Grimes, will.i.am, Nicole Scherzinger, and More Stars Discuss Feel-Good TV and the Power of Representation

Published on Oct 7, 2021 at 4:21 PM

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Turning on feel-good TV can offer solace and comfort, especially during difficult times. And there are four shows on FOX this fall — some new, others returning — that are doing just that.

There's The Big Leap, a new drama about a group of characters searching for a second chance to chase their dreams in a dance reality competition. Another is Our Kind of People, which follows a strong Black mother trying to reclaim her family name. Also on the lineup: Alter Ego, the world's first avatar singing competition judged by some of the biggest names in music, and fan-favorite The Masked Singer, which has returned for its sixth season.

"After this year and a half of just this gut punch we felt globally, it's nice to sit around and have a show that gives you a little hope," The Big Leap actor Kevin Daniels said.

To get all the behind-the-scenes details about these feel-good programs, we hosted a series of roundtable discussions on Clubhouse with the casts from each show. From exploring representation to finding belonging and redefining beauty, check out everything these stars had to say about their latest projects ahead.

The Power of Television

Lighthearted shows are not only a pleasant distraction, but they can also act as a pick-me-up from the stress of everyday life.

"There's a thing that TV does, right? That sort of takes you out of whatever's getting you down or whatever's bothering you," said Scott Foley, who plays Nick on FOX's new drama The Big Leap. "And I think the show does a great job, better than most, in doing that."

The Big Leap is one of those shows where viewers can actually see themselves portrayed on screen and, as a result, feel good about themselves. Even Simone Recasner, who plays Gabby on the show, said it had an impact on her: "I always was interested in film and theater and TV, and I simply didn't see myself represented anywhere," she said. "To be here in this position, in this Clubhouse, talking to my friends, who are all here together, is pretty magical."

The team behind the scenes also has a huge impact on onscreen representation. Ser'Darius Blain, who plays Reggie, explained how a diverse production team on The Big Leap led to an authentic focus on inclusion. "From top to bottom, everyone gets a shot in our writers' room," Blain said. "You can't help but fall in love with [this show] because you see yourself in those characters."

Exploring the Nuances of Black Beauty

But fostering inclusivity doesn't stop in the writers' room. It seeps into every aspect of production — specifically in the hair and makeup trailer.

"Hair and colorism goes hand in hand, especially being a Black woman growing up in this world," Our Kind of People's Rhyon Nicole Brown said. "The thing that excites me about this show is that it pushes that idea; any hair that grows is good hair."

Through its characters, Our Kind of People showcases the individuality of Black women. In doing so, the show explores Black beauty and, more specifically, hair. Brown went on to explain that in her past experiences on set, some stylists were unable to work with her natural hair. "It makes you then feel self-conscious and uncomfortable about how you are in your natural state," she said.

Lance Gross, who plays Tyrique, has faced similar situations as an actor. "Any Black man knows that the relationship with a barber is supreme," Gross said. "There's been so many productions that I've worked on where they just don't take that into account. I have to fight for a barber on set."

Thanks to Our Kind of People's team of hairstylists, Gross, Brown, and the entire cast can feel confident that they'll be taken care of and look amazing on set. "They have people of color who understand hair and different textures, and they're skilled at what they do," Gross said. "They got it together, and it's a breath of fresh air to see."

Rethinking Beauty and Representation

Alter Ego judges Grimes and will.i.am also touched on beauty, but in the context of technology. They discussed how modern technology allows creators to develop a new persona different from their everyday lives. "You're always reduced to what you look like," Grimes said. "And it just doesn't need to be that way anymore."

Instead of standing front and center stage, Alter Ego contestants reinvent themselves by singing through an avatar. It's an avenue of self-expression that's free from stereotypes and judgment. "The technology is beautiful because imagination has no gender," will.i.am said. "The imagination, the creative spirit, is genderless. It's ageless. It's limitless."

Nick Lachey, a judge added that even through the avatars, he's able to see the competitors' emotions come through: "There's such a humanity to the show," he said.

On The Masked Singer, competitors can also find refuge behind their costumes and feel a sense of belonging. "I feel like everybody, we're all one and the same," The Masked Singer's Nicole Scherzinger said. "We connect not through our beauties, but we connect through our flaws."

Whether you opt for a scripted series or singing competition show, FOX's lineup of feel-good shows has something for everyone. Tune in to new episodes of The Big Leap on Monday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, Our Kind of People on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, The Masked Singer on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, and Alter Ego on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on FOX.