When Judy Blume’s Forever was released in 1975, it shook the literary world. With its explicit depiction of teenage sexuality and the emotional highs and lows of first love, the book was banned in schools, whispered about by parents, and passed around by teens hungry for stories that felt real.
Now, nearly 50 years later, Forever is getting the Netflix adaptation treatment, however, this time it’s through the lens of a Black girl coming of age, enter Lovie Simone. “I did think there was something revolutionary about it,” Simone says over the phone, her voice soft but certain. “The fact that they were looking for Black characters to be in this love story felt important.”
Simone stars as Keisha, a teenage girl navigating the messy, emotional terrain of first love, identity, and growing up. It’s a role that resonates deeply with the Greenleaf and Selah and the Spades actress. “I’ve been a teenager before,” she laughs. “So I tapped into my little vault of memories–when I was awkward, when it was the first time seeing someone, when everything felt new and overwhelming.” That blend of personal memory and intentional storytelling is what makes her portrayal of Keisha feel grounded and fresh, even as it honors the spirit of Blume’s original.“When Judy wrote the book, it was honest. The reason it could become an adaptation today is because the truth is timeless,” Simone says. “I wanted to be honest about what it’s like to be an everyday teen—not the one who knows everything, but the one who has hormones and no guidance.” What set Forever apart for so many readers is its honest depiction of a young woman simply exploring her sexuality on her own terms which was refreshing back then and even more today. This reminds readers they too have that same agency.
Bringing that honesty to life was made easier by the creatives behind the series: Girlfriends creator Mara Brock Akil and Oscar-winner Regina King, who directed the pilot. “It was an experience like no other,” Simone says of working with the two. “They are true creatives. That’s all I can ask for as an actor. My job is to bring the character to life, but it’s their vision and direction that gives those characters meaning.” She says preparing for the role came naturally. “It wasn’t too hard to prepare when there’s so much material already there—the dialogue, the sets, and conversations with Mara and Regina,” she says. “We all had a common goal in telling this story. Plus, I love a good book. After reading Forever, I was like, I really gotta be a part of this. How do I book this?”
As Keisha, Simone steps into a role that challenges outdated ideas about who gets to be at the center of coming-of-age love stories, while simultaneously becoming a mirror for young Black girls who may be experiencing similar emotions for the first time.
“I hope they can use whatever mistakes or victories Keisha has to be their one little blueprint to peace,” Simone says. “Whatever they’re going through, I hope they see a bit of themselves in her.”
Though she often plays intense, introspective characters on screen, Simone says fans might be surprised by who she is off set. “I think people don’t realize–I’m a goofball,” she says, laughing. “I usually get the serious roles, but I’m really a bit of a nut.”
Simone has played a wide range of characters throughout her career, and says each one has left a mark. “They all change me in different ways,” she says. “Every time I play a character, I realize we have similarities, and then I realize, oh, I need to work through some of this.”
“With Keisha, I learned that I tend to want to figure everything out for myself,” she adds. “It was nice to see Keisha lean on her community. That reminded me it’s okay to trust other people too.”
Outside of acting, she finds inspiration in music and the people around her, especially her twin sister, who makes music under the name Reiyo the Giant. “She just dropped some heat,” Simone beams. “Her music is really inspiring to me.”
Simone is also intentional about keeping balance in her life, even when the spotlight gets bright. “When I’m not working, I’m really not working,” she says. “I become the unemployed friend going on a hike on a random Wednesday at 11 a.m. If I can give my all at work, I can give my all in life too.”
When asked about the best advice she’s ever received, Simone recalls a moment on the set of Greenleaf, chatting casually with co-stars Keith David and Desiree Ross. “Keith said, ‘Acting isn’t acting. It’s reacting.’ That really stuck with me,” she says. “If you’re reacting, you can do anything with this.”
She takes that advice to heart, pouring it into every scene she is in. Lovie Simone’s wisdom, warmth, and dedication to telling the truth through her work make her a force in young Hollywood. Her role in Forever reminds us of the power of authentic storytelling and the beauty in the awkward, complicated moments of growing up.
Forever, starring Lovie Simone, is now streaming on Netflix.