Zaire Adams shines as Andre in the Netflix teen comedy-drama series, “Freeridge.”
“Freeridge” is a coming of age comedy following sibling rivals Gloria and Ines and their friends Demi and Cameron who have unleashed a curse bringing dark misfortune into their lives. There’s a new core four in town in this On My Block spinoff series and an unforgettable adventure to be had.
The series stars Keyla Monterroso Mejia (Gloria), Bryana Salaz (Ines), Tenzing Norgay Trainor (Cam), Ciara Riley Wilson (Demi) and Peggy Blow in a new series regular role. Additional cast includes Michael Solomon, Zaire Adams, J.R. Villarreal and Jean Paul San Pedro with Paula Garcés, Eric Gutierrez, Eme Ikwuakor and Raushanah Simmons reprising their roles from “On My Block.”
Check out our interview with Zaire!
“Freeridge” season one is out. How does it feel?
Zaire: It’s a really, really great feeling because we put so much into the show. It was a really quick turnaround. We did everything in a little under three months. There was so much that went into it, so much work, so many endless nights. I’m just really happy people get to see the payoff. And it’s very surreal to kind of have my own TV show out. You know what I mean? Like, it’s like, one of the ultimate dreams come true things. So yeah, it’s a lot of great emotions going on.
I read in your bio that you are coming from Broadway to TV, and I was just wondering how does the preparation process compare?
Zaire: That’s a good question. I want to say it’s so different. It’s so different. It actually took me I want to say a few years to even get comfortable almost playing on a smaller scale because in theater, you know, you have to be big and out there and you have to reach everybody in the crowd and on TV or in movies, you know, everything kind of has to be a little bit more compact. So, I really just kind of have to train more as an actor to kind of get comfortable being on screen and it’s a totally different process. And I want to say that, for me, sometimes I kind of have to remember to be a little bit more contained. But I still think that the theater and the Broadway aspects are very much identifiable in my performance.
Before joining “Freeridge,” were you a fan of “On My Block”?
Zaire: I actually was a fan of “On My Block.” I watched every season. I actually auditioned for “On My Block” a few different times and got a few callbacks and stuff, but I never really got close to being on the show. So, it was kind of like a full circle moment to be able to do “Freeridge.”
And you play Andre on the show, how would you describe him?
Zaire: Andre is larger than life. He’s just a loving, giving, you know, eccentric character. He’s flamboyant. He’s very confident with himself. He’s very charismatic. And it’s so fun to play him because I’m very reserved as a person, honestly. He’s not, he’s very extroverted. And I love that about him. I love that he’s very bold with his stylistic choices. He tends to mix feminine and masculine choices. And he’s just very big on being a better person and healing and self worth and all of those good things. There are so many layers to Andre. I feel like even as a recurring character there’s so many layers to him, and he’s a great character to play honestly.
What is it like kind of slipping into a character that’s kind of different from you on such a regular basis?
Zaire: It’s easier than it might seem but I think that’s why I love it because it’s almost like I can put on this little invisible helmet and I’m Andre, you know what I’m saying? Like, I got to take a deep breath, maybe put on some Beyonce or Rihanna or something and I’m Andre. That’s the fun part about it, as well.
So yeah, now that the show’s out and more people are getting to watch it, what’s something that you are just so excited that people get to see?
Zaire: I’m so excited for so many different things, honestly. I’m very excited about the representation that goes on in the show. I think some people, some viewers– some things I’ve read, I feel like people are really picking up on things in the show such as grief. Gloria is really dealing with so much grief, she’s dealing with so much trauma and that definitely is an explanation as to why she acts out and says the things she says. I love the bisexual and biphobia representation of the show. And I just love that I get to play physically queer, black, gay character. It’s very important to see their representation on screen because I didn’t really get to see a lot of it when I was growing up. I actually took a lot of inspiration from Nelsan Ellis’s betrayal at Lafayette in “True Blood” because he was a great effeminate, black, queer character and I think that this shows sheds so many so much light on so many different avenues of what it’s like to be a teenager because it’s confusing and overwhelming. And I think that that’s what “Freeridge” is all about.
I couldn’t agree more, like thinking back to when I was a teenager. There’s so much that is relatable.
Zaire: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. And I feel like they just really did a good job tugging at the heartstrings just enough, you know?
Now, I know it’s still early, but has there been talk of season two yet or are you still waiting?
Zaire: I’m still waiting. I don’t know about anybody else but I’m still waiting and I’m still anticipating
Just like the rest of us.
Zaire: Yeah, we all are in the same boat, but I think we’re on a good track. So, let’s just hope for the best. Fingers crossed.
Oh, for sure. Is there anything that you would like to see for Andre in a second season?
Zaire: Oh, yes. I would love to see more singing from Andre. I was so happy and grateful that I got to utilize a bit of my vocals on the show. That was not expected, I did not intend for that to happen. It was kind of like a free thing that came along but I would love to see Andre sing some more. I would love to see more of Andre’s podcast. And I would love to see like maybe even a little bit of backstory to Andre, you know, maybe there is a bit of a reason as to why he’s so extroverted and happier than life. I feel like maybe there is something that he went through or that he’s going through. I would love to see that as well.
Oh, I would too. I love a good backstory.
Zaire: Exactly. I feel like Andre is kind of owed a backstory.
So in between getting off the high of season one and waiting for season two to be announced, are you working on anything else at the moment?
Zaire: I’m finishing up my music. It’s actually already done and I actually just filmed my debut music video, which should be coming out in early March. This is really crazy because everything, you know, “Freeridge” is still doing its thing, so I’m kind of like, as you said, riding the high of that while I’m also doing something that’s very personal to me, which is my music, and I’m about to share that with the world. So, that’s really all I’m focusing on at the moment.
That’s so cool. Can you talk a little bit more about the music video?
Zaire: Yeah. The song is called “You” and it kind of deals with a common theme that I intend to have for my music, which is kind of like a high school/college feel. And in the video I am running late to school and I come across a new student at school who is holding this teddy bear, and the entire time we never see my crush, we never see who this student is but you see me going into daydreams about them. There are kind of like some High School Musical dance aspects going on and it’s a really fun, just fun video, a very lovable video.
If people want to stay up to date with your work with your music, where can we follow you?
Zaire: You can follow me on Instagram @zaire__adams and on TikTok @zairexzami.
Awesome. Before I let you go, is there anything else you’d like to add about “Freeridge,” or your music?
Zaire: My debut EP will be called “First Semester” and that will be coming out before the summer and yeah, just keep watching Freeridge, guys!
