OMGosh y’all, timeout. Can we please take a moment to discuss the amazing hair that’s being showcased weekly on BET’s new sitcom ‘Reed Between the Lines‘? I mean, for real. It’s RIDIC. First of all, you have Tracee Ellis Ross, the original hair idol, vanguard and fashion icon… I mean, I watch (and enjoy!) repeats of ‘Girlfriends‘ just to ogle her hair! But I digress. On screen, Tracee is accompanied by two lovely young ladies that play her daughters– Zoe Soul as Kaci and Zoe Hendrix as Alexis. I was lucky enough to catch up with the super frickin adorable Zoe Hendrix and her mother Shantel, to talk life on set and hair, of course! Enjoy!
Tell us a little bit about your character on the show. How were you chosen for the roll?
Zoe – My character is Alexis Reed, she’s 7 years old. She really loves animals. I was chosen for the role because I was funny.
How do you remember your lines for the show? What is your day like on the set? What is it like to play Malcolm Jamal’s and Tracee’s daughter?
Zoe – Repeating my lines over and over helps me to remember them. A day on set is very busy because I have school, wardrobe, hair and makeup, and while filming, someones phone rings. It is an awesome feeling to play Mr. Malcolm Jamal’s and Miss Tracee’s daughter. Because Miss Tracee makes me laugh and Mr. Malcolm Jamal is my jungle gym.
I’ve heard that you are real creative, can you tell us a little bit about the script you’re writing?
Zoe – The script I’m writing is about “Teamwork”, that included a family day. I now have to rewrite the script, because we are doing “Family Game Night” for one of the episodes.
Tell us about the handbags you are making.
Zoe – The handbags I’m making is made out of burlap and yarn.
You have a birthday coming up, tell me how you want to celebrate it?
Zoe – I want to celebrate my 10th Birthday by doing a fundraiser for Autism.
Kids like to have fun, what do you like to do for fun?!
Zoe – I like to sew, paint, swim, or play with my baby brother Aiden for fun.
Your mom is on the set with you every day, that must be cool?
Zoe – It makes me very happy to have my mommy on set.
Tell us about Zoe’s hair!
Mom (Shantel) – I now only use conditioners (co-wash) for washing Zoe’s hair to it moisturized and to maintain soft manageable curls.
What are your favorite products for her?
Make sure you tune into BET on Tuesdays at 10pm to catch ‘Reed Between the Lines‘!
What do you think of the show so far?!
Have anyone notice how Zoe looks exactly like Malcolm Jamal Warner??? Weird?
We are proud of Zoe and also proud of you Shantel.
From your choir singing buddies R & N of Twin Palms San Jose.
I love the show! I get a good laugh each episode and then of course I'm drooling over all the natural curls just flowing through my tv screen! Zoe you are such a gorgeous and talented little lady! Stay focused, we'll be seeing you on the screens for many many years to come!
Gorgeous! Wow, you are so beautiful. Keep up the good work. I love the show!
She is absolutely adorable and I love her curls!
Awww, her regimen is just like mine! Too bad my curls aren't as fierce. Go Zoe! I will watch the show just to see a natural family on screen. I only wish that Malcolm still had his locs…natural family hair bliss!
I REALLY like the show, and I already thought she was cute, but reading this made me like her even more.
Wow, Zoe is adorable! I agree with others, she has great manners.
About the show…I love it! I'm so glad that BET has stepped up and created a family-oriented show. I've been waiting for years! I still watch the Cosbys re-runs, but I'm glad there's now an updated family show that features Black actors and actresses in a positive light. Every since it premiered, I've been recording it on my DVR. I hope viewers continue to tune in..I don't want it to get canceled.
Zoe is an absolutely adorable little girl and extemely well mannered! Her mother is an amazing woman and they are both a joy to work with. Zoe's hair is amazing! Her mom takes great care of her hair. Thanks for the inspiration Shantel. Love you guys!
Ever since I saw the promos for that show, I was like "OMG, look at that hair!! I have to watch this!!" I really enjoy the show now; the characters are great, and I love their family.
Now, Little Zoe…Adorable!! I'm so impressed!! Acting, writing scripts, and making bags?? Get it girl!! And that hair?? Whoa!! Mama Shantel knows what she is doing!! Nikki, you should try to get an interview from Zoe Soul who plays Alexis' older sister Kaci too, her hair is redic as well. (Whoever the casting director is for that show needs a round of applause. Those kids are so believably "Miss Tracee" and "Mr. Malcolm Jamal's" kids.)
