Tessa Thompson’s character in Creed, Bianca, is not your average sports movie girlfriend. An ambitious singer, Bianca has bigger plans than just propping up her love interest, Rocky Balboa boxing apprentice Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan). Thompson, fresh off critically acclaimed performances in Dear White People and Selma, talked to TIME about the movie’s millennial romance, writing music for the film and how roles for women are changing in Hollywood. TIME: What convinced you that this revival would be worth it? Thompson: I was interested in the film before I knew anything about it apart from it was the next film by Ryan Coogler.