GG Townson is Los Angeles native best known for her role as “Salt” in the hit biopic Salt-N-Pepa. Granddaughter of Ron Townson, one of the lead singers of the iconic vocal group Fifth Dimension, GG is inspired by his life and career and plans to carry on the Townson legacy in the entertainment industry. She currently stars in BET+’s Sacrifice, which follows a high-powered entertainment attorney, Daniella Hernandez (Paula Patton), as she navigates the complicated lives of her clients. One of those clients is GG’s character Jameson, which she describes as both a loose cannon and the ultimate boss bae. When GG isn’t being a power woman on the screen, she is fighting for women through her support and work with the non-profit Breaking the Chains, an organization that works with artists and creators to bring awareness to eating disorders. Read on in our interview with GG to learn more about her career and activism!

Where are you based?
I am a proud Los Angeles native.

What inspired you to go into acting? Did you always know you loved it?
Honestly, my passion for acting began with me simply putting on one-woman shows at home when I was young. Because I started at the age of seven, I wasn’t really sure of how anything would pan out, but I knew I enjoyed playing dress-up.

You are well known for your portrayal of the iconic hip-hop artist “Salt” in the hit biopic Salt-N-Pepa. What drew you to this character?
Initially it was just an audition like every other audition! I was drawn to Cheryl the person, after learning her whole story, not just the one the public knew.

How did you prepare for this particular role? Did you have any vocal training?
Vocal training has been something I’ve always done on-and-off in my life. This was a case where I consistently “stayed ready”; so, I didn’t have to “get ready” when my moment presented itself.

Playing a real-life person can be tricky. Were you able to get in touch with Cheryl “Salt” James or other members of Salt-N-Pepa at all?
Absolutely! Cheryl was an instrumental part of the entire process, and had to approve of me even getting the role. From the point of booking, we connected on a personal level and that helped me portray her with the utmost respect.

The group Salt-N-Pepa was the first female rap group to win a Grammy and they have inspired a lot of people worldwide. How did this role inspire you in your own career?
It inspired me to always be true to myself. At the end of the day, when all the cameras are off, you have to sit with the choices you made.

Your grandfather Ron Townson was one of the lead singers of the iconic vocal group Fifth Dimension. Do you believe you are carrying on the legacy?
I feel that I’m carrying the legacy from a general entertainment standpoint, just not as a singer. His life and career inspires me to make good choices within the industry that would make him proud.

You currently star in BET+’s Sacrifice, which follows a high-powered entertainment attorney, Daniella Hernandez (Paula Patton), as she navigates the complicated lives of her clients. What is your role in this series?
In Sacrifice, I play Daniela’s new pop star client, Jameson. She is very much a loose cannon, but quiet the boss bae once you get to know her — she can also be scary at the same time!

Does the series feel real to life to you?
No, not at all. My life is the opposite of the character Jameson that I play. I couldn’t even imagine doing the things that she does on a daily basis in my real life.

Do you have any favorite memories from filming Sacrifice?
I would say my favorite memories from Sacrifice include building relationships with the cast and crew. It was a really great set to be a part of.

Some of your other TV appearances include: Everybody Hates Chris, Zoey 101, Cory in the House, Like Family, and 30 Days to Life. What roles do you see yourself leaning towards in the future? Do you have a favorite genre?
I would say I don’t have one favorite in particular, and I don’t necessarily know where my future will take me. I’m honestly just ready for whatever comes next, and the adventure of it.

Congrats! You were recently nominated for a 2021 Hollywood and African Prestigious Award (HAPA) in the Best Comic Actress in a Film/Mini-Series/TV Series category for your work in the film Welcome Matt. Can you tell us a bit about your role and the movie?
Thank you so much! I was completely in shock to hear about that and was not expecting it at all. In the movie Welcome Matt, I play a character named Lisa who is Matt’s (Tahj Mowry) therapist. Throughout the movie, Lisa helps Matt overcome his fear of agoraphobia. It’s a really fun, cute rom-com that I enjoyed being a part of.

Welcome Matt addresses mental health in a fun way. Can you tell us a little bit about why you might think this is important?
I think addressing mental health in a fun way lessens the stigma people might feel surrounding the topic, and alleviates the weight of it that might make someone not want to discuss it.

Speaking of mental health, you support and work with the non-profit Breaking the Chains. Can you tell us a bit about this organization and your work with them?
Breaking The Chains is an organization that works with artists and creators to bring awareness to eating disorders. I actually got involved with them after the Salt-N-Pepa movie came out — I was portraying Cheryl, who had an eating disorder herself. What I bring to the organization is my experiences in the industry and personal experiences around mental health and body image.

Do you have any advice for anyone struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating & negative body image?
Talk, be vocal, and seek help. There are so many people dealing with these same issues — more than people know.

It has been shown that social media has been very harmful for body image across all ages. Do you have any thoughts on this, and if you could do one thing to help change this, what would you do?
It’s very sad and disheartening to see it happen. I fell victim to it at one point so my best advice would just be to constantly work on yourself, build up the personal love for yourself on the inside, as well as, your outside image.

How can our readers help out and get involved?
You can find different ways to support such as volunteering or donating at https://breakingthechainsfoundation.org/get-involved/

How are you staying positive during the current wave of the pandemic?
My village of family and friends is what keeps me grounded and sane.

What does your new normal look like?
Taking life day-by-day. Things that are beyond your control are not your business; so, don’t get consumed by them.

What is your motto in life?
Be true to yourself, and you are enough!

To see more from GG Townson, please follow her on the platforms below:
Instagram: @GGTownson
Facebook: @GGTownson

Team Credits:
Photographer: Vince Trupsin
Stylist: Alex Clo ugh
Make-up: Tracy Raffleson at EA Management
Hair: Richard Grant at EA Management

COVER - Ultimate Boss Bae GG Townson