Travina Springer Talks: Ms. Marvel, Diverse Representation, and Comedy.

Travina Springer is an actress/comedian on the rise. She has been featured on television and streaming platforms such as CBS’ Life in Pieces, Paramount+’s Strange Angel, and BET’s Comic View. The actress has appeared in the film, The Mule. Now, she is stepping into a new and exciting role showcasing diverse representation. In a recent interview, we discussed her new role on Disney+ and Marvel’s, Ms. Marvel as Tyesha Hillman (the wife of Aamir Khan), her love for acting, her views on censoring comedians, and more!

KH: While I’m sure many already have you on their radar, tell us a little bit about yourself?

Travina: I am an actress and comedian. I’m originally from the area of Orlando, FL, and I studied comedy sketches. I did that at UCB [Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre] for a little bit. I am fluent in American Sign Language. I’m a Cancer. I think it’s important for people to center their wellness. I am on Ms. Marvel, which is now streaming on Disney+.

KH: I read that your father was an Army Military Intelligence Officer — and you moved to various parts of the country before settling in Florida. What was it like for you to move from place to place?

Travina: As a kid, it was exciting to always be in a new place, but a little bit annoying because we would move in the summer, and my birthday is in the summer. I think it helped me learn to adapt and figure out the lay of the land of new places. I became really flexible, and I got used to meeting new people and code-switching – which is maybe not a great thing, but I got a lot of survival skills out of doing that. It also taught me a lot of acceptance of diversity and differences because people are different in different parts of the country.

KH: You ultimately went to Florida State University for Communication Studies and fell in love with acting during your time there — what initially drew you into acting?

Travina: I know it sounds so cliche, but I think I was always a performer since I was a child. I would do things like making my family watch me perform. In fifth grade, we had a school play, and I dove in and took it very seriously – everything from the costumes and the way my character would stand and walk. I always knew I wanted to move to California to be an actor, but my family was like you need to go to college. Luckily for me, Florida State has an amazing theater program and film school. So, when I wasn’t focusing on my studies, I would dabble in either.

KH: After graduating, you moved to LA to pursue acting full-time. Did you have any doubts or reservations about your decision, or were you fully immersed in following your passion?

Travina: That is a great question. I think anyone embarking on a new journey and taking the risk to go after your dream would have a bit of trepidation about that. I was nervous. It was my first time living away from my family. I actually drove across the country with my dad. It was so cute. I remember leaving him at the airport; I was like, I’m here now. So yes, I was nervous, but there was no doubt that this was the right thing to do. I did not have a backup plan. I had my mind set up that I was going to LA, and I was going to be an actress.

KH: You are able to call yourself an actress, comedian, and writer. Is there one role you enjoy most, and why?

Travina: At the heart of it, I’m always going to be a performer. I love performing, whether it’s acting, stand-up, or storytelling. I also think there’s power in creating things. You have ownership, and no one can really capture your voice but yourself. I think being able to write my own material and take something from conception and then bring it to life — there’s no feeling you can compare to that, and that’s exciting. I enjoy the fact that I can create, write, and perform other people’s work.

KH: Do you alter your comedic approach to accommodate the wave of sensitivity?

Travina: No. When I approach comedy or writing, I come from the heart, and I try to be mindful. I don’t believe in punching down. When artists do and say offensive things, they should take that into account. I don’t believe that artists should necessarily be censored. The audience has the power and the right to speak up and say, we don’t like this, or this is not okay. Comedy evolves, and sensibilities change. Jokes that were appropriate in 1980 are no longer appropriate in 2022.

KH: What was it like joining Disney and Marvel Universe?

Travina: Oh, it was amazing, like a dream opportunity. To play a character in a groundbreaking, important, and huge project for the culture — a character that is specifically important for me on a personal level, it’s the greatest gift that I could have gotten.

KH: What can you tell us about your character, Tyesha?

Travina: I would describe her as this strong, intelligent, unapologetically, witty, Black Muslim woman who is not afraid of choosing her own path. She loves her family, and she’s a black girl nerd, which I think is fun. She is a character that’s layered, and you’ve never seen a black woman like this before, not on this level.

KH: How do you feel you relate to the character?

Travina: Tyesha Hillman in the comics is a convert to Islam, and I am a convert to Islam as well. I have never auditioned for a character I felt so in alignment with. That was really exciting. When I saw the breakdown, I was like, this is me. The fact that she’s very unapologetic in her choice, faith, and this beautiful love that she has. I connect with her on the level of I made this choice, and it was the best choice for me, and I’m very unapologetic.

KH: Is there anything you can tell us as we anticipate new weekly episodes? What can fans expect to see throughout this season of Ms. Marvel?

Travina: Viewers can continue to expect to see a representation of culture throughout the series, and there will also be action. It’s a lot of fun. Something special about this series is just how important the role of Kamala’s family is to her. I really can’t wait for people to see how that plays out throughout the series and how she blossoms into her superhero.

KH: Lastly, are there any additional projects you’re currently working on that you can tell us about?

Travina: I am, and I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about it, but I’m excited. One thing, on a personal note, is that I am working on my first solo show. I’m excited and terrified all at the same time. It’s the biggest personal project I’ve ever worked on. I’ll be putting it out later this year. It will be a combination of storytelling and stand-up, and yeah, it’s going to be a ride.

While we certainly look forward to all that’s in store for Travina Springer and her future endeavors, be sure to check out Ms. Marvel, streaming now on Disney+, with new episodes released weekly.