MIA Magazine 2018 American Black Film Festival | Page 16

16BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018 Ryan Destiny Shines On 'Star' By Joey Francilus caption Actor Ryan Destiny poses on the set of Fox's "Star" which starts shooting its third season in July. Ryan Destiny is hitting her mark in the entertainment industry at an age when most of her contemporaries are just finishing college. The 23-year-old actress and singer from Detroit plays Alexandra “Alex” Crane, one-third of the singing trio Take Three on the Fox drama "Star," set to return for a third season this fall. Destiny, who will participate in this year’s American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach said working with her “industry dad” Lee Daniels is surreal. Daniels is known for producing Academy Award-winning films “Monster's Ball” and “Precious,” as well as Fox’s “Empire.” “Star” centers around a fictional girl group signed to Atlanta-based record label “Midtown Sound.” Actors Jude Demorest and Brittany O’Grady play the two other band members. The girls’ harmonies, performance, and visual style are reminiscent in creative substance to The Supremes, Motown’s hitmaker in the 1960s featuring Diana Ross. “We have a formula that works for us,” Destiny said of the cohesive effort she and her two main colleagues put forth on-set. She likened it to a “sisterhood.” “I think we've all been on the same page since we started,” she explained, “like what we want to do and how exactly we want to impact everyone when we are playing our roles.” The talent manager for the burgeoning stars is industry insider Carlotta Brown, played by Queen Latifah, a Golden Globe Award-winning actress and Grammy-winning musician. “She's been such a huge influence,” Destiny said of Queen Latifah. “It's who she is. [There’s] something to learn from everyday on-set. She's always been so humble and real, and for her to be the anchor of all of this is such a blessing because she is the perfect person for that.” Other co-stars include Destiny’s TV parents Roland and Rose Crane, "Star" cast Ryan Destiny, Jude Demorest and Brittany O'Grady. played by rock star Lenny Kravitz and supermodel Naomi Campbell. “I would have never, ever, in a million years thought they would be my on-screen parents, ever,” boasted Destiny about working with two icons. “Just like everyone else, we've become friends and developed relationships that are genuine. I'm thankful for that.” Destiny was mum about any spoilers for the upcoming season, set to resume shooting in July. New episodes will air in September or October. “As far as season three, I really have no idea what is happening,” she said. “I honestly won't know anything until next month.” At the show's season-two finale in May, Destiny's character feuds with the group member named “Star” (played by Demorest) in a conflict that threatens to undo the trio in a tussle hearkening back to the Diana Ross-Florence Ballard tension that was ultimately the demise of Motown's biggest female act. The budding star is also working on a solo music project that she says will take a decidedly different tone than the music she performs on the television series. “I'm in the recording studio right now for my EP that I plan to put out very soon,” she said. “I just want people to just hear who I am aside from the show because it is very different.” “Star” airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox. “It's still cool to have the show on-air so they can see the dynamic of my character versus who I am,” Destiny explained. “I'm just excited to let people know who I am more.” Destiny appears at the ABFF on June 14 for the 29 Below Mixer (invitation only) and June 15 for the Comcast Xfinity Exhibit.