“A Black Lady Sketch Show’s” Skye Townsend Discusses Her Airy Songstress Character Nona Love
Narrative sketch comedy series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, is set to air its sophomore season’s finale episode this Friday on HBO. The biggest highlight of the season is new addition, Skye Townsend (“The Donors”). Skye, who plays 25 different characters throughout the entire second season, discusses her airy character, Nona Love. Titled “Ya Nona Love 2 C It,” it’s one of our favorite sketches this season.
“[Nona is] a grounded airhead,” the Los Angeles-native describes to A Black Lady Sketch Show creator, Robin Thede. Townsend really had to dig into her comedic acting chops when she joined the core cast this season. The actor and comedian even got to put on display her vocal chops as well. Yes, that is her vocals you hear in the segment.
“It was so exciting because I used to sing before acting,” Townsend shares. “So, I was like, I get to feed this muscle that I don’t usually get to work.”
At the age of 14, Skye began creating content on YouTube, and her videos impersonating Beyoncé became a viral success. Soon music industry leaders were taking notice, and by the age of 17 she was signed to Atlantic Records.
Prior to playing the songstress on A Black Lady Sketch Show, the actress — like she did for all of her characters — created a detailed mood board to help her embody Nona Love. Everything had to be perfect — down to the mannerisms and nuances. Speaking with Thede, she says that her portrayal of the popstar is not unlike the ones you see today.
“It’s so funny because if you look at the popstars out now, they talk like Nona,” she says. “[When talking,] she really just takes her time.” As for Nona’s physicality when singing, Skye references what she was used to seeing when she worked writing for a record label. “When the producers would find something they liked, they’d do a fake keyboard,” she explains, gesturing with her hands. “And then when you sing a high note, you do the hands higher.”
The song in the sketch, “Air,” is now available to stream on all platforms (Editor’s note: I currently have it on repeat on Apple Music). But what would Nona’s next song be? “The thing about me is I don’t plan anything,” Skye says in character as Nona. “I might take a sip of water and that’d be the song.”
A Black Lady Sketch Show was just renewed for a third season, so we’re counting on Nona to make an encore performance.
The Season 2 finale will air on Friday, May 28. Seasons 1 and 2 are currently available to stream on HBO Max.