Upfront with D’angelo Thompson: An Interview with Actor Jamie Gray Hyder

Upfront with D’angelo Thompson: An Interview with Actor Jamie Gray Hyder

A Native of the Washington, DC Area, Jamie Gray Hyder is a Lebanese-American actress and advocate currently starring as "Officer Katriona Azar Tamin" on Dick Wolf's record-breaking series, Law and Order, SUV. 

Initially known for her role as Danielle on HBO's True Blood, and as Lucia Solano on USA's Graceland, Jamie then moved on to portray Call of Duty's first female lead as Lt. Nora Salter in Call of Duty: Infinite Warefare. 

Jamie is a classically trained singer and received her B.A. in Film & Theatre Studies from the University of Georgia. And also works as an advocate on behalf of mental health resources and veterans support through organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Student Veterans of America. 

Soulivity Editor-at-Large, D'angelo Thompson, got the chance to spend some quality time to ask about her life and journey to success, as well as, insights about passion, purpose, and higher quality living. Enjoy!
Note: All Photos Supplied By Subject.

DT: Did you always want to be an actress?

JGH: Yes. Since I was very young, I aspired to be an actress. I was classically trained in voice for 12 years, which introduced me to musical theatre. Due to a vocal cord issue in college, I pursued more  'straight' acting, and it opened up more possibilities.

DT: How does it feel to be part of the Law and Order SVU ensemble cast/family?

JGH: It feels incredibly validating. I was out of work for about 18 months before booking SVU. Which was an opportunity of a lifetime for me. In hindsight, I think it prepared me for this role.

I'm grateful that I have a lot in common with my character  Katriona Tamin/Kat Tamin. It makes it more sustainable and being able to connect with her emotionally. She is a lot like me.

DT: How do you approach self-care and keep yourself centred?

JGH: I workout with my trainer as often as I can, depending on my work schedule. For skincare and makeup, keeping it simple is what I like. I mostly use only natural products. For me, it's about enhancing what I already have and less time-consuming.

DT: What would you say to ten-year-old Jamie?

JGH: All the things that made you feel weird and different as a kid will become your assets as an adult. 

5-DT: Finish this sentence, the shift I would like to see in the world is," 

JGH: "to see our differences as an educational opportunity".Name: Jamie Gray Hyder
Job Title: Actress & Advocate
Instagram: @jghyder

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