Anna Diop – The Titan. Cover shoot and Interview.

Anna Diop X FAULT Magazine

Photographer: Raen Badua @Exclusiveartists

Stylist: Wilford Lenov @Celestineagency

Makeup: Robert Bryan @Exclusive Artists using Lancôme Beauty

Hair: Carolina Yasukawa @Exclusive Artists

Words: Miles Holder

Anna Diop’s road to becoming Starfire on HBO’s Titans hasn’t been an easy one, and while controversy loomed over early creative decisions, the cast and crew rallied to create a series wholly unique in its take on the beloved characters while also paying homage to lore much beloved by DC Comic fans.

Diop’s close relationship to family has been a guiding light through the fog of an industry not built for her. Determined to drown out the harmful noise that can follow all women of colour in the film industry, Anna hopes not only to work within a more accepting industry but to help build one.

We caught up with the star to discuss her Titans journey, the future and of course, her FAULTs.

Now that Titans has cemented itself as it’s own entity, does season 3 feel less daunting compared to season 1?

Anna Diop: It definitely was daunting when starting the first season because these are characters that people have known for a long time. You want to do the character justice, and you hope people will still recognise the character despite the changes. That first season was quite a challenge, but it was a challenge I was excited to take on. I remember just wanting people to recognise Starfire from how they knew her before while also doing what the producers, writers and directors wanted. I was continually negotiating between giving fans what they wanted from Korey and the producers and directors what they wanted from this new version of the character. It was daunting and challenging but fun and moving into season 3, I still feel the same pressure, but in life, you learn how to cope with it.

Has the racism you faced when going into season 1 tarnished your memory of the project in the early days?

Anna Diop: I can still look back at it endearingly because what a lot of people don’t know is that while there was a constant barrage of racist attacks online, there was also an incredible outpouring of love. I’d never experienced people in the industry I’d never met, fans and complete strangers sending me messages like that.

What I try to focus on, is the number of people that reached out to me and let me know that my casting meant something to them. These were marginalised people reaching out to me saying that “you being cast and experiencing all this means a lot to me”. That’s what matters most because there’s always going to be people in life who hate you. I feel the purpose of my life is to be a light for the people that need to see that who they are – is okay.

What will people be most excited for in season 3?

Anna Diop: It’s a return to the core four, which is really exciting. Fans are going to be excited, especially fans of Korey because we’ll be digging into the character in a way that we haven’t before. My sister Blackfire is here this season, so we have a whole new opportunity to explore her backstory.

Your career is full of diverse project, all more different from the last – was this by design or chance?

Anna Diop: I’ve been purposeful about it because I want to run the gambit of everything in this industry. If a project comes along, that’s really similar to something I’ve done before I usually pass on it. If I’m not excited to do something, I’m probably not going to do it very well, and I want to do my best at everything that I do.

What would you say is the greatest lesson you’ve ever learnt from another actor?

Anna Diop: I’ve learned something from every actor I’ve ever worked with even if it’s very small. I learned from Oprah to pray before I do anything, and I was blown away that someone so successful is so grounded.

What’s the biggest hurdle you had to overcome with your acting journey?

Anna Diop: I experienced quite a bit of racism and colourism early on in my career. I met with this manager, and I was so nervous and excited, so I came super prepared. He sat down, looked back at me as I talked, and says “I just feel you’re too dark-skinned ever to work.” I was just in shock, and there are a few moments like that – if I weren’t as young, naive and audacious back then it would have knocked me off. I would say those were the most challenging moments and in general, for black actors, the roles are slim so just having your white friends go on ten appointments a week while you’re going to one is tough to deal with and see.

How do you let that not discourage you from pursuing your dreams?

Anna Diop: I attribute it all to my family, we’re so close, and my identity is so interwoven into them and Senegal. I was young, which is why when I see Gen Z and how they respond to the injustice, I trust their energy. I don’t think I need to give them any advice; they often provide me with guidance. The young people coming up today are so awesome and brave, I think if a young dark-skinned girl went to that meeting instead of me, she would tear him a new one! I don’t need to give them advice. I want them to know that they’re awesome.

What do you want your career to say about you?

Anna Diop: That I took risks and that hopefully some of them paid off. That I was kind to people and that I valued people over money, power or fame. Acting isn’t all that I do; there’s charity work in Senegal that I do, and I hope to produce projects that I’d have loved to see growing up as a young black girl. I want to create work that moves us forward.

What’s something new you’ve learnt about yourself this year?

Anna Diop: That it’s okay to ask for help, I think I love giving support and helping my friends and loved one, but I’m not good at asking for help.

Do you think that comes from you being the older sister and perceived as strong?

Anna Diop: That’s absolutely it. I think I get that from my parents, growing up they took care of everything and never asked for help; it was sometimes perceived as a weakness to do so. That’s part of the culture as much as I love it, it’s not perfect. I remember once my father found out I’d asked a family friend for something, and he was like “we don’t do that!”

What’s the biggest fear you have about your art?

Anna Diop: Sometimes I’m watching a show, and someone will say “omg that actor is so bad!” My greatest fear is someone saying that about me. I’m sure it has happened, and I’m sure it’ll happen even more, but every time I hear people say that I get scared.

What is your FAULT?

Anna Diop: My neurosis, everything I say to people or do I analyse. I don’t want to come off as cruel or cold, and so if I say something that I feel isn’t nice, I will overthink it. My neurosis shows up in everything that I do so, on the one hand, it’s a blessing but also a burden because it’s exhausting to be over-analytical, but that’s me, I’m human and I except that.