Currently starring in Netflix’s Forever, a reimagination of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel, Lovie Simone is having herself a spring. The series, released May 8, was immediately renewed for Season 2, and the 26-year-old actress was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series for the Gotham TV Awards soon after. As the romantic drama follows the love story of two teens exploring their identities through the moving (and sometimes awkward) journey of being each other’s capital-F Firsts, Simone is also having a few firsts and, as she shared with us, she couldn’t be more thrilled.
You had a very exciting May. What is your mindset right now as we go into June?
I feel like I’m just getting into the high of things—like feeling it truly. When Forever dropped, I was filming a new movie during the first couple [of] weeks of it. So, I was really wrapped up in that world. It was exciting, but I was almost too busy to take it all in. Now that I’m on the other side of it, it does feel really nice to see the conversations that have started and to see people’s views and perspectives. It feels really good.
How do you get into the flow when you have one thing coming out and you’re doing another thing? Is it overwhelming, or more exciting?
It’s both. It’s overwhelming, and it’s exciting. It’s overwhelming…not in the way where it’ll make me too anxious because it’s all the things that I love and enjoy. But I do have to stop and say, ‘Am I showing up fully for this, or am I showing up fully for that?’ I think I have found my little groove, though.
Good. Do you have your groove for when you are doing press and all these award shows?
I am still getting used to the flow of the press runs and the award stuff. The main thing that I’m trying to focus on is my six-to-eight hours of sleep!
Right? That’s important. If you have that, you have a head start.
Yes, then I can think throughout the day!
Exactly. When you are doing these things, with all the hair and makeup, what does your routine look like?
My skin-care routine is not too extensive, but I think it’s fair to say it’s proper. I love Neutrogena face wash. I’ve been using that for a minute now. I used to have cystic acne, and it is something that has helped me a lot. I love a witch-hazel toner; Paula’s Choice also has a great toner. I’ll also use a bunch of different moisturizing products, depending on the season, because I’m a dry skin girl.
I love your nails. Is that part of your routine, too?
I am a nail person. I’m a big nail person—in the sense that I want to flash my nails all the time, but I also love my nails just for me.
And now the show has already been picked up for a second season. You said you’re filming something else. Will you be able to take some time for yourself this summer?
Yes, I will be able to take some time for myself, thankfully. I’m very excited to do absolutely nothing.
Good. I’m from the generation where we read all the Judy Blume books on repeat. What did you think when you first read her work?
I didn’t read everything, but I did read Forever, which was the most important one for this. I read Forever in one sitting! I fell in love with the book. And this was before I got the role. I just used the book and that momentum to try and get the role. I listened to everything that Mara and Regina were saying during the audition process to ensure that I was really embodying who I think Keisha is right now.
Is it ever difficult to let the character go? The subject matter can get a little heavy.
It’s not too hard for me to leave my characters. I take from my characters, but I only take a certain amount of awareness, because I do think every person is connected and very similar at the end of the day. For me, it is easy to just be like, ‘Oh, now I can just step back into Lovie.’ It’s very easy once the makeup comes off and the wardrobe is off, mainly because those are the things that push me into that world. And the show has done that so beautifully. It is a very sharp difference between the two worlds.
