ESSENCE Magazine 2024 Cover: ISSA RAE, TRACEE ELLIS ROSS, & ERIKA ALEXANDER

 

UNVEILING THE POWER TRIO: ISSA RAE, TRACEE ELLIS ROSS, & ERIKA ALEXANDER TAKE CENTER STAGE ON THE JAN/FEB COVER OF ESSENCE, AS THE ICONS PREPARE TO CAPTIVATE AN UNFORGETTABLE AWARDS SEASON WITH ‘AMERICAN FICTION’

ESSENCE Magazine uncovered their 2024 Jan/Feb issue featuring the unstoppable trio of Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Erika Alexander, which brought life to the groundbreaking film 'American Fiction’, highlighting how the dynamic actresses have