Wicked City’s Chanel Mack Talks Working With Vanessa Bell Calloway and Making Denzel Washington’s Son Love Her

Let me first say when I discovered Wicked City was about Witches that are African American I was like about time we get to see a all black cast in these types of roles. However I also thought this was perfect for Chanel Mack baby!

JFH: Now I know Chanel Mack the go getter from the Bronx but who is Chanel Mack the actress? 

CM: Chanel the actress… she’s the same as Chanel the go getter. I’m that same girl… I’ve always been super driven when it comes to my goals. Once I made this my goal it was full steam ahead! 

CM: Tell me about your character Sherise and how do you relate to her?

JFH: Sherise is a Nigerian American witch who is very experienced. She has the power of mind control, so she uses that to her advantage as an exotic dancer.  

CM: I relate to sherise on so many levels. Without giving too much away, you will see that sherise is more than just a baddie. She’s very caring and very loving … which can sometimes be hard to see behind her tough exterior. I’m the same way… I come off as tough, but I’m really a lamb. Lol

JFH: How much fun did you have on set of wicked City playing a witch with super powers? 

CM: OMG! It was like being in a magic store. It was so much fun.  And since I’m a method actor I was actually on set trying to convince ppl to do things for me … it worked! I would get foot rubs from the grips. (They of course consented lol) 

JFH: What was it like working with one of our greats Vanessa Bell Calloway? 

CM: Big Nessa! Vanessa was such a gem on set. She literally plays a mentor in the show and she was a mentor in real life. She guided me through anything that I had an issue with. I love Vanessa. 

JFH: Who are some of your inspirations as far as actresses? 

CM: Whew I have a long list… but I’ll give you my short list. Dorothy Dandridge (the original bombshell ) Cicely Tyson, Whoopi Goldberg (the first dark woman I remember seeing on tv) Jamie Lee Curtis and the incomparable Viola Davis. 

JFH: What’s your take on the current state of black Hollywood or rather our place as of black people in Hollywood? 

CM: We are not only taking our seats at the table, we are building our own tables. This is a beautiful time in Hollywood right now.  We have black people in the writers room, in the board rooms, infront the camera behind the camera… we are everywhere. And I love it! In 100 years I believe this era will be considered a black Hollywood renaissance

JFH: What are your goals as an up and coming Actress? 

CM: My goal is to inspire. I hope that I can put myself in a position where little black girls and boys from the ghetto can see me and know that they can do whatever they set their minds to. I saw that as a child … that’s the reason I’m here today. I want to be that! 

JFH: What are your top 5 black sitcoms? 

CM: WICKED CITY, WICKED CITY, WICKED CITY, WICKED CITY WICKED CITY (in my dylon voice). 

No. Ok top 5 black sitcoms. 227, the Cosby show, Roc (lol I’m showing my age), living single, and Good Times. (Shout out to Norman Lear) 

JFH: Now here’s a good one for you Chanel. Who’s your ideal male actor that you would like to shoot a bucket naked love scene with? 

CM: JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON!!!!!!!! I love him so much… and let me tell you, he’d love me too. Me and his mother have the same birthday … you know John David love his momma.