Black women are judged on everything the moment they set foot on a court, Thea says, and Simone cant get psyched out so easily if she wants to be a serious contender. During the series premiere of All American: Homecoming, we saw that Simone has a tough start to life as a college student. It's great for people to be able to see her outside of what she's attached to, which are her relationships, so give people an opportunity to really be able to connect with her, and build a relationship with her. Feb 21, 2022, 09:00 AM EST | Updated Jul 20, 2022. Whether they are friends, love interests, or foes,All American: Homecoming's cast includes plenty of recognizable characters from the backdoor pilot. All American: Layla's Season 4 Move Could Set Up Jordan Romance. Since Simone's introduction inAll American season 2, she's been an integral part of Jordan Baker's story. Still, Simone should have had some room to develop onAll American before crossing over toAll American: Homecoming. All American airs on The CW Mondays at 8 p.m. The writer notes that for years, shes had conversations with her friends about different types of emotional relationships, friendships and boundaries. The pressure explodes in a very emotional scene with Damon. Follow Cooper on Twitter @MovieCooper. She's carefree, self-fulling in mind, body, and spirit, she's diligent to her dream and to her voice. All American: Homecoming can do more with her character than the original series had the opportunity to, and should use that chance to create meaningful storylines and relationships for her. I trained with Debbie Allen at the Alvin Alley Dance Academy, so. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. She calls Simone out for not scheduling the time sooner or showing Coach Loni her dedication. At the end of the episode, Simone breaks up with Jordan in a letter after an emotional conversation where the young couple is very honest about how they've grown apart. Simone's tennis journey is about her coming into her own. It's no secret that Las Vegas special episodes always make up for excitement and simultaneously, worries because of the city's reputation. I remember being extremely emotional and just channeling loss and [what] it means to lose something. All American Season 3 Episode 17 Review: All American: Homecoming Oh, and an important development for the mothership series: Spencer and Olivia are finally getting together, yall! Offers may be subject to change without notice. But as a character notes a couple of episodes into its brand-new spinoff, All American: Homecoming, college is a different ballgame, honey. The next day, Thea finds Simone practicing on the campus tennis courts, and though Theas still got a serious catty streak, she gives Simone some advice on how to perfect her form. Michael and I were both in our heads about the breakup scene because we know how pivotal the characters are. Everything was always about someone else and in that moment Damon supports her in doing what she wants. New Romance Brewing on Superman, Fox News 8 pm Viewership Down Sharply Since Tucker Carlson's Ouster, Stephen Amell Doesn't Think He's Done Playing Green Arrow. It's a testament to something [creator Nkechi Okoro Carroll] wanted to talk about, because she is young and trying to figure herself out. Simone hears about the event and everyone's aversion to throwing a party for Keisha. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was it like to return to All American and reunite with the cast? There's a nice dynamic between the two and they'll be able to teach other things. Her challenges are built not from dramatic developments but from the compounding burdens of relatively minor setbacks a housing snafu, a disappointing practice, a keen bout of homesickness. They might not be married anymore, but Jordan and Simone's relationship is as strong as ever heading into her spinoff show. One thing I love about Thea is no matter how she comes off, she wants the same thing we want. She is portrayed by Camille Hyde. When they arrive, the room is empty except for a few male students playing video games, Keisha, and Nate. To explore Black families, especially Black motherhood and sisterhood is important. Related:All American: What [SPOILER]'s Survival Means For Season 4. She's so consumed in [tennis], and Simone will offer her balance as she tries to have a life, be a mom and succeed in tennis. When you're meeting new people, you don't know how [they] are going to take your truth. ET on the CW. It is going to be a huge test of the genuine friendship that we believe Thea and Simone have created with each other. Simone sets up a surprise party for Thea when a girl arrives hoping to study. Amara and Simone talk about Simone's mom a few times. Being able to be exposed to an environment of people that look like her and come from different backgrounds opens her eye to life, to Black excellence. Simone is attracted to her Aunt Amara because she's so different than her mother. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Thats what were really exploring with them, but again, theyre also 18 and super attractive people and life is messy. They discuss Queen of the Court, a tradition at Bringston. The most pertinent details: Simone is an ambitious tennis player from Beverly Hills starting her freshman year at Bringston, a historically Black university in Atlanta, with support from her journalism-professor aunt Amara (Kelly Jenrette) but against the wishes of her Ivy League-obsessed parents. Initially she says she's fine and tries to push through, but the heartbreak has an impact on most areas of her life, including tennis. Beyond his role in theAll American universe, audiences might also know Michael Evans Behling for his role inGrey's Anatomy andA Cinderella Story: Starstruck. Netta Walker previously appeared inChicago Fire. She visited Bringston University for the weekend with Jordan, Spencer, and Olivia Baker. