Curvy Girls Rock Inspires Plus Size Women to Thrive in Television and Media
In television and media it has only been until recently that plus size women have started to really be spotlighted. But still, there are not that many opportunities for them in Film and TV, which is why the Curvy Girls Rock series was created.
I recently chatted with the Executive Producer, Randall Holloway, where he chatted on the inspiration behind the show, how he was chosen to partner with the show’s creator and how you can watch it. Check out the interview below:
Can you please tell myself and the readers about yourself?
Hello my name is Randall Holloway. I’m a proud Howard University Alumi from the Theatre Arts Department. When I was a kid, I was inspired to move to New York after watching Home Alone: Lost In New York. Now I currently reside in Brooklyn pursuing my goals to be an actor one project at a time.
Growing up and still to this day who inspires you? How did they impact your life?
I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s funny because people find it hard to believe that’s where I’m from. However, we’re out there (lol). Milwaukee is one of the most segregated cities in the United States. As a child, it was a great place to live, but I would never have the opportunities that I have now in entertainment if I stayed, which is why my parents pushed me to go to school in a different state and not be complacent to my surrounding environment.
My Dad was my role model. He played a big influence in my life. He viewed his community with dignity and humanity and taught me how to be the man that’s fights for the basic human rights that we should be afforded in this country. I’m here in New York City to carry on his legacy and get to a level where I can manifest change in my community as an artist.
What influenced you to start a series called Curvy Girls Rock?
The series was created by Shakesha Williams, who inspired me after watching so of her previous work with Harlem Fusion Studios. She has been my good friend and business partner and I’m so happy to be on this journey with her on this show. I originally auditioned for the series and was offered the part of Qadir, a young business savvy millennial that seizes opportunities to be an alpha dog. Shakesha saw something in me that I never saw in myself and kept assigning me more responsibilities, which eventually led to me being the executive producer for the series.
Curvy Girls Rock was created because theee is a missing voice on television. Sixty percent of women in the United States are plus size, but we hardly see these women leading characters on television. We live in a time where more new voices and diversity is celebrated. I believe that viewers are looking for new voices to tell these stories and hopefully CGR can plant that seed to the public.
What are some of the issues the women on the show will face?
CGR is a scripted series about women living their best lives in New York City. It’s kinda like a remixed version of Sex in the City, but the only difference is that the characters are plus size. So, these ladies will be facing life issues just told from their perspectives as characters.
Is your show founded to motivate, uplift and promote confidence to plus size women?
The characters in this show are strong confident women that love the skin they’re in and are not afraid to show it. CGR is going to promote the positive narratives to uplift this community of women or anyone who watches. CGR has a message for everyone.
Do you feel that platform will help the majority of plus size with their self-esteem issues and the way they’re perceived in the public?
I believe that CGR is going to be groundbreaking. It’s going to show truth. When we look in the mirror we often finds things that we don’t like about ourselves, but what makes us step out the house and take on the world is telling ourselves that we are fine with what we have. So, if you’re looking for a confidence booster please watch the show.
You’re still looking for support and some funding, how much have you raised so far? How much are you still looking to raise?
We’re always looking for donations. Especially since we’re heading into post-production. So, if anyone feels that’s they wanna give from the heart please visit www.cgrseries.com and join the #cgrsquad.
What great advice or words of wisdom can you offer to us millennials?
Understand that your journey is uniquely designed for you. Don’t settle for anything that your not passionate about. Every person, good or bad, is a teacher so learn from them. Nothing in life is handed to anyone (unless you’re rich) so if you wanna be an overnight success ask yourself have you put in the work? Have you invested your time, money, relationships to get to where you wanna be in life? Do you have mentors? Have you taken risks? Have you failed hard and I mean really hard and if you haven’t you still have work to do.
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