Aisha Dee

words by VANESSA SALLES photo by LAURA THOMPSON styling by CRISTINA TEDERICK hair by STARRKYSS ENTERTAINMENT make up by CAMILLE THOMPSON

A fan favorite on Freeform’s The Bold Type, Aisha Dee shines as the fearless, unapologetic Kat Edison. Hailing from the Gold Coast, the 26-year-old actress is no stranger to wanting to push the boundaries. In fact, it’s what drew her to her breakout role. “This show really surprised me,” she says. “At first, I thought it’d just be the usual depiction of feminism and womanhood but it’s so much more than that. When I was reading the scripts, I was really impressed by the topics they were diving into and how much depth they’ve brought to all the characters. I just love everything about it.”

With all the misconceptions of “adulthood,” The Bold Type doesn’t shy away from telling real stories about people who sometimes make real mistakes. “I remember being a kid and having older friends who just seemed like they had it all together,” Aisha laughs. “I was looking at people in college and feeling like I couldn’t wait to be that age and have it all figured out, too. What I’ve learned is that my perception of adulthood was so far removed from what it actually is. I’m 26-years-old and I still feel like I don’t even have half of it figured out yet. It’s a long journey of figuring out how to love yourself and treat yourself well, all while making peace with the fact that you and your body are constantly changing. I love that Kat, Sutton, and Jane are all perfectly imperfect; that’s what makes them so relatable.”

Though it’s encouraging to watch the trio succeed, the same can be said about watching them have their shortcomings. “I think it’s actually important to see people fail,” she admits. “We’re often presented with this idea that you go into the workplace and the the only place to go is up. In reality, you sometimes have to take a few steps backwards and fail in order to learn. I think that, for Kat, losing the election last season is going to be a really big motivator for her in all aspects of her life. She’s definitely going to take some missteps along the way, as we all do, and so we’re going to get to see her make mistakes. I think that’s just as inspiring as watching her thrive.”

Four seasons in, Aisha’s connected deeply with her onscreen persona. “Even though she’s a fictional character, I feel like we’re friends,” she says. “She’s inspired me to be more confident in my life and I feel like we learn a lot from one another and teach other valuable lessons. She’s become a part of me that’s easy to tap into while I’m on set.” The best part about bringing Kat to life? Being able to have a say in her development.

“I think that’s what makes this show so special,” Aisha notes. “It’s a really collaborative process between the writers and all the other departments. We’ve talked a lot about Kat’s evolution and I’m really excited for people to see the back half of season four; the style evolution is very apparent this season and it was a very fun conversation to have with everyone. I’m super grateful to have this type of work environment because I love being so involved and I love everything that goes on behind the camera.”

In terms of Kat’s personal life, she’s taking control of her narrative and owning the space she’s found herself in. “We see it happen when she tells Jane and Sutton that she’s bisexual,” Aisha explains. “Just the mere fact of her growing up excites me. I think she’s been used to making impulsive decisions and not really thinking long-term. This season, we get to watch her make some more calculated decisions for her life and really own it. It’s going to be really cool to watch how that all unfolds for her.”

Romantically, Kat’s in new territory: the aftermath of heartache. “It’s hard for Kat to connect with anyone else after her relationship with Adena,” Aisha says. “I really love being able to tell that story because I think there’s something so relatable about it. There’s something that happens after the first time you get your heart broken or the first time you fall out of love… all of a sudden, dating is so much scarier than it was before. For a long time, Kat was just casually dating and having a great time; she didn’t really move in that world with any fear because she didn’t know what it meant to have her heart broken. Now that she does, she’s a lot more cautious. I think it’s going to take some time before she feels ready to open up to someone new.”

Staying true to the heart of the show, Kat finds comfort in her best friends. “We’ve been taught this idea that your soul mate is out there and that you’re incomplete until you find that person,” she explains. “I think that, yeah, your soul mate is probably out there but, honestly, it’s probably your girlfriends. They’re the ones that are with you for the whole ride and they’re the ones that are with you for the fall out. Those people are your real soul mates and that connection can be found with your friends and/or your family. I definitely think Kat, Jane, and Sutton are all each other’s soul mates, no matter who they’re linked to romantically.”

Unsurprisingly, The Bold Type has impacted its viewers in countless ways. “I think it’s beautiful when people stop me on the street,” the actress gushes. “So many people have told me about their experiences and how Kat has inspired them to do something brave in their life. Of course, there’s definitely a pressure that comes with the role because I want to tell the right story in the right way. I want people to feel empowered by her and it’s incredible how much she’s doing and has done for people in the real world. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and it’s an honor to tell her story.” The biggest lesson she’s learned on set? “Confidence,” she says. “I’ve had people come up to me and tell me they wish they were as confident as Kat and I always tell them that I feel the same way. She’s inspired me to speak up for myself and for those that are less fortunate than me. I love that Kat always speaks her mind and is unafraid to be herself. She’s always down to take a leap of faith and be vulnerable; we could all be more like her.”

Off screen, Aisha spends a lot of her free time making music. “I’ve actually been writing for years,” she reveals. “It took some time to get brave enough to show people because sharing my music feels very personal. I was really shy about it but I’ve realized how much music actually does for me, in terms of helping me through difficult moments. So, I figured if one person can feel that relief, it’s worth being vulnerable and releasing it. I’ve actually gotten so many amazing messages from people online and it’s been so encouraging. I just want to release positivity out into the world, whether it’s through music or acting.”