Before being cast in ‘I Love Boosters,’ the rambunctious new fashion comedy from director Boots Riley, PoppyLiu had been questioning her place in the industry. Liu has had roles on projects including ‘iCarly,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ and ‘Hacks,’ but the social-justice advocate found that her staunch leftist politics have been an obstacle. (After October 7, agencies began dropping Hollywood actors for their pro-Palestine activism. Liu, an outspoken critic of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, was mysteriously cut from a new six-year TV project.) But by the time Liu decided it wasn’t worth sacrificing her integrity to succeed, the ‘I Love Boosters’ script arrived – potent with a dream of crosscultural solidarity and global uprising: “It felt like Alhamdulillah — now here’s a script from Boots Riley himself.” For The Cut’s latest #Encounter, Liu sits down with catyzhang to discuss her activism, her winding journey to Hollywood, and how she navigates the industry without compromising her values. R...