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Nafessa Williams in Disney+’s Rivals [Interview] – Essence

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Photo credit: Cécile BOKO

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Nafessa Williams attracts attention with a role that combines strength, complexity and uncompromising self-confidence. Set in the vibrant media world of 1980s London, the Disney+ series immerses viewers in a world of passion, betrayal and ambition. At the heart of this Jilly Cooper adaptation is Cameron Cook, an ambitious American television producer brought to London by Lord Tony Baddingham to shake up his Corinium company. Cook navigates a predominantly white, male-dominated industry with poise, charm and her signature red lips – an expression of the boldness and confidence of black women that Williams set out to authentically portray.

Known for her breakout role as Anissa Pierce in , Williams has gained a reputation for bringing depth and dynamism to her characters. In the series, she takes on a role that uniquely reflects her own experiences. As the only Black character on the series, Williams brings her Philadelphia roots and personal journey to Cameron’s story, highlighting the dual challenges and triumphs of standing out in an exclusive space.

Through meticulous research, collaboration with the show’s stylists, and a curated playlist featuring icons such as Whitney Houston and Vanity 6, Williams brought Cameron’s ambitious and uncompromising personality to life. In this interview, she talks about putting on her character’s power suit to represent black women on screen, and how she made the character her own. With the film, this talented actress proves once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.

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Nafessa Williams on the boldness and elegance of her performance on Disney+'s 'Rivals'
Photo credit: Cécile BOKO

ESSENCE: First of all, congratulations you gave an amazing performance. How did you land the role of Cameron Cook?

Nafessa Williams: Yes, so I auditioned. It was an audition that passed and I actually decided not to work that year. Last year I had just finished filming the 2021 film and I thought: I knew that whatever I did after that, it just had to be elite and next level. I got the scripts, I had all this stuff throughout 2022 and it just didn’t feel right. And I just told God I’ll hang on until I find this job for me.

As soon as I read the script, I thought, “OK, God, you just helped me with this. This is what I’ve been waiting for all year.” So I read it and immediately recognized the way they wrote the script. The text was amazing. Cameron, I thought, “I have to voice this character.” How strong and commanding she was, and how beautiful she was. The only black cast member, the only black character in the series. Plus, just for fun, the fact that she came from America and was recruited from New York to London to become a powerhouse producer was something I had to weigh in on. So that’s how it happened. And so, from that point on.

So you said she was the only black character on the show. In terms of portraying this situation, how did you bring this perspective to life in this predominantly white, male environment?

You know what, I just stayed true to the writing and the character. I’m from Philadelphia, the character is from New York, so it’s almost the same thing. So I just wanted to make sure that I brought the authenticity of a black woman, a black woman from New York, a black woman who is ambitious and confident and secure in who she is. So I wanted to make sure that I brought all those elements to it and just be true to who black women were at the time in the ’80s, how we wore our hair, what our clothes looked like, and I just wanted to make sure it was authentic down to that moment.

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I’m actually glad you mentioned the ’80s and everything, because for me one of the coolest things about this show is the ’80s fashion. How did the fashion and style of the time help you get into Cameron’s character and how did it influence how did you portray her on screen?

Yeah, I think a lot of 80s fashion was about confidence and making sure she was on her own, whether she was clothed or not, she was just a very confident woman. But I think fashion helped us situate and tell her story. I also love 80s fashion and I make sure I stay true to what I saw as a little girl in the late 80s and 90s, seeing my mom, grandma, aunts and their friends all dressed up, red lips and red nails, making sure that the hair is also authentic. Since I’m the only black character on the show, representation means everything to me. And also, like other black women, when they watched this show, whether they lived in the ’80s or not, it’s a true representation of what we really looked like, from French rolls to slicked ponytails to pumps and curls and beyond. we just make sure that when we tune in, we see ourselves.

The show’s stylist was very open to my ideas because I know what it looked like, right? And I know what it was like in America. So I just made sure she brought that American flavor, that New York flavor. He was very open to my ideas and collaborative. And if there is no such moment, you will see Cameron unless he wakes up in the morning without red lips. I think this also shows her boldness and self-confidence. Red lips and red nails are her trademark, but they are also a signature of the 80s. So again, making sure we put those elements into it to make it feel as real and nostalgic as possible.

