There’s nothing quite like Minx. Half feminist revolution, half ‘70s sleaze, and all-around hilarious, the series dives headfirst into the rise of the first erotic magazine for women—complete with porn mustaches, questionable business deals, and enough social commentary to remind us that, yes, we’re still fighting a lot of these battles today.
As Season 2 unfolds on Starz, Kyle Meredith caught up with cast members Lennon Parham (Shelly), Jessica Lowe (Bambi), Idara Victor (Tina), and Oscar Montoya (Richie) to talk about their characters’ journeys, the show’s uncanny ability to feel way too relevant, and—of course—who they’d want to party with in the ‘70s.
From Housewives to Hustlers: The Character Evolution of ‘Minx’
Lennon Parham’s Shelly started as the suburban housewife who never thought she’d be slinging dirty magazines, but now she’s in deep. “She subverted expectations right from the start,” Parham says. “Then when I found out she was getting involved with Minx, I thought, ‘Oh, even better.’”
Jessica Lowe’s Bambi, meanwhile, is all heart. The former centerfold-turned-Minx employee is relentlessly positive, but Lowe points out that there’s depth behind her wide-eyed charm. “She’s a survivor,” Lowe explains. “She’s lived a hard life, seen some things, and that’s why she’s so empathetic.”
As for Tina, Doug’s endlessly capable right-hand woman, she’s done playing role model. “I don’t want to be your role model—I just want to have fun,” she says in the show, a line that stuck with Victor. “She doesn’t want to be a spokesperson for an entire community. She just wants to exist on her own terms.”
And then there’s Richie, the boundary-pushing photographer played by Oscar Montoya, who’s diving even deeper into the Minx world—and into the wild, anything-goes art scene of the ‘70s. “Photography was revolutionary at that time,” Montoya says. “Who was behind the lens was just as important as what was in the frame.”
Tackling the ‘70s—And the Present
Despite the vintage setting, Minx doesn’t feel like a history lesson. The show has a knack for addressing modern issues—feminism, race, LGBTQ+ rights—through the disco-fueled, mustache-heavy lens of the ‘70s.
“I read the pilot and thought, ‘Oh wow, we’re still having these conversations. We have not come far at all,’” Parham says. Lowe agrees, adding, “We touch on how second-wave feminism wasn’t always inclusive, and I’m really glad we went there.”
That balance of comedy, sex, and razor-sharp cultural commentary makes Minx unique—and its cast knows it. “It’s like a mirror,” Victor says. “One second you’re laughing, and the next, you’re realizing, ‘Oh, we’re still dealing with this.’”
Sex, Drugs, and… Karaoke? The Cast’s Dream ‘70s Hangouts
Since Minx fully embraces the debauchery of the ‘70s, I had to ask: if they could party with any musician from the era, who would it be?
Victor picks Donna Summer. “She was living this wild life, totally different from how she grew up. I’d love to hear her stories.” Montoya goes deep-cut with the Sexolettes, a New York underground disco group. “They knew how to have a good time.”
Lowe, meanwhile, is all about Barry White. “He just takes his time, you know? That vibe? Incredible.”
And yes, karaoke is a thing for the Minx cast. Lowe reminisces about an epic night out with her co-stars: “This unassuming guy gets up, and suddenly he’s belting out At Last like he’s been waiting his whole life for this moment.”
What’s Next for ‘Minx’?
The cast is hoping for more seasons—and more chaos. “We’re knocking on the door of the disco era,” Montoya teases. “I say, bring it on.”
More music. More drama. More outrageous fashion. And probably more penises. That’s Minx.
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
