Photo Credit: Richie Lubaton
Tony Giroux can currently be seen starring as Adil in the new Freeform series Motherland: Fort Salem. Motherland: Fort Salem is an action-packed supernatural exploration of an alternate reality centered on the Salem Accord, a 300-year-old agreement that ended the United States’ persecution of witches in exchange for magical military support.
We spoke with Tony about what drew him to the series, what viewers can expect from Adil in the upcoming episodes, and his background as a professional dancer.
Read on for our exclusive interview with Tony Giroux below:
What would you say initially motivated you to pursue acting as a career? Was there anyone who influenced or inspired you?
It’s funny, I can remember doing a grade ten presentation on what I wanted to be when I grew up. I oddly did it on acting with Jim Carrey as an inspiration, even though I had never done it. At that time, I was caught up trying to be cool and accepted. I got into street dance more seriously in my late teens, which eventually brought me into acting.
One of my biggest influences and inspirations remains my mom, who always supported my choices. She came to every show and listened to all my existential crises after bad auditions. A-list artists who have inspired me include Heath Ledger, Tom Hardy, and Joaquin Phoenix. And lots of inspiration from my closest friends. They’re pretty awesome.
Can you talk a little about your role of Adil in the series Motherland: Fort Salem and what attracted you to the project? What can we expect from him as a character?
Adil carries a soft heart and seeks to protect his family at all cost, which causes some juicy friction in the power structure and amongst characters. I think he also presents us with the battle we sometimes face: following our heart versus doing what we think is right.
Two biggest elements of the show that drew me in: matriarchy and magic. My dreams of playing in a cool sci-fi plus supporting diversity in the industry made for a dream job as an actor.
Motherland: Fort Salem is described as a supernatural drama series. How would you describe the first season to viewers thinking of watching?
It’s a new look into witchcraft. Eliot Lawrence (show creator) was bold and detailed with his creation, re-inventing previously labelled darker magic into empowering powers for all. The uniting of witchcraft and the US government in a female dominated environment makes it a must see.
As the first season continues to air, what can you tease about what viewers can expect from these upcoming episodes and more specifically, what’s ahead for your character?
Everyone will be tested in one way or another, physically and emotionally, my character included. As Adil arrives from one conflict zone into another, he struggles to find his place among new faces, and gets caught in a risky path of who can be trusted. Yet that journey may be fruitful in more ways than he anticipated.
Tony Giroux
Photo Credit: Richie Lubaton
What do you love most about getting to perform in a series that is set in an alternate reality of America?
Challenging norms and re-defining new ones. There is no perfect world but striving for a better one by telling this story is a privilege.
You also have a background as a talented professional dancer. How did you get started with dancing and what do you enjoy most about it? Would you like to incorporate more of these skills in your acting roles in the future?
I saw a cool movie (You Got Served. 2004) and super attractive girls. That drew my fourteen-year-old self into dance. After a few years of trying to be all that, I started discovering the art beneath it, the expression with abandon, the raw culture that fought hate with love, and most importantly a celebration of life geared towards uplifting one another.
These are aspects that I related to and which have kept dance alive in me throughout the years. It has influenced me as a person immensely, so I think I always bring that to my roles, whether there is dancing involved or not. And if You Got Served 2 was ever a thing, I’d without a doubt try to two step my way in.
During the Covid-19 pandemic we all have a little extra time at home nowadays. How have you been passing the time?
Ben & Jerry’s half-baked ice cream has been the number one pass time, along with singing to my plants. Creatively, my friends and I have been doing hilarious video-challenges, giving me a great platform to be ridiculous. Overall though, it has been a great time to look at things that have been put on the back burner, both professionally and emotionally.
Finally, what else are you working on? What can your fans look forward to from you next?
My heart’s the one in the works. Cracking it open to share it every bit of the way.
Thank you so much to Tony Giroux for taking the time to answer some questions for us!
Be sure to check out Motherland: Fort Salem currently airing on Freeform.
Keep up to date with Tony Giroux by following him on Twitter and Instagram.
Connect with Pop City Life on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.