I also think it’s interesting because I think Cameron’s journey and where she’s at is also reflective of black women in the entertainment industry. What similarities do you see between yourself and Cameron’s character? How did it work out?

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Yes, there was a time that I found myself in that situation where we were talking about whether I was the only black cast member or the only black woman on set. And I think what I exuded and what I’ve always carried within me is confidence and knowing that I’ve worked and I have a right to be in the room and my talent is just as amazing and just as important and my story is just as important to tell.

It’s just walking in with so much confidence, like I knew I was supposed to be there. Another thing that reflects both her and me is ambition. When Cameron wants something like me, I don’t take “no” easily. If I set my mind to something, it will be achieved, and she has the same quality in her. So yeah, it’s just going in knowing that you’ve earned this place and you’ve worked hard to be here, and you walk in with your head held high knowing that your ancestors sent you. Go do it. Go do your job. So I wanted to make sure he exuded that too, and that was very important to me to show that.

Nafessa Williams on the boldness and elegance of her performance on Disney+'s 'Rivals'
Photo credit: Cécile BOKO

When people portray a character or make a movie in a “different era,” did you do any preparation beyond understanding what life was like back then? Did you do a lot of research into the history of your character?

Yes, I always go back and check if I am serving that era well. For me it was just going back and observing women that I had seen, maybe glimpses of, that I didn’t know very well as a child but who were popular in the 80s. Lots of Diahanna Carroll and Pam Grier. I also watch a little bit of Phylicia Rashad and make sure I bring that cool, sassy, ​​sexy but intelligent approach to the character.

Besides, music helps me empathize with a given character. I always create a playlist for each character. It really helps me get into that time and understand the character’s mind, what they’re thinking: “How do they party? How do they dance? What is their wardrobe like?” So I studied it a lot and told everyone because I always got to the heart of the Cameron thing. “Nasty Girl” by Vanity City. Remember Prince’s group?

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Absolutely. 1000%.

Yes. Yes. So “Nasty Girl” helped me get inside Cameron’s mind and get to know her boldness, confidence and attitude about who she is. So yeah, I just go back and watch it again, get Diane Carroll, and she was very strong, Dominique Deveraux, she was very strong in who she was. When she appeared on screen, there was no denying her energy and essence as a black woman. This was part of the research I did.

It’s interesting because I definitely want to know that now when I think about the ’80s, I think about Whitney Houston, I think about Cyndi Lauper. Tell me, who was on your playlist when you were putting together the music list for this particular character?

Surely. Lots of Whitney Houston, lots of Teddy Pendergrass. I’m from Philadelphia. So I come from a huge musical culture. A lot of Teddy P., a lot of Barry White, a lot of Sadé. Sadé was also on the playlist, getting into this just sexy vibe, kind of laid back, at home, relaxed. There was a lot of Madonna on the playlist. Prince was on the Jackson Five playlist. I also thought about this: “Who was Cameron when she was a child? Who was she listening to? Not even as an adult, but I like to think that when she was an adult in the ’80s, in her teenage life, in her earlier life, she listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder and a lot of the Jackson Five, a lot of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

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So these were some of the songs, or rather artists, that were on my playlist that I just listened to all day, played in my trailer before I went to set, and just walked out and was ready to have it.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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The most elegant moments of beautiful Billie Holiday – essence

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William Gottlieb/Redferns

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When Billie Holiday entered the stage, not only her voice turned her head – it was her presence. Known as Lady Day, she embodied the timeless type of beauty that cannot be reproduced – only worship. More than an icon of jazz, Holiday was a plan: her appearance, its mastery and its unrestricted elegance are still inspired by generations of black women who understand that beauty concerns the soul, as in style.

In the Nineteen Forties, the singer was known for wearing a deep, dark lipstick, which made her hair decorated with gardenia relatively more. Her eyebrows have contained throughout the least times been thrown out and eyelashes? Flirts, feathery and unforgettable. Sometimes she liked to take care of cool and canopy with packaging, contained throughout the least times emanating this sort of glam. In 1939, she added to the photo session, gardens in full bloom-nevertheless it surely’s eyelashes and it is a soft look, to which we’re still attracted.

Quickly until 1947, when the legend hit the stage on the Downbeat Club Manhattan. No foundation, no powder – just daring lipstick, natural leather and star power.

