'I was kind of hesitant': Alaqua Cox tells Jimmy Fallon she never thought of acting until she was cast in 'Hawkeye'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alaqua Cox's rise to stardom is nothing short of remarkable. The talented actress, who captivated audiences with her performance as Maya Lopez (aka Echo) in the hit series 'Hawkeye', recently opened up to Jimmy Fallon on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' about her unexpected foray into the world of acting.
In a candid conversation, Fallon congratulated Cox on the success of 'Echo' and the rave reviews the spinoff show has been receiving. He delved into her unconventional entry into acting, acknowledging that her portrayal of Maya Lopez in 'Hawkeye,' marked her first-ever acting gig.
Alaqua Cox's journey from doubt to triumph in acting
"Honestly, acting was never on my radar," Cox confessed to Fallon. "Until I had a friend post the casting call. They were looking for an indigenous woman in their 20s who is deaf, and I had friends send it to me. At first, I was kind of hesitant. I didn’t want to do it at first."
It seems that Cox's initial reluctance to pursue acting stemmed from a combination of self-doubt and the perceived mismatch between her personal characteristics and the character she was auditioning for.
The uniqueness of the casting call caught her attention, but it took the encouragement of multiple friends for her to consider taking the leap.
"I had two other friends send it to me, and I thought, 'Eh, I’ll give it a shot.' I didn’t think I was going to get it because I’m an amputee, and Maya is not an amputee herself. So in the back of my mind, I thought, 'I’m not going to get it,'" Cox revealed.
Alaqua Cox succeeds in bagging the role of Maya Lopezv
Despite the odds stacked against her, Cox decided to take a chance, embracing the opportunity to audition for a ground-breaking role that called for an authentic representation of an indigenous, deaf character. Three months later, to her surprise and delight, she landed the role of Maya Lopez.
"Three months later, I got the role, and I was like, 'Why me?'" Cox shared with Fallon.
It became apparent that the casting directors recognized not only her talent but also the unique perspective she brought to the character.
The fact that Cox is an amputee herself added another layer of complexity to the role, a detail she initially considered a potential hindrance.
"They were so accommodating to me and my disability that I have as well," Cox continued, expressing her gratitude for the inclusive and supportive environment that allowed her to flourish in her newfound acting career.
