Written by:
Diane Anderson-Minshall
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this Issue of Curve:
Vol. 13#5
If you aren’t among the three million people who were slavishly devoted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you might not recognize Kennedy — or, rather, the woman I like to call television’s hottest new lesbian. Ever since Sarah Michelle Gellar drove a stake through the heart of the Buffy series (saying it’s over in its current incarnation), Tinseltown has been rife with rumors about potential spinoffs. Dawn the Extremely Vulnerable Vampire Slayer, Faith the Reformed Bisexual Vampire Slayer, and so on. Our favorite? A Buffyless spinoff centered on lesbian witch Willow and her new ass-kicking, slayer-in-training girlfriend. (Presumably her training would officially be over by then.)
Of course, in Buffy land, rumors reign supreme, and creator Joss Whedon likes to keep everyone — even the players — on their toes. Several characters initially meant to be killed off were allowed to live (Spike, Faith, Wesley); the gay character was a toss-up the first season (Xander or Willow); and hints at Dawn’s arrival were planted two seasons before Michelle Trachtenberg was even cast. Fans around the globe so loved the show’s resident lesbian couple, Tara and Willow, that Whedon postponed Tara’s dreadfully stunning death an entire year. No matter. Lesbians are still seeing red that she died — in an episode titled “Seeing Red.”
Then, in the show’s final season, came Kennedy. As Buffy rounded up potential slayers to fight an invincible evil, TV audiences met a combat-ready, five-foot, three-inch Latina slayer-in-training who just happened to be a dyke. A hot one. A butchy gal who can fight, with a witty sense of repartee and sexy cerebralism that fit right in with the Scooby gang. Before you could say, “I thought there could only be one slayer?” Willow and the rest of America were hooked on her, too.
So just who is the woman who plays Kennedy? Though actress Iyari Limon was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, some 21 years ago, the Mexican/Indian/Spanish/French actress was raised in the shadow of Hollywood. As a teen she bucked her parents’ advice and starting acting in family films like Double Teamed, The Egg Plant Lady and On the Line, and in guest roles on television series including ER, Strong Medicine, Undressed and two Spanish-language Telemundo programs.
She’s the type of actress too young to know how to schmooze and fun enough to halt an interview to play back the Bewitched theme song on her cell phone. She tells you her middle name and then begs you not to use it. She laughs constantly, yet shows almost religious reverence for her co-stars. She’s got a strange relationship with fruit, too. She got her start thanks to the avocado, and she can spend so long goofily explaining how she’s similar to citrus (“‘Limon’ … means lemon, and I’m really similar to a lemon, I think. I’m tart. Lemons can be sweet, too. So they’re sweet and tingly and sour — I can be sour”) that you have to shut her up so you can find out if she’s going to be the star of her own series pretty soon.>>
Q&A: Iyari Limon
Did you know Kennedy was a lesbian slayer-in-training when you auditioned?
The only thing that had been mentioned to me was the possibility that I’d have to kiss a girl. Oh, no — actually, they [did say] she was gay. I’m trying to remember. The scene we read for, we didn’t even do that. They were just trying to get the feel for the character. So, back to the original question — did I know she was gay? Yes! [Laughs.] Rewind everything I just said.
Was the audition process long, or did you nail it the first time?
I just went in once, because I had read for Joss previously for a few other roles, for Firefly. I just went straight to him. I had no idea. I was anxious all day. It was nice to know when I got it — I thought it was just one time. I was supposed to be a one-time guest star. Then when it kept developing into more guest spots, I was like, “Cool! Great.”
Did you prepare for the role of Kennedy in any way? Nights at lesbian bars? Making out with your girlfriends?
[Laughs.] Where did you read that? No, I think I got it the day before I had to go in. There was no time to prepare. I just had to kind of jump into it. Didn’t know where it was gonna take me — I just closed my eyes and went for it.
Do you get recognized on the street now?
I have, a couple of times. It was strange; I got recognized in Santa Barbara. It was very dark and my windows are tinted. I was driving and there was a friend next to me … with tinted windows, you know, I couldn’t even see them. I thought they were asking for directions. It was just a month ago. I’m like, “I think they need directions or something. I can’t really see them; there’s somebody in the passenger side.” So we rolled down the window and the girl’s like, “You! You’re from Buffy! You’re Kennedy!” I didn’t know what to say! I was like, “Yeah, are you from Santa Barbara?” It was weird, but kind of cool. I enjoy it all. I’m taking it all in. Life’s never what you think it is.
There’s been a lot of talk about spinoffs, including one with you and Willow as the stars. Do you think America is ready for a lesbian lead?
Probably not. I think they won’t be ready even when it’s time. You know what I mean? It’s going to have to happen, and that’s what’s going to make them ready.
You’re only the second Latina woman to play a lesbian on
television. Does that surprise you?
Yes, it does surprise me — I wasn’t aware of that. It feels like a privilege.
Were your parents supportive of your acting? Were they artists?
No, they’ve never really wanted me to do acting. I used to beg my mom, since I was, like, 2. I used to beg her every Christmas, “This is what I want — I want to do plays. I want to do TV. I want to do theater.” I had imaginary friends. I just loved it. I’d get in front of the mirror and build scenes. She always said I was crazy and that every little girl wanted that. I don’t think she understood until I was a little older and could do it on my own and I went searching for it. I joined a commercial acting class.
How old were you?
I was 16. I didn’t have a job at that point … the classes [were] expensive, but I really wanted to take them. So a friend of mine, we went and picked avocados off her front yard — she had a huge avocado tree — and we went to a swap meet and sold them and that’s how I made the money to pay for my acting classes.
Then I got a commercial agent and didn’t work for a year. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. Never had done [theater], anything. Every time I’d get a page I would get so excited because I had an audition, and it was just the greatest thing in the world.
At that point my mom had to drive me, so I’d tell her, “Mom, I have an audition.” I remember one day she told me, “Why do you bother, Iyari? You’re never going to get anything.” … She made me cry. … She wanted something secure for me — she wanted stability, and this is not. But this is what makes me happy. I think she’s finally realizing that. Now she’s supportive. My dad, he’s just like, “What is she doing now? OK.” They don’t get excited about it. They don’t get it.
You were born in Mexico and came here as a toddler, right? But your parents grew up in Mexico? Do you think that’s a part of it?
Oh, yeah. They’re very old-fashioned. … My mom went to college but didn’t finish. She wanted me to go to college. They used to say, “Go to college so that if you marry somebody who’s good for nothing, you can pull through.” I was like, “What makes you think I’m going to marry somebody to support me? I’m going to marry somebody for love. What makes you think I won’t support them? What makes you think I won’t make all the cash?” I’ve always been really independent, really ambitious and really on my own. Since I could start working, I’ve been working. My first job was at Chuck E. Cheese! [Laughs.] I have faith in me.
Do you ever worry about being trapped by the Kennedy image?
I’m starting to! But, oh well, if this is my path, c’est la vie. I don’t think I will be trapped, because I think it’s different for girls. Lisa Vidal, she’s not trapped into [gay roles], so why should I be?
What else should I ask you?
Anything you want to know about Kennedy?
Yeah, tell me something about Kennedy!
Underwear bothers her.
That’s part of the backstory you can share with me?
Yes!
OK, underwear bothers her — on herself or other people?
Oh, that’s good. For starters, on herself.
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