Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with P-Valley’s Skyler Joy

Actress Skyler Joy and the cast of P-Valley are bringing us to the Dirty South, telling the empowering and evocative story of the women behind the Pynk in Starz’s new strip club-set drama. Created by Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall, P-Valley is already being called one of the year’s best and is a breakout role for Skyler, who plays Gidget, a second-generation pole dancer who views her craft as an Olympic sport. We recently spoke with Skyler about the series, her career, and the empowerment she felt playing Gidget on P-Valley.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Skyler: I discovered my passion for acting when I was really young. I think I was five. I was at a play that my brother was in. It was Annie. My brother had a small role, but I went to see it with my mom. I remember I stood up and I was like, “I want to be on the stage. I want to be doing that!” My mom was like, “Be quiet, be quiet. There’s a play going on.” [laughs] But I couldn’t be in plays until I turned six. It was never a question for me. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Skyler: My uncle, Peter Jacobson. He’s also an actor. He’s been on House. I always looked up to him and watched what he was doing. I remember calling him and being like, “What do I need to do?” He told me, “Save all your allowance and get headshots,” which I did eventually.

Growing up in a small town in Alaska had a big influence too. I knew I wanted to do TV shows and movies, but there were none in Ketchikan, Alaska. It was just plays. When I turned eighteen, I was able to go for it.

PC: If you could tell your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
Skyler: Trust the journey. Trust the way things are happening. Trust your gut.

P-Valley

PC: You’re going to be starring in the upcoming P-Valley. Tell us about the show and what fans should know about your character.
Skyler: It’s centered around a group of strong women in Mississippi. They’re dancers at the Pynk, which is a strip club in town. The show tells the stories of these women in such an authentic way. I can’t stress that enough. Even from the trailer, I felt like they did such a nice job portraying that.

I play Gidget, who is one of the dancers. She’s a second-generation pole dancer. She’s very quirky and athletic. She sees pole dancing as an Olympic sport. She’s part of the trinity, which is the OGs at the club.

PC: The show touches upon a lot of important themes like female empowerment and representation. When you got the script, what initially attracted you to this project?
Skyler: I remember getting the script. I was at Starbucks. I had an hour. I was like, “I’m going to read half of this.” I remember sitting there and pushing back whatever I had to do. I couldn’t put it down. It was so good. I have never read anything that’s so far from my own life, yet I could relate to so much of it.

PC: The show is being adapted from a play. Did you tap into your theater background to get ready for this role?
Skyler: That’s a good question. A lot of the cast has a theater background. All of my theater training led me to my television training. I used some of my theater and improv techniques.

PC: What can you tease about your character’s arc in Season 1? What are you most excited for your fans to see?
Skyler: I’m excited for fans to see all her layers. She’s a really funny character. But, she gets really heated and angry. She takes things to a ten, but then the next moment she’ll be crying.

PC: Gidget is the philosopher in the group. What has she taught you?
Skyler: I always struggled with the shame around feeling sexy and being sexy. But when I booked Gidget, that went away. I let go. I felt very empowered. She’s helped me work through that. It was a very therapeutic process playing Gidget.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Skyler: I love The Bachelor. It’s kind of embarrassing. Also reality shows like Shark Tank.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Skyler: Maybe Dodgeball. I watched it last night.

PC: Favorite book?
Skyler: I just finished reading a really good book called Hidden Valley Road.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Skyler: The Lion King. I cried the whole time.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Skyler: I don’t know if people would be surprised, but I guess some of my friends are a little surprised when they find out I love old-school rap.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Skyler: This is so funny. I always have a joke that I look like Danny DeVito. We have the same body type. Or the Thumb from Spy Kids. So maybe Danny DeVito with a blonde wig on because we have kind of similar-built bodies, and I would just love to see that.

To keep up with Skyler, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch P-Valley every Sunday at 9/8c on Starz.

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow // Make-up: Anthony Merante // Hair: Preston Wada // Stylist: Sonia Young