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action Little Mermaid with a new generation's Ariel. When are friendships too close? Simone insists shes only spending the weekend to see her aunt but the school clearly grows on her while shes there, too. Kelly Jenrette as Amara and Geffri Maya as Simone. The CW is plotting a spinoff of its football-themed high school drama series All American . Sorry. It's time for her to take charge of who she is and [who] she wants to be. Simone, who was introduced inAll Americans second season, is currently a senior at Beverly High. Simone and Thea head to the party together where Thea agrees to feign surprise. Simone admits she made a mistake by projecting her birthday wishes onto Thea, instead of listening to her wishes. All American: Homecoming| Simone and Mom makeup - YouTube How would you say this visit changes Simone? At the moment, Simone is working on herself, but I am curious what can you say about how she'll navigate Damon and Thea's budding relationship? Watch All American on Mondays at 8 p.m. The emotional entanglement she has with Damon back at school is what she sees in Layla and Jordan, even if Jordan doesn't. It has to be earned. Leonard Roberts has also been inThe MagiciansandMajor Crimes. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Her mother refuses to pay for housing, so she moves in with her aunt, Amara Patterson (Kelly Jenrette), and a night of partying costs her a strong start to her collegiate tennis career. Real-life inspiration notwithstanding, The CWs All American seemed to fit pretty squarely into the template of high school dramas set in ultra-posh neighborhoods. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! (And in a plot twist, Marcus, the teams assistant head coach, was the one to tip off Amara about the cheating in the first place, sacrificing his job in the name of integrity.). But Homecoming seems to know what Simone doesnt: that that very capacity for growth and change can be the core of a winning identity. It was beautiful because it allowed Peyton and I to continue to build out a relationship where [we] can depend on each other as actors. What was shooting the backdoor pilot like? The different experiences and backgrounds of the characters make this melting pot of stories about people who deserve to be represented, ultimately. Simone wants to get back to practicing, so Thea reminds her that real practice starts tomorrow and since the NCAA limits coaches hours, shell be running the drills, and her opinion does matter. Everyone loves a frenemy situation and this takes it to another level. He graduated college in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Media & Public Communication, with a minor in Media Production. It really did feel like a breakup. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. He is an elite baseball prospect from Chicago who turned down a shot to play professionally to help Bringston's baseball program regain prominence. Every year Cooper looks forward to seeing the latest blockbusters from the likes of Marvel, DC, and Star Wars, but also loves the rush to catch up on Oscar films near the end of the year. The trajectory we see with Simone from season 2 [of All American] to All American: Homecoming is a lot of her decisions have always been made with someone else in mind. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Warning: This story contains spoilers for the latest episodes of All American and All American Homecoming. All American episode 7 was full of secrets and confessions as the show finally revealed what went down in Las Vegas, something that kept haunting the fans ever since the first episode of season 3. "Everyone's driven and ready to bring Bringston Univeristy to life and bring the characters to life.". As we head to the season finale, what can you share about Simone's journey in terms of tennis in the final episodes? Amara is unapologetic in her desire to report the truth, which puts her at odds with the administration. We talk about it in our writers room, the boundaries around friendships, Carroll says. Season 1. All American 3x18 Simone & Jordan Doesn't get married It was just an exciting feeling to know Peyton and I are at the helm of this show and are able to see that and really fulfill a vision of bringing a universe together with so much love and so much fun. In the meantime, the two leads balance academics, athletics and the squishier project of self-discovery with the help of new friends and adult mentors, and in defiance of unfriendly teammates or disapproving parental figures. I know people are waiting for the mess, but I appreciate the question because outside of that aspect what Damon and Simone have in common is redefining their identity. 'All American' Spinoff: The CW Eyes Simone Series Starring - TVLine I realized I don't really like Simone : AllAmericanTV - Reddit It's going to be interesting in terms of Damon, Thea, and Simone, because at the end of the day in terms of Damon and Simone, my biggest hope is that as the season progresses and hopefully we get a season 2 they navigate truth and learn or grow. Read on for EW's interview with Maya about returning to All American, that emotional scene with Damon, the big breakup, and more. Homecoming is attempting something different than its predecessor was less soapy, more down-to-earth and if its not quite as addictive to start, its still a likable companion piece that tackles the unique challenges of life after high school with warmth and understanding. When is it just a friendship?. She is queen-bee sophomore that gives off slight mean girl tendencies. Coopers love for movies began by watching Toy Story and Lion King on repeat as a child, but it wasn't until The Avengers that he took an invested interest in movies and the filmmaking process, leading him to discover the world of film journalism. Returning from Los Angeles single, Simone mourns her relationship on the newest episode of All American: Homecoming. Simones storyline remained entwined with Jordans. On this team, things wont be handed to her, it has to be earned. Thought you could hang, Thea taunts, when Simone asks if all of her warm-ups are typically that intense. American Idol viewers took to the American Idol Reddit community asking if they could "please" get new judges. The girls pole dance at a dance studio while Simone watches.