Exclusive Interview: Isha Blaaker Talks Discovering His Passion for the Arts, Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming, & More

From working on global campaigns for brands like Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, and Estée Lauder to starring in projects including DNA and The Flight Attendant, Isha Blaaker has emerged as an international superstar who has quickly taken the industry by storm.

Earlier this year, he made his feature film debut in Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak to Isha about his multifaceted career, A Madea Homecoming, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Isha: I’ve always been a movie buff since I was quite young. People don’t know this. You’re the first person to ask me this. I’ve always analyzed the way that people act, what they do, and how they do it. I sometimes struggle to listen to people because I’m listening to how they’re saying certain things and not what they’re saying. It annoys my family. [laughs] I almost wanted to study psychology as a major in university, but I chose business. But now I’m getting what I really need and love out of my career. That’s been the biggest thing for me.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Isha: My mom has always pushed me. We’ve had some really tough times back home, but my mom, brother, and other family members have always been there for me. She sacrificed everything to take care of us.

As an actor, I draw inspiration from a lot of things outside of acting. I like to watch MMA and mixed martial arts. I like Israel Adesanya for example because he combines a lot of different techniques and approaches in how he fights. I’d like to do that in acting as well. There are so many different techniques and approaches, and I want to study them all.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a model. What have you learned from that experience that you’ve brought over to your work on camera?
Isha: It’s funny. People think that the biggest thing you learn from modeling is how to be on camera. But that’s not the biggest thing that I’ve taken away. It’s the business sense—knowing where to invest, knowing what to do with your career and how to deal with agents and managers. I can see my career unfold in the same way that my modeling career unfolded. This is where I’m at. This is what I’m supposed to do. This is what I’m not supposed to do. That’s very useful. Sometimes you need to shut up and sometimes you need to push a little harder.

PC: You’re one of the stars of Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming. Can you tell us about your character?
Isha: I play Davi. Davi is a foreign student. My best friend and I are graduating. We’re going to his grandma’s house to celebrate our graduation. His grandma is Madea. I’m a Black foreign exchange student who is bringing European culture and the experience of what it’s like for a Black man who’s not from America. It’s very interesting because I often feel like that while walking around in America. You’re misunderstood a lot, and people don’t even recognize that. They know it’s there, but they don’t recognize it.

PC: The film has been so incredibly well received. Is there a scene that you’re really excited for your fans to see?
Isha: I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I definitely think it’s a tie between the garden scene, the basketball scene, and the fight scene. I’m already saying too much. [laughs]

PC: This is your feature film debut. Did anything surprise you about the experience?
Isha: I think what surprised me is people recognizing you in all these different places. I’m not used to that. I like acknowledgement for the work that I’ve done well, but you do lose your freedom, and that’s a lot.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after they see the film?
Isha: There’s a lot more to the world than the world that we know here in America. Open your mind, travel outside. Because the world is so much more beautiful than it might look like sometimes.

PC: You’re in such an exciting time in your career. As you look ahead to the next ten, fifteen years, is there a dream role that you would love to play in the future?
Isha: I feel like those hit you when you read them. The most beautiful role that I’ve seen is the Joker, but that’s been done by Heath Ledger, and you can’t top that. That’s the kind of actor that I love. That’s a beautiful fusion between a character and an actor. I’m sure that I will get parts like this one where I’m like, “That was a blessing to be a part of that.” That means taking it step by step and putting my best work forward every day.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Isha: I watch a lot of animation. Naruto is something that I can’t help watching.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Isha: Pulp Fiction.

PC: Favorite book?
Isha: The Alchemist is my favorite book. I’m reading Dune right now. I like War and Peace a lot.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Isha: Fences and Frankenstein.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Isha: I listen to everything. The minute they give me the aux cable in the car, the weirdest stuff comes out. I’m so embarrassed. I listen to everything—but any Jamaican music because I’m West Indian or trap music.

To keep up with Isha, follow him on Instagram. Watch Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Emily Assiran