Once I discovered art and music, I was able to channel the energy that was more than likely just undiagnosed ADHD into something focused and constructive.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the pleasure to interview Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah.
Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah is a Toronto-based actor, writer, director and filmmaker whose work is rooted in bold storytelling, representation and amplifying underrepresented voices. She stars as Zari in the Crave Original comedy series Slo Pitch, adding to an extensive screen career that includes Coroner, Y: The Last Man, The Last of Us, American Gods, What We Do in the Shadows, Workin’ Moms, Really Happy Someday and Sugar Daddy. A three-season Stratford Festival performer, Khadijah has also appeared on some of Canada’s most celebrated stages, including Crow’s Theatre. Behind the camera, she co-wrote and starred in P!GS and wrote, produced, directed and starred in DEFUND, which premiered at TIFF, was named one of TIFF’s Top Ten Canadian Short Films and became a Vimeo Staff Pick. Through her production company, 2Skins Entertainment, Khadijah continues to create work that challenges conventional ideas around visibility and inclusivity while making space for perspectives historically left at the margins.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Thank you so much for inviting me to chat with you. I was born in Suriname and came to Canada with my parents when I was three years old. So I really had my feet in two worlds as a child. I was learning Spice Girls and Madonna choreography with my friends, while also listening to a lot of old school reggae with my mom and Maestro Fresh Wes with my father. I was a child of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora who tried really hard to assimilate into Canadian culture, and now every fiber of my being is informed by a global identity.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was the overly chatty kid in school who dreaded parent-teacher conferences, because then my parents were sure to find out that I was spending more time distracting my classmates with my tomfoolery than I was focusing on my studies. Once I discovered art and music, I was able to channel the energy that was more than likely just undiagnosed ADHD into something focused and constructive.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I don’t know how interesting this is, but my second short film, and my directorial debut, DEFUND, premiered at TIFF with a budget of $1500 in 2021, and I’m still riding those laurels five years later. At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, my dear friend, J Stevens, who also happens to be one of the creators of Slo Pitch, reached out to me with an offer to support my voice with their craft and skills if there was anything I wanted to say in response to the global pandemic(s). And that’s how DEFUND was born. The project was co-written/directed/produced and performed by me and Araya Mengesha and J Stevens was our cinematographer and editor. We ended up playing at over fifteen international festivals, and were named one of TIFF’s Top Ten Canadian Short Films of the year as well as a Vimeo Staff Pick and a Short of the Week. The success from that little short really opened a lot of doors for us and the entire experience taught me that it pays to believe in a small idea.
It has been said that mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
This was more recent than the start of my career, but I was performing in Something Rotten at the Stratford Festival in 2024. I got to play this really cool gender swapped version of Lord Clapham. I worked with the director, Donna Feore, to craft this bombshell of a woman, Lady Clapham, who makes several scene stealing entrances. My entire costume, designed by Michael Gianfrancesco, was the most exquisite thing I’ve ever worn on stage. It was gorgeous, but it was also so large that I needed a special stool in my dressing room and had to go through doors sideways. It was also so long that I had to do a high kick to clear the bottom of my dress before stepping up onto a platform for one of my scenes. Well, one day the dress got caught under my shoe, and I fell. Very slowly. Into the splits, with one leg on the platform and the other leg on the step below. Now I am far from a flexible person, so were it not for the male ensemble members who came to my rescue, we would have had to bring the curtain down and end the show right there. I guess the lesson there is to make sure you stretch before every show, because you can never be too prepared for a drop-split.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Slo Pitch is truly one of my favourite projects that I’ve ever worked on. To see this show go from a scrappy web series to a half-hour network comedy is a dream come true. I’m so proud of the creators and everyone involved in pushing this project forward at every step of its journey. It’s a true testament to what Canadian artists are capable of, and I’m so excited for the world to see it.
I’m also involved in a short film titled Revel that’s just starting its journey on the festival circuit. It’s directed by Mishki Vaccaro, Megan Follows serves as our EP as well as a performer in the short, and it’s another example of the tenacity and resourcefulness of Canadian filmmakers. Instead of waiting for permission to create something, we piled into a few vehicles and drove down to Nova Scotia, where we spent four intense days with a crew of four to make something that we’re really proud of.
As a rising star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated and overcome obstacles in your career?
I don’t really like to perpetuate the ‘starving artist’ trope, but I can’t deny that the inconsistency of this career can be challenging to deal with at times. There have been points in my career where I’ve gone months between contracts, and that can be stressful, but I think that one of the only ways to get through that, aside from managing your finances appropriately, is to maintain a positive mindset. The moment I’m no longer able to remain confident that another job will come my way is when I know it’s time to pack it in.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
- Diversity is sexy.
- Homogeneity is boring.
- A perpetual lack of diversity feeds into the ignorant and closed minded ideologies that go on to harm individuals who exist in the margins of society and further upholds systems that oppress those individuals.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
1. Find and nourish at least one hobby that’s not related to your job. It’s so uninspiring to spend time with other creatives whose only pastime is talking about the projects they’re currently working on.
2. Learn to take breaks when you need them. I think we left glorifying burnout in 2016, right?
3. Living is learning. Try new things and challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Storytelling is as much inspired by lived experiences as it is by imagination.
4. Learn to say no and trust that you don’t always have to explain yourself.
5. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
I try to maintain a steady practice of journaling, meditation, and pilates, but sometimes I just need to go for a long walk with my voice memo app open. If you see me walking down the street, mumbling a stream of consciousness into my phone, don’t you worry about me; it’s just part of my “process”.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would start a movement to shame bigots into obscurity. I think if we try hard enough, we can collectively shift the public response to any act of downright nastiness towards something so devastating and embarrassing that people are left with no choice but to reflect on why they possess the need to make others feel small.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’m sorry, but I can’t pick just one. What comes to mind is a category of individuals: directors. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great directors throughout my career. Whether in theatre, film, or voiceover work, I can identify many moments where a director has really honed in on the task of refining a moment with me. The best directors don’t just dictate what the blocking is or give you a line read; they collaborate with you or craftfully lead you towards the specific moment that’s needed to tell the story at hand. I’m grateful for every moment that a director has looked me in the eye or patted me on the back and let me know that we’re in it to win it together.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
This is so narcissistic, but I’m going to quote myself: ‘the body dictates the need’. I dropped that line in a group chat recently when someone had to bail on a creative meeting because they were feeling sick, and I’ve been ruminating on it since. I’m no wellness influencer, but I really think that there’s benefit in slowing down and listening to what your body is trying to tell you.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Viola Davis, if you’re reading this, I can’t wait to play you in your biopic one day.
How can our readers follow you online?
I’m @djpaulydij on all platforms
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Tavares Beverly ( www.tavaresbeverly.com ) is the Founder and CEO of Beverly Boy Productions, a national video production company that has helped organizations tell their stories through video for more than two decades. Over the course of his career, he has worked with everyone from Fortune 500 executives and healthcare professionals to politicians, nonprofit leaders, educators, and artists, gaining a unique perspective on the role communication plays in leadership, business, and human connection. A frequent contributor on topics including communication, entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development, Tavares believes that the ability to communicate effectively is one of the most valuable skills a person can develop. His work is driven by a passion for helping organizations connect with their audiences and helping individuals unlock their potential through mentorship, perseverance, and meaningful relationships. To learn more, connect with Tavares on LinkedIn or visit www.BeverlyBoy.com . If you’re interested in using the power of storytelling and communication to grow your organization, strengthen your brand, or inspire your audience, he welcomes the opportunity to connect.
