‘Living Single’ Star Erika Alexander Recalls Fan-Favorite Scene That Left Her Feeling ‘Very Embarrassed’
Erika Alexander may have portrayed the self-assured attorney, Maxine "Max" Felice Shaw, on the iconic 90s sitcom “Living Single.” Still, there was a distinct instance when her character managed to evoke a sense of embarrassment within the talented actress herself.
Ahead of the series’s 30th anniversary on Tuesday (Aug 22), the actress got candid about an act that ultimately became a fan-favorite and one of her least favorite moments, sharing, “People don't know: I was actually very embarrassed," as she recalled the particular scene.
The iconic moment hails from Season Two, Episode 15, titled “My Funny Valentine,” and finds Max unexpectedly flustered by her arch-nemesis and off-and-on love interest, Kyle Barker, played by TC Carson, who serenades her in front of friends Khadijah (Queen Latifah), Regine (Kim Fields), and Synclaire (Kim Coles).
"Look at (Queen) Latifah, and they're just looking at me like this," the 53-year-old told Today.com, making googly eyes. "They're in it. And they're not in it as their characters. They're in it as themselves. That's their personality, the way that Dana [Owens] was looking at us."
Alexander shared, “I never said (it), but I looked at it and realized how embarrassing it was to do that scene in front of them.”
Though Max tries to downplay the performance, she fails to keep her composure around Kyle and at one point, even anxiously rips up a nearby napkin. Her friends jokingly tease her, with Khadijah pointing out the now pile of “confetti.” Meanwhile, Synclaire blurts out, “Max, you know he boiled your potato!” triggering laughter from everyone except for the attorney.
The scene is one of the show’s many memorable moments for multiple reasons. It catalyzed Max to address her complex feelings concerning Kyle and eventually embark on a romantic journey with him.
Alexander expressed gratitude for her role, but the scene's demands left her uneasy. "I was performing and happy to be, but I was very embarrassed as Erika that I was having to be all sorts of gooey," she added.
Created by producer Yvette Lee Bowser, “Living Single” followed a tight-knit group of 6 friends living in Brooklyn. The show delves into their professional pursuits, romantic escapades, and everyday adventures.
The Primetime Emmy-nominated show aired from August 22, 1993, til its final episode on January 1, 1998.
