[INTERVIEW]: Pam Grier on Why Audiences Matter - A Legacy Lesson | CritiX Exclusive

By Nikki Coleman | Wearecritix.com

Few figures in film carry the kind of legacy, gravity, and grace that Pam Grier brings into a room. At this year’s Rhode Island Comic Con, WeAreCritiX.com’s own Nikki Coleman sat down with the iconic actress for a candid, warm, and unexpectedly funny conversation. With a career spanning fifty-five years and cementing her as one of cinema’s most influential performers, Grier arrived ready to celebrate not herself, but the people who have sustained her for five decades: the audience.

For anyone discovering her for the first time, Pam Grier is a trailblazer whose impact stretches far beyond the screen. Rising to fame in the 1970s with films like Coffy, Foxy Brown, and Sheba, Baby, she became one of the first female action stars in Hollywood — long before superhero franchises and studio “girl power” marketing. She broke barriers for Black women in film, carried entire movies on her shoulders, inspired generations of filmmakers, and remains a defining influence across action, Black cinema, and women-led storytelling. Later, Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown reintroduced her to a new era of audiences, proving that her magnetism and power were timeless. In short: Pam Grier isn’t just an actress. She is a cultural cornerstone.

From the moment Nikki greeted her, Pam was sharp, playful, and grounded. She joked about the interview coming “55 years late” and teased that she’d try not to swear — though Nikki assured her WeAreCritiX welcomes all of her authenticity. But the real heart of the conversation revealed itself quickly: Grier wasn’t there simply to reflect on her career. She was there to acknowledge the people who made that career possible.

“Without the audience,” she said, “there is no film, no me, no fantasy, no escapism.”

To Grier, the audience isn’t a passive observer of cinema — they’re the lifeblood of it. She spoke openly about how the film industry transforms the lives and struggles of everyday people into stories that resonate, document, inspire, and teach. When she reflects on her early days in the business, she notes that opportunities for connection were limited and fan-creator interactions like this simply didn’t exist. Being at conventions today feels like a privilege, one she doesn’t take lightly.

[Full Interview with Pam Grier | CritiXtv on YouTube]

Watch the full one-on-one between Nikki Coleman and Pam Grier here.

As she explained to Nikki, these events aren’t just about nostalgia — they are about acknowledgment. They’re a way for her to look her supporters in the eye and say thank you. “I’m here to thank the audience for supporting the film industry,” she emphasized. To her, fans are the foundation of the art form, the reason filmmakers and actors have the chance to create worlds that offer escape, reflection, and catharsis.

Grier also reminded us that this accessibility isn’t universal. Not every country has conventions, fan gatherings, or spaces where people can meet the artists who shaped their imaginations. That’s why she embraces moments like this, because for every person who waits in line to see her, there are countless others who can’t be present but have been part of her journey through their love, their ticket sales, and their belief in the stories she’s helped bring to life.

In true Pam Grier fashion, the conversation blended humor, humility, and wisdom. It served as a reminder that legends aren’t just defined by their impact on screen, but by their understanding of the people who made those stories matter. As Nikki wrapped the interview, it was clear: Pam Grier’s legacy isn’t just cinematic — it’s deeply human.