Season two of Batwoman is halfway through, and the stakes are getting higher to all the characters. One such character is Angelique, Batwoman’s charming and scrappy ex-lover, played by Bevin Bru. Every once in a while we get very special opportunities and today we have a very special interivew to share with you. We recently spoke to the Cuban actress, who is also a writer and fitness expert, about Angelique Martin and also about Bru herself. Read our exciting interview below:
Batwoman.tv Did you read comics before your role on Batwoman, and did you have a favorite superhero growing up?
I did not read comics because I was so intimidated by them. I thought that I would mess up the story. Words in a book are easy, you just read the words. In a comic book, it was like, "Do I do the picture first or the words? If I read the words first and not the picture, did I give the joke away? Did not land now?"
I did have like a favorite comic book kind of hero, and I still love her, it's Tank Girl.
Batwoman.tv: Yes, I love Tank Girl!
Then I saw the movie and I was like, “Oh my God. She is so kick ass!”
Batwoman.tv: Over the course of the season, Angelique has a lot of layers and she's trying so hard to make things right. What would you like to see for her growth and her future?
I want her to continue on this path of self-growth, accountability, responsibility, and to continue to develop her self-worth. Just somehow get to the same place that Ryan has gotten. Ryan found Batwoman, and in Batwoman found her true self and her real worth.
I want there to be a similar equivalent for Angelique- to give her the chance to find her purpose and let that reflect her self-worth and capabilities.
Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard
Batwoman.tv: She seems to always have to answer to ghosts of her past.
She's made a lot of wrong choices with the best of intentions.
Batwoman.tv: Does that make her even more of a redeemable character?
I believe so. There's nothing more relatable than a person intending to do good and unintentionally doing wrong by someone. It’s almost unavoidable.
You think you're doing the best you can, but somebody else still gets hurt, or somebody else still judges you, or you somehow still fall short. That's one of the most relatable things, especially in this day and age: we're all trying to do right by everybody, yet we still find ourselves falling short.
Batwoman.tv: How did you approach Angelique’s personality and backstory? Did you take inspiration from others or your own life experiences?
When I first got the role, I called the showrunner, Caroline, trying to get a feel for the character. We kind of came up with her vibe being Aladdin meets Gia, from the Angelina Jolie movie. Angelique has this kind of sexy dangerousness to her, but she's also scrappy like Aladdin.
Since she was raised in the foster care system, I watched some documentaries to see the children interviewed and their experiences so I can kind of have a polling point for her.
Batwoman.tv: What do you hope fans take away from Angelique’s story?
I feel like Angelique is so realistic because she makes a choice, and then it fails or blows up in her face (the way life does happen)! But she somehow finds a way to fix it or to use it.
I hope it inspires people. It really doesn't matter where you're at right now or what you've done in your past. You can move past the obstacle. You have that strength in you.
It also speaks to Ryan's support! Without her, I don't think Angelique would have gotten as far as she got. Period. It highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who love you unconditionally, support you, patient with you, and can see the bigger picture better than yourself.
Photo Credit: The CW
Batwoman.tv: What do you hope fans take away from your own story?
If you have a dream in life, you must keep pursuing it. I've been going for almost 10 years, and it's taken me 10 years to get this first TV role. If you have a plan and a goal, just keep consistently putting one foot in front of the other and it's inevitable that you will succeed.
Batwoman.tv: You’re a huge advocate for representation in the Cuban and LGBTQIA communities. What have you learned along the way, and how can fans help promote more representation in Hollywood?
What I've learned about myself along the way is that I just get more and more proud to be who I am. I just feel proud to be a Cuban and to be on the CW show—it just feels good for my people.
If you want change, it starts with the ground up. If you want to see more diversity, you must write more diverse stories. It's not just about remaking old stories, throwing in a diverse cast, and calling it a day. It's about reading new stories that come from the culture, or from the experience of a diverse pool, not like “Hey! Let’s remake the same old white story with a diverse cast.” Sorry, that’s a cop out.
We want to hear their story and experiences, their POV, and their take. That's what matters. It’s interesting and important—and lacking.
Batwoman.tv: You're also passionate about health and wellness. Do you think being in quarantine has affected you or the way you approach teaching others? How did you stay connected and motivated?
I don't know, I'm one of the lucky ones. Quarantine just completely revitalized my whole approach and relationship with health and wellness. As an actress and a trainer, you’re running around 24/7 trying to do three auditions; then go teach three classes; get your workout in; get some sleep; and get your meditation. So, when quarantine happened. It just took away so much of the external noise. I was able to wake up and take the time to meditate, do the morning pages, and to workout.
When I would teach my class, they were shorter classes. So, I went to Instagram to help me stay accountable. I was doing free one-hour mini classes two to three times a week on Instagram Live for anyone who wanted to join. I just had a lot of fun being able to personally connect with a wider net of people who were taking classes with me!
When it comes to health and wellness, you must prioritize it. I know it's hard for a lot of people, but you must find a way. I know it sounds dramatic, but it really is life and death.
Batwoman.tv:: I agree! *secretly wearing yesterday’s shirt and sweatpants*
Once you start to like honor and respect yourself, it's just so funny how the universe starts to say, “Hey, this person's now ready for more of what they actually want, not just more of the noise.”
Batwoman.tv: What would you like to say to Batwoman fans who are eager to see what happens later in the season? Is there anything you can tease?
All I can say is, “Holy. Shiz. Buckle up, baby! Buckle the F up!”
Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard
We’d like to thank Bevin for taking time to speak to us, and we can’t wait to watch the rest of season two unfold. Remember, Batwoman returns on Sunday with the new time being 9:00pm.
Let us know what you think in the comments below and in the forum! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter.
Comments
I think she will return at some point, that wasn't the end of her character on the show.
And yeah, after Black Mask is down....it would make sense.
After all Ryan/Batwoman needs a girlfriend, and it's either Angelique or Sophie
And she does look really stunning on the 2 pictures by Bobby Quillard!
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I follow her on social media (like the rest of the cast) and she seems like a very sympathetic woman to me.
Like many others, I had my issues with Angelique at first, as her criminal character was a real thread to Ryan. But lately, as she was willing to take the full blame on that murder to save Ryan from Black Mask...she gained a lot of plus points! I am starting to like her much more....
I do have my theory about her future in the show, but more on that in the forum.