‘Pose’: Jackée Harry Learned an Important Lesson While Playing Pray Tell’s Aunt
Ryan Murphy’s hit FX series Pose has touched the hearts of millions since its debut in 2018, and taught many difficult lessons along the way. With the beloved show now coming to a close, many characters — including Billy Porter’s outstanding Pray Tell — are reckoning with some of their biggest realizations yet.
‘Pose’ is in its final season
Pose takes place in the world of New York City’s ballroom scene in the 1980s and ’90s. Throughout the series, viewers get to know each character’s complexities and their backstories, from house mother Blanca (played by Mj Rodriguez) to ballroom emcee Pray Tell (played by Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter).
Pose is coming to an end after three seasons filled with ups, downs, triumphs, and tragedies. Writers Janet Mock and Steven Canals took the opportunity to tie up many characters’ loose ends throughout the season, and in the fourth episode, Pray Tell found a resolution he’d been desperately looking for.
Jackée Harry played Pray Tell’s aunt on ‘Pose’
In the episode “Take Me to Church,” Pray Tell travels back to his hometown to reconnect with his birth family. This included his mother played by Anna Maria Horsford and his two aunts, played by OG Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Janet Hubert and Sister, Sister‘s Jackée Harry.
Harry played Pray Tell’s aunt Jada, who previously shunned the ballroom emcee when he was younger but has since come around to loving him and everything he is. In one heartfelt moment, she begs her estranged nephew to give her another chance to love him.
Jackée Harry learned a lot while filming ‘Pose’
After the episode premiered, Harry opened up on Twitter about what it meant to take on the role and be a part of this story. She acknowledged the impact that the show is had on the world as a whole and not just LGBTQ people.
“Words can’t describe how thrilled I am to have been included in the final season of Pose,” Harry said. “As a huge fan since day 1, to appear on-screen with this groundbreaking cast is truly a dream come true! Immense thanks to Janet Mock and Steven Canals for bringing me into your world.”
Harry went on to describe the ways that Pose has done right by the LGBTQ community, specifically with regard to those elders lost in the AIDS epidemic at the time the show takes place.
“This show honored so many of the beautiful souls we lost to HIV/AIDS and it’s teaching so many, myself included, about the importance of acceptance and loving one another for who we truly are. We must never stop learning and loving,” she said honestly. “Pose, thank you for touching so many.”
