When Travina Springer auditioned for the role in Disney+ and Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated and new series Ms. Marvel, she immediately knew it was something special.
The series follows Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a Pakistani-American teenager who lives in Jersey City and is obsessed with super hero culture. Eventually, she discovers magical bangles that give her her own superpowers. But Springer shines bright as Tyesha Hillman, who is a convert to Islam. “I think it feels very groundbreaking and just exciting. I was surprised but also it felt timely. We’re ready for it,” the actress exclusively tells GRAZIA USA. “Audiences, people want to see this — it is so important right now for people to see themselves on TV and in media. I think it’s really great that Disney and Marvel recognized that. It’s going to make a huge impact.”
Springer auditioned for the role, and she quickly became enthralled with the Marvel universe. “Once I got introduced to the project, I definitely dived really deep into the comics,” she admits. “I watched the Captain Marvel movie, and I learned so much from that. Now, I have become an even bigger fan now that I am in the world.”
One of the perks of the job is that Springer was able to get out of her sweatpants and into the gorgeous costumes. “To dress up and be styled was really nice,” she quips. “I can’t wait for people to see it.”
Additionally, Springer was grateful to play a character that she “connected with,” as it “felt very natural.”
The rising star isn’t nervous about becoming a role model for others — in fact, it’s quite the opposite. “It feels wonderful to be able to be part of a project that has so many young people in general that are going to be able to look up to this,” she notes. “I want everyone to feel excited and inspired by this brown girl from Jersey City who becomes this superhero, in addition to seeing a diverse family on television. The visibility is going to be so impactful.”
As for what’s next, Springer is interested in the comedy world, but she also likes to take on more serious roles, too. “Being able to vacillate between the two genres is really fun for me,” she says. “I don’t like limitations on myself, so I think that I will always find a way to get back to comedy. If I am working only in a drama piece, I will always find a way to go back to comedy.”
Ultimately, Springer would love to work with Barry Jenkins or Ryan Coogler one day, but she also hopes to “continue to tell authentic stories and use comedy as a vehicle to get people to think differently or to change people’s hearts, minds and perspectives.”
“I think comedy has a very unique way of dropping people’s guards and opening up to different ways of thinking, so whatever vehicle that looks like for me, that is what I am interested in,” she adds.
For more information on Ms. Marvel, which premiered on Wednesday, June 8, click here.
