Actress Jessica Parker Kennedy, star of the exciting new Michael Bay-produced pirate drama “Black Sails”, is all the rage in Hollywood these days. The Canadian cutie with the confident conversation and cocky screen presence is more symbolic of sexy than sex symbol, the former being more gorgeous lioness and the latter reliant on the submissive sex kitten cliche. Jessica is a tough kid, a strong woman - on screen and off. The hazel-eyed hottie hung out with executive producer Tone Swep at her Hollywood cover shoot to discuss what makes her so damn DOPE.
Written by Tone Swep
Photography by: Joshua Shultz
Hair: Ashlee Norman
MUA: Jennifer Faustino
Location: The Dream Factory Studios in Los Angeles, CA.
Read the Full Length Interview
(Tone Swep: TS) After standout roles on Smallville, Undercovers, and The Secret Circle, why does it feel like Black Sails is the perfect role and series for you? You are in a young but mature stage of your career.
(Jessica Parker Kennedy: JPK) It’s a really grown up role. It’s been a healthy challenge capturing the adult concepts, but I so embrace challenges. My character, Max, has a French accent. So both my character and the series are on a whole ‘nother level.
(TS) With Kaya and your role on Another Cinderella Story being more comedic, do you feel that drama is more your comfort zone? Are you a drama queen?
(JPK) (Laughs!) Am I a drama queen?!?! I hope so and I also hope not (Laughs!). In my case it would have two meanings. But I still love doing comedy and drama. I like both sides equally. One of the great things about this role is the subtle dark humor. Max is very funny.
(TS) There was a time when TV and Film were two entirely different worlds. Now even Hollywood’s hunks - leading men like Matthew McConaughey who stars in True Detective on HBO - are drawn to the small screen. Why?
(JPK) TV has just gotten really, really good. Especially in the last five years. To me it started with Six Feet Under. I had the box set and couldn’t take my eyes off of that series. The writing, the acting, everything was just pitch perfect. I remember sobbing because the show had such sad moments and being really drawn to the characters. We are like in a new golden age of television. Good timing for myself and other actors.
(TS) You described Black Sails as “incredibly violent and incredibly tender all at once”.
(JPK) It’s all about relationships. There are a lot of volatile relationships, battles won and lost, and explosive personal moments. And then there are incredibly soft moments. Each of us goes through a various range of emotions. We are sailing the seas and riding the waves, so our lives are very unpredictable from one moment to the next.
(TS) Talk a little about your character, Max. What were some of the steps you took in preparation for the role? Are there any similarities between you and Max in real life?
(JPK) Max is strong, mysterious, and caring. A big part of my preparation was discovering which of those I was most uncomfortable with and then finding comfort. I read about the time period, studied wardrobe, practiced the French accent. I don’t think that we are particularly alike. It’s a show about bad guys. As a woman, she has to be confident and witty and smart, and she is. Her morals are very different from mine. Her goals are not mine. If anything, one thing, maybe we both can hang with the boys and hold are own.
(TS) I’m looking at those intoxicating eyes of your and can’t figure out what color they are. Do you feel they have enabled you to see things differently than most? Your visual has a uniquely bright point of view.
(JPK) There like a hazel brown with some other flavors that visit from season to season. Culturally, I have always been a mystery to people. And socially, I have always had really, really big dreams but a very practical work ethic. I knew I belonged somewhere, everywhere (Laughs!). Being of mixed-race really helped with leading roles in Canada. Then I got to LA, went to auditions, and all the locals girls looked like me. So I had to work. And I did. You get so many “No’s” in this business. So it is so very important to hold on to the times you hear “Yes”.
(TS) You are stunningly gorgeous. At what point in life did you begin to fully realize and embrace your attractiveness.?
(JPK) I don’t think I ever have. I’m like every girl. I feel beautiful one day and then I want to change everything about how I look the next. I never really looked at myself as gorgeous, but will admit that it’s fun to feel sexy. You feel so alive.
