With a captivating on-screen presence and tear-jerking monologues, Ebony Obsidian is taking Hollywood by storm. Originally majoring in journalism before pivoting to acting – studying at the William Esper Studio in Manhattan – Obsidian’s well-spoken and informed nature radiates throughout her performances. You may know her from her role in...
bodysuit. LaQuan Smith
skirt. Cinq à Sept
stockings. Wolford
opposite
coat. Alice and Olivia
shorts. Anna Thelen
shoes. Marc Fisher
stockings. Emilio Cavallini
With a captivating on-screen presence and tear-jerking monologues, Ebony Obsidian is taking Hollywood by storm. Originally majoring in journalism before pivoting to acting – studying at the William Esper Studio in Manhattan – Obsidian’s well-spoken and informed nature radiates throughout her performances. You may know her from her role in the comedy-drama TV show Sistas (where she appeared in over 100 episodes) or perhaps from her layered performance in the critically acclaimed film If Beale Street Could Talk. Her newest project, though, takes her career to new heights.
Tyler Perry’s war drama – based on a true story – The Six Triple Eight follows Obsidian’s character, the resilient Lena Derriecott Bell King, as she joins the US Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during World War II. Tasked with delivering over four million pieces of mail to military and civilian personnel, the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only all-Black US Women’s Army Corps unit sent overseas during the war, and this film sheds light on the incredible feat these women accomplished. For Obsidian, it’s more than telling a story, it’s informing and inspiring future generations. “To know little brown girls will have this film now and forever to inspire them to reach any height – even the ones they do not believe they can – is a peaceful treat. To know any person who has ever felt incapable in any way has been invigorated by this story is a bonus,” she shares.
While the film spreads awareness on a piece of history that has been unacknowledged for 80 years, Obsidian explores various mediums to help tell these kinds of stories – working as an Ambassador of the International Rescue Committee.“It is never not alarming to me to witness what mainstream media decides to amplify and what it decides to quiet,” she says, which is why “every sector of my life works toward introducing a story, circumstance, and people in a way that engages humanity in people.”
Speaking with Schön!, Obsidian details her time preparing and filming The Six Triple Eight, meeting Lena on her 100th birthday, and her plans for the future.
full look. Luisa et La Luna
shoes. Flattered
bangles. Dinosaur Designs
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full look. Luisa et La Luna
bangles. Dinosaur Designs
I want to begin by congratulating you on The Six Triple Eight! The film is currently ranked number two on Netflix’s global top 10 movies. How does it feel to know that you’ve contributed to this true story reaching such a wide audience and educating people about the incredible work of the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II?
It was a gift to be a part of the forgotten story of the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion. Specifically, because the young woman that was Lena Derriecott King proved to be a role unlike any other I had taken on. To be bringing her story, which lives within the story of the 6888, to the world has been an incredible ride. To see how important it has become to so many people who followed in the footsteps of these humble giants makes my heart sing. Though we have seen many World War II films, we have never seen one like The Six Triple Eight. I remember how special the experience of watching films was to me as a child. How eager, and receptive my mind was to learning through the presentation of a screen. Present day, that is at an all-time high. To know little brown girls will have this film now and forever to inspire them to reach any height – even the ones they do not believe they can – is a peaceful treat. To know any person who has ever felt incapable in any way has been invigorated by this story is a bonus.
I watched an interview of yours where you mentioned that you weren’t aware of the 6888 at all before hearing about this role. What was it like learning about these women and this piece of history that has been unacknowledged for 80 years in this way?
A wonderful thing that happens when you are introduced to a true, new to you, story, as an artist, is the rabbit hole that ensues. Though these women faced systemic, blatant sexism, and racism as they served their country, they were all, of course, full human beings whose adversities sat next to the life experiences they shared with every other human being on this planet. The human spirit, among many other things, is what we all have in common. It is worth remembering, especially when it has paved the path to our present. Knowing the 6888 – their story, the accomplishment no one expected them to fulfil – was buried for 80 years sparked a fire that marched me through the entire filming process. Particularly at points, the torch was heavy.
dress. Cinq à Sept
bangles. Alexis Bittar
opposite
full look. Sacai
stockings. Emilio Cavallini
Your character, Lena Derriecott Bell King is really the viewers’ way into the story, and I loved watching her growth, strength, and resilience throughout the film. What was it like delving into her character, her work in the 6888, and her love story?
Lena. What a remarkable woman. A particular aspect of her true story that struck me was just how absolutely average she was. I do mean that in the very best way. I found a real sense of calm in her simplicity, though, of course, feelings are where the complexity comes in. While we readied for filming, I searched for all I could find: interviews, photos, and articles. I encourage everyone to listen to her speak, because in that, you get the true essence of who she had become, but also where she came from – the time. Tyler [Perry] shared a video of a sit down they had in which she spoke freely of her upbringing, and to see what she chose to speak about was such a resource. In public footage, approximately 80 years after her time in the war, she spoke of a Jewish boy named Abram. It is raw, it is whole, and it is admirable. An unthinkable love in the 1940s that was cut short, not by prejudice, but by time. The trajectory of her story proves that breaking does not mean you are permanently broken. You can be whole again, through will and unyielding perseverance. That was the theme I found again and again in my learning of Lena.
coat. Alice and Olivia
top. Carolina Herrera
I heard you met the late Ms. King on her 100th birthday. What was it like meeting her and how did it better inform your portrayal of her?
Lena was the first, and last, 100-year-wise person I have met. Immensely thankful for the impulse to make an impromptu visit. Up until that point, I had lingering anxieties. A lot of which were caused by just how little background there was available during my preparation period. However, walking into that room changed all that. At 100, having outlived both husbands, and all children, living through and serving in World War II, living through Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, the legalization of interracial marriage in 1967, and so much more, she could not have been more joyful. It was from that initial observation, and every other part of my time spent with her, that I began to unravel the parts of Lena that were earned through experience and the parts of her she entered this world with.
corset. Amplituda Design
skirt. LaQuan Smith
bangle. Alexis Bittar
opposite
corset. Amplituda Design
skirt. LaQuan Smith
bangle. Alexis Bittar
Your portrayal of Lena is so compelling and moving. When you were filming some of the more emotionally charged scenes – like the moment Lena shares details about why she enlisted in the army to her friends – how did you prepare yourself?
Honestly, outside of knowing the scene’s intention, lines, and general blocking, I don’t think I am ever prepared for heavy emotional scenes. I never know where they are going to end up, which can sometimes be the nerve-wracking thing. The confession scene in particular was a climactic moment because up until then, Lena is a vault with her fellow enlistees. She is quiet and unassuming until she can no longer be either. It is at this moment they become true comrades. We shot it once, and as a shot in the dark, I asked for a second take (rare with director Tyler Perry in my experience). What you see in the film is that second take.
In what ways were you able to connect with Lena’s character in the film?
For me, Lena represented what happens when you utilize the slings and arrows life throws your way particularly when you have no idea how to do so. In reflection, which I have done a whole lot of in the last few years, I understand more clearly why I have navigated life, both personally and professionally, the way that I have. Faith. When you do not know how, but you know, that is faith – something Lena and I have in common.
full look. Sacai
shoes. ZELLOUS
stockings. Emilio Cavallini
opposite
full look. Luisa et La Luna
bangles. Dinosaur Designs
The film is written and directed by the incredible Tyler Perry, who you’ve also worked with on Sistas. Did that make you feel more at ease on set and help you immerse yourself in the story more effortlessly?
The opportunity to join creative forces with those you have worked with affords the gift of insight. Having shot over one hundred episodes of television with Tyler meant that we both knew the nuance of how the other lends themself to a story. Because of the historical context of the film, it was clear, particularly in the way he brought The Six Triple Eight to me, that he was committed to truth, respect, and celebration and so was I.
This piece of history is so important but isn’t widespread at all. I read your op-ed published in Teen Vogue in 2023 about the war in South Sudan, which spreads awareness on events that, again, have been majorly neglected by mainstream media. How important is it to you to work on these kinds of projects?
First, thank you for taking the time to learn about the work I have been doing as an Ambassador of the International Rescue Committee for the last few years. It is never not alarming to me to witness what mainstream media decides to amplify and what it decides to quiet. However, much of what makes it in our algorithms – social media has become one of the main ways many people consume stories, news, history, or otherwise – is curated to topics we care about. I mention that because you can not care about what you are not aware of. That is why every sector of my life works toward introducing a story, circumstance, and people in a way that engages humanity in people. Of course, there is a time and place for exclusive entertainment, but I have always gravitated and been impacted most by the depth of the human experience.
coat. Alice and Olivia
top. Carolina Herrera
shoes. ZELLOUS
gloves. Vex Latex
stockings. Wolford
opposite
corset. Amplituda Design
skirt. LaQuan Smith
bangle. Alexis Bittar
Do you have any plans to do more work like this?
Absolutely. Journalism was my first major because again, stories and sharing stories have always fascinated me. Writing fulfils so many purposes. It is therapeutic, research expands the mind, and I have never written anything that was then published without having passed through incredibly intelligent people who then challenged me to sharpen my process.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you can share with Schön!?
This is one of the most exciting times of my career, because of the artist I am today. Notoriously bad at speaking on things I should, or can not, speak about… But, I am eager to share this next chapter.
coat. Alice and Olivia
shorts. Anna Thelen
shoes. Marc Fisher
stockings. Emilio Cavallini
The Six Triple Eight is out now on Netflix.
photography. Ben Fourmi @ Denise Agency
fashion. Anthony Pedraza
talent. Ebony Obsidian
agent. Stephanie Kazanjian
hair. Ikeyia Powell
make up. Veronica Gaona
lighting assistant. Aaron Weiss
interview. Amber Louise
