Meet Imani Pullum: The Rising Star Bringing Raw Emotion and Power to ‘Classified’ and Beyond

Get ready to hear the name Imani Pullum because she’s about to make a big splash in the entertainment world.

Imani has been pursuing her passion for acting since she was a young child growing up in Los Angeles. “Imani shares that her mom was encouraged to get her into acting by their neighbor’s daughter, actress Nia Long,” At first, her mom had some doubts and was worried about the time commitment. As a result, Imani dedicated seven years of her life to dance. When she was thirteen, she got the opportunity to play Young Nala in Disney’s Broadway touring production of The Lion King. Imani’s love for acting blossomed during this experience, and when the tour came to an end, she wholeheartedly dedicated herself to pursuing her passion.

If you haven’t had the chance to see Imani in her previous roles, like Betsy in the 2022 film Emancipation or Topa in the TV show The Orville, then you definitely don’t want to miss her new series, Classified. It’s perfect for a weekend binge-watching session.

Classified offers a fresh take on the classic coming-of-age story. The story takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa, and follows the life of fifteen-year-old Ella Gardner. Due to some legal troubles, she ends up living with her estranged father, stepmother, and brother. Classified offers a richly diverse experience, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the world of an elite international school and develop a genuine affection for its characters.

Ella finds herself caught up in a hidden agenda as she tries to navigate the ups and downs of fitting in, falling in love for the first time, and forming new friendships. Discovering these concealed realities might be her sole path to return to America and escape Johannesburg.

Once I discovered Imani’s background and the thrilling new series she’s a part of, I was eager to delve further into her thoughts and experiences. During our chat, she shared details about her journey and what led her to be a part of the show.

When considering her role as Ella, a character marked by her outspoken and strong-willed nature, the actress felt an immediate connection. “I was really drawn to the fact that Ella was so outspoken, powerful, and strong-willed,” she shares. As a Black woman, she found playing such a character particularly meaningful. Ella’s layered and dynamic story, full of ups and downs, intrigued her deeply, and she was eager to embody a role with such depth and complexity.

Filming scenes where Ella tackles emotionally charged topics was a significant and gratifying experience for her. “I was honestly so grateful to be able to bring those topics up on television,” she reflects. The show tackled heavy themes with honesty and explored various perspectives, which she felt was vital. Despite the difficulty of addressing such serious issues, she appreciated the opportunity to engage in these important conversations.

One of the most intense moments for her was filming the riot scene, where Ella witnesses her friend being beaten by police. “That was definitely a really intense scene to film,” she recounts. The scene was shot late at night, and she was struck by the raw emotion and energy present. Watching the initial shots and feeling the collective intensity of the cast and crew contributed to the scene’s authenticity, helping her deliver a powerful performance.

Among the characters, she has a special fondness for Greta, played by Nicola Nothnagel. “Greta is hilarious,” she says with a smile. The chemistry and humor brought by Nicola added a delightful dynamic to the show, making Greta her favorite character to work with.

She wants viewers to understand the dedication and passion poured into every aspect of the show. “One thing I want people to take away is how much love and care we put into each character, each moment, each scene,” she emphasizes. She expresses deep gratitude for the chance to portray Ella and for the collaborative spirit of the cast and crew, highlighting the collective effort behind the show’s success.