Stealing scenes as Jackie in Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, LaNisa Renee Frederick plays a mother of three in distribution and logistics who is, quite simply, overjoyed to be somewhere without her kids. The actress, voice artist and podcast host brings an effortless authenticity to the role, and the show’s buzzy take on a “business prank” is proof the feeling is mutual.
A graduate of Loyola University Chicago and the University of Essex in England, Frederick has racked up guest spots on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Chicago P.D., 9-1-1, Mom and Young Sheldon, made history as the first Black woman to voice a major playable character in Call of Duty and lends her voice regularly to DreamWorks and Nickelodeon. When she’s not on screen or in the booth, she’s hosting Black and CULTivated, a podcast where she speaks openly about growing up in a cult. We recently caught up with the star to get a behind-the-scenes look at how life on the popular unscripted show really played out.
When you’re getting ready for a big shoot or live event like the Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat finale, what does your beauty routine look like—and do you have any “musts” before stepping in front of the camera?
“My biggest non-negotiable is rest. I have to get a good night’s sleep before stepping in front of the camera. If I do not, no amount of coffee or makeup can hide it, especially around my eyes. The night before, I like to take magnesium so I can get uninterrupted sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready. For me, my beauty foundation begins with rest; from there, we can build.”
Jury Duty has such a unique, unscripted energy. There’s really nothing else like it out there. What was it like filming Company Retreat, and was there ever a moment on set that genuinely caught you off guard?
“Filming Company Retreat was one of the most unique, chaotic and beautiful experiences I’ve ever had as an actor. It truly felt like an actor’s dream, and there were plenty of moments that caught me off guard.
Even though we had about a month of rehearsals before Anthony arrived, once filming began, we never fully knew what might happen. We were always alert. While a lot was in our control, there was also a lot we could not control, especially the environment.
For example, one day, a slew of helicopters started flying loudly overhead. We later found out there was a fire nearby, and they were working to put it out. On a typical set, you would simply ‘hold for sound’ and wait for the noise to pass. But on Company Retreat, we couldn’t ‘hold.’ We all realized in real time that the best thing to do was to avoid saying anything that would move the story forward because the microphones would never catch it. So, for a moment, we were all probably unusually quiet, just waiting for the helicopters to pass and trying to stay in the moment without being too suspicious. That was one of those moments that really captured how radically different this on-camera experience was.”
Can you share any BTS from filming? Did characters get into glam and wardrobe, or did they just show up and get going?
“As an actor, the glam routine for Company Retreat was nothing like a typical TV show. Normally, you arrive on set, go through hair and makeup and then head to wardrobe or your trailer to change. That wasn’t possible for us.
For Anthony, we were real normal people working at a hot sauce company, so, of course, we would be responsible for our own hair, makeup and fit for the day. So, prior to filming, we worked closely with our incredible wardrobe team, led by Annie Bloom, to build each character’s look. For my character, Jackie Griffin, I wanted her to feel comfortable yet cute, and most importantly, I wanted her to feel like me.
I personally love jumpsuits, so we leaned into that and made Jackie a jumpsuit girl as well. Wardrobe and I even nicknamed her ‘Jumpsuit Jackie’ because we managed to fit me into a wide range of jumpsuits throughout the retreat. At the same time, I really wanted to use the opportunity to represent Black jewelry designers on the show. I love earrings, and having the freedom to help shape Jackie’s wardrobe allowed me to wear pieces from designers I genuinely love, including Paper Papayus, Lingua Nigra, Sucré Couture and Jlani Jewels.
My favorite look was the colorful, comfy one-piece I wore in the finale by Blue Platypus Clothing with earrings by Paper Papayus. That fit always makes me happy, and I wanted to represent that joy on our last day.”
You’re constantly moving between TV, voice acting, podcasting and more. What are your go-to products or rituals that help you feel put together even on the most chaotic days?
“I believe in the healing power of drinking water and protecting my peace as much as possible. My ritual starts first thing in the morning with 16 ounces of warm or hot water, followed by five minutes of quiet meditation. It is simple, but I really treasure those five minutes before the day begins.
And then, of course, my eyebrows. If my eyebrows are not done, I feel off. I always say eyebrows are the curtains to the face. You gotta fix the curtains to see the view. I swear by the Diorshow On Set Brow, followed by the e.l.f. Clear Brow and Lash Mascara.
Once my face is fully beat for the day, I have to finish with ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr: On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray. A makeup artist introduced me to that setting spray, and I’ve never looked back. Those products make me feel polished and ready, even on the most chaotic days.”
You also host Black and CULTivated, where you open up about a very personal chapter of your life. How has that journey of unpacking your past shaped the way you see yourself and present yourself to the world today?
“Talking about growing up in a cult with other survivors on Black and CULTivated has been one of the most vulnerable and transformative experiences of my life. It shifted me into a place where I felt ready to own my story instead of keeping it quiet.
It was not until I really started doing a deeper dive into the church I was raised in, and reflecting alongside former members, that I realized just how much that experience shaped me as a person and as an artist. Producing the podcast forced me to unpack that history not just intellectually, but emotionally. And that part was healing.
It helped me understand that honesty is not something to fear, and shame doesn’t help anyone. It is actually where a lot of my power lives. Now I move through life with a greater sense of freedom, and I think that shows up in how I speak, how I create and how I present myself. My story is part of what makes me whole.”
What does beauty mean to you at this point in your career? Is there a product, a look or even a feeling you keep coming back to that makes you feel most like yourself?
“At this point in my career, beauty feels like something I am recognizing more than chasing. Early on, I was very focused on being the version of myself I thought casting or a director wanted to see. I believed that if I could just become the ‘right look,’ that would lead to booking the role, and somehow that would equal happiness or success.
What I have learned, and honestly am still learning, is that true beauty is being fully yourself, unapologetically. Scars, flaws, quirks, all of it. That is the real magic. That is what makes me human, memorable and deeply beautiful.
So, the feeling I keep coming back to is authenticity. When I feel like myself, when I am not performing ‘perfection,’ that is when I feel the most beautiful. Not because everything is polished, but because I’m being real.”
