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If you’ve ever wondered if Emayatzy Corinealdi is as fly and sassy as her character Jax Stewart in the steamy, drama-filled series Reasonable Doubt, I’ve got the scoop. The brown beauty blessed me with her presence via Zoom to chat about her character, balancing motherhood, her style, and more. It was like conversing with a homegirl—like Jax Stewart, to be exact.
Emayatzy Corinealdi gives off a nostalgic aura that feels familiar. The actress personifies elegance, style, and charm so effortlessly, but the trait she possesses that gives you that relatable feeling is her Hip-Hop swag. That flavor is evident in her and her dynamic character, Jax Stewart, as they boldly maneuver professions and spaces plagued with biases toward Black women. Corinealdi relates to her recent character on many levels, and when she first read the script for the Reasonable Doubt character, she felt as though she was reading a page out of her life. “She’s a career woman; she’s married and has children. I can relate to all three of those, you know,” the star stated. “Jax is very put together when it’s time to be in charge in the courtroom; she’s there. But then, in her off time, she’s spitting lyrics in the car. When I read the script, I was like, ‘That is me.'”
And it is her. Corinealdi pushed our wigs back when she hopped on her Instagram last month to bust a freestyle in the company of Big Tigger. The smooth flow is proof that her flyness is multifaceted. The actress has skills that aren’t just limited to her acting craft. She’s a DIY creative and a multitasking maven who’s got bars. Her favorite artist? Biggie, of course. She admitted to me that she’s a 90s rap music enthusiast to the core. “Nobody has been able to top what the artist did back in the day,” she expressed.
Emayatzy Corinealdi Balances it All through Grace
Corinealdi knew she wanted to act when she was in high school. She zeroed in on her passion and has been soaring ever since with roles in projects such as Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere, Miles Ahead, and Roots. Her demanding career as a Black actress comes with challenges, coupled with being a wife and a mother. When asked how she balances it all, the Fort Knox, Kentucky native said she allows herself to be human. “I’ve had to give myself grace when it feels like I’m failing in a particular area, especially in the motherhood realm because we want to do the whole thing and have our hands on everything,” revealed the entertainer. “But the one thing that has helped me is my belief. The Lord is in control of all things. And so, I have to tell myself you can’t control everything. I say that to myself when I realize I’m doing too much.”
Emayatzy Corinealdi on Self-Care
When the former Ballers star is not acting, she’s keeping her lean body snatched by faithfully snacking on almonds and running (much like her character Jax). Her other self-care activities include journaling, crafting DIY projects, spending time at the beach, and morning meditation. “I generally start each day with my devotional from my meditation book. Some days, all I have time for is to look at it, get the scripture in my head, and go. But it does help me to get centered,” Corinealdi acknowledged.
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It’s evident through her talent, gorgeous looks, flawless skin, and impeccable style that Corinealdi is that girl. On the show Reasonable Doubt (and in real life), miss thang applies fashion pressure. Her style combines classic, vintage, and around-the-way girl, and the actress attributes her fierce swagger to her mom. “My mother was the baddest woman. She always dressed with so much class and simplicity, love, and this beautiful grace and stature,” she beamed.
It’s safe to say she gets it from her mama.
Check out the season finale of Reasonable Doubt on Thursday, Oct 17th, on Hulu.
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