Every once in a while, you see something come to life that you want people to see. Why? Because the message in the story is important. In today’s world, we need things that allow us to escape.
And we also need things that help the next generation see that there is hope. That kindness is out there. There will be shows that come and go, adaptations that we love and that we don’t – but the ones that offer hope will be the ones that stay with us.
Lulu is a Rhinoceros is based on the book by Jason and Allison Flom.
One of the celebrities lending her voice to the animation adaptation is Alex Newell. They played Unique Adams on the Fox musical series Glee and Mo on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, two shows that we know so well. They are a Tony Award-winning performer.
Our interview is below:
Fangirlish: Can you talk a little bit about why you wanted to lend your voice to this role?
Alex Newell: I always want to lend my voice, but for this one in particular, it’s a story of like true acceptance, not only of other people, but of your own self. You have to do that. That’s the first step. Before you can allow anybody to accept you, you have to accept and know who you are. When I got this script, and I saw this character of Corey, I was just like, “Oh my God, I love this. It’s so cute. I have to be a part of it.”
Fangirlish: I like that. What makes Lulu is a Rhinoceros so special?
Alex: What makes Lulu is a Rhinoceros so special is how vibrant it is in how they’re telling the story. You have this deep subject that spans over so many identities and things, and it’s showing it in this rich, fun, lighthearted way, but still getting very serious. It’s truly just about that love and acceptance.
Fangirlish: Can you talk a little bit more about your character and what part of your character do you relate to the most?
Alex: My character is Corey, and Corey sees Lulu for who Lulu is, and doesn’t think twice about it, and literally comes in and says, “How’s my favorite rhinoceros?” We need more people in the world like that, and to have this character just exude that acceptance is brilliant. I think I am, for most of my friends, that “Good Judy” that accepts them for whatever, whoever, and whatever they want to be.
Fangirlish: That’s beautiful. What would you like for both adults and children to take away from this show?
Alex: I would like both kids and their parents and all adults to take away from this is grace, affording grace and love to each other. We have all of these tumultuous things happening in our adult lives that we could offer more grace to each other, especially to our kids, and accept what they want to be, and who they want to be in this life.
Lulu is a Rhinoceros is streaming on Apple TV+.
