EXCLUSIVE | 'Sneakerheads' star Jearnest Corchado wants to play Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and be 'badass' filmmaker
Netflix's soul for 'sole' show 'Sneakerheads' has fared well since its release on September 25. The much-hyped show is a humorous tale that explores a fetish for sneakers, the statement shoewear, that has a cult following and is traded in the most unimaginably underground way.
The show had a lot of cliffhangers, but the main highlight was whether or not the 'one-eyed unicorn' sneakers could land the most profitable deal. As the show ended and is expecting its Season 2 release after fetching good ratings, MEAWW spoke with lead actress Jearnest Corchado, who essayed the role of ultra-cool and fearless shoe trader Nori.
Tell us about your role as a Sneakerhead on the show. What attracted you to it and how did you prepare for it?
For me, Nori is a powerhouse. She’s boss and a badass and she doesn’t try to be cool -- she is cool. She is all style and attitude. She is always sharp and doesn’t drop her guard easily. Ever since she realized there’s a certain power in knowing how to get things, specifically dope sneakers, she has been running the streets and being the sneaker hook up for Hollywood’s biggest stars. What attracted me to Nori was how confident and fearless she is. She is not afraid to challenge the patriarchy. She is an insanely strong young woman, who will stand up for herself, speak her mind, and move mountains whenever she needs to. Nori came naturally to me. I felt like I understood her right away. She is someone who has a really good heart but has needed to become strong and guarded at a young age. I feel like I could relate to that. I moved to Los Angeles right after I graduated high school, so I had to become independent and strong kind of quickly. I think I am very kind but I’m also not afraid to speak my mind and stand up for what I believe in. I think Nori and I are similar in that way. However, I don’t think I am as street smart or as tough as she is. I feel like she can be a little bit more serious and intimidating than me… I had to tone down my bubbly personality for this one. [laughs]
In terms of preparation, I booked the role two days before I needed to be shooting on set so I couldn’t prepare much beforehand. I had to be present and on my feet and had to learn a lot about sneakers since Nori knows everything about them. I am the complete opposite of that, so I really had to do the homework and try to become as familiar with the sneaker culture as I possibly could.
What is the one thing about this show that has attracted viewers the most?
All the cameos! I think that was probably the coolest thing about our show and we also got to bring a lot of famous Hollywood stars and athletes on 'Sneakerheads'.
In a recent Facebook post, you mentioned how you enjoy collaborations in the acting arena, especially connecting, listening, responding, and being truly present. What does acting mean to you and how do you select your roles? Is there any remarkable incident in your life that instilled the passion to become an actress?
I think acting has been a part of my life since the moment I was born. I was always really creative, talkative, and empathetic as a child, which has drawn me to this craft. I’ve always been very interested in humans, in our brains, in how we think and how we become the people we are. I’m a very philosophical and curious person, and I think acting fulfills me in that way. It never gets boring. I am continually questioning, digging deeper, and growing as a human and an actor. “Acting is being”, It’s a way of exploring my own mind, and understand other’s minds. I think certain roles are just meant to be yours. I fall in love with roles that I connect with and get drawn to characters that are fearless and somewhat heroic.
You have worked with both male and female directors in films and TV shows like ‘The Blacklist’ (2013), ‘The Summoned’ (2015), ‘Cucuy: The Boogeyman’ (2018), and Little America’ (2020). How did the experience differ? What are your comments on the representation of women as directors and actors in the entertainment industry?
I’ve been very blessed to work with both genders. I’ve had wonderful female directors and male directors and if I’m being honest, most of my best work happens when I work with a female director. They can be a lot more understanding, insightful, and at times, better communicators. As a woman myself, I also think I feel more protected in the process. We definitely need a lot more women directors. It should be 50/50 across the board. Women have feminine energy that can be very beautiful to have on set. It can be calming and almost motherly. That energy benefits the creative process much more than we (women) have been given credit for!
What message are you trying to convey when you refer to yourself as a future “badass” filmmaker? Tell us why you’d like to delve into direction and production. Which directors and actors inspire you the most?
I decided to become a producer because I wanted to have a voice and I wanted to be able to create more work for people like me. As a filmmaker, I want to stand up for what I believe in. I wish to produce and direct projects that are complex, that explore the human condition, and those that have a strong female voice. I want to create opportunities for women and people of color. I want to be unapologetic in my work and create projects that change people’s lives and perspectives for the better. That’s the deeper message I’m trying to convey when I say I want to be a future “badass” filmmaker.
I want to be fearless with my work and I think I’ve already started to do so. I’ve directed and produced a couple of shorts and produced a short film called 'We Were Kids' that has been doing extremely well in the festival circuit. The film is a coming-of-age drama that follows the life of a young Latina girl as she loses her childhood innocence and starts to question her social status as a person of color after a police officer pulls his gun on her best friend. I decided to produce this film because it was based on true events and I felt a big responsibility to bring awareness to these social injustices that have become so common for people of color in the United States. The directors that inspire me are Aurora Guerrero, Ava DuVernay, Quentin Tarantino, Alfred Hitchcock, Jessica McMunn, Olivia Wilde, and Greta Gerwig. The actors that inspire me are Jim Carrey, Joaquin Phoenix, Viola Davis, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks, and Reese Witherspoon.
You hail from Puerto Rico and have done a film on the lives of immigrants in the United States. How far do you personally relate to such stories, given your Latin American roots? What kind of stories would you like to see in the industry?
I completely relate [to them]. Immigrant stories include my story. I’m an immigrant and I’m also a very complex human being. I seek stories that push our real narratives, narratives that are three dimensional, complex, and truly magical! I want our stories to be portrayed like any other “mainstream” blockbuster film as authentic, and celebratory as they can and as grounded in our realities as possible. I hope we continue to celebrate our immigrant heroes in cinema as I don’t want to see us as victims, or drug dealers, or “the help.” In fact, I want to see us in every light. Cinema has so much power and if younger immigrant kids get to see themselves represented as heroes, then it will inspire them to become those heroes. That way, cinema has a huge responsibility in the outcome of our society. We just need a broader platform and more opportunity!
What is your dream role? Is there any specific movie or TV show you’d like to feature in?
I’d love to be a superhero on the big screen one day. I’d also love to portray Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in her biopic. I’d love to be part of action films, romcoms, blockbusters… I want to do it all! I have so much to give [laughs]. This is just the beginning!
When not acting, what keeps you busy? Tell us about any future projects that are lined up?
I love writing music. It is my second love. I’m usually at the studio making music, or at the beach trying to surf or camping, or doing road trips, or learning a new skill. I love to explore and try everything! Right now, I’m in the process of developing my projects and hopefully, I will be making a deal with a studio very soon. More on that later!
'Sneakerheads' Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.