'You' Star Tati Gabrielle On Growing Up With Zendaya And Kehlani: 'From Middle School To Being Famous'

The 27-year-old actress said the great thing about the journey with her childhood friends is that they have supported each other for many years.

“I love just like the support… I’m with Kehlani all the time and just, I often have moments and I’m like, wow. She’s my oldest, oldest friend, 14 years, and to continue to grow together and watch each other shine and glow, it’s just really beautiful,” Gabrielle said.

The You star also touched on other topics during the interview.

In regards to her role as Marienne on You, Gabrielle said she wanted to make sure that her character didn’t fit into a Black horror movie stereotype.

“I understand certain things have to happen in order to move the story along, but I don’t want her to be oblivious,” Gabrielle said. “We as Black people, I do not feel that we are ever oblivious . . . the survival instincts that we have is unmatched. I wanted to make sure all of those things were honored.”

Although her character is a recovering addict, Gabrielle didn’t want her to be “troped” or “make her seem like she was less than.” The You actress said she wanted viewers to feel a true connection with her character as a mother, a recovering addict or an artist.

“I want them to feel the most truthful sense of that and not feel like their story is being taken advantage or taken for granted,” Gabrielle said.

These are similar sentiments that Gabrielle spoke about in a recent interview with Blavity’s Shadow and Act.