Exclusive Interview: Amirah J on the High Potential Mid-Season Finale and What’s Ahead

Amirah J is a rising star who has captivated audiences with her incredible range and depth. From her breakout role as Xan in Showtime’s Shameless to her award-winning turn as Katie in the short film How Not To Be a Junkie, Amirah has consistently delivered compelling performances that showcase her exceptional talent. In addition to her acting career, she’s also a competitive cheerleader, hip-hop dancer, and gymnast, seamlessly blending athleticism into her work on screen.

Amirah currently stars as Ava in High Potential, a thrilling drama that follows Morgan, a single mom with an extraordinary mind who solves crimes by rearranging evidence during her shifts as a police department cleaner. With its blend of high-stakes investigations and heartfelt family dynamics, High Potential has become a must-watch series, and Amirah’s portrayal of Ava has added a rich emotional layer to the show.

In this exclusive interview, Amirah reflects on the action-packed mid-season finale, the unique bond she shares with her castmates, and what fans can look forward to as the series continues.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Amirah: I’ve always loved putting on little plays and talent shows with my friends since I was about six years old. Entertaining a crowd has always been something I’ve enjoyed doing from an early age.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Amirah: I would definitely say that the support from my parents has had the greatest influence on my career. They have wholeheartedly supported me from the very beginning of my journey.
PC: The mid-season finale of High Potential delivered an action-packed, emotional roller coaster. What was your reaction when you first read the script for that particular episode? How did you prepare yourself to tap into the emotional depth required for such a high-stakes, life-or-death situation?
Amirah: I was so excited when I read the script for that episode! I loved that we got to see Ava in a completely different environment than usual, and it was such a treat to work with some of my castmates I hadn’t shared a scene with before. Stepping into that emotional space wasn’t too difficult for me—I just made sure to take some time for myself and practice deep breathing with Kaitlin [Olson] before filming. She was a huge help in getting me into the right mindset for this episode.

PC: Ava is a character who is quite different from you. How did you identify the similarities you share with her? And in areas where your experiences differ, how did you connect to her emotional core and bring authenticity to the role?
Amirah: Ava and I are both teenage girls, so we share some similar behavioral traits. However, her life experiences are very different from my own. To bridge that gap, I rely on dramatic imagination—I put myself in her situations and think about how those experiences would affect me emotionally. Then, I use those feelings to bring authenticity to Ava’s character.

PC: One of the great advantages of television is the opportunity to grow alongside your character. How has your collaboration with the writers’ room evolved as the season has progressed? How has the trust they’ve placed in you empowered you to take ownership of your character’s development and ensure she authentically represents the teenage experience?
Amirah: I absolutely love our writers’ room—they are incredibly collaborative with all of us. I had a great conversation with the showrunner about the direction they wanted to take my character, and he was also open to hearing my ideas. He even told me that the room is always open if I want to share any ideas for the show, which has been such a rewarding and empowering experience.

PC: You and Kaitlin bring such a believable dynamic to the mother-daughter relationship on screen. How did you work together to build that connection? And how have you been able to challenge and push each other as artists and storytellers throughout the process?
Amirah: I feel that because Kaitlin is a mother in real life, she naturally brings a nurturing and comforting energy, which makes it incredibly easy for me to step into the role of her daughter. She’s also such an amazing actress, and working opposite her in scenes feels so natural—it truly enhances our dynamic and makes the relationship believable.

PC: What can you tease about what’s ahead in the back half of Season 1?
Amirah: The back half of Season 1 is really special. We dive deeper into Ava’s story and learn a lot more about her dad, which is very exciting. I think the audience will be completely invested in the episodes to come. Definitely keep watching!

To keep up with Amirah, follow her on Instagram. High Potential returns on January 7th at 9/8c on ABC.

Photo Credit: Alex G. Harper