Let’s get to know Rhoyle Ivy King

1.Let’s start by getting to know you. Who is Rhoyle Ivy King?

I’m a creative from Texas! I trained and did theater in New York before making the move over to LA. I’m a Capricorn if that means anything to you, and my love language is quality time. 

2.Rhoyle you represent a new age in what it means to live loud and proud through a character in a predominantly black show that takes place on a fictional historically black campus. What does this role mean to you in terms of representation and adding a voice to part of the LGBTQIA community?

•For me it means that young queer youth get to see themselves reflected in the HBCU experience that they’ve always belonged in too. That young Non-Binary people get to see a character begin to trail blaze a path for herself, in a space that was constructed for two genders. Which can still be the case in so many spaces today. My hope is that they become inspired to continue stepping into their light, without feeling like they are only limited to opportunities that currently exist. We get to make our own. 

3.Did you think this role would become a beacon of representation?

Oh not at all. Initially, I was only brought into say a few lines in the pilot, carrying the story along. It wasn’t until our Showrunner told me that she would love to have me come back for season 1 did I realize that this was really happening. 

4.How do you prepare for a role like Nathaniel? Are there any similarities in what happens with your character to what you have experienced in your life? 

Before we started season 1, I had a wonderful conversation with GLAAD to really make sure I had as much information as possible. They solidified for me that all though Nathanial and I aren’t the same gender the intersectionality’s between us (specifically us both having gender non-conforming expression) was definitely bring a really important kind of authenticity to playing this role. 

To build more of her personality for season 1, I really pulled on people that I felt represented that strong outpour of love she has. Two people I really looked to were: Nicco Annan (P-Valley), who was a choreographer for the pilot, and he took time and spoke love & life into me and several other cast members. Also Michaela Jae Rodriguez (Pose), who I met briefly in New York but I will never forget how kind, present, and caring she was. 

5.Your hair is always laid, what is your secret? Is it just for the show or have you always had a flair for your hair?

When I tell you Ryan Burrell (Hair Department Head) and Dontay Savoy (who did hair for my character) came to slay. Every day! They are the secret. They are just absolutely phenomenal at what they do, and do it under the time restraints of being in production. They told me before we started the season that we have to do this right for the community, and they did the thang!

I definitely have a love for hair. It frames you, and expresses you at the same time. Dontay is someone I’m so honored to know, and continues in my personal life to always keep my hair on point. And I have EJ Hagen, who is an excellent colorist I’m so glad to work with, he also works with Beyonce. 

6.What’s next for Rhoyle?

This year a Netflix project I worked on called ‘Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ by Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan is coming out. I got to work with the brilliant Evan Peters, Shaun Brown, and Ato Blankston-Wood. Currently we’re preparing for All American: Homecoming Season 2, which comes out on The CW this fall. 

Season 1 is free on The CW app now & lands on HBO Max June 22. 

You can also keep up with me on my instagram @rhoyleivyking