-Neesha Cherie
I am really enjoying the show. It is wonderful and Zoe is ADORABLE!!!
Nikki, there is another adorable natural on TV. I know Boogie isn't into Disney channel yet, so you may not have seen her but Skai Jackson stars on the new show Jessie on the Disney Channel. Her hair is to die for. I would love to see an interview from her. Can you make it happen?
Very Cute! I watched the show for the first time last night and now I'm a fan.
one word – ADORABLE!!!!
You're landing these interviews Nik! Keep them coming! Zoe is very cute and talented. I'm watching the show tonight!
Absolutely beautiful and sweet girl!
@ Ezinne I was thinking the same thing. I love her hair and her lil personality. Zoe's hair is beautiful too.
I was able to attend a screening of the show in the city with Mr. Malcom Jamal and Miss Tracee;). I was sooo happy to see a family show on BET and even more impressed by what Malcolm wanted it to become. As he said, it's not a show about a "Black family," it's a show about a family that happens to be Black. I think that the show has room to grow … sometimes it takes a few episodes for everyone to work naturally together (I remember feeling the same way about the first few episodes of Living Single). But, I think the show has great potential if we give it a chance to grow and shine. I was especially excited when I saw the episode, "Let's Talk About Hair" last week and I posted about both the screening that I attended and that episode on my site. I really want to support it so that BET and others see that WE will support shows that promote positive images and family.
I will say this, the way Tracee was going at the older daughter's hair when she was straightening it with the flat-iron? I flinched a little because it was reminiscent of those TypeFAIL videos! All I could think is, "Ooooh, Tracee has no idea what to do with that thing as she probably doesn't let one anywhere near her hair!!" LOL!!
Shelli
I like the fact that Tracy's character and her two daughters have curly hair. Last week the show was about the older daughter wanting to straighten her hair. The mother said very positive things about curly hair!
I love the fact that Tracy's character and her two daughters on the show have curly hair. Last week the show was about the older daughter wanting to straighten her hair. The mother basically told her to embrace her curls!
I LOVE it. her hair is gorg… have you seen disney channels Skai Jackson's hair?? gorgeous! she plays seven year old Zuri on "Jessie". her hair is amazing.
I wish Mr. Malcom was my jungle gym………
I don't have BET so I can't watch the show. Maybe I'll find some clips online.
I've never seen this show, or even heard of it (am I out of the loop??) but she is ca-yoot! I always love seeing a little natural girl who's just doing her. Cute, well mannered, great example!
You're landing these interviews Nik! Keep them coming! Zoe is very cute and talented. I'm watching the show tonight!
She is adorable! I'll have to catch the episodes on line!
She is adorable and well-mannered.
I'm enjoying the show and hope it gets better. I think I like it the most because I've always liked Malcolm Jamal and Tracee, but the main reason is the hair! All I do is stare at it.
So… washing with conditioner every time you wash is effective in maintaining clean healthy hair? I get so overwhelmed with all the instructions and products that I can't seem to absorb, but I have a daughter with hair similar to Zoe's, but even longer and thicker. I'd like her curls to be more defined and not frizz.
Great interview.
Nik, she is super adorable, so glad you have young girls on here! I would love it if you caught up with these adorable sisters that sing and act, Chloe and Halle (The Bailey Sisters), they are 11 and 13 and have the most adorable dreads, just discovered them today through Naptural8, check them out on youtube!
She does have gorgeous hair! But there another natural girl on the Disney's show JESSIE. The character name is Zuri ross played by Skai Jackson. She rocks braid outs and twist outs on the show!
adorable girl. i would love to see her mom. i'm certain she's a great woman. kids like that have to have a good mama!
I enjoyed the show the other night. All about hair and conforming for a man. I almost died when Tracee walked in on her daughter, vaselineing up for her relaxer. I am so glad they did a show like that.
She's so well mannered. I smiled when she called them "Mr. Malcom Jamal & Ms. Tracee". Doing an Autism fundraiser for her 10th birthday AND writing a script?! You Go Girl!
Gorgeous hair!
I love the show. I'm so glad that there is a family oriented show on BET. I was beginning to wonder about them lol!! I love their hair and especially the episode about not changing your hair or self for anyone but you!! Great work and great cast!!
Adorable
I know, right?! I died when she said, 'ms.tracee' #adorable
Aww such manners! "Mr. Malcolm Jamal and Ms. Tracee." So cute!