We’ve been told to never judge a book by its cover but what happens when that book, or in this case, a TV show, is about the most-hated villain of all time? Surely, we can throw shade at the Devil? Not so fast says actress Lesley-Ann Brandt who stars in the hit TV show Lucifer. Stripping back misconceptions about the television series, Brandt, who plays Lucifer’s confidante Maze, insists the hit FOX drama “actually highlights the good in humanity and explores the idea of free will.”
Here are five things you need to know about the the South African beauty.
She wants to amplify African voices in film
The 34-year-old identifies as a South African first and foremost but in her home country—based on her racial makeup she’s considered coloured [mixed race]—which is not to be confused with the antiquated US description of African-Americans. Her dream in Hollywood is to document the often complicated stories of South African people. “I would love to do something that pays homage to my country and my community. I don’t think there’s been a movie that fully goes into the heartache that was experienced in apartheid [as it relates to] families. Particularly families that broke the mixed marriages act.”
ESSENCE Festival is going to Durban, South Africa. Get more info here.
She’s found a slice of heaven on earth
The actress married fellow actor Chris Payne Gilbert in a scenic Vermont in 2015 surrounded by her closest family and friends. And how is married life treating her? “It’s great. We just had our one year anniversary on Labor Day” she reveals.
Her BFF is singer/actress LeToya Luckett
LeToya and Lesley-Ann first met on the set of the TV show Single Ladies and their friendship is still going strong. “She’s got such a beautiful spirit” says Brandt. The pair initially bonded over shared love of exercise but the friendship has blossomed over the years into a beautiful sisterhood. The former Destiny’s Child songstress was the maid of honor at Chris and Lesley-Ann’s nuptials.
She’s the epitome of beauty and brains
Brandt got her big break while working in a IT recruitment firm in New Zealand. A life-changing role on a comedy show lead to her quitting her job and she hasn’t looked back since.
She wants you to rock the vote
Even though she’s ineligible to vote in this year’s election, Brandt is already thinking of the implications the US Presidential elections will have on future generations. “You are not voting for you right now, you are voting for your grandchildren.” she says. Her advice on who to cast your vote for in November? “Don’t vote for Trump” she urges. Duly noted.
Lucifer airs on FOX Mondays at 9p.m. ET.