After the success of Supreme Models, author Marcellas Reynolds unveils another book celebrating Black talent with Supreme Actresses: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Hollywood. Out now, the book includes photographs, interviews, and profiles on actresses from the world of film, television, and theater.
Celebrating trailblazing talent throughout the decades, there’s Hattie McDaniel, who became the first Black woman to win an Academy Award in 1939 for Best Supporting Actress. Dorothy Dandridge, who was nominated for Best Actress in 1954, and Cicely Tyson, the first African American star of a television drama, in 1963. Looking to the modern era, Viola Davis, who covers the book, is profiled as well as actresses like Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett and Zendaya.
Related: Supreme Models Interview With Marcellas Reynolds
Supreme Actresses features beautiful images and illuminating background on struggles the actresses faced, how they got their start, changing beauty standards, and more. In an interview with Reynolds, he opened up about the process of making the book, inspiring women, what’s next, and more.
The main themes of Supreme Actresses are belief in oneself, dedication, discipline, and humility. These women are in service to something bigger than fame, each opening the door for the next. It’s about uplifting themselves, each other, and their race.
–Marcellas Reynolds
How did the process differ from making Supreme Models to Supreme Actresses?
Supreme Actresses was much easier to write than Supreme Models. I was sad when I wrote most of Supreme Models. There is a lot of pain in those pages. I ended the fashion stylist and television host part of my life and embraced writing. I did not know I could do it. But with the success of Supreme Models, I believed that I could tell the stories of these incredible women through words and photos in Supreme Actresses.
Congratulations on the YouTube Original show. Any hint of what we can expect?
I partnered with This Machine, a production company led by RJ Cutler, a legend in the documentary world, and Iman, a legend in modeling! I surrounded myself with excellence. I’m thrilled that YouTube purchased the show. They are the original streaming service. This series is going to beautifully tell the story of the Black model’s journey in fashion. The people we are interviewing are EPIC. It’s going to be an over-the-top gorgeous spectacle!
Any interesting stories from making the book?
I was worried that Supreme Actresses would not be as beautiful as Supreme Models, yet it’s even more stunning in some ways! It’s the scope of the book, starting in the early 1900s until now. The photos are amazing, and the interviews are fire! Gabrielle Union wrote the foreword, and it is a call to Hollywood for diversity, fairness, and inclusion. I think people will love the essays and interviews.
After writing this book, how do you feel about the current state of Black actresses and diversity in the industry?
I’m optimistic. I sold this book at the height of the pandemic and the start of the BLM protests. I wrote it when it seemed the world was burning around us. But look what happened? There is a Black renaissance happening in entertainment and fashion. We still have a long way to go, but I think we’re closer than ever to true equality in arts and entertainment.
What was the most challenging and rewarding thing about making Supreme Actresses?
Getting actresses to do interviews during the pandemic was difficult. But it was so worth it because so many women bared their souls in beautiful ways. I cried during Tiffany Haddish’s interview. Her honesty is heartbreaking and then hilarious! Issa Rae, Lynn Whitfield, Lupita Nyong’o—the stories! Gems. Each interview contains gems.
This book features so many A-list stars. Who are the rising Black actresses of today that you see reaching that Supreme status in the future?
I put legends like Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, Hattie McDaniel, and Cicely Tyson next to modern icons like Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Regina King, and Lupita Nyong’o. I added new gen-actresses, women I think have icon potential, like Zazie Beetz, Yara Shahidi, Leticia Wright, and Zendaya. I believe my inclusion of exciting, young actresses makes Supreme Actresses timely yet gives it longevity.
What would you say are the main themes of Supreme Actresses?
The main themes of Supreme Actresses are belief in oneself, dedication, discipline, and humility. These women are in service to something bigger than fame, each opening the door for the next. It’s about uplifting themselves, each other, and their race.
Any other projects you would like to share?
Oh, you know, I have something else up my sleeve. Supreme Models: The Documentary comes out in Fall 2022, and book three comes out in Fall 2023. I have another idea, and it’s beautiful.
