U.G. Digital Magazine: Hey, how are you

Stacy Rose: I’m well, thanks so much, and you?

U.G. Digital Magazine: I’m doing very good. First and foremost, the house rules are definitely in order (laughing). I must say thank you. This is amazing and it’s so cool to come full circle with you, especially since you’ve done a cover with us before. That’s been some time ago, and so much has happened since then where has caused me to slow down a bit, so it’s great to reconnect with you as I restructure and rebuild.

And of course, ‘Little America’ is so awesome.

For sure. I wanted to tell you thanks as well. I’m just so grateful for the opportunity. I feel the love and support. It’s what we need. This is life. It’s short and we do the best we can.

U.G. Digital Magazine: I think just watching you, living life everyday. Pursuing for your dreams, it’s inspiring to hose like me trying to figure it all out. I’m always elated to do something with you.

Stacy Rose: Yea man. Same for you. And congratulations to you. It’s so hard to keep going everyday. I know exactly what that feels like, so you keep going, one foot in front of the next.

U.G. Digital Magazine: So moving forward, congrats on your role in little America. The series is so powerful. It instantly takes away a lot of the misconceptions and judgments that many have toward immigrants. Obviously you’re from Kingston, Jamaica. Why was it important for you to take this on?

Number one I think Apple is amazing. The fact they even wanted to do this; when I found out about the audition, I’m binge watched the first season. My heart was so moved, especially with me being from a family of immigrants. I know it’s important to have these stories heard, and put a face to these wonderful people who have made tremendous sacrifices. They are part of the fabric of American life that we don’t know about. Watching the first season, I said this is what I need to do. I connected immediately. Preparing the role for the audition, I knew that woman. I see so many women in my family and circle in her. This is what the job is. We’re supposed to speak and advocate for the ideas of people. I loved preparing and when I got the call to do it, it was out of this world. It was great to get the job but I was very cognizant of the job and its responsibility.

What do you feel you were able to accomplish in terms of people’s perception of immigrants with doing this role?

The story was so very well written. It was such a great idea and they found the right people to tell these stories. I heard they had hours of interviews with Ines to understand where she was coming from, what it was like to be here, and where she is now. That being at the foundation, to plug into that, to share or portray this and to show this struggle and journey, it was important to have the right people. The job was to shine the light on the struggle. People generally don’t see this.

As you learned Ines’ story, what similarities did you see between she and you?

So my mom, left me in Jamaica when I was about eight years old. My father left when I was three. They left me with my grandmother at our family home. Iris left Priscilla with her mom, which was a similar situation to me. I joined my parents here when I was 15. That whole experience of not knowing, and so much time passing between, that was similar. My mom called a lot and I would go for summers, but that day when I was here to live for the first time, I understood that awkwardness, and questions of whether it would work. . I understood the awkwardness and fear.

U.G. Digital Magazine: I think it’s amazing. It matters as they put these together, who they get to play the roles. I saw Phylicia Rashad is also taking part in season two which is amazing as well. You definitely need powerful people.

Stacy Rose: Yep. She’s in an episode as well.

U.G. Digital Magazine: The series begin tonight, correct?

Stacy Rose: Yes, it does. You can watch it in any order since it’s an anthology.

U.G. Digital Magazine: What was your thought after everything wrapped?

Stacy Rose: From the get-go, it was just about the work for me. I was focused on getting that work done. When I thought about the full team, the show runner, the producer, the writers…. I knew we had a winning combination. The bare bones that was already set was amazing. The work we did was like shooting a feature film in eight days. They spared nothing and knocked it out of the ballpark. Walking away from that, I knew we had something special. I’ve never been a part of something like this where all the pieces of the puzzle were there and shining. I couldn’t wait for the world to see.

U.G. Digital Magazine: Again, I’m so grateful for this opportunity. You always do such an amazing job with your projects, and I can only imagine that it must be amazing to be a part of something that resonates so deeply inside. Anything else you want to be said?

Stacy Rose: Immigrants play an important role in our society and we get a bad wrap. It’s difficult shoes to be in. In thinking about the process, I talked to my mom because I had never had the conversation about what it was like to leave us. She worked in a house and babysat. How did that affect her, and what was it like She was a teacher in Jamaica. To leave her mother and children behind, it’s such an amazing sacrifice. Words just can not describe it. Even myself leaving family. I’m happy people can begin to understand and see it from different angles and perspectives. They can see the beating hearts behind this.

U.G. Digital Magazine: I’m grateful for Apple and all the streaming platforms because they make content like this available. People really want to see this. For son long, the networks have felt people did not want this type of content, but it really helps the world.

Stacy Rose: It is absolutely world changing. It starts with awareness. This really helps to bridge that gap.

U.G. Digital Magazine: Truly amazing. Thank you so much!

Stacy Rose: Thank you so much as well, all the best to you!