DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE COVER: The Future Is Female, Riele Downs Discusses the Importance of Voting, Diversity in Hollywood, New Projects, Fashion, Natural Hair, and Her Time on ‘Henry Danger’

Actress Riele Downs is checking all the boxes on what it means to be young, gifted, and Black in Hollywood. 

Riele Downs is making sure the future is female as she continues to be a bright young voice in the acting world, and as more and more strides are made in the industry to be more inclusive. This past September, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced new representation and inclusion standards for Oscars eligibility in the Best Picture category as part of its Academy Aperture 2025 initiative. This year we saw California become the first state to ban natural hair discrimination based on the newly founded Crown Act, which went into effect in January. We’ve also seen non-Black celebrities step down from voiceover roles that should have gone to Black actors for characters of color. While there have been many achievements made to bring equality to Hollywood, there is so much more work to do. Young stars like Riele are giving us hope that the future continues to allow vibrant, diverse actors opportunities to shine throughout the entertainment industry. It’s more than just posting black squares on social media; brands and companies are being held accountable every step of the way.

The Canadian film and television actress is best known for her role in Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger. She has also appeared in The Gabby Douglas Story and The Best Man Holiday. Riele’s first breakthrough role was at four-years-old playing Taraji P. Henson’s daughter in Four Brothers, alongside fellow actress and sister Reiya Downs. She has also performed voiceovers for animation such as Peep and the Big Wide World and The Adventures of Kid Danger. 

In today’s climate of social unrest with a controversial upcoming election with our very first Black and South Asian VP nominee, Riele has continued to make a name for herself in an industry that is persistently being challenged to reconcile its historically biased history. She’s the epitome of girl power, and she definitely represents a future in Hollywood that represents the amazing young Black female talent that is already gracing our screens. Read our exclusive interview with Riele below to find out more about how she got her start, what Henry Danger meant to her, her dream role, thoughts on inclusion and diversity, the upcoming election, natural hair, and more.

GLITTER: Where did you grow up?
RIELE: I’m a Canadian girl, born and raised! I grew up in the heart of the six – Toronto, Ontario.

GLITTER: How did you get your start in acting?
RIELE: My mom is an actress, and when she noticed my sister and I making up skits and filming our own little movies, she decided to put both of us in the business officially.

GLITTER: Where do you live now and what’s a favorite thing to do in your area?
RIELE: I split my time between Los Angeles and Toronto. In Toronto the city is more densely packed, so we’re close to a lot of cool and fun things! A favorite would definitely be a VR place in our neighborhood that I like to go to when I get the chance. I really love food, so my favorite thing to do here in LA is try out new restaurants, a fave being SunCafe.

GLITTER: Henry Danger just ended after five seasons. Can you describe what that journey was like for you?
RIELE: I’d never booked a multi-cam comedy project before that, especially not something that required me to uproot my entire life and relocate to a new country! The tight structure of the weeks – fitting in, learning new scripts week for week, weekly run-throughs for network executives and producers, and squeezing school into the cracks was overwhelming at first. I feel now that it has helped prepare me for life. Also, the bonds that were created on set throughout the years were great!

GLITTER: Five seasons is an amazing run time, and your character probably meant a lot to you by the finale. What’s your favorite thing about getting to play this role for that long?
RIELE: We really became such a family on set by the end of it. I feel like our characters grew, and it was interesting to see that progression. It’s especially funny looking back at earlier episodes and seeing just how young we all were and how much our voices have changed! It’s a cool experience to basically see yourself grow up on screen.

GLITTER: Any fun memories you can share from creating The Best Man Holiday?
RIELE: Oh, wow, that feels like so long ago! One nice moment that always stood out to me was when Terrence Howard, who I worked with on Four Brothers a few years previous, invited my family into his dressing room to play his guitar for us. 

GLITTER: You were part of the cast for The Gabby Douglas Story. What was a lesson you hoped viewers learned from that story and film?
RIELE: There is no doubt Gabby Douglas is incredibly talented and was from a young age, which you can see in the film! But that wasn’t what made her great. Her greatness was a result of her steadfast conviction to be great (and the presence of an amazing support system). To do what you love with that level of determination and dedication can take you farther than you can imagine.

