Interview with Alaqua Cox of “Echo”

Alex (Daily Moth): Hello! Alaqua Cox, how are you?

Alaqua Cox: I’m doing great. I’m a little bit tired because my son has been waking up overnight but I’m lucky to have the help of my mom. So I’m doing good and tired. How are you?

Alex: Good. I’m thrilled to be able to interview you. After the release—

Alaqua: Honored to be here.

Alex: –of Echo. Wow. I watched another interview you did and you said you got this role in 2020 after people suggested you audition for a role of a female, Native, athletic, and smart person. Many thought of you. Did you have any prior acting experience? Maybe in a play at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf?

Alaqua: Really, I did have two small roles in Wisconsin School for the Deaf plays. They were the winter and spring plays, I believe. They were small roles and I never thought, “I want to be an actor” in the future. I just did the play as a school thing. I didn’t think anything of it but I’m now an actor and I have my own career. It’s crazy to me.

Alex: Wow, so it means you weren’t like, growing up dreaming of Hollywood.

Alaqua: I never thought of it, no. I just got the role. I’m like, “Shit, I got the role!” I’m now actually enjoying acting after navigating this world. I’ve met amazing new people. There are so many amazing people in Hollywood. It’s made me want to continue in this career. I’m excited.

Alex: You’re now immersed in that world.

Alaqua: Yes.

Alex: Cool. I watched “Echo” and saw that your character is very serious, aggressive, and stoic. But I see that in real life, you’re very friendly. I saw on Instagram videos of the red carpet premiere of you being very friendly and sociable with people. So how did you channel that intensity? How did you do that?

Alaqua: Well, yeah I agree. It was strange to be angry. My eyebrows did a lot of work in “Echo,” being burrowed all the time! It feels weird to be like that because I’m not filled with rage and have complex emotions like Maya. This is her sign name. This is how you sign “Echo.” I’m sharing two name signs. Echo. Maya. She’s always full of rage and has complex emotions. I remember that it was hard to become her because she grew up in New York City and was always fighting crime and all that. I got to sit down with the director in an office. The director’s name is Sydney Freeland. She is an amazing director. We sat down and went through (Maya’s) emotions, developed her character, and rehearsed the lines. She really helped me develop (Maya’s) character. So it was really weird to become her but after I finished filming, I went back to Alaqua, who I am.

Alex: Is that your sign name?

Alaqua: Yes. It’s based on a scar on my lip that I got from a dog bite when I was little.

Alex: Oh.

Alaqua: So yeah, it was really interesting to play her character.

Alex: Your character rides on motorcycles and uses firearms. Do you, in real life, ride motorcycles and use firearms?

Alaqua: No, I don’t shoot in real life. But I did grow up hunting with my dad. Deer hunting. I didn't shoot but went with my dad. I did some of the scenes with motorcycles, but not the ones with fast turns or sharp curves. It wasn’t me. I really enjoyed riding on motorcycles, it was a lot of fun.

Alex: That’s cool. Are you considering getting your own motorcycle?

Alaqua: I honestly don’t mind.

Alex: Cool.

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Alex: I saw on your Instagram a video of you working out, doing a deadlift. Did you already like working out? You also did some kickboxing in “Echo”’s first episode. Did you train for this role with more intensity?

Alaqua: Well, I did stunt training and a personal trainer before starting “Echo.” It was way more than “Hawkeye.” I did a lot more training. Five days a week, 2-3 hours daily. It helped me to become Maya. I love having a personal trainer because she is Deaf. Her name is Anne Reuss. I’m so grateful to her for helping me with training and becoming Maya. It is really nice to have a one-on-one Deaf and signing trainer and not have to go through an interpreter. That would take more time. It is really nice to have a Deaf personal trainer. It’s nice of Marvel to listen to my request for a Deaf personal trainer and to provide me with one. It’s really nice and a huge step for the Deaf community. I’m excited about this journey.

Alex: How long have you been training?

Alaqua: I would say three months. During pre-production. Maybe 2-3 months. During filming, I had no time for that anymore because I was working 12-15 hours a day, sometimes six days a week. It was a lot of work. But yeah I did three months’ worth of training.

Alex: That’s cool. Now that “Echo” is out, I’m seeing a lot of buzz and positive comments from Deaf people who are thrilled to see Deaf/ASL representation. I also see Native Deaf people being thrilled at the representation. What does it mean to you that you’re making this kind of impact?

Alaqua: It means the world to me. You never see these kinds of superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I remember growing up watching Marvel films with my dad. He was a huge Marvel fan. I always saw white superheroes. But now we have more POC and now with me, disabled roles. We have more diversity. I’m really excited for kids to see and realize they can go for anything. Anything is possible. You know, you can do whatever you want to do. It’s really nice to inspire kids out there.

Alex: Nice. Now you did post on social media that you gave birth in November?

Alaqua: October.

Alex: October. Can you describe being a new mother? What do you do when you’re not working and acting? Can you share a bit?

Alaqua: Oh my gosh, it changes your perspective so much. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. He just became three months old, two days ago. I got emotional when he turned three months old. Already? I feel like I just gave birth yesterday. I enjoy being a mother to my son. I’m excited for him to see his mother on the screen but he won’t watch it until he’s old enough because of how violent (Echo) is!

Alex: Understood. Cool. Congratulations on being a new mother.

Alaqua: Thank you so much.

Alex: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Alaqua: Well, I can’t think of anything right now but I hope you watch “Echo” on Disney+ and Hulu and I hope you’ll enjoy seeing the signing. Most of the characters are in ASL.

Alaqua: It’s really exciting to watch. So exciting!

Alex: Thank you so much for your time, Alaqua Cox and congratulations on this big role, it’s a big deal. Congratulations.

Alaqua: Yes, for sure. Thank you so much. I appreciate that.