[3]. What was shooting that emotional scene about Simone and Jordan's relationship with Michael like? A tennis prodigy, she takes her responsibility for representing the Black community in the sport very seriously. The thing about collegiate athletes is they just have a different level of responsibility put on them to be perfect at what they do, especially being a Black athlete. 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Simone Hicks | All American Wiki | Fandom What can you share about what's next for them? All American Season 4 News & Updates: Everything We Know, All American: What [SPOILER]'s Survival Means For Season 4, return of Michael Evans Behling as Jordan Baker, All American: What Jordan & Simone's Marriage Means For Her Spinoff. The significance of Jordan in Simone's life is getting her to this point of being able to celebrate herself and making decisions for herself. (TVLine first broke the news in December that The CW was eyeing an All American offshoot centered on Mayas character.). Ser Baffo/The CW. Love, friends, happiness, and joy. GeffriMaya - IMDb The one where EW follows up with the cast. He is one of the main characters ofAll American, and his appearance in the spinoff is not too surprising considering Jordan and Simone's relationship. TheAll American: Homecoming cast also includes the return of Michael Evans Behling as Jordan Baker. The male lead of theAll Americanspin-off Homecoming is Damon Sims, played by Peyton Alex Smith. Throughout both shows, which will follow the same timeline and have a few natural crossovers, the theme of how one relationship affects a larger friend group will continue. This includes reconnecting with a variety of people she met during her visit to Bringston University inAll American season 3. By the end of the hour, though, Simone is surrounded by what looks like will be her college tribe. Simone takes Thea to Amara's for family dinner. It's engulfing in a way and she's put in a place where she never expected to be so attached to spiritually. [Sylvester] Powell, who plays JR, does that speech about the cultural creed of being a Bringston Lion and that really is something inspiring and powerful. And while its not necessarily a bad idea to inject a bit of soapy intrigue into an otherwise low-key drama, a subplot involving a characters mysterious parentage feels downright goofy in context, as if its been imported from another series entirely. If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Why do you think it's the right way to begin her college journey? All American: Homecoming will air on the CW next season. The whole marriage thing for me was also crazy they are young and barely were together for a long time. What do you remember about shooting that scene? Their match is live-streamed and Damon proudly watches Simone. In addition to making All American season 4, the network also began developing a . The college years are a door opener to the real world, and it's not always going to be pretty. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. They originally planned to elope in secret, but Spencer and Olivia attended the ceremony in the end. Monday's episode of the CW drama doubled as the pilot for All American: Homecoming, a Simone-centric spinoff that was officially ordered to series in May. There's an emotional scene where Simone and Nate have a ceremony to help Simone mourn the end of her relationship. February 1 2021, 11:00 AM PST. I had a really good time. If Homecoming, like its lead characters, still seems to be trying out this and that to see what clicks, thats part of the charm right now. GEFFRI MAYA: The most exciting aspects of this journey is that we're able to see Simone and finally able to get a chance to know her for who she truly is, and who she's becoming. We spoke to the All American: Homecoming star about Simone's first days at Bringston, what we can look forward to in its debut season, and what the show means to her. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action Little Mermaid with a new generation's Ariel. Their foundation has always been friendship, and a lot of times you need that before love in the first place. When he isnt writing about or watching new releases, Cooper is a fantasy football obsessive and looking to expand his Blu-Ray collection because physical media is still king! While many expected Jordan and Simone to break up during All American season 4 then, the series has not gone in that direction. Layla put up these walls because she doesnt trust people anymore, with the exception of Jordan, who just bullied his way into their friendship. The 'All American' spinoff follows a tennis player from Beverly Hills to her first year at a historically Black university in Atlanta. All American Spinoff Adds Legacies' Peyton Alex Smith, 5 Others to Cast. Thea doesnt have any friends as the girls from the team only tolerate her. All American season 3, episode 7 revealed that Jordan and Simone got married over the summer during the trip to Vegas. Its hard finding something that fits who I am when I feel like Im a work in progress, minus the progress, Simone sighs to her friends while picking out school outfits in the second episode. ET, followed by All American: Homecoming at 9 p.m. All American season 3 gave us a . After a heart-to-heart with Spencer, in which Spencer tells Damon that his next career move should be forhim and not his mother, Damon makes a major announcement the next day: He wont be participating in the MLB draft, and will instead commit to playing baseball at Bringston. Jordan supported her in all the ways, from being a mother to making a decision about going to a school she felt brought her joy, courage, and strength.
