Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Ruthless’ Melissa L. Williams

The wait is over! Tyler Perry’s Ruthless is back and fans are losing their minds. Lead actress Melissa L. Williams chatted with us about what that response has meant to her, all the new characters joining the series, and her return to music.

PC: The last time we spoke, Ruthless was just about to premiere on BET+. The show has been incredibly well received. What has that response meant to you seeing The Oval fans embrace Ruthless equally, if not more?
Melissa: I love that you said that because I do feel like it’s more. It’s more than I expected, to be honest, because it was so new and unique for Tyler Perry. I will say I didn’t know people were going to be as interested as they are in this other show because it’s wild. The show is dealing with real topics such as the cult, obviously, but then you have kidnapping and trafficking. The show is serious.

For me, I was like, “Are people ready to see this? Are Black people ready to see this?” But I feel like when I watched the first episode, I was losing it! Watching Tyler Perry over the years and the things he’s put out, I was like, “This is so different.” But the response was overwhelmingly great. When we did that break, people were in my DMs. I’m talking about, I couldn’t even post a photo, honey, without them saying, “That’s cute, but where’s Ruthless?” I’m like, “Guys, I don’t know either, honey. We’re on the way.” I kept responding that it’s on the way.

The response was something that I didn’t expect. I had great expectations because Tyler Perry is who he is, but, again, I was like, “This is so different!” I’m glad that it turned out like this. I am, because it just shows the growth, his audience growth, and that they are loyal to his work—and who doesn’t want that? I can put anything out and my audience is a ride or die.

PC: You’ve said in previous interviews that often when you’re working on The Oval or Ruthless, you have one or one and a half shots to nail the scene. How challenging was that to adjust to as an actress? What have you learned about yourself?
Melissa: There’s so much positivity and love on Tyler’s set and studio—that’s what I love most because it allows you to be free and allows you to believe. Whenever we step on set, there’s this confidence among everyone knowing that everyone around you will not let you fall.

Tyler has often said, “Okay, guys. I know this is hard. Trust me, believe me, half of Hollywood can’t do this, but you’re already doing a great thing,” and he’s very, very good at understanding and knowing if an actor’s too overwhelmed, and he’ll move on and give them time. For me, I learned that I can go anywhere on any set and be put in any situation and be well equipped because of the experience that I have had at Tyler Perry Studios.

PC: This has been a breakout role for you. When you look back at the experience thus far, what’s been the biggest takeaway?
Melissa: It’s been a wild ride. It’s taken a lot to get here. I would say to remember the humility and gratitude. My first ever role was on The Game and my lines were cut. That was humbling because I had to go online and read that that happens in the industry. That was humbling and I’m grateful for the fact that my first ever role was on The Game. I was on the show. I didn’t have lines, but that’s okay. The experience I can never, and would never, replace. I had to ask someone to give me money to fly down to even audition for this role. It taught me a lot and I’m grateful for that part. People need to remember humility. We need to have gratitude for the journey, the struggle, and carry that through whenever your opportunity does come.

PC: Fans have been patiently waiting for Ruthless to return. What can they expect? What can you tease?
Melissa: First, honey, did you see all the new characters? I mean, come on! All these new characters are so fun. They can definitely expect Ruth to show why her name is in the title of the show, because she is going to be ruthless and it’s a lot wilder than what we’ve already seen. It’s intense! People are going to be hitting me up again like, “We need answers! Hold on. What just happened?”

PC: In addition to Ruthless, you’re also going to be starring in Hidden Springs. Is there anything you can tease about that project?
Melissa: Honestly, Hidden Springs is a project that I did maybe two years ago. It’s a wonderful web series and I’m excited to see it. I do have some music that’ll be coming out soon, too. I also have a project that’s in development, though I can’t mention the name of it. I can’t wait until that comes out.

PC: Is there anything you can tease about your upcoming music?
Melissa: Well, I started out in Atlanta when I went to college. I started out in a girl group, and so once that dissolved, I did my own thing. I had a song on the radio, and it was actually going really well, but I chose acting and chose to move to California. Now I have the resources to invest in myself and not have people own everything to where I’m just like this puppet and not putting my music in the forefront. I have an R&B, Caribbean style. I’m excited about the music coming out.

To keep up with Melissa, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. New episodes of Ruthless are airing now!

Photo Credit: Antwon Maxwell