Before Forgotten Island hit theaters, H.E.R. was already a Grammy and Oscar winner, but her latest role as Jo in the animated adventure proves she's just as comfortable in a voice booth as she is on stage. The film, which also stars Dave Franco and Liza Soberano, has been winning over audiences with its nostalgic '90s vibe and heartfelt story about friendship and memory.
During a recent appearance on Collider Ladies Night, H.E.R. opened up about her creative ambitions beyond music and acting. When asked about her favorite scary movie, she didn't hesitate: 'The Shining'. In fact, she called it her favorite movie of all time, adding, "I like horror, actually. There's certain horror I refuse to watch, but there's a little horror I actually really enjoy."
That revelation sparked a conversation about her directorial aspirations. H.E.R. previously made her feature directorial debut with the documentary The Makings of Curtis Mayfield, and she's now setting her sights on narrative filmmaking. "I hope I can direct a narrative film one day," she said. "That would be awesome. I would love to make that psychological thriller now that we've been talking about it."
So what kind of horror would she want to tackle? "Honestly, I think it would have to be a psychological thriller-type of horror. Like, not gory or demonic. It would have to be just like a really scary, like, you-don't-know-what's-going-to-happen-next type of movie."
When the conversation turned to potential collaborators, the name Mike Flanagan came up—the mastermind behind The Haunting of Hill House and other acclaimed horror projects. H.E.R. was immediately on board. "Let's do it. That would be crazy. He's very twisted, and I like that."
Flanagan has become a streaming sensation with his atmospheric, character-driven horror, making him a natural fit for H.E.R.'s vision. If the two ever teamed up, it could be a match made in horror heaven—or at least in the psychological thriller corner of it.
H.E.R. also reflected on her journey from childhood dreams of rock stardom to her current multifaceted career, which includes Broadway and the film adaptation of The Color Purple. She credits her father for encouraging those early ambitions, and it's clear that same drive is pushing her toward the director's chair.
With Forgotten Island now in theaters, fans can catch H.E.R. in a lighter role, but her mind is clearly on darker, more suspenseful stories. Whether she ends up collaborating with Flanagan or carving her own path, one thing's for sure: we're ready for whatever she brings to the screen.
