P-Valley has given us unforgettable characters and moments in television. One of those moments would be the unsuspecting love connection between Lil Murda and Uncle Clifford. The chemistry between the two characters has been incredibly sizzling and undeniable. However, this has made many fans question real-life actor J. Alphonse Nicholson’s sexuality.
North Carolina-native Joseph Alphonse Nicholson answered his adoring fans’ questions during an interview on Broccoli City TV’s As The World Spins. He has gained massive acclaim for his role as “LaMarques,” aka “Lil Murda,” on STARZ’s P-Valley. Lil Murda is a burgeoning rapper about to make quite the name for himself. However, he’s got a secret that he soon can’t contain once he has an intimate interaction with Uncle Clifford, who identifies as non-binary.
J. Alphonse Nicholson, who has an extensive theater resume, explained during the interview that the role “chose him.” But those who were wondering whether or not his convincing portrayal of a “DL rapper” had any credence to his being gay (or anything of the sort), hate to break it to you. J. Alphonse Nicholson is a heterosexual man.However, once the actor received details of the role from the show’s creator, Katori Hall, many thoughts infiltrated his headspace. For one, “This is going to be on national tv,” said J. Alphonse Nicholson. But he dropped a bombshell that his kissing actor Nicco Annan, who plays the role of Uncle Clifford, was not the first time he locked lips with a man. J. Alphonse Nicholson revealed to the host that he’s had to kiss other men on stage when he was in theatre. However, the difference with that is “It’s not as large of an audience,” the actor said. In addition, the act isn’t as “intimate.”
J. Alphonse Nicholson initially didn’t know how comfortable he would be with portraying the role. Because of this, he chose to consult his fiancee, Nafeesha Nicholson. After speaking with her, J. Alphonse Nicholson came to the realization that the role was of great importance. “This story has to be told,” the actor expressed. The story made him ruminate on his family members and other people he knew could not be their authentic selves and live freely.
Because of all the factors that came into play, J. Alphonse Nicholson shared that it increased his decision to accept the role. The actor also reflected on his first encounter with Nicco Annan, who he called “amazing” and “professional.” He credits Annan for making him “very easy” to become more “comfortable” in playing the role. Although he was still hesitant and “nervous” about bringing Lil Murda to life because that’s “not his walk in life,” Nicholson could relate to one significant factor. “I’m very familiar with love,” he shared. J. Alphonse Nicholson then said he’s also accustomed to being misunderstood and “isolated.”
Finally, Nicholson gave this nugget. “Even if you are uncomfortable or it’s something that you don’t quite understand, as an actor, you have to start to tap into the things that you are familiar with, and the truth will show,” he said.
