Lexi Underwood Can Relate to ‘BoJack Horseman’

As she was learning the part of Isabella, who she plays on the teen drama “Cruel Summer,” Lexi Underwood asked herself, “What would Pearl do?”

Pearl is one of her previous television roles, from the 2020 Hulu mini-series “Little Fires Everywhere.”

That character, constantly uprooted by her enigmatic mother, has some similarities with Isabella, the daughter of peripatetic diplomats. Both have complicated relationships with their parents. Both crave stability and normal lives, suppressing their pain while pretending that everything is fine.

“I felt as though I was able to pull some of the things that I learned along the way of playing Pearl and bring that to Isabella,” Underwood, 19, said in a video call. “It was like if Pearl was a little bit older and we got to see her living that type of life. I feel like maybe that’s the path that she would’ve gone down.” (“Cruel Summer” begins its second season on Freeform on June 5.)

Underwood played Young Nala in “The Lion King” on Broadway when she was 11, and soon after persuaded her parents to let her visit Los Angeles for pilot season. She never left, and by 15 had started her own production company to tell the stories that were often overlooked.

“I wanted to take matters into my own hands,” Underwood said before talking about meditation, Frank Ocean and the Netflix animated series “The Midnight Gospel.” “Any person that’s ever felt as though they haven’t been heard or were misrepresented, I want to make them feel seen.”

These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

1

‘The Four Agreements’

Every person should read this book at least once in their life. Because every agreement has multiple lessons that help us break down the parts of ourselves or our conditioning that no longer serve us as human beings, and that keep us from being free thinkers.

2

‘BoJack Horseman’

I don’t know if I’ve ever related to a show more. I am a young actor in Hollywood, and I was a child actor, so I know what it’s like to go on that journey of being 10 or 11 in the industry, and then being a teenager, and then transitioning into your 20s, and all the ups and downs that go with that. I’ve never seen the ebb and flow of the industry, and how it affects your mental health as well, depicted in such an authentic way outside of “BoJack Horseman.”

3

Meditation

The way that you start a day and the way that you end a day is super important. Instead of reaching for my phone as soon as I wake up, I’m going straight to my meditation corner and thinking about the things that I’m grateful for and the energy that I want to bring into my day. And before you go to sleep, I think that it’s important to be able to have that quiet time with your body and with your mind and allow your soul to be at peace for a second.

4

Crystals

I carry them with me all the time — literally have one right here. It’s a rose quartz. It’s good energy, love and happiness. I genuinely believe that they help you tap into a certain frequency. And certain crystals can help protect you, so if you’re out and somebody’s not necessarily being kind, carrying that crystal on you may help them not want to be in your personal space.

5

My Grandma’s House in North Carolina

That is my safe haven. It always has been ever since I was younger, even before I moved to L.A. It’s the house that my grandmother grew up in, it’s the house that my mom grew up in. And it’s the house where we have all of our family gatherings. I’m grateful that I have that place to be able to go back to whenever I feel as though I just need a break.

6

‘The Midnight Gospel’

I’ve been so into animated series lately. This one is tied to spirituality. The character’s name is Clancy, and it’s kind of like them in the afterlife, going back on Earth to help people understand the true meaning of life — because they know what’s really happening behind the scenes and in the universe. It’s about grief, it’s about forgiveness, it’s about healing, it’s about family and your relationship with your mom and cherishing our loved ones before it’s too late.

7

‘MJ: The Musical’ on Broadway

I’ve seen it three times so far. And it is just so stinking good. My favorite artist growing up, outside of Aaliyah, was Michael Jackson. Fun fact: We’re a day apart, our birthdays, so I used to say that we’re almost birthday twins. I admire him so much. His dedication, his motivation, the way he approached his craft. Being able to see his story told in that light on Broadway — I was so moved, and I keep going back and bringing people.

8

‘Blonde’

Frank Ocean has always had a huge impact on me, and “Blonde” specifically. That album, for me, symbolizes everything that it means to come of age — the heartbreak, the finding yourself. I’ve had a lot of beautiful moments while listening to those songs. That album is a classic and I still listen it at least three times a month.

9

‘Homecoming’

During quarantine when I was feeling so low, and I was like, “Am I never going to work again?” I distracted myself with watching “Homecoming” to make myself feel motivated and be like, “Oh yeah, everything is going to work out.” Any time that I have to get ready for press or pump myself up to get in a good mood, I play Beyoncé.

10

Ramen

Whenever I feel down, I get ramen. There’s a ramen spot that’s five minutes from my house that I honestly abuse the heck out of because I’m always over there. I feel like my friends are probably tired of me constantly suggesting to go get ramen when they ask what we want for lunch. But they’ll be fine.