I’m truly thinking about the kids at home that are watching specifically the queer kids.
All American Homecoming star, Rhoyle Ivy King has set a new level of power in the field of entertainment. As CW’s first Black nonbinary character, King has illuminated a pathway for those who never thought they would see themselves represented on a national platform.
“All American: Homecoming,” is the spin-off show from the original series, All American. Creator, Nkechi Okoro Carroll released her project through the CW, on February 21, 2022. Due to its success and popularity, it has been slated for a second season according to Deadline. The first season will be available on HBO Max starting on June 22.
King recounted the steps that led him to his debut on one of the most popular shows on the CW, dating back to his love for theatre in middle school and high school. After graduating, King began to master his discipline in New York.
He made it to the main stage, performing in some of the most iconic plays such as “Rent,” but King would eventually find himself in Los Angeles, pursuing his next steps in television.
It started with theater
The All American actor admitted that he felt stagnant during his time working in New York, the main roles were based on gender that came with a pre-determined definition. “I truly felt a little stifled in New York– because in theater the roles are set. You either fit the description or You didn’t,” King said.
He continued, “so I was pushed by a director I had in the show, ‘Rent,’ to really look into film and television because it’s something that is a little bit more open into carving characters.”
King’s theater training molded his success in Hollywood. Although he was nervous during his All American audition, King shared he focused on every detail. He later received a call from his agent that he got the part, starting as a co-star on the show. He fell in love with the energy on set, from cast to production, everything felt right.
The wardrobe and hairstyling also brought elevated energy to the show. King uplifted the genius behind the hairstyles, Ryan Burrell; the success in the aesthetic paired with the excellence of the performers.
A ‘self healing journey’
Observing the importance of the style and design parameters, King said, “It’s for our culture–it’s for our community, to make sure that they’re represented correctly and all the beauty that exists in the queer community. How much that is a part of our identity, a reflection and outward expression of who we are as people.”
King explained that his journey to the CW came with gratitude for every moment, “to summarize it’s a self-healing journey. To reconstruct the lacking path that I first had when I set out.” He continued, “I didn’t grow up seeing a lot of gender non-conforming men in my life, and I think one of one of the examples I will use is Prince—that was probably one of the first times I felt like I saw myself.”
Reflecting on what it means to be RoyalTee, King said in closing, “The choices that I make, or some of the conversations that I will have with our showrunner, or even so some of the other actors on set is. I’m truly thinking about the kids at home that are watching specifically the queer kids.”
Follow Rhoyle Ivy King on Instagram @RhoyleIvyKing