(TS) What is your sexiest attribute? And what about a blemish? An imperfection you have grown to embrace, and even find beauty in.
(JPK) I like my confidence. I think that’s the sexiest thing. I’m quirky and strange, and funny. I have strange rituals (Laughs!). People that know me well know my O-C-D rituals (Laughs!).
(TS) I believe that as we grow and gain money and maturity, we know more people but have fewer friends. What’s your take on that?
(JPK) Yes! I agree. Totally agree. I think it’s really important to know that. Like, take living in LA for example. I know a lot of people. Especially being in this industry we meet so many people daily. But I have a very small circle of friends. I can count them on one hand. My Black Sails cast is very fun to hang out with and we have grown very close.
(TS) You have a sense of edginess, an intensity about you. Like even now you are very present. Where does that derive from?
(JPK) For me it’s all about moments. I try to find my place in the world I am in at that time, you know, because so many different pieces of us are required of us at any given moment. Even with my characters. I try to find where they are physically, mentally, emotionally, then attempt to become that.
(TS) How was it hanging out in Cape Town, South Africa? You were down there most of last year filming the show and you’re headed back there now, are you not?
(JPK) I am. I am! Yes, I love Cape Town. It was great to be there. Cape Town is actually very beautiful. We went to the beach and tried not to be eaten by great white sharks (Laughs!).
(TS) Yo, if you get eaten by a shark tell me, Jess. I always wondered how that would be.
(JPK) You are crazy! (Laughs!). And in Cape Town we all live together in this like dormitory, but it’s very nice. Very accommodating. We spend so much time together just going to the local stores, grocery shopping, at the beach. And we went on a few safaris. Just had a very adventurous time.
(TS) Let’s talk about love. Why do people fall in it rather than rise in it?
(JPK) Love is a very tricky thing. I was in a relationship where I totally worshiped the guy I was with, but I found that we had different values. And I think people fall in love because… that sense of falling is so vulnerable, it’s like being on drugs. You are not making normal decisions under typical circumstances. You’re out of it. It’s good to fall. Good to fall in love. But then it’s hard to get back up because the person is gone and you’re getting back up alone.
(TS) In his interview with DOPE, Nick Cannon said “love is a choice”.
(JPK) Well said. Yes, love is a choice but I don’t believe we are the ones doing the choosing. You can’t choose who you love. I’m a passionate person. I love to love, so I couldn’t consciously make a choice not to love. I have to love. It’s who I am. I can’t think of anything more sad than someone who chooses not to love.
(TS) As an actress you inspire people. Your career moves, whatever designer dress you wear on the red carpet, whatever you say in interviews, motivates people. But what inspires and motivates you?
(JPK) I am so fascinated and motivated by all of the amazing actors and actresses in this business. Too many to name. Being able to strip down, leave yourself, and become someone else is amazing to do and amazing to watch. I love the work we all do. It’s so inspiring and it motivates me to continue to work harder and nail every scene, every role, every project.
(TS) There is a crazy huge big screen role in your immediate future. Don’t you sense it? What will it be?
(JPK) Ah, yes. Thank you! God willing. God willing! I feel like I have so much work inside of me. I essentially like to play characters who are nothing like me. The challenging roles. I need a role I am scared of, because that fear will make me rise to the occasion and do my absolute best work. I want to do romantic comedies, Sci Fi, more drama. All of it.
(TS) What makes you DOPE?
(JPK) That I just don’t care what people think about me. I’m authentically myself and that means all over the place. I used to be so overly concerned with people’s perceptions of me, so I would change depending on what the room required. Not anymore. I don’t live to satisfy others. Because I don’t care anymore (Laughs!). I just enjoy being who I am. I do what makes me happy. I’m free!
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Watch Jessica Parker Kennedy‘s DOPE Magazine Cover Shoot
Watch Jessica in the Premiere Episode of “Black Sails”
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