While in Los Angeles during the Black Panther world premiere I had the chance to sit down with Daniel Kaluuya and Leticia Wright during a roundtable interview filled with laughter and a dose of reality.

During the first five minutes of the interview, I learned that Daniel and Leticia are like brother and sister they’ve known one another for a long time. To prepare physically for their roles in Black Panther they each had to participate in sword training. Here is what Daniel had to say ” we did a lot of sword training from scratch. I think what was amazing, everyone had to have their own fighting style that reflects their character. We did a lot on the on the fly that’s why the film is so amazing.”

I was thrilled to hear their reactions regarding social media and how in London the goal is to work and walk away with the hopes of empowering others never to look back. I thought this was a great perspective to have especially when you’re working hard and critics are watching sometimes stating out of the spotlight is a good thing. They’re both still young and deserve to enjoy their personal lives off the set.

Leticia was able to do a little honest ad lib with her script which at times made us cry and laugh in the audience during the world premiere. In person her personality was huge and her smile was bright and welcoming.

When asked what message they would like to get across watching the film Black Panther, their response made me smile. “I understood the magnitude of Shuri in this, in the comic books. I understood where her arc is and where her journey is and it’s huge. But, what I had to do was take a dose out of the books and just be humble.” Leticia had a lot more to say, but her goal was to inspire others and be a vessel by the grace of God.

Here’s what Daniel had to say ” it’s about joy, it’s about brother and sister, it’s about family, it’s about community, it’s about pride. I think so many people are just so excited about being represented in a film and so for us this is just an amazing accomplishment. But, you are representing a black princess on film and you are modernizing in a way that girls I think around the world, and boys too, are gonna be so excited about. I didn’t even think about approaching this like wow I’m actually gonna be inspiring people and I’m gonna be a black princess on screen.’ said Danel with the biggest grin ever on his face. Everyone in the room sat quietly for a second and smiles before heading out for a group photo.

The interview with Daniel and Leticia was down to earth and straight to the point. They were super easy to relate to and you can tell they both enjoyed speaking with us. When it was time to go they ask to stay haha! Since this is a no spoiler interview stay tune I’ll be added back more of the interview after the premiere of Black Panther on 2/16.

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to take his rightful place as King. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

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BLACK PANTHER arrives in theatres everywhere on February 16, 2018!