer helps me stay grounded. I do seek help through therapy, but my faith in God always reminds me that He doesn’t wish harm upon me – though life may be tough and challenging, God loves me, and I have a purpose. Knowing the reason behind everything is crucial
What are you hoping audiences will take away from this film?
This movie is multifaceted and I have a few key points I’d like to convey. Firstly, I hope that viewers will come away with a sense of connection to God, not just through religious instruction but by feeling deeply loved themselves. I want the audience to see this and also witness healing, both personal and generational
As a passionate advocate, I firmly believe that the unresolved issues and overlooked aspects of our lives will undeniably resonate within our children and future generations. Furthermore, this message is crystal-clear: empathize and tune in to women, especially Black women, for this film carries their stories. We’ve been emphasizing the importance of believing Black women, but I feel that going a step further – truly listening to them – is crucial. All too often, we fail to be heard, our struggles go unnoticed, our pain is disregarded, and our battles are ignored. Our accomplishments are overlooked while we silently bear the weight of supporting others’ struggles or pursuits. If, as a community, we consciously choose to create space for listening, empathy, and belief, I am convinced that the overall landscape will significantly shift. We are natural community builders; however, it is essential that we extend this support to ourselves
The Deliverance is now streaming on Netflix. Read THR‘s interview with Lee Daniels.
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2024-09-04 15:56