Grammy-award nominated singer, actress and author Somi Kakoma debuted on Broadway earlier this month within the extremely anticipated musical Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Produced by Taraji P. Henson, the present takes viewers right into a salon in Harlem and introduces them to a “full of life and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders,” and it’s a story that’s near Kakoma’s coronary heart. The daughter of Rwandan and Ugandan immigrants—and a present resident of Harlem—not too long ago sat down with us to share why that is one story that’s so essential for the crossroads of magnificence and tradition.
That is your Broadway debut. What did it really feel like going out on stage the primary day? How did you prepare for that?
I feel crucial factor for me is centering myself. Actually making an attempt to be current within the second. I’ve a meditation observe—a every day observe—that helps me try this, and I attempt to prolong that into the moments simply earlier than we go on. As soon as I used to be on stage it simply was…I assume it sounds cliche, however it actually is magical to step onto the Broadway stage and, as a performer, to have the ability to share the story.
I do know the official opinions have been optimistic, however have you ever gotten any suggestions from the viewers that actually moved you?
Nicely, firstly, two issues: I determine as a musician, a singer, a songwriter, earlier than an actor; I’ve actually been moved by the encouragement and assist round seeing me stretch on this means artistically. I’ve been in theater prior to now, however in a musical that I wrote, so it’s totally different to step right into a story and be in service of another person’s imaginative and prescient, and likewise, within the absence of music. It’s been an actual stretch! However I’m so grateful for that.
I will even say it’s wonderful to be supported by my castmates. We’ve actually constructed a tradition of household behind the scenes, backstage, and I’m fairly moved by that. That sense of camaraderie, that actual journeying collectively, is not only obvious on stage, but in addition behind the scenes. It’s fairly satisfying.
You’re additionally a real-life Harlem resident. What does this all imply for you personally?
With the ability to inform the tales of African immigrants as a daughter of immigrants myself, as a Harlem resident who has at all times tried to acknowledge and have fun the immigrant group right here on this neighborhood and perceive their contribution to New York, it’s been deeply inspiring. Jocelyn Bioh’s work is massively essential.
Up to now, for probably the most half, not less than within the American theater, many of the African tales that we do are sometimes burdened by—for lack of a greater phrase—”poverty porn” and warfare tales and tragedy. So it’s actually great for her to disarm audiences with humor, with wit, with magnificence. That’s been actually great. It’s additionally great to inform very actual tales and present actual truths concerning the immigrant expertise on this nation.
It’s been an actual honor and deeply humbling to consistently be reminded of the sacrifices of immigrants, and likewise to have Black hair celebrated in the best way that it’s…to have Black magnificence celebrated in the best way that it’s on this explicit manufacturing. It’s been satisfying artistically and deeply humbling to consistently replicate on all those that sacrificed in order that I could be right here residing out my dream in New York myself.
I do know, clearly, hair is an enormous focus of the present. Do you will have any magnificence behind the scenes moments you possibly can share?
One factor I’d actually like to elevate up is the hair and wig crew! Nikiya Mathis is a rare actor who turned a wig designer, kind of as a result of there weren’t sufficient wig designers of shade who actually knew tips on how to take care of her hair or tips on how to characterize or replicate our hair.
That has been extremely empowering. To step into an area the place everybody backstage truly understands our hair as Black girls and is absolutely intentional about merchandise, concerning the conditioning, concerning the protecting kinds we have to put on below our wigs in order that we don’t have numerous breakage, or we don’t have any injury…that has been unimaginable. Additionally, ensuring that these protecting kinds additionally look good in order that after we don’t have the wigs on, we are able to nonetheless stroll into the world or do press or no matter it’s and be ok with how we glance. That’s been unimaginable and a really uncommon area. It seems like a really uncommon cultural area and positively a really uncommon expertise in theater.
Like I stated, I’m comparatively new to theater, however I hear about previous experiences from my castmates, and this expertise has been extremely affirming in that means.
Are there any skin-care moments you possibly can share?
Sure! We discuss quite a bit about caring for our pores and skin backstage. If you end up packing on full face—that full beat make-up look—it may be quite a bit! Within the present, it’s my marriage ceremony day, so I’m at all times imagined to have the complete glam of a bride. I like make-up, however it’s a lot to placed on that form of face each single day, eight instances every week, so I’m actually being intentional about ensuring I make clear and purify my pores and skin, ensuring I take away my make-up in a sure means.
I’m obsessive about Japanese cleaning oils; I simply acquired into DHC. I additionally not too long ago acquired into Caudalie, they’ve a fantastic masks that I do twice every week. After the cleaning oil, I do the Lancome Bi Facil Double Motion Eye Make-up Remover ($50)—simply to verify it’s all gone. After I’m within the bathe, I additionally go in and do one other layer with Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleaning Foaming Face Wash ($38).
I additionally attempt to be actually intentional about moisturizing my pores and skin. I’m into this model referred to as NOW proper now, they usually have some nice merchandise. Then, I additionally use the Kiehl’s Extremely Facial Cream ($38) and a serum by Epicuren on high of that. It feels like quite a bit, however I really feel like the method of taking all of that off and ensuring all of it comes off is tremendous useful. Plus, I’m making an attempt to decide to not less than one skilled facial a month. Be happy to edit that listing down! It feels like quite a bit!
