Read our exclusive interview with actor Travis Winfrey, who’s presently playing Omar on VH1’s first scripted series ‘Single Ladies.’ The comedy follows three women, including Val, April and Keisha, and their romantic relationships. Omar is the one constant male presence in the women’s lives, as he works at Val’s boutique. ‘Single Ladies’ has been renewed for a second season, after its first season drew a consistent 1.8 to 1.9 million viewers every week since it premiered in May 2011. Winfrey, who has appeared on a variety of different television series, including ‘Dexter’ and ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager,’ discuses with us, among other things, what Omar’s relationship is like with the women, and why he felt compelled to join a show that heavily focuses on its female characters.
Shockya (SY): You’re currently portraying Omar on ‘Single Ladies,’ which chronicles the lives of the three main characters, Val, April and Keisha. How would you describe Omar’s relationship with the three women?
Travis Winfrey (TW): I think Omar’s relationship with April, Val and Keisha is just like any other brother-sister relationship. He gets in their business, tells them when they’re wrong and cares for them all the same he would his family. I think Omar is the guy you would want to hang out with.
SY: Stacey Dash, who is most remembered for appearing in the ‘Clueless’ movie and television series, stars as Val on ‘Single Ladies.’ What is it like working with her, and how has she grown as an actress since appearing in ‘Clueless?’
TW: I like working with Stacy. Hell, I just like working. As far as how she’s grown as an actress..? Really, you’re asking me? Let me make a few million dollars and last as long as she has in the industry, before I answer that question. I’ll get right back to you on that.
SY: ‘Single Ladies’ initially premiered as a movie on VH1, and it received such great fan response that the network decided to develop it into a series. The show’s first episode debuted to 2.8 million viewers. How did you react when you first heard the movie and series were embraced by the public?
TW: I am extremely grateful. It was an amazing feeling. So many pilots get made, but very few ever see the light of day. It still really hasn’t hit me yet.
SY: Queen Latifah serves as an executive producer on the series, and has said the inspiration for the show is real life. Do you feel the show accurately represents the romantic struggles women face in real life?
TW: I guess it does. People seem to relate in a big way. I’m still in awe of the response ‘Single Ladies’ is getting.
SY: Why did you feel compelled to join a show that’s mainly based on women’s personal relationships?
TW: When I read the script, it really read like something guys would eventually catch onto. Funny thing about most female relationships, most of them involve men. And if you’ve watched ‘Single Ladies,’ they have all types of relationships flying all over the place. It’s a show a lot of people can enjoy.
SY: Since ‘Single Ladies’ airs on VH1, a cable network, are you given more creative freedom to develop Omar than if the show was broadcast on one of the major networks (such as ABC, NBC or CBS)?
TW: No, but I do think Omar’s character is fantastic as he is.
Written by: Karen Benardello
