Zahra Bentham Talks Netflix’s ‘Spinning Out’ and ‘Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker’ [Exclusive Interview]

Zahra Bentham, the up and coming star on Netflix’s new series, Spinning Out, is making a name for herself on Netflix projects. 

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Bentham about her role on Spinning Out as well as her upcoming project Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker. 

No matter what roles Bentham ends up landing as she moves along in her career, she always keeps in mind the level of commitment she made to get her where she is. That is something she told us she learned from her role on Self Made.

“That’s been my motto for the duration of trying to be in this industry. Just working hard and creating opportunities for myself. So I think [Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker] was more so a reminder and a confirmation that ‘you’ve made it here Zahra,'” Bentham began.

“You’ve made it here to a Netflix series opposite Octavia Spencer. You just keep going. You’re doing something right. It’s only a matter of time until you hit the next big one and the next big one.”

Bentham was adamant to include her feelings that this series is a huge step for her as an actress and a person. She felt “thrilled and honored to not only work with [Octavia Spencer and Tiffany Haddish] but to be a part of telling the story that is so monumental in history.”

It was clear from our conversation that the story of Madam CJ Walker is one that Bentham believes everyone should know. This woman was one of our nation’s first-ever self-made billionaires who also happens to be African American. 

“I hope it’s a reminder for anyone else that is trying to start a business or trying to work their way up in a company, whatever it may be, just to stay persistent,” Bentham said. 

It is these stories, the ones that are a big part of history and yet remain virtually unknown, that Bentham strives to tell more of in the future. She stated that her ideal role would be to either “do a series or a film that revolves around the badass woman character who is fighting crime or is a secret agent” or “stories that haven’t been told.”

Bentham also commented about how 2020 is the best time to be making these changes in our storytelling. “[Netflix] is great in that way, of giving a platform to speak on certain things and it couldn’t be a better time.”

“I feel like in the industry there are a lot of opportunities for black men, but not so much for black women, and so this is great. I think this is a stepping stone to more change,” she said.

It’s not just Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker that Bentham is referencing when she talks about the opportunities Netflix is creating. She was quick to also discuss the very real subject of mental health that is covered on Spinning Out.

While her character on Spinning Out, Alana, doesn’t suffer from mental illness, Bentham was able to comment on the show’s commitment to presenting an authentic image of such a diverse illness — bipolar disorder.

“I know that the creator Sam [Stratton] is very forthcoming with approaching the material in the most authentic way possible,” Bentham noted.

Even though the show was recently canceled, Bentham had a few ideas for where the show could’ve taken her character if they’d been given a Season 2. She wanted to see “[it] flesh out more of who Alana is; see her family home life,” and possibly “touching on the fact that mental health is in the black community.”  

Bentham insists on never forgetting that she is “just very grateful” to be considered for all of these monumental roles. She attributed her role on Self Made for grounding her and reminding her to “continue to push as an actor in [her] own field.”

Ultimately, Bentham would love to have the opportunity to work with Jordan Peele someday.

“Jordan [Peele] is pioneering his career and pushing the envelope in certain areas. He’s making people think about the actions we’ve chosen over the years. Working with Jordan Peele would be an absolute honor,” she said. “I would just love to just work with him.”

—

Be sure to catch Zahra Bentham on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker when it premieres March 20th on Netflix.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

 

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!