An Interview with Sasha Compère from ‘Single Drunk Female’

Sasha Compère is an accomplished actor of both the silver and small screen. From a television standpoint, she’s appeared in Miracle Workers and Love Life and in theaters, you’ve likely seen her in Ad Astra or in the Netflix feature Uncorked. Currently she stars as Brit in the Freeform series Single Drunk Female and in anticipation of the show’s season one finale, which debuts tomorrow, March 17, 2022, on Freeform at 10:30 p.m. EST, we had the chance to speak with Sasha about her role and the show.
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John Betancourt: What was it that attracted you to the show and Brit for that matter as well?

Sasha Compère: Yeah, you know, when I read the script, I am immediately connected with Brit. One because she's a first generation Haitian American. And also, she's had those pressures put on her to be perfect. And my parents are both from Haiti. And, you know, I absolutely love, love, love and respect them. But I will say that pressure is relevant to me and very real. And I've also had friends go through a lot of gripping issues where personally, I've had to, you know, choose to distance myself and I heard from those same friends after the show coming out saying: “Wow, this show connected with me.” And I love that I love that the way that Simone was so generous with her story and, and how unique and funny and quick and kind of smart it was. I mean, I felt blessed. I felt blessed to even read it and read for it, and then to find out, but I got it was… a dream come true.

John Betancourt And you bring up a great point about diversity right there, which leads me to my next question. In that, what does it mean to you to be a part of a series that is so incredibly progressive and diverse?

Sasha Compère: Wow. Again, like I wish “dream come true” wasn't like the only thing that came to my mind. But I, you know, working on a show that is so diverse and hits life from so many angles, it feels like we're exactly where we should be and where I wish we were maybe 50 To 100 to 200 years ago, going all the way back to Shakespeare. He did a good job, sometimes. But um, he's one of my favorites. And I think he addressed a lot of issues that were maybe taboo for the time. Yeah, but um, I think it's, it feels fantastic to see, you know, Rebecca through Olivia's character going through IVF with her partner and to see Mindy be the boss and this amazing strong force and to see Ally Sheedy going through life, dating again and Sofia's character going through alcoholism losing her job, and Lily as a single mother and myself just dealing with having that quote unquote perfect life which I feel like we generally don't see people of color having it's sort of the flip for me and I was and I just feel so gracious and so like… it’s a breath of fresh air to see something on TV that looks like the way I see the world in everyday life.

John Betancourt: Now in talking about all those journeys, that brings up another important question. Because while it seems as though Brit has that perfect life, it’s obvious that Brit is the ‘peacekeeper’ on the show.

Sasha Compère: She is!

John Betancourt: How did you as an actor, approach the mentality of someone that is quite literally juggling everything and trying so hard to keep everyone so happy?

Sasha Compère: Someone who once worked three jobs at the same time. I think I was a building manager. I worked at a restaurant at night, and I would work at a network in marketing during the day and I think I just got it and that was for several years of my life I would keep multiple jobs. I mean even I believe back in high school; you know, I would work a job or two and then you know, go to school, and have the sports and then in college I work two or three jobs just to pay the rent and pay for books, while I was on scholarship. And in New York I immediately you know, got the night job got the day job and in California when I moved here, I juggled a lot and so I think that for Brit, I immediately tuned into her because I was like: “Okay, she's got a lot on her plate, and she's got to keep it going.” I see that and I get that, and I can come from that angle. Any day of the week, any day any hour.

John Betancourt: So, personal experience. Okay. I like that a lot.

Sasha Compère: Yeah!

John Betancourt: Now the only thing that hasn’t happened for Brit just yet in the show, is that she really hasn’t laid out what it is she wants and she’s looking for. Which is interesting since we know where the other characters stand. Now what would you say… Brit is searching for?

Sasha Compère: Well, I think she's searching for really who she is. I think for a long time she's been the product of maybe what her parents have put on her the product of just being a good friend. As far as supporting Sam and looking at Sam almost like, that's fine. But I do think there's a piece of her that looks at Sam's life, like it's a movie, you're watching someone go through all the things you wish you had the freedom to do. And I think it is looking for that freedom to start experiencing life and make mistakes. And I think she's chosen to make quite a few of them. And I think, you know, she's learning from them. So, she really is just learning how to find her true self.

John Betancourt: So, there are a lot of messages in this show. Which is a good thing. But of all the messages and themes present in this show, which one resonates with you the most?

Sasha Compère: I think, oh, that's a tough one, isn't it? Because there are so many. You know, I don't want to I don't want to support any or say that, like, it's okay for someone to kind of fall off the wagon. But I think that if you have the kind of support that, that Sam has, it's okay to be honest with your feelings and to you know, look for support and the people around you. And to, you know, laugh through some of the messy stuff with the people who are closest to you, as we all go through stuff.

John Betancourt: What would you say you’re most proud of, when it comes to your time on this series?

Sasha Compère: Oh, man, just I mean, everything. I think the fact that it was so women led and women forward from our Creator, Simone Finch, to our amazing producers, Jenni Konner, and, and Leslye Headland, and we had a lovely trove of female directors and a lot of inclusive like BIPOC and LGBTQ and IA and I just… I'm so proud of it. From both in front of the lens of behind the lens, really just looking like how we all want to be seen and how we how we should be accepted today. I'm proud that it exists.

John Betancourt: So, last question for you today, what are you looking forward to audiences experiencing in the season finale? Without any spoilers, of course.

Sasha Compère: Looking forward to seeing just how Sam and Brit’s relationship evolves, and also seeing growth in and maybe a little bit of attraction for every single character that we've met from pilot to end, will feel little bit of everyone going through something new. I’m also excited for people watch me in season two! -laughs-

John Betancourt: Yes! Well, thank you so much for your time today, Sasha. I really appreciate it.

Sasha Compère: Thank you so much, John!  

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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