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Until 1957, Billie modified every little thing to her performance to Newport Jazz Festival, leaving Gardenias behind, but keeping a characteristic red lip. And because of all this she never avoided the camera. New head shots, latest corners – because my love is contained throughout the least times in style.

In honor of the late icon we rejoice some of the most unforgettable moments of beauty Billie Holiday.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Hannah John -kamen on Thunderbolts* and always remains ready to get close – essence

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Killer Action Role on television, science fiction Odyssey Outlaws and Hyper-Dystopian Stories are stuffed with the movie Hannah John-Kamen as a performer with strength in her emotional performance on the screen. A 35-yr-old English actress known for her roles in movies similar to Andas, just like the television program, Likeand is ready to bring her to her because she had large roles supporting in lots of successful franchises. He represents his role Ghost (Ava Starr) in Marvel. Directed by Jake Schreier, The Asterisk within the title of the film is an actual show Way Marvel, and the filmmaker intended to be this story to be the departure of Disney franchise and resign how very different it’s from the more shiny repertoire of Marvel’s movies.

“Jake’s lens of this film was very, tonally specific”, he describes John-Kamen through the conversation. “It was like creating an independent film in the Marvel universe – Jake had a level of sensitivity and nurturing this story.” Re-reembodiment John-Kamena Ava Starr as a spirit, a killer for employment, is a key paria of the newly formed group, which was later recognized within the film as Thunderbolts, the name developed by the character of David Harbor, Aleksiej Andreovitch (Red Guardian).

Hannah John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always remaining ready for a rapprochement
(LR) John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (David Harbor) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) at Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*. Photo of Chuck Zlotnicka. © 2025 Marvel.

The family roots of John-Kamen reach her Nigerian father and Norwegian mother, who performed significantly different works as a criminal psychologist and fashion model. With her established experience in Performance’s art, she was able to introduce her history of upbringing in a house stuffed with beauty and brains in her roles on the screen. The English contractor doesn’t stop his roles on television and film and cooperated with the maestros cinema, similar to Steven Spielberg (), and now Jake Schreier. “It’s quite difficult, because when you filter abroad, you revolve with a time difference that is easier to say than to do,” says John-Kamen. “In this world it can be a lonely lifestyle that concerns the spirit, and I grounded, taking breath and seeing my loved ones, friends and hugging my dog.”

Hannah John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always remaining ready for a rapprochement
(LR) John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) in Thunderbolts Marvel Studios*. Photo thanks to the kindness of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

Florence Pugh leads as Yelena Belova, a self -sighted super agent who suffers from disturbing episodes that recreate memories of the past that persecute her. The unusual childhood injury Belova led her to becoming a one who acts probably the most alone. Belova and Starr are a fortress behind Anti Hero Alliance of the Thunderbolts. They are the one women in a six -person organization who meets with controversial forces. “He, very, controls himself, his body and making decisions very much,” the John-Kamen explores. “She is Fort Knox and is a lonely wolf.”

Hannah John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always remaining ready for a rapprochement
(LR) Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (David Harbor) at Thunderbolts Marvel Studios*. Photo thanks to the kindness of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

The unusual moments of the comedy from the forged, which incorporates Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman and many others, does so related and feel more human than OR. Without having shiny superpowers, which make up lightning, they’re forced to face their reality without pursuing fandoms and public support. In the film Arch Nemesis Thunderbolt is the vengeful figure of Louis-Dreyfus, Valentina Allegra de Fountaine-infiltrating director who tries to manipulate and remove the Marvel Hero team.

Hannah John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always remaining ready for a rapprochement
Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) at Thunderbolts Marvel Studios*. Photo thanks to the kindness of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

During the 2 -hour journey, which makes up the history of Thunderbolt’s origin, the audience experiences the way in which these qualified warriors are still fighting for the worst problems. Ava Starr remains under the radar for many of the film because he has more sequences than words. “Her guard is very elevated,” says John-Kamen. Ava Starr appears when Yelena Belova needs her most to save the world overtaken by darkness. The character of Lewis Pullman, Robert “Bob” Reynolds, is armed against Thunderbolts, and his arch symbolizes how our minds may be as powerful because the uncomfortable villain.

Hannah John-Kamen on Thunderbolts* and always remaining ready for a rapprochement
(LR): Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbor), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) in Marvel Studios “Thunderbolts* © 2024 Marvel.

