By Dustin Rowles | Celebrity | July 8, 2014 |
By Dustin Rowles | Celebrity | July 8, 2014 |
Through two seasons of Orange is the New Black, Samira Wiley — who has been elevated to a series regular for season three — has become the biggest fan favorite of the series. In fact, it’s our affection for Samira’s character Poussey that drives much of the tension this year. Her and Taystee’s friendship is tested, and at times, there seems to be an actual threat to Poussey’s life, which is a terrifying prospect.
We also learned more about her backstory this year. She’s from a military family, and a German girlfriend, and German girlfriends and military families don’t exactly work well together.
We still don’t know why she is in prison (a first season hinted at a pot bust), but we do know that she does have a supportive father.
As for Samira Wiley, she, too, seems to have a supportive family. Her and Danielle Brooks (Taystee) both actually come from religious families. Both have fathers who were pastors, and both Brooks and Wiley attended Juilliard, where they were already friends. In fact, Brooks — who was cast as Taystee first — helped Wiley rehearse her lines before her audition to play Poussey (they watched old episodes of Scared Straight as research!). Basically, Taystee and Poussey’s platonic romance began before the show even started.
As for Samira’s actual love life? There are rumors — backed by some photographic evidence — that she’s dating an Orange writer, Lauren Morelli, who recently came out after ending a six-year marriage to her husband.
Here’s eleven more things we know about Samira Wiley from her Twitter account.
1. She prefers iPhones.
iPhone's all messed up. Waiting on my new one to arrive. This android replacement can go kick rocks, tho. Definitely not my jam.
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 5, 2014
2. Thunderstorms are a turn-on.
Thunderstorms are sexy.
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 4, 2014
3. Her first name rhymes with Shakira.
Rhymes with Shakira.
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 1, 2014
4. This is her favorite Vine video of all time.
This is my favorite vine ever. http://t.co/W7LyAaFC42
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 1, 2014
5. She’s diabetic.
I'm diabetic. Just like Halle Berry. (Gave me so much hope when I found that out about her). #stayhealthy
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 1, 2014
6. When she was little, she was in love with Lil Bow Wow, who is actually the exact same age as Samira Wiley (27).
When I was little, I was totally in love with Lil' Bow Wow. Like, head over heels. #postersalloverthewall #realtalk
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 1, 2014
7. She would like children someday.
I want kids so bad.
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 1, 2014
8. She cuts her own hair.
I do. #realtalk RT @adMAYAred: @samirawiley who cuts your hair? #AskOrange
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) June 21, 2014
9. She would marry O’Neil, f*ck Bennet, and Kill Caputo.
@samirawiley answers what she would do to Bennett @MattMcGorry pic.twitter.com/BKUQMoCqen
— Anthony Covino (@AnthonyHolic) June 21, 2014
#loveaffair @MattMcGorry @Serge_PR pic.twitter.com/C0FU8ftXaw
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) May 30, 2014
10. She was a huge fan of that House of Cards twist.
😮😮😮 Holy shit, @HouseofCards!!! #mindblown
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) February 15, 2014
11. She flat-out loves Regina King.
12. She and the rest of the Orange is the New Black cast can dominate a Pride Parade.