True Whitaker has come off a recurring role in “Godfather of Harlem,” the MGM+ original show that starred her father, Forest Whitaker. She will also star in the upcoming film “Spring Breakers 2: Salvation Mountain.” But when she felt anxious while shooting HBO’s “I Love LA,” she’d touch the rosary around her character’s neck. The upcoming comedy series is one of her biggest roles to date; of course she was nervous.
“It reminds me of this one meme where it’s like, ‘You say you’re gangster, but I saw you get nervous and touch your necklace for support,’” she said. “That is me.”
Rosaries and cross necklaces are emotional touchstones for the actress off-set, too. They remind Ms. Whitaker, 27, of her late mother, Keisha Nash Whitaker, who passed away when True was 25, in 2023. Her mother was an actress, producer and model who collected rosaries and crosses, and often lent them to her daughter. In an interview that’s been edited and condensed, Ms. Whitaker described one of her favorites, and the feeling of connection it gives her.
Tell me about your cross necklace.
My mom had it for a really long time. When she was 30, she wore this necklace to her birthday. When I look back at photos of her close to my age, she had this necklace, so when my mom passed away and I found it, I really hold it close to me. It really makes me feel connected to her when I wear it.
My mom grew up Catholic and had a lot of crosses. She has a lot of vintage Dolce rosaries and stuff like that, that I also have collected and love.
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