When you think about strong women, women who use what they have to do good in the world, chances are you think of acting icon Angela Bassett. Both on and off screen, Bassett has dedicated her life to making a positive impact, and with her latest campaign, she’s trying to make everyone proactive about their health.
Most recently, she’s partnered with GSK for their Sideline RSV campaign, a health education campaign to spread awareness on the risks of RSV: respiratory syncytial virus. While RSV is commonly linked to children, older adults with certain underlying conditions can be at great risk too, and that’s why Bassett is spreading the word.
When you gear up to meet a powerful woman like Bassett, it can be intimidating. But when you actually sit down and chat with her, you’re reminded of how genuine she really is. She brought a sense of wisdom, compassion, and laughter into every question, reminding fans to enjoy the good times, especially during times of uncertainty.
In her chat with SheKnows, Bassett discussed her new partnership, how she talks to her doctor all the time, how her kids, Bronwyn and Slater, 19, are blossoming into creative adults, and more — and taught fans so many things along the way.
Kristina Bumphrey/Variety
SheKnows: Can you tell me a bit about why you partnered with GSK to spread awareness about RSV?
Angela Bassett: Being a person who realizes that as we age, it’s important to be proactive about our health and our healthcare. It can be a lifesaver for many of us. I’ve talked about my loved ones and my late mother, who had battled health issues, heart disease, diabetes, and COPD. I realized that a priority should be preventing the risk tolerance and preventing and that, and just doing that could prolong those moments that we have time to share with one another … When I spoke with GSK, I heard about how RSV affected older people. I learned that each year, approximately 177,000 people, adults age 65 and older, in the U.S. are hospitalized due to RSV, and around 14,000 of those cases result in death. As serious as that is, because it’s a common virus, it’s very highly contagious and potentially serious, the solution can be quite simple. We should speak to our doctor if we have those risks, those underlying conditions, or if you’re 75 and older, or if you’re 50 to 74 and you have those chronic underlying health conditions, then it’s imperative that for our long range health goals, speak to our doctor or pharmacist about our risk, about vaccination, if that’s appropriate for you. And then for more information, just go to Sideline RSV for tips on how to speak to your doctor if that’s needed.
SK: I love that you’re using your platform for this. Do you have any words of wisdom, or is there anything you want to say to older adults who may have apprehensions about going to the doctor?
AB: That’s the perfect place to start: you shouldn’t have fear. There’s experience, there’s wisdom, and there’s the ability to advocate for ourselves. Maybe it can be daunting, but they’re public servants. I have a wonderful relationship with my doctor. I call and text him. This is one case where you can be a nuisance! That’s what they’re there for! Sometimes we need the information — that’s what we need.
SK: What’s the biggest misconception people have about Black women and health that you wish you could rewrite?
AB: I don’t know. We’re all individuals, and I think we should all be taken at face value. I am just one. I’m gonna appreciate you and your journey, who you are, and recognize that you’re going to be quite different, but it’s all a part of this human experience. And that’s beautiful.
SK: I love that. Wow. Now, with navigating health and advocating for yourself, how did you guide your kids in those things?
AB: We spent the beginning, even when they were little kids, encouraging them to speak up. [I’d say] “Tell them how you’re feeling.” It gave them confidence. You’re there, you’re holding their hand, and you’re basically saying it’s okay. How you feel or what you think and how it’s going, matters. So express yourself. Be okay with that. I always let them, where appropriate, speak up, interject, and be a part of the conversation.
SK: Has aging shifted your relationship with how you handle your health and self-care?
AB: I really do try to make the time. It’s hard sometimes, after you finish working twelve, fourteen, sixteen hours, to do some additional things for yourself. But rest absolutely is a priority. When I [was] young, it [was] like, ‘Let’s go. Let’s party!’ And I still like to go — but I do recognize if I have to get up at five, I gotta be down at ten. So I try to insist with myself that we’re gonna try to get seven hours most of the time. Now some days, it’s just not possible. I am a night owl. But to function at my best, I have to prioritize getting rest and eating well.
SK: You’ve been a patron of the arts for youth for so long. How did you nurture your children’s artistic sides growing up?
AB: Oh, they’ll tell you. I will take them to the theater in a New York minute. [laughs] Take them to the theater, take them to the museum. I love that they love seeing art; I surrounded them with art. Gave them piano lessons. … They’re college age now, and I think it’s the end of sophomore year when you have to declare a major. I’m hearing [they] want to do something creative. I think they’re recognizing that about themselves, that they’re creative people, whether it’s music or fashion, architecture — they love creativity. I think they love human nature, because they’re interested in psychology, sociology, how people interact and are.
SK: They’re in college now — how’s that going with them being little adults in the world?
AB: It’s gone well. They are so excited about where they are, what’s happening with their lives. They’re just enjoying it, they’re good people, and the word always comes back when they go out, people call you that they’ve been around them or seen them. So a good word always comes back. When they go out to the world, they know how to be, and they carry themselves with grace, dignity, and with compassion.
SK: I gotta ask, do they have a favorite role of yours?
AB: I’d have to say maybe Queen Ramonda [from Black Panther] because that’s one they’ve seen, but they don’t really check for me for their entertainment choices.
SK: I know you said a few years ago that they didn’t watch What’s Love Got to Do With It, and I was wondering, have they seen it yet?
AB: Well, I don’t know about my son. My daughter had this past Thanksgiving last year. We’re on vacation together, and she was like, ‘Mom, we just watched this and you’re really good.’ I was like, ‘Well, thank you!’
SK: Was there a role you took that felt like a gamble at the time, but ended up being transformative? Or do you consider all of your roles rather transformative?
AB: All of them are very meaningful. I would consider knowing that you get to spend time with like-minded souls, you’re going to work very hard, very long in this project. We’re going to give our focus and our measure of devotion to it. Whether it’s a success in the marketplace or not, we’re gonna have this experience and this time together. So I would always pick something that I thought was would help me to grow as an artist, as an individual. No matter what happened in the end there, in terms of the public, you never know. So I had to be pleased from the beginning. You just always want to be proud of where you put your hand. I wouldn’t always respond because there’s a paycheck at the end of the week, because sometimes that’s not enough.
SK: I know the newest season of 9-1-1 will be premiering in October, and a lot of changes have happened. What should fans get excited for?
AB: Well, some of the characters that you’ve come to know and love are still there, still saving lives, still in relationships with one another, still growing, becoming, learning, loving, and still supporting one another. Some great messages are coming out there. But it’s about first responders, making people aware, keeping people safe. And, I guess I’m doing it in my work. I’m also doing that outside of work here with GSK in this campaign. [I’m] raising awareness because we all wanna be around for the moments to engage with one another.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