GLITTER: What drew you to the film?
RIELE: It was such an inspiration for me, and I was excited for her story to inspire many other young black girls. 

GLITTER: You’ve gotten to work with some pretty incredible people. Can you tell us about some of your favorites to work with?
RIELE: I think it was really cool to work with Andre 3000, especially growing up and listening to a lot of OutKast. I can’t believe I had no idea who he was back then! It was an amazing experience to be able to play his daughter. On the set of Henry Danger, Russell Westbrook was a joy to work with and was such a nice guy. Honestly, there are too many to mention, though.

GLITTER: Did anyone share any sound advice about working in the industry?
RIELE: I would say the best advice that I have received is to have resilience and to not take things too personal. It’s good to remember there are so many factors at play when it comes to booking a role, and not always a measure of your skill or worth.

GLITTER: What do you love most about getting to do voiceovers for animation?
RIELE: Haha, getting to work in your pajamas! Plus, I get to be creative with my voice/s and really reach far and experiment. It invites me to be free and get really goofy!

GLITTER: What would your dream role look like?
RIELE: Definitely a superhero or fantasy role – something that suspends your belief and absorbs you within a whole new world! I’d love to be in a film that involves physicality like fighting, gymnastics, bending magic; all of those things would be incredibly fun to dive into and explore!

GLITTER: Who would you love to land a role starring opposite? What type of film would it be?
RIELE: Will Smith, Lupita Nyongo, Viola Davis, Amandla Stenberg, Meryl Streep, Laura Linney, Sam Jackson, and Denzel Washington.

GLITTER: You’re also very into visual art. What is it about the process that makes you love creating it so much?
RIELE: This is a great question! I’ve been doing it ever since I was a child. This is definitely a skill that found me. It came early and quite naturally in my life. I was always doodling. My mother still has my early works on her closet door and in some of her books.

There are no limitations to what you can create when it comes to visual art. You start with nothing and then have something. When you commit and practice enough and see yourself improving, it’s immediately gratifying. You just want to keep creating!

GLITTER: What are the ways that you find your Zen?
RIELE: Reading, drinking tea, stretching, and meditating every morning to set the tone for the day.

GLITTER: How have you been keeping busy during isolation?
RIELE: I’ve been doing a lot of fashion designing, art, binging television shows, cooking, Facetiming friends, and hanging out with my sister.

GLITTER: What advice have you been given, or would you give fans, on the best way to deal with COVID-19?
RIELE: I would definitely say stay inside, stay conscious, respectful, and six feet or more away from others. 

GLITTER: How have you been coping with the entertainment industry’s COVID-19 delays and shutdowns?
RIELE: It’s given me extra time that I get to claim as my own, and I have the freedom to explore some of my other interests.

GLITTER: Who is your mentor, and why?
RIELE: My mother. She is an industry veteran and a very driven individual. I’ve been able to get a lot of direction from her.

GLITTER: On your Instagram, you’ve used your platform for important causes, most recently the Black Lives Matter movement. Can you explain what you hope people learn from this movement and the best way to educate yourself?
RIELE: I really hope young people take to heart just how powerful grassroots movements can be. And also just how deep systemic racism is in this country (in Canada as well) and how long it has existed. It will take the human race banding together to dismantle these very harmful and dangerous systems that are in place. Political activist @ShaunKing is constantly sharing a lot of information about the Black Lives Matter movement.

GLITTER: What doors do you think still need to be opened for inclusion and diversity in entertainment?
RIELE: I’ve watched the entertainment industry become more welcoming and inclusive over the years, however, I think there is still much room for improvement when it comes to the range of colors that I see on the screen. Racism is real, and colorism is as well. Furthermore, I would love to see projects that don’t just have a single token character that seems to exist for the sole purpose of lending the show its “diversity” quota. I think it is important to include shows that don’t just “cast” BIPOC but create stories centered around us and show a broad range of personality types and relationship dynamics. 

GLITTER: With over 2 million Instagram followers, how do you use social media to connect with your fans?
RIELE: I do my best to look through my tagged postings and share love with many of the people who are sharing their love with me.

