Tag: Celebrity

Actor, activist, and former educator Jesse Williams is stepping into a new role as the lead in the Prime Video series ‘Hotel Costiera.’ Set against the picturesque backdrop of Positano, Italy, the six-episode series follows Williams as Daniel De Luca, a half-Italian ex-Marine with a mysterious past who solves problems for the elite clientele of Hotel Villa Costiera. Amidst tending to the guests’ extravagant needs, De Luca becomes entangled in a deeper mystery involving Alice, the hotel owner’s daughter, who finds herself in serious trouble.

Challenging Perceptions of Black Existence

Williams expressed his passion for the project, highlighting not just the character’s intrigue and charm, but also his pride in participating in a story that challenges narrow perceptions of where and how Black people can exist and thrive. “We exist outside of America, and that seems like a simple statement, but we’re always told that we don’t, so that we don’t kind of belong,” Williams shared during an exclusive interview with MadameNoire. He acknowledged that Italy, like many places, has its own complex race relations, but found value in showcasing Black life beyond American borders.

While Williams noted that “Hotel Costiera” isn’t explicitly “the Blackest show,” he cherished the opportunity to connect with Black individuals from various parts of the diaspora during filming and travel throughout Europe. “You meet Black Germans, Black Italians, Black Spaniards who are born and raised there. They really are there. They speak the language. That’s their culture,” he explained. “Blackness does not always have to be demonstrated. Doesn’t have to be performed. I don’t care where you’re from; you’re still Black, and nobody can take that from you. There’s more diversity within the Black community than there is outside of it. This is a slice.”

Balancing Activism with Lightness

Williams, known for his deep commitment to social justice and activism, sees ‘Hotel Costiera’ as a welcome balance to his more serious work. “So much of my work is social justice-related, serious, and important. It has an urgency to it, but in the pursuit of balance and harmony in my life, I also wanted to do something light and fun and just relax,” he stated. He encourages viewers to embrace the show’s elements of joy, beauty, action, comedy, and family drama as a form of purposeful escapism, especially in today’s challenging world.

Williams’ career, which includes acclaimed roles in “Grey’s Anatomy” and Broadway, has always been intertwined with his passion for community and advocacy. As a former public high school teacher, his real-life experiences and consciousness have deeply influenced his choices, both on and off-screen. “Just because there’s a camera now, don’t mean I’m going to change… So I was who I was already before I started acting,” he explained. “And the choices that I make, it’s about what’s pushing us forward, stories that are interesting and showing a whole panoply of representations of what it is to exist for folks in my community.”

Advice for Young People: Read and Connect

When asked for advice for young people, Williams strongly recommended reading, specifically suggesting “The African Origin of Civilization” by Cheikh Anta Diop to encourage self-education and a deeper understanding of history. He also stressed that activism isn’t solely the responsibility of those in the public eye. “I don’t think that just because you can dunk or act or sing, you have more responsibility to care about your people, than if you’re a plumber or a teacher or a window washer,” he stated. “We’re all members of this community. We should all live, and love, and especially us, we got to look out for each other.”