Netflix’s festive rom-com Meet Me Next Christmas features Tymika Tafari as Roxy, a vibrant and deeply supportive best friend. Roxy epitomizes encouragement and unconditional belief in her friends. As Tymika describes her, Roxy is the kind of confidante who cheers you on no matter how ambitious or unconventional your dreams may seem. “If you like it, I love it” is her mantra—a reflection of her steadfast commitment to uplifting those around her.

Rooted in Friendship

Roxy is the ultimate confidante: non-judgmental, compassionate, and always ready to push her friends toward their goals. Tymika brought Roxy to life by channeling her own friendships, infusing the character with authenticity and warmth. She shared how these real-life dynamics of mutual encouragement and love informed her performance: “I just channeled my best friend. What would my girl do? She would say, ‘If you like it, I love it.’” This guiding principle helped Tymika ground Roxy in genuine emotions, making her relatable and heartfelt.

Roxy draws inspiration from iconic Black best friend characters in television history. Tymika likens her to an amalgamation of supportive figures from shows like Insecure and Girlfriends. By paying homage to this rich tradition, Roxy resonates as part of a cultural lineage that celebrates the power of friendship within the diaspora.

Overcoming Challenges to Embody Roxy

While Roxy’s vibrant energy radiates on screen, Tymika encountered challenges in fully stepping into the role. External direction sometimes made it harder for her to align with the character. “Roxy, it was harder for me to get into her when I had other people around me telling me what to do and how they wanted it to look,” she explains. To overcome this, Tymika focused on universal qualities of friendship within the Black diaspora, staying true to what being a “good friend” means.

Photography Credit: Calvin Thomas

Tymika also faced pressures regarding her accent as a Canadian actor. “In Canada, in my experience, I’ve often been told that I have an accent,” she noted. Balancing this feedback with her natural voice added another layer of complexity. Ultimately, she embraced her individuality, declaring, “I can’t pretend to be someone I’m not. I’m like, I am not American.” By staying authentic, Tymika ensured her portrayal of Roxy felt honest and real.

Bonding Through Soul Food

Off-screen, Tymika experienced deep camaraderie with her castmates, further enriching her portrayal of Roxy. She recounts a memorable evening when co-star Kalen Allen invited the cast to his hotel and prepared a traditional soul food dinner. The meal, which included peach cobbler, collard greens, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and candied yams, was a bonding moment that brought the cast closer together.

“You want to believe that Kalen had us all over to this hotel? He went shopping and cooked us all food,” Tymika shared with gratitude. “It was peach cobbler, collard greens, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, candied yams… I’d never had anything quite like it before.”

Christina Milian also contributed to the joy of the evening with practical advice on navigating the feast. “Christina was like, ‘Girl, you’ve got to take two plates!’” Tymika recalls with a laugh. Moments like these strengthened the cast’s sense of family and deepened Tymika’s emotional connection to the project, allowing her to channel that warmth into Roxy’s character.

Photography Credit: Lauren Vandenbrook

Adding Holiday Magic to the Screen

Roxy’s role in Meet Me Next Christmas extends beyond friendship—she’s central to the story’s holiday magic. Set against the bustling backdrop of New York City during the festive season, the film follows Layla (Christina Milian) as she embarks on a whirlwind quest to secure tickets to the sold-out Pentatonix Christmas Eve concert. Throughout this journey, Roxy’s steadfast support keeps Layla focused, providing the encouragement she needs to overcome challenges.

Tymika’s portrayal ensures Roxy is more than just a sidekick; she’s the emotional heart of the story. Her performance captures the beauty of friendship, love, and holiday spirit, making Roxy a standout presence in this feel-good film. Audiences are sure to see echoes of their own friendships in Roxy, further cementing her as a vibrant and indispensable part of Meet Me Next Christmas.