Alexander Nunez: Spotlighting Black Queer Creators

OUTtv’s latest project, Celebrating Black Queer Stories is a celebration of diverse voices in the entertainment industry, with a special focus on the talents and stories of Black queer creators. For the first interview, we sat down with the dynamic actor and creator Alexander Nunez!

Alexander Nunez is a Canadian actor and writer of Jamaican & Chilean descent. He is most well known for his performances in programs like Moonshine (CBC), Avocado Toast (OUTtv) and A Teacher (FX). On Moonshine, Alexander both stars as Sammy Finley-Cullen, and works as a writer on the show’s third season. His other writing credits include This Hour has 22 Minutes (CBC), and the multi-award winning digital series, Avocado Toast The Series (OUTtv). For his work on “This Hour”, Alexander was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for writing on a sketch comedy/variety series. Alexander’s short, titled Diversity Hire (2019), has since garnered success at several festivals, including 2020’s Just For Laughs Festival. Alexander’s own original series, titled Settle Down is set to premiere on OUTtv later this month.

What’s your origin story as a performer? Was there a spark moment that got you started?

In my teens, I fell hard for theatre and improv (shoutout to the Canadian Improve Games!). It didn’t earn me any popularity points (shocker), but my high school drama teacher pointed me toward my first real gig. From an open casting call, I booked a Disney sketch comedy pilot. The show wasn’t greenlit, but it got me my acting agent. I’ve been performing ever since!

How do your black and queer identities show up in your work—bold, subtle, or somewhere in between?

These identities play a big part in how I perceive and move through the world. I used to think a lot about what my work contributes to Black and Queer culture. These days, I am more mindful that neither community is a monolith, and it’s impossible to be a model of perfect representation. When I write or act, I try to do me. I tell my own stories, which are inherently black and queer, as I am. And I just hope someone out there will relate.

Describe your “I made it!” Moment. How did that feel? How did you seize the opportunity and take it to the next level?

I don’t know that I’ve had it yet! When you start in this industry, you’re constantly told the odds are stacked against you. So when you can finally support yourself, your instinct is to keep your head down and focus on the work. I am trying to look up more often and celebrate my accomplishments.

If your creative energy was a playlist, what are three songs that have to be on it?

Ah, it changes with every project! But I do have a current top three:

Always Alright by Alabama Shakes (anything by them or Brittany Howard, honestly)
Come Together by The Internet
Juna by Clairo

Why do you think the world needs more Black queer creators?

We are talented and complex and deserve to be in the spotlight for our narratives. We’re itching to show that we have more dimensions than playing side characters in other people’s stories — and no one knows how better to bring us into the spotlight than us! We have to be the ones to pick up a pen and share our perspective with the world.

If you could time travel, who’s one Black queer legend or history-maker you’d want to grab coffee with, and why?

I’d love to have a long coffee date with James Baldwin. His ideas about racial identity and queerness proved he was ahead of his time. I’m curious to know if he’d be surprised by the state of our world today.

What advice would you give to the next generation dreaming about creating and slaying?

The business-minded might disagree with me here, but:

As artists, we exist to hold a mirror to the world and to inspire, provoke, and help others through our vulnerability. Tell the stories you want to tell, stories that excite and move you. And do so unapologetically. Don’t worry about being perfect. The more you do that — and the more you enjoy the process — the better!

What’s coming up next for you? (Give us the exclusive!)

You can find me in CBC’s new comedy series, Small Achievable Goals, out February 25th. Check it out if you’d like to see me play the most passive-aggressive boss you’ve ever seen.

I have a few written projects in the works, but it’s too early to discuss them!

How can your audience best support and uplift your work and other black queer creators?

Give our projects a shot! We’d love for you to stream, watch, buy movie tickets, follow us online, and do all that good stuff. For example (wink, wink), you can check out my series Settle Down on OUTtv.com. You’ll laugh, I guarantee it. You can also follow me on Instagram and TikTok (both @alexjonunez) to see what I’m up to next!

Which organization serving the Black LGBTQ+ community would you like to give a shoutout to?

Shoutout to the Okra Project – a nonprofit working to help support Black Trans people across the United States. These days, I wager they need more help than ever. Donate and learn more at theokraproject.com