Laz Alonso

Your portrayal of Mother’s Milk in “The Boys” has received a lot of praise. What attracted you to this character, and how did you approach bringing him to life on screen?

What attracted me to the character was his heart.

In The Boys universe, there are the have’s and the have nots when it comes to superpowers. MM is a constant reminder that you don’t need superpowers to succeed in life, and to overcome evil in the world. You can use trust, loyalty, togetherness, decency, our collective strength is stronger than any villain who lacks heart. He is also a reminder that you are being a good person, doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect. We are all flawed and that’s okay.

“The Boys” is known for its dark humour and subversive take on the superhero genre. What do you think sets this series apart from other superhero shows, and how does your character fit into its unique world?

What sets us apart is that we basically spoof the other superhero universes. We also have a satirical take on our current world, politics, social media, pop culture that shines a mirror on how ridiculous the people and things we give so much power to are. Being able to be tongue & cheek about this genre I feel has appealed to people and changed the genre. We curse like sailors. That was never seen from Superheroes or their foes. The Boys as antiheroes paint our superheroes as narcissists. Why wouldn’t they be if they were gods among mortals? People have responded so much to our take that it’s put pressure on the genre itself to be darker or fail.

Mother’s Milk is portrayed as a physically imposing character. Can you share some insights into the physical training and preparation you underwent to embody this role?

I began the role trying to look like the comic version. Only he’s like 6’5 in the comic and a complete unit of a man. So, I lifted very heavy and ate and built my body to appear larger than the rest of my team. However, MM’s strength unlike the comics isn’t physical, it’s his heart. His exterior is a misdirect, his true power comes from being that loyal friend that will be with you thru the toughest of times. When people see me out, they all tell me they wish MM was their friend. That he’s the friend they wish they all had. I love to hear fathers come up to me at conventions and share that they love to watch my character with their sons, and it becomes their favourite because he keeps the story and the team grounded. So as much as I take pride in physical conditioning, it took me 3 seasons to realize that this character’s heart is his biggest muscle.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important, especially in a demanding industry like acting. How do you prioritise fitness and nutrition amidst your busy schedules?

Fitness and nutrition are the core of my existence. We work long 14-hour days, in extreme weather conditions outdoors. Your body craves bad stuff especially in the cold when seeking comfort. I must train my mind to say no to all the snacks, pastries and goodies that are available on set. We typically shoot for about 8-9 months in Canada and lately during winter. So having to practice discipline is crucial. Training tends to suffer while filming except for a couple of days a week. I sneak in whatever I can when I can but when we’re full on it’s hard to get to a gym. But I stick to it because for me it’s as much mental release of stress as it is physical. Working out is probably one of my favourite past times for mental, physical and spiritual focus.

Are there any specific workout routines or exercises that you find particularly effective or enjoyable?

Weights are my go-to, my main love, but I use HIIT, to tighten everything up, keep everything looking and feeling athletic, while keeping me mobile. My character has a lot of action sequences that I must be ready to shoot up to 200 times before we move to another scene. That takes conditioning to be able to do that over and over with the same intensity, so HIIT has become a life saver.

Balancing physical fitness with mental well-being is crucial. What are some practices or habits you incorporate into your daily routine to stay mentally and emotionally healthy?

Meditation is the foundation of my mental preparation. It allows me to access a calm state of being no matter what obstacles present themselves (on or off set), and improves my memory retention of lines. I can see the words when I meditate and it has really given me access to a part of my brain that we forget is there unless we learn how to fire it up.

“The Boys” often explores complex themes and societal issues. How do you think the show’s narrative contributes to discussions about power, corruption, and morality in today’s world?

The show’s entire core message revolves around the theme that absolute power corrupts absolutely. I was just having this conversation today, regarding season 3 when Butcher and Hughie get powers from Temp V. Suddenly, The Boys start acting like the Supes now that we have powers. It was a tough season for me because I wanted MM to have powers too. But Eric

Kripke, our fearless leader was adamantly against it. His stance (which was hard to debate) was if MM gets powers, then Frenchie has to get powers and then it becomes an all-out war. No more message, no more morality, no more nuance or core values that separate us from them. We cannot become them to beat them. Otherwise, we lose our moral high ground. So while it was tough to see my buddies having fun with powers, I understood my job. I had to remain grounded and in his core beliefs.

As an actor, you’re constantly challenging yourself with new roles and characters. How do you stay motivated and inspired to push your boundaries creatively?

I stay motivated because I do not feel that I’ve touched and moved enough people thru my work yet. My goal for getting in this business was to inspire. I do it thru storytelling. And while I have been in some great projects, and played awesome characters, there are still so many more subjects and topics to cover. So many eyeballs to connect with thru my art.

Your character in “The Boys” is part of a team. How do you foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration with your fellow cast members both on and off-screen?

You cannot foster or fake chemistry. Our teams’ friendship is honest and sincere. We are so lucky that this lightning in a bottle cast of people all get along like a family and it shows on screen. The closeness that we share is very difficult to duplicate or create, we just happened to be extremely fortunate to have been cast and literally everyone gets along and fits. The great thing is we all have enough work experience to know this isn’t normal, so we cherish this job every day and treat everyone, cast and crew with the upmost respect.

In addition to acting, you’re also involved in various philanthropic endeavours. How do you use your platform to promote health and wellness initiatives within your community?

I would tell my fans who don’t work out to please get started. Working out is hard but being unhealthy is harder. You will feel, look and sleep better than when you don’t, and it really does give you more confidence in your quest to accomplish whatever you have in mind. We only have one body, treating it with respect involves how you nourish it and stimulate it to perform daily.

“The Boys” has a dedicated fan base who are eagerly awaiting the new season. Without giving away any spoilers, what can fans expect from the upcoming instalments of the series?

Season 4 will be a totally different dynamic than anything you’ve seen. Season 3 challenged our relationships. Broke long standing bonds. Tested our moral compass. This new season we will see what that leads to. It takes a long time to earn trust, but it can be shattered in seconds. How do we deal with people we love after our trust has been tested. That is what I think season 4 will explore.

How do you unwind and recharge when you’re not working? Do you have any hobbies or activities that help you relax and de-stress?

I unwind by going to the archery range. Avatar had us training with Olympic archery instructors and I got bit by the bug after that. Ever since it’s a great form of active meditation for me.

Finally, looking ahead, are there any other projects or roles on the horizon that you’re excited about and can share with us?

Currently I’m working on a film with Guy Ritchie that starts John Krazinsky and Natalie Portman called Fountain Of Youth. It may change when it hits theatres, but it’s an action adventure that harks back to Indiana Jones. Guy is an amazing director who has an extremely talented crew, and you can see the talent in all his films. He is a master at creating dialogue on the spot that gives it the Guy Ritchie feel. I love working with him, this is our second film together, our first was Wrath of Man starring Jason Statham.

by Laz Alonso & Daniel Herman Actor / Bio-Synergy CEO

Watch Laz in The Boys season 4 on Prime Video this summer.

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