Don't ask 'BlacKkKlansman' actress Laura Harrier about being a black woman in Hollywood
In preparation for her role as Patrice Dumas, a '70s-era student activist who catches the eye of detective Ron Stallworth in Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman," it was crucial for actress Laura Harrier to understand the soul of her character.
"I watched a ton of 'Soul Train,'" she said with a laugh. "I tried to dance like them and failed miserably."
Getting lost in "'Soul Train' YouTube holes" to find that distinctive '70s groove was just the tip of the iceberg for the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" actress. Her extensive research process included conducting interviews, watching the documentary "The Black Power Mixtape" with director Lee and costar John David Washington, brushing up on blaxploitation films (including "Cleopatra Jones" and "Coffy") and writing an autobiography of