Schreier’s approach to this film within the Marvel series was to enlarge greater than outside, removes all glamorous aesthetics that makes the heroes so aspirative. Even in Thunderbolts marketing, a wheat box standing in the course of the box is caught to satirize the trail of superheroes created within the Marvel cinema. Each anti -hero character stands in front of its own internal battles created by the trauma and wounded within the script by Eric Pearson. “We really laughed between shots,” Hannah warns me, talking in regards to the heavier features of the film. “I really created this beautiful family in this cast.”

In general, it is a story that follows wounded individuals who learn to treat. Along the way in which, they establish a family bond and support system. In 2025, when people can feel more disconnected, the narrative of Thunderbolts hits the home harder, watching the characters construct sufficient confidence and mental Harta to stand in themselves and their newly discovered friends. “I think that at the end of this movie I want you to hug a loved one or make sure someone feels safe and informed him that they do not have to boldly smile,” John-Kamen says.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Karen Pittman in the latest drama Netflix “Forever” – Essence

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Karen Pittman during the thirty first Guild Actors Guild Awards. Photo: Maya Dehlin Spach

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Karen Pittman is just too accustomed to prime quality content. From, to, she built a profession playing dynamic characters at the center of an intelligent, conscious society. But in the recent Netflix Pittman series, he enters the unknown territory – each skilled and emotional. Adapted by Mara Brock Akil and the performer produced by Regina King, the concert again imagines the iconic novel by Judah Blume from 1975 through a up to date lens, concentrating black love, family and growing pains of adolescence in America Pre -Floyd. This is a type of project that usually doesn’t come – and Pittman knew about it after the jump.

“I don’t have such a thing on my work on TV,” says Essence. “I did it in the theater, but not in this way with these colleagues.” When Akil turned to her regarding the role of Dawn Edwards-Reduer with a high power and fierce protective mother-she showed that the stars were leveled. “Not very often in your career, as an actress, people will allow you to break your mold and do something else,” he says. “And Mara is known for the concentration of black women. It meant to me.”

In the series Dawn is the mother of Justin, teenagers moving in the old flame, identity and independence. It is an effort that required Pittman to make use of his mother’s own instincts – but with restraint. “Dawn and I are two very, very different mothers,” he says with amusing. “But this level of cruelty in how it protects my children? I am completely adapted with it. There is no compromise for me in this way.” While Dawn emanates what Pittman calls “Razzle Dazzle” – a type of presence that makes people sit straight when he enters the room – she can be harsh, sensitive and struggles with the terrifying transition to permit her son to enter a situation that she will be able to’t control.

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Karen Pittman in the latest drama Netflix
Michael Cooper Jr., Wood Harris and Karen Pittman in “Forever”, courtesy of Elizabeth Morris / Netflix

The series takes place in 2018, and sometimes the Nominee Actors Guild awards as “preliminary sketch”. Before Pandemia, before he calls for racial justice, the series records quiet fears that defined so many black households. “This is an uncertain place for a mother,” he explains. “Watching your child goes to the hostile world. This program reflects where we were as a country and why Dawn is so focused on the development of the Son.”

This helps that Pittman’s stars are Wood Harris, who plays Father Justin. Two actors divide not only skilled chemistry, but a typical language that reaches their roots. “We spoke smoothly with each other,” he says. “Wood was simply an ideal star-open gentleman, accessible and full of respect for work. Our heroes love deeply, and the conflict between them concerns noble problems, not a small drama. This made the scenes rich.”

The dream team doesn’t end there. Pittman lights up, saying that he’s directed by King, whose artistic instinct and private experience have added work. “Regina grew up in Los Angeles, she was the mother of her son at this age – there was such a large synergy,” he says. “He is the director of the actor, completely commanding, but also related to the crew in a way that made the whole set feel grounded.”

But this Akil, says Pittman, who built the foundation. “Mara could write for everyone, do everything – but she decides to warm up her work around us,” he says. “She is intended in a way that I have never experienced. We saw her influence by: – ​​But this series gives us a different dimension of her vision. It is delicate. It is sharp. It is deep, deeply black.”

For Pittman, It’s greater than a brand new loan on her impressive CV – it is a type of return home. A probability to stretch, cooperation with creators that admires and tell a story that resonates at every level.

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“This is one of those rare times in which work, people and message are consistent,” he says. “And when it happens, you jump.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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