Photo by: Kevin Scanlon
We caught up with Ayesha Harris who can be seen playing Bernie in Prime Video‘s musical drama series Daisy Jones & The Six which premiered on March 3rd. The series is based on the New York Times best-selling historical fiction novel of the same name by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It follows an iconic 1970s band (loosely based on Fleetwood Mac) fronted by two feuding but charismatic lead singers, Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin). It also centers on Daisy’s best friend and disco pioneer Simone Jackson (Nabiyah Be). Ayesha plays Bernie, a New York DJ and Simone’s eventual love interest.
After owning and operating a successful barber shop in West Hollywood for six years until it was destroyed in an accident, Ayesha decided to give acting a real shot in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She got her first big breaks in 2021 and 2022 with roles in critically acclaimed series including This Is Us and Abbott Elementary, and also appeared in Good Girls and The L Word: Generation Q.
We asked Ayesha about her audition process for Daisy Jones & The Six, preparing for her scenes with Nabiyah Be, her own music taste, and much more. Check out our conversation below.
How does it feel now that Daisy Jones & The Six is finally out for the world to see after so much anticipation?
Ayesha Harris (AH): It feels amazing! The response to the show has been incredible! It is a great feeling to live up to all the hype surrounding the project!
Can you tell us about your audition process?
AH: The moment I got the script I knew this was a special project. You want to book everything you go out for, but I really wanted this role. It spoke to me. When I made it to the chemistry read, I told myself I’m not leaving this room without this role! And here we are.
Your character Bernie is not in the novel, but Bernie adds such importance to the series. How was it to prepare to play a role not included in the original source material?
AH: It was exciting to create Bernie from essentially my imagination which was a really satisfying experience for me. Being able to create her story while emotionally adding moments of my own life made Bernie even more genuine, and which is why I think folks connect with her so much; she’s relatable, grounded.
The chemistry between Bernie and Simone is really palpable. How did you prepare for your scenes with Nabiyah Be?
AH: Nabiyah is such a pro, and so very giving in her process. I feel really lucky to have been paired with her. We prepped by spending time with each other, getting a flow of how we both move in the world. We genuinely like each other, and it shows in a beautiful way on screen.
What are you hoping viewers take away when they watch Daisy Jones & The Six?
AH: That love comes in many beautiful different forms; love of people, of self, of music, and the infinite possibilities of things. Also, that creativity and expression is so essential to developing a life worth living.
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? Did you listen to specific artists when filming the series?
AH: I love house music, jazz, and hip-hop! I grew up with my parents and grandparents listening to disco, I just love the genre. Being able to thread the sound through the decades to the music I hear now is just amazing. During shooting I listened to a lot of Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Rick James, Thelma Houston, Diana Ross. It seemed like a great time to be alive!
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Daisy Jones & The Six is streaming on Prime Video.
Follow Ayesha Harris: Instagram
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