GLITTER: How do you stay grounded with so much access and pressure on and from social media?
RIELE: It can be difficult, I’m not gonna lie. I definitely feel the pressure at times as I am not naturally someone prone to broadcasting myself much. For me, it is important to take frequent breaks and remember that you exist outside of the online world. It is easy to get caught up in comparing yourself or wondering how you’re being perceived.

GLITTER: Have you had any memorable fan interactions?
RIELE: In one of my meet and greets last year, I met someone who ran a fan page for me. That was a special experience. It’s nice to put a face to someone who has shown you such steadfast support for such a long time.

GLITTER: What message do you hope to give people looking up to you and following your journey as an actress?
RIELE: If something doesn’t exist, create it. Push yourself to guide what you’ve created straight through to completion before second-guessing yourself. Know that what you find joy in doing is worth pursuing. I am working on all of these things myself.

GLITTER: As a young Black woman in Hollywood, what do you hope to instill in other young women who look like you when it comes to living your dreams despite adversity?
RIELE: I want to tell young Black women that just because you don’t see anyone who looks like you doing it, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do it. Be the first! A path isn’t only to be followed; it’s to be created. Whatever you want to do, whatever you are good at, know you belong there, and absolutely no one has the power to tell you otherwise.

GLITTER: Glitter has a celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign. What does self-love mean to you?
RIELE: “Self” isn’t solely a function of finding who you are, but also creating who you want to be. To me, self-love means pushing the limits of my “identity.”

GLITTER: Has there ever been a scene you were struggling with but then were proud of the final performance?
RIELE: During Henry Danger, I was given enough time and space to find the moment, gracing me the opportunities to discover who Charlotte was. I feel like the hardest scenes that I have ever done were audition scenes, interestingly enough. You are usually given only a few scenes, with limited time and context to deliver.

GLITTER: Some of your sketchbook fashion designs have been brought to life on the red carpet. What is that like for you to see and wear? Do you have a favorite design?
RIELE: It’s been incredible! I’ve been designing since kindergarten, and it’s always been a goal of mine to wear my own looks. I thought it would be the perfect time, now that I have places to wear them to. It’s pretty wild to see something go from the page to a collection of fabric and accouterments to a full outfit. One of my all-time favorites has been the creation I wore at the 2018 Kid’s Choice Awards; the bold blocks of color and the skirt with the train made me feel very superhero-esque.

GLITTER: What’s the most exciting part about attending red carpet events?
RIELE: Each red carpet is a new opportunity to connect with other creatives and people you admire. It is a unique opportunity to congregate with other artists you don’t otherwise get to mix with collectively. I’ve always enjoyed the energy that is born in gatherings like that.

Also, getting dressed in outfits that you feel elegant or powerful in is always a highlight.

GLITTER: Are there any movies that you’ve gotten to watch during quarantine that are now new favs?
RIELE: I’ve re-watched Inception and Lady Bird recently.

GLITTER: Last show you binge-watched?
RIELE: I’ve been bouncing around watching a lot of different ones, including Naruto, The Office, and Fleabag.

GLITTER: How do you stay fit and healthy?
RIELE: I do my best to cook consciously and get good rest every night. In terms of physicality, I have a jump rope, which is a super easy way to get your exercise in for the day while staying inside.

GLITTER: Any favorite books or authors?
RIELE: Historically, one of my favorite book series’ has always been Percy Jackson, I’ve always found the writing to be very immersive, and I love a good fantasy story. Lately, I have enjoyed books such as Sapiens, Becoming by Michelle Obama, and Children of Blood and Bone.

GLITTER: What songs are on your most recent playlist?
RIELE: Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of unreleased Frank Ocean songs on Soundcloud, like “Sucka for Love” and Harry Styles’ new album.

GLITTER: Favorite beauty products?
RIELE: I am a sucker for a good eyeliner. Right now, I am using a Stila dual gel-liquid eyeliner. My go-to lip gloss is from Fenty Beauty, and my Mac highlighter has been a favorite for years.

GLITTER: Favorite products to use on your natural hair?
RIELE: Design Essentials has worked wonderfully for my hair. When I am doing a twist out, I like to use the ORS curl cream oil and the Design Essentials setting foam. Especially for natural hair, it’s important to experiment and find what works best for your hair and curl type. I know for me, I am constantly testing out new products, such as Pattern that I’ve been recently introduced to.

