KiKi Layne says she was ‘drawn’ to Princess Meeka in Coming 2 America because of her ‘strength’

KiKi Layne says she was ‘drawn’ to the role of Princess Meeka in Coming 2 America because of her ‘strength and integrity.’

The rising star, 29, looked regal as ever, rocking Givenchy and Michael Kors as she talked about the part in the Eddie Murphy comedy for L’Officiel’s latest digital cover.

‘Just getting to play an African princess was already amazing,’ the Ohio native shared. 

‘But Meeka also has so much strength and integrity. She gets to kick some a**. Just representing another strong Black woman on screen, representing Black royalty and beauty and excellence—I was so drawn to that.’

In Coming 2 America, KiKi plays King Akeem’s (Murphy) only child, who is being groomed to take her father’s throne.

But things are fall into disarray when Akeem discovers he has a long-lost son living in America, forcing the royal family of Zamunda to reconsider their kingdom’s old-school traditions favoring male heirs.

Joining the Coming 2 America cast was meaningful for the DePaul University-trained talent, who revealed the 1988 original was her eldest brother’s all-time favorite film.

‘My family has their own very personal connection to the original film,’ she explained. ‘They’re just so excited. They don’t even know what to do with themselves.’

Though Coming 2 America is a surely a dream-role for the star, she admitted she’s had to work hard to not get boxed in by ‘stereotypes and assumptions.’ 

‘When I had representation meetings I made it clear. “Y’all are not just going to send me out for the stuff that’s just for the black girl. I will not accept that,” she  remembered telling her agents after her breakout role in 2016’s Moonlight.

‘I’ve been intentional about not being put into a box and about representing Black women and creators in Hollywood. I love breaking out of the stereotypes and assumptions of what type of stories it makes sense for a Black body to be seen in.’

Those decisions helped lead her to her role in the action blockbuster The Old Guard opposite Charlize Theron, who she credited with ‘paving the way in terms of representation for women in the action genre.’ 

Next, KiKi will flirty with psychological thriller genre in the Olivia Wilde-directed feature Don’t Worry Darling with stars Florence Pugh and Harry Styles.

And she’s about to start shooting the horror Ring Shout, Kasi Lemmons’ television adaptation of P. Djèlí Clark’s novella, which follows the life of Maryse Boudreaux, a young woman tasked with fighting ‘Ku Klux’ demons using her magic sword.

KiKi’s turn as Princess Meeka can be seen in Coming 2 America, which is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.