Sasheer Zamata FAULT Magazine Covershoot and Interview

Sasheer Zamata: This is your FAULT

Photographer / Creative Director: Raen Badua
Stylist: Taylor Orear
Makeup Artist: Britt Brow
Light / Digital Tech: Miles Caliboso

Words & EIC: Miles Holder

While we’re still early into Agatha All Along, Sasheer Zamata has already captivated audiences with her spellbinding portrayal of Jen, a potions witch with a complex and layered background. From Sasheer’s comedic roots on SNL to a versatile portfolio spanning drama, romance, and horror, the new series draws on all of Sasheer’s past acting experience, making for a thrilling ride and we’re excited to see where the story will take her character next. We caught up with Sasheer to discuss her journey into comedy, the pressures of being a pioneer, and, of course, her FAULTs.

FAULT Magazine: Joining a franchise that’s so beloved and expanding, with fans who are really protective of every character—was it ever daunting or was that part of the fun?

Sasheer Zamata: That’s part of the fun. With WandaVision, the producers and creators made something that feels so different from what the MCU has done in the past. I was thrilled to work with the same team. For all the things people expect from this kind of show, this is going to be even more different. So I like that we get to start from scratch and make our own thing.

FAULT Magazine: Nice! When you look back at your portfolio, it’s so diverse in both comedy and serious roles. Do you feel hindered by that comedy aspect?

Sasheer Zamata I think people are generally excited to have comedians in all forms of entertainment. We add a lot to projects and are able to access many different emotions. Transitioning from comedy to drama is possible for many comedians because making people laugh is actually harder. You have to bypass a lot of different emotions to get people to laugh with you. So, accessing emotions like sadness, fear, anger—that’s already stored up. We just have to push through in order to make humour. It’s nice to be in a project that asks me to do more than just crack jokes and really stretch my bounds. It’s fun, and I hope to do more of it.

FAULT Magazine: What was it about Agatha All Along that made you want to join the project?

Sasheer Zamata: Just the idea of the show in general. I was already a fan of WandaVision. When I saw they were doing a spinoff based on the Agatha character and witches, I told my reps I had to be seen for this. It’s like all my interests in one. When I first auditioned, I didn’t get a full script, just the sides. I had no idea where the story was going, but I was down for the ride.

FAULT Magazine: What would you say was the biggest challenge about the role?

Sasheer Zamata: Probably getting out of my comedy brain. I’m so used to making everything a joke. I assumed I was hired because I’m funny and I’d probably be the comedic relief in a lot of scenes. I do have comedic moments, but I also have some really raw, emotional ones too. I wasn’t expecting that. Freeing myself from my habits and crutches was definitely a challenge, but a great one.

FAULT Magazine: What’s one aspect of your character no journalist has asked you about, but you’ve really wanted to explore?

Sasheer Zamata: I like that! I’d say her knowledge. Jen is very knowledgeable—she’s the potions witch. I think her knowledge is her strength but also her downfall. She’s so smart that it’s hard for her to rely on others. She’s been working solo for so long because she thinks she doesn’t need anyone else. But she does. She needs other people, other witches. It’ll be exciting to see how she grows throughout the show.

FAULT Magazine: Your portfolio is so diverse. Is that by design? Are you purposely seeking out roles you haven’t done before, or has it just happened organically?

Sasheer Zamata: A bit of both. I try to manifest as much as possible, saying things like, “I want to be in a thriller or in more action stuff.” And then Spree came along, which was this horror comedy I got to do, and it was so fun and unexpected. Or I’ll say I want to be in romantic comedies, and then I got to do The Weekend. I hope the work I’m doing shows people that I have range and can do many things. It’s a mix of me wanting to try new things and people seeing my work and wanting more from me.

FAULT Magazine: Do you ever find that with everything you’re doing, it all passes by in a blur? Do you take moments to stop and appreciate it?

Sasheer Zamata: I try to stop and take it all in. I’m working on not burning myself out. When I started comedy in 2009, I was doing improv, standup, and sketch every night. I remember short-circuiting on stage one night—words were just coming out of my mouth. My friend Nicole Byer was like, “I’m giving you permission to take a break.” I took a few months off standup and tried to live my life. Now, I try to remember that. It’s okay to take a breather and enjoy life.

FAULT Magazine: Do you feel like you’re working towards a certain point, or are you just letting life happen and taking each day as it comes?

Sasheer Zamata: A little bit of both. When I started, I took a life coaching class, and one of my goals was to be on SNL. I had to map it out—create a certain number of characters, do a certain number of shows, etc. But there was also a combination of me being on the radar and my skill level. And for Marvel, you can’t plan to be in the universe, but I did want it. I would tell my reps if something looked interesting. So, it’s a little bit of letting it happen but also setting goals and intentions.

FAULT Magazine: Do you ever feel the burden of being a pioneer? As a Black queer female comedian, do you ever feel you’re not only holding up your career but also being a model for others to aspire to?

Sasheer Zamata: Thankfully, I don’t feel a responsibility to be the face or representative of any group. I’m fortunate to be a performer in a time where there are many people like me. I’m certainly not the only Black female comedian on screen. There are so many of us now. If I had started a decade or two earlier, it might have been different. People like Wanda Sykes have broken barriers for me, which makes my life a lot easier.

FAULT Magazine: When you look at your SNL career, were you ever afraid of forever being labeled as a former cast member?

Sasheer Zamata: I hope to be known for many projects one day. I hope Agatha takes off so people start saying, “Agatha’s Sasheer Zamata.” But I also love having the SNL label. That was a dream of mine for so long. It’s a cool club to be part of, and I want to keep it in my resume and my title forever.

FAULT Magazine: Looking into the future, what’s the next great challenge you want to conquer in your creative journey?

Sasheer Zamata: Directing. I’ve directed stage shows and some comedy videos, but I’d really love to put that skill into use on the big or small screen. My experience on set has helped me understand what it would take to be a director, and I’m excited to put those skills to the test one day.

FAULT Magazine: When you look back on your career, what would you say was the worst piece of advice someone ever gave you?

Sasheer Zamata: Oh, that’s funny. I think if I got bad advice, I probably threw it out immediately!

FAULT Magazine: What is your FAULT?

Sasheer Zamata: Tardiness, but I’m working on it! My friends have recently told me I’m doing a good job of being on time. I grew up around people who run late, and I thought it was fine, no consequences. But as I got older, I realised it’s actually disrespectful. I’ve been working really hard to change that.