Sonequa Martin-Green Opens Up About ‘Imposter Syndrome’ in New Movie Despite Success
As she approaches 40, Sonequa Martin-Green believes her career is just getting started. She recognizes all that she has done while looking back on her journey, but she feels as though she is just starting to reach her full potential. She characterizes the process as peeling back layers and taking a more self-assured stride.
When Martin-Green played Sasha Williams on ‘The Walking Dead’ in 2012, she became well-known for playing a realistic yet extremely vulnerable survivor. Later, she played Starfleet officer Michael Burnham in ‘Star Trek: Discovery’, making history as the first Black woman to lead a ‘Star Trek’ series. In retrospect, she believes that the shift between these significant responsibilities was virtually predetermined, with one chance flowing naturally into the next. She attributes her development as an actress and a person to these events, which have shaped her both emotionally and professionally.
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While rehearsing for her most recent film, ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’, in which she plays an Army veteran dealing with PTSD following the death of a fellow soldier, Martin-Green, despite her years in the business, experienced moments of self-doubt. She struggled with imposter syndrome after taking on such a profoundly emotional role and questioned if she could accurately portray the actual realities of active-duty soldiers and veterans.
She immersed herself in discussions with veterans to get ready, including director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, whose personal narrative served as the inspiration for the movie. She also benefited from the experience of her seasoned co-stars, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris, calling them “craft masters” who added nuance and genuineness to the film.
During filming, Hausmann-Stokes’ close collaboration provided a stabilizing influence. He and many others had experienced these events in real life, she reminded herself, even as she portrayed them on TV. She was able to overcome her self-doubt and concentrate on respecting their experiences thanks to this viewpoint.
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In addition to her coworkers, Martin-Green relied on prayer throughout her life to help her deal with the emotional strain of her role, especially after the deaths of both of her parents in 2021. The procedure opened her heart to a deeper understanding of soldiers’ lives and was both difficult and wonderful.
Now that she has completed her significant task, she looks forward to the future with hope. She welcomes the ageing process, feels stronger and more content than ever, and is eager to see what the next phase of her life and profession will hold.
–Farheen Ali