GLITTER: Box braids or cornrows?
RIELE: I haven’t indulged in cornrows that much yet, but I definitely love box braids for the versatility they offer.

GLITTER: Favorite snacks?
RIELE: Roasted seaweed and nuts for sure; however, I’ll admit I am a sucker for a sweet snack. Tate’s chocolate chip cookies run high on my list.

GLITTER: Any other unique talents?
RIELE: Well, I can kick anybody’s butt in Mario Kart!

GLITTER: If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
RIELE: I would go to Japan. I really admire the street style from there, and I would love to learn more about the culture. I have been watching a lot of anime recently, and it would be great to go to the hub of where a lot of my favorite shows were created!

GLITTER: Why do you feel voting is important?
RIELE: Voting can often be disregarded, but it continues to be a way for everyone, as citizens, to get involved with the policies that shape our everyday lives. To quote Rep. Pramila Jayapal, “Your vote is your power is your voice.”

GLITTER: How do you feel having our first Black and female VP nominee?
RIELE: It’s wonderful to witness power positions beginning to be filled with more people of color. Black people, specifically women, have notoriously been left out of rooms that would’ve allowed them to make an impact. The fact that this is visibly changing definitely gives me hope. After all, how can equality for all be represented when those in power only reflect a monochromatic experience?

GLITTER: Do you think it’s time we had a Black female president?
RIELE: Absolutely! I think it’s always been time. If the world evolved in such a way where prejudice and sexism never existed, who knows how many female black presidents we would’ve had by now. Any human can have the intelligence and power to lead, regardless of their defining points of race, class, religion, sexuality, gender, and so on.

GLITTER Why is it important for young people to register and to vote in the election process?
RIELE: Governmental decisions impact us just as heavily, and we have strong opinions that deserve to be heard and taken into account. A nation’s decisions should be determined by what benefits everyone, and not just one age group. It will take us banding together to examine and unravel some of the systems previously put in place that don’t benefit us anymore. As people continue to evolve and grow, fresh ideas are born. So to all my young people, get out there and vote! Your voice matters and your vote will help shape the years to come for your lives and country!

GLITTER: What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
RIELE: I star in a fun, new animation series called Salem, which is due to air soon, as well as being hot on the trail of a few cool projects, so stay tuned! 

GLITTER: What is the best social media platform for fans to find you on and keep up with all things Riele?
RIELE: Instagram and Tiktok. @rieleclaire on Tiktok and @rieledowns on Instagram.

 

Styling Credits:

Look 1: (Fur & Pants)
Faux Fur Top: Claire Fleury
Pants: Kristian Loren
Earrings: NOA
Heels: ShoeDazzle

Look 2:  (Pink Blazer)
Blazer: Kristian Loren
Earrings: NOA
Top: Model’s Own
Pants: Kristian Loren
Heels: ShoeDazzle

Look 3: (Green Sequin Blazer)
Blazer: Kristian Loren
Earrings: NOA
Top: Model’s Own
Pants: Rocky Star

Look 4: (Black Dress in Parking Lot)
Dress: Asos
Jewelry: NOA

Look 5: (White Coat)
Coat: Asos
Dress: Asos
Earrings: NOA
Heels: Model’s Own

Look 6: (Denim Shorts)
Fascinator: Ariel Taub
Jacket: Atousa G.
Shorts: A Line Called K
Earrings: NOA

Look 7: (Black Dress with Birds)
Dress: Zara Umrigar
Heels: Asos
Earrings: NOA

Look 8: (Sequin Skirt)
Shirt: Asos
Skirt: Rocky Star
Boots: Asos
Jewelry: Model’s Own

Look 9: (Orange Pants)
Top: Atousa G.
Pants: Asos
Earrings: NOA
Heels: ShoeDazzle

Look 10: (Green Top/Pink Skirt)
Top: Claire Fleury
Skirt: Claire Fleury
Earrings: NOA
Heels: ShoeDazzle
Rings: Model’s Own

Hair Styling Products used courtesy of Pattern Beauty.