Natasha Behnam – ContentMode

Natasha Behnam

In Girls on the Bus, Natasha Behnam chases her lead. Loosely based on the best-selling Chasing Hillary, the new HBO show follows politics on the road. Lola Rahaii, a Gen-Z journalist, leverages her social media following for positive change. Natasha and I talk about social media activism, political potential, and her first experience on a TV series!

Jacket: Lioness at Revolve, Pants: Everlane, Shoes: Steve Madden, Earrings: Jennifer Zeuner, Bracelet: Jenny Bird at Revolve

Blazer: Everlane, Dress: Miaou, Earrings: Altra Nova by Sheila B, Shoes: Pleaser Shoes, Rings: Jenny Bird

Congratulations on Girls on the Bus! How has the process been so far?

It’s been a dream come true! I couldn’t ask for a better experience on my first TV series.

How did you approach developing Lola as a character?

A lot of Lola’s traits came intuitively to me. When I read the script, I knew exactly who she was and I understood where she was coming from. She was never a vapid influencer to me. I felt like she was a smart, driven girl who was desperate to make the world a better place and was doing so the only way she could fathom: through her social media reach. I approached developing her in the way I imagined she would approach anything in her own life: with skepticism, courage, and passion.

Jacket: Lioness at Revolve, Pants: Everlane, Shoes: Steve Madden, Earrings: Jennifer Zeuner, Bracelet: Jenny Bird at Revolve

Lola’s youth and approach to journalism juxtaposes that of her colleagues. How do you think her age impacted the group’s dynamic?

I genuinely think Lola brought a fresh perspective to the group. She’s so underestimated by everyone at first, but by the end of the season, she gained everyone’s respect. I was thankful that the writers didn’t write a stereotypical idea of Gen Z, and actually flushed Lola out to be a real person. She is so diligent in her work, so all of her seemingly radical beliefs are backed up by facts. I really do think she changes the game.

Lola’s social media activism reflects how many young people interact with social issues in today’s political landscape. How do you think young people can leverage this political capacity?

I think the greatest thing about social media is how it can connect us all. We’re able to mobilize at a greater degree and make changes through community, just by connecting with each other online.

Matching Set skirt and top: ASTR Label, Leather Jacket: AFRM at Revolve, Shoes: Steve Madden, Sunglasses: Valentino, Earrings: Jennifer Fisher, Rings: Jenny Bird

Blazer: Everlane, Dress: Miaou, Earrings: Altra Nova by Sheila B, Shoes: Pleaser Shoes, Rings: Jenny Bird

Journalism itself serves as the documentation of social climates. How do you think social media aids this process?

I think social media allows us to hear directly from people about their experiences, without a middleman filtering anything. If we’re able to open our hearts to others, we can just believe people when they share about their circumstances. Of course, there’s still a veil with social media, but at least we can hear stories from groups of people we may not have been exposed to before.

There’s a performative nature to both acting and politics. How do you think your background in acting, both in improv and on screen, informed your approach to the subject material?

I think the biggest similarity between acting & political journalism is how hard you have to work in both fields. Both careers are quite competitive and take full dedication. I was able to take some of the drive I have for acting and infuse it into Lola, as her desire to be a political journalist.

Blazer: Everlane, Dress: Miaou, Earrings: Altra Nova by Sheila B, Shoes: Pleaser Shoes, Rings: Jenny Bird

Jacket: Kaftan Studio, Corset: Miaou at Revolve, Jeans: Topshop Curve at ASOS

Both acting and politics move at a quick pace. Did you ever find yourself overwhelmed by the rate at which things were moving?

In the beginning, perhaps…But just like how any new venture in life takes getting used to.

How can you compare Lola’s experiences to that of the other women in the story?

Lola is coming from a completely different place than the other women. She has no professional experience in journalism, and simultaneously, more followers than any of them. The one thing she has in common with them, which ultimately is one of the reasons they all become friends, is her relentless desire to tell the truth to the masses.

Blazer: Everlane, Dress: Miaou, Earrings: Altra Nova by Sheila B, Shoes: Pleaser Shoes, Rings: Jenny Bird

Girls on the Bus was loosely inspired by Chasing Hillary. Did any of the original story impact your approach?

While Chasing Hillary focuses on a female politician, some of the politicians in Girls on the Bus are men. How do you think gender impacted the storyline here? We were lucky enough to have Amy Chozick’s expertise, and all of her insight was so helpful in building and understanding the world these women were in. Gender was a huge part of this entire story. Every single aspect of the job is different for men and women. I think the show does a great job of portraying those nuances and calling them out, while also calling out that gender is a social construct. Both things exist at once!

Much of the show focuses on the camaraderie, but also competition, between this group of women. How do you think the show navigated this dynamic?

I think people are capable of being nuanced and holding two truths at once; and if we aim to write, create, and portray characters that are real humans, then that is the result. You get characters representative of what we see in the real world: complicated, interesting, and holding multiple truths at once.

Jacket: Kaftan Studio, Corset: Miaou at Revolve, Jeans: Topshop Curve at ASOS

Blazer: Everlane, Dress: Miaou, Earrings: Altra Nova by Sheila B, Shoes: Pleaser Shoes, Rings: Jenny Bird

While the political potential of Gen-Z is overwhelmingly clear, many young people still interact with politics at arm’s reach. What’s your advice for young people who want to get involved but don’t know where to begin?

Find people online whose voice you agree with. Take time to listen to what they’re saying, and if it resonates with you, follow their lead!