When Niecy Nash-Betts received a secret offer to be a part of Netflix’s Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, she had no idea what kind of role or project it was. She was completely clueless! The offer came out of nowhere and left her with a lot of questions. But despite the confusion and uncertainty, Niecy decided to go for it. She took a leap of faith and said yes without knowing the full details. Little did she know that this decision would take her on an unexpected and thrilling journey. It’s like opening a mysterious package without knowing what’s inside. Excitement, suspense, and a hint of nervousness all blend together as she embarks on this new and undisclosed adventure.
During an interview on EW’s Awardist podcast, the speaker reminisces about a phone conversation with Ryan Murphy, who enthusiastically approached her with an exciting project. Recounting the conversation, she admits that upon receiving the offer, she was initially unsure. However, her doubts quickly dissipated when she took a glimpse at the scripts, leaving her completely awestruck. The speaker’s recollection signifies the transformative power of Murphy’s proposal, demonstrating the immediate and lasting impact it had on her.
Her response was not without reason. As a matter of fact, Nash-Betts quickly realized that she needed to gather her courage and take on the challenging role of Glenda Cleveland. In the storyline, Glenda suspects her neighbor, Jeffrey Dahmer, of committing horrifying murders in his adjacent apartment. She witnesses heated arguments and hears frantic cries emanating from his place. The putrid stench of decaying bodies fills her senses. In an attempt to rescue one of Dahmer’s eventual victims, a disoriented and unclothed 14-year-old named Konerak Sinthasomphone, Glenda finds herself outside the building. Despite her desperate pleas for assistance, her calls to the police are not given the gravity they deserve, leaving her feeling helpless and frustrated.
This isn’t the first occasion where the talented actress, known for her roles in Reno 911! and Claws, has portrayed a real-life individual. She previously starred in Ava DuVernay’s Selma and the limited series When They See Us, as well as FX’s Mrs. America. However, this particular role hits closer to the heart. When listening to her talk about Glenda, who fought to stop Dahmer’s murderous rampage that primarily targeted young men of color, it becomes evident that this story resonates with her on a personal level. Nash-Betts’ own experiences with tragedy, including the loss of her younger brother to gun violence in 1993 while still in high school, as well as her mother surviving a shooting years earlier during a domestic dispute, make the portrayal all the more meaningful.
When it comes to deciding on a project that involves victims of violence, one important aspect to consider is how her personal experiences come into play. How do these experiences shape her perspective and influence her willingness to be a part of such a project? It’s a question that holds a lot of weight and complexity. After all, our own life encounters have a profound impact on our choices and actions. So, in evaluating whether she would even consider such a project, it becomes imperative to understand the role of her past experiences, as they greatly influence her decision-making process.
As a survivor, Betts-Nash feels a strong obligation to share her story with others. She understands the pain, trauma, and loss that survivors like herself have experienced. Despite moving forward, she admits that certain situations trigger her anxiety, especially when firearms are involved. These are the times when she struggles to sleep before shooting scenes, as she brings her personal trauma along with her. It’s a constant battle for Betts-Nash to overcome her fears and fully immerse herself in her craft. Her grandmother’s wise words resonate with her – she must remain resilient and never let her struggles show on the surface. Every time she steps onto the set, she faces the challenge of reconciling her personal history with her professional performance.
In Dahmer, there were two scenes that really stood out with their incredible intensity. One of those memorable moments was when Glenda discovers Sinthasomphone, portrayed by Nash-Betts’ actual daughter, in a chilling and heart-wrenching scene. The other scene, which has earned the name “the sandwich scene,” is truly bone-chilling. In this scene, Dahmer pays a visit to Glenda and brings her a meat sandwich. With a sinister demeanor, he tries to force her to eat it while he keenly observes, fully aware that she has begun to suspect him. Despite his persistent and menacing attempts, Glenda bravely refuses to take a single bite, only serving to enrage Dahmer further.
“It was a complex situation that required great effort on my part to portray,” she explains. “I faced the challenge of portraying both vulnerability and a sense of strength, as if I was asking the audience to fear for me while simultaneously warning my adversary, Jeff Dahmer, that he had picked the wrong person to mess with. These were two contrasting emotions that I had to convincingly convey simultaneously.”
After their encounter, she reflects on Glenda’s unwavering attitude, saying, “I bravely confronted a formidable challenge and survived to recount the experience. If I had appeared hesitant or fearful, the consequences could have been unimaginable.”
Check out the complete interview with Nash-Betts below, as she shares her fascinating journey of breaking free from Dahmer’s disturbing content (thanks to Reno 911!), her unexpected path into the comedy world, and the challenges of earning industry respect in Hollywood. Dive in and discover how she navigated these obstacles and emerged as a force to be reckoned with.
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