Leticia Wright opens up about imposter syndrome

Actress Leticia Wright has stepped into the director’s chair with her short film “Highway to the Moon”. Read further on Dynamite News

London: Actress Leticia Wright, best known for her roles in "Black Panther", "Small Axe" and "Death on the Nile", has stepped into the director's chair with her short film "Highway to the Moon", reports Dynamite News correspondent.

The project premiered at the South London Film Festival, earning critical curiosity and became a focal point of discussion during Wright's appearance at the inaugural SXSW London.

On Wednesday, she shared that she had to overcome “impostor syndrome” and “humble myself” to be ready for the directing reins. And she had to “team up with people with the experience willing to teach me,” from the directing lingo to technical aspects, she told the inaugural SXSW London on Wednesday.

In front of an excited crowd, Wright recalled that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler told her one day: “You will be directing soon.” She said her reaction was: “You are mad!” But his “prophecy” was repeated by a famous actor, whom she didn’t name, within days, and it ended up coming true.

Her fascination with cinema began during adolescence. “I became a cinephile at age 13,” she shared. I watched all these films from Limewire. … I was kind of a loner.” “It’s about legacy and purpose,” the star shared about how she approaches “quote, unquote fame.” And she added: “I want to leave an impact, and I want you to have a great time."

Speaking of fame, Wright highlighted that “it takes a very strong person” to handle the tougher parts of fame, given that not all people are always respectful. “They don’t give us the grace to be human,” she said.

When asked to reflect on her career highlights, Wright expressed appreciation for her entire body of work, though she singled out her performance in Danai Gurira's stage play "The Convert" at London's Young Vic Theatre as a particularly transformative experience. In the play she portrayed Jekesai/Ester, a role that allowed her to explore complex emotions on stage.

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage also spoke on the panel, entitled “Women in the Room,” at the Truman Brewery in the Shoreditch neighborhood of the British capital that was part of the festival’s first-ever European edition.

SXSW London runs through June 7. Penske Media, the parent company of The Hollywood Reporter, is the majority stakeholder of SXSW.