QUEST10NS: Jasika Nicole

If you miss seeing the lovely and talented, Jasika Nicole playing Astrid Farnsworth on the hit TV show Fringe, or as Kim, Huck's wife, on Scandal, then you're in luck since she now has a new film out that is heating up the festival circuit. Indeed, you can catch her playing Billie, one-half of a lesbian couple in Suicide Kale, a dark comedy about a casual lunch that takes an unexpected turn with the discovery of an anonymous suicide note. Between courses (and servings of intrigue), we caught up with Jasika for a round of QUEST10NS:

1. Where did you go on your last trip?
Arroyo Grande, which is a small town near the coast of California, north of Los Angeles. It was a surprise 10-year anniversary trip from my wife who planned all of it in secret with our good friend, Mary.

2. What is your favorite memory from it?
We went walking through the town and found ourselves in a big antique shop where we stumbled across a bunch of matching vintage buttons that I could use for sewing projects, and then a little while later at a shop across the street I scored an incredible vintage 1930s dress in excellent condition that fit me perfectly. It was serendipity.

3. Where is the most “fringe” place you’ve every visited?
The Badlands of South Dakota.

4. What’s the most "scandalous" thing you’ve done on a vacation?
Hahaha, that is NOT for sharing!

5. Favorite place to eat kale?
My kitchen! I make kale JUST the way I like it - just barely sauteed in olive oil, minced garlic and salt til it's bright green but still has that chewy texture.

6. You are also an avid seamstress. What have you sewn most recently that will probably end up in the next suitcase you pack? 
Ninety percent of my clothing is what we in the sewing community call "me-made", so almost everything in my suitcase is something I have sewn. The last garment I made for myself was a pair of high waist skinny jeans, but I am actually on location in Savannah, Georgia for the next few months filming season 2 of Underground, and I packed a sewing machine to keep myself busy between work days, so I have tons of projects in the works. I am currently finishing up a bunch of button down shirts for my wife, who LOVES to pick out fabric for herself but is completely uninterested in sewing.

7. What is the strangest souvenir you’ve ever brought home with you?
Coca tea from South America. It consists of leaves from the coca plant, and you're not supposed to bring it back to the states, but I managed to sneak it in my suitcase anyway. It's amazing- it brews into a natural, clean-tasting hot beverage that gets rid of headaches, puts a little pep in your step and makes you feel clear headed without giving you a crash like sugar and caffeinated sodas can.

8. That one thing you never remember to pack?
I rarely forget to pack something because I am an obsessive list maker! I also start packing fairly early before trips so I will have time to remember to add more things.

9. Where is the furthest from home you’ve ever ventured?
Amsterdam!

10. Where will you go on your next adventure?
New Zealand and Thailand are on our list of beautiful places to visit, but honestly, there are so many places in the world I have yet to see that I am happy to go anywhere new!

Suicide Kale is a feature film created, produced by and starring an all-queer team of women that is currently having a successful run on the indie film festival circuit, winning audience awards for best director (Carly Usdin), best actor (Jasika Nicole) and best feature. Catch an upcoming screening of Suicide Kale in Fresno, Atlanta, and Chicago, or find out future showings on the film's website, suicidekale.com. In the meantime, check out the trailer here: