Beyond the Gates fans know Colby Muhammad as the fiercely opinionated Kat Richardson, but when she was young, she had no idea that acting would be her calling. While speaking with V-103 Atlanta, in a joint interview with her co-star Brandon Claybon, Muhammad shared that she wouldn’t have become an actress if she hadn’t seen Black girls and boys performing on stage. Her story is a testament to the importance of representation.
Key Takeaways
- Why Colby Muhammad felt she could be an actress
- The BTG star on the significance of the soap opera
Colby Muhammad Explains Why Representation Matters
Muhammad has an intimate understanding of why BTG’s presence in the daytime soap world is so special and needed. She opened up to V-103 about her experience as a child who wasn’t aware that acting could be an option for her as someone who’s Black. The actress posted a clip of the moment on her Instagram.
In the video, Muhammad says:
Honestly, I wouldn’t be an actor right now if I hadn’t gone to the theater and seen a bunch of Black boys and girls on stage performing. I just didn’t know it was possible until I saw it. So that’s why this show is so important because there are people out there who don’t know that they can do something like the careers that we have on this show until they see it on TV. That’s why it’s incredibly important.
Media is a gateway to what’s considered possible for viewers, often the first glimpse of different lived experiences. While some viewers may live in areas with a range of successful career paths for the community’s demographics, others do not. They may have never encountered a young Black entrepreneur like Kat, whose handbag company is gaining attention. Or a Black congressman like Martin (Claybon), who was born into the same political dynasty as his sister and is raising two teens with his husband.
DAYS legend James Reynolds praised BTG for its representation of the Black middle class. The demographic isn’t seen in the media with enough frequency or given enough spotlight as leads in their own stories. The daytime drama is one of the few examples on broadcast. When viewers tune in, they’re witnessing the opulence of Fairmont Crest alongside the realities these characters face day to day. BTG has made quite an impact on the television landscape with its NAACP Image Award nomination and its growing fanbase.
