Background

Hyero’s Gotta Have It showcases my struggles as an artist accepting my gender identity and navigating modern-day politics. The concepts of the show parallel the life of Nola Darling from Spike Lee's cult film and television spin-off, She's Gotta Have It, which showcases an artist struggling with her sexuality and accepting herself as a bisexual woman. Darling consistently critiqued herself, discrediting the authenticity of her own work. Deconstructing her own character immensely, she began to disregard everyone in her life as she bounced from person to person. An unsavory sexual experience resulted due to her dismissive nature towards her actions.  
Furthermore, a distraught Nola, who resembled me, attended a therapist as everyone around her discounted her as crazy. Despite the benefits of obtaining access to an individual she could vent to, she stopped visiting to experiment with self-medication that presented itself in the form of her love life. The men in her life consisted of a narcissist that constantly put her down, a funny guy she shared no sexual chemistry with, and an already married man. Nola’s conquests reminded me of the romantic interests I encountered. Therefore, when the main character put together an art show following a motivating art retreat, it inspired me to put faith in my passion and create. 
I watched the last season of the television adaptation of She’s Gotta Have It before I went to Jamaica. Three years later, after quarantine, I crafted a personal art show in the same fashion that she did. Overall, Hyero’s Gotta Have It drew inspiration from a show that encouraged me to embrace and love myself. Additionally, as a writer and director, Spike Lee represented characters like me originating in his preceding film that acted as a pioneer in the industry for featuring black people showing intimacy. Moreover, his ability to storytell encouraged me to share my story in hopes someone else finds themself in me.

Projects