Amandla Stenberg has a major month ahead of her: the 19-year-old actress stars in the new powerful YA drama The Hate U Give, hitting theaters October 19. And she has a starring role in our November issue, too. Here, she talks coming out, graduating high school, and what she wants to fix about the world—
I have a weakness for:
"Tough musicians with hearts of gold."
My weirdest quirk:
"I have optional dimples—I can control them."
The last time I was nervous:
"When I came out as gay."
Something I used to worry about but don’t anymore:
"Always showing up to everything. I simply don’t have time not to be authentically enjoying myself."
The sexiest thing IMHO:
"Patience, understanding, and making an effort to communicate."
The most pivotal year of my life:
"The year I graduated high school. I fell in love, and I started working more. My entire perception shifted when life opened up to me as an adult."
The most meaningful trip I’ve taken:
"Japan with my best friends after a bad breakup."
Something people get wrong about me:
"That I’m the PC police."
One thing I want to achieve by this time next year:
"Some sort of workout regimen, for god’s sake."
If I could fix only one thing about the world, it would be:
"Equity, equity, equity, hunny!"
My mantra:
"The shine speaks for itself!"
The Hate U Give opens in theaters on October 19.
For more entertainment news, pick up the November 2018 issue on newsstands October 9, or click here to subscribe to the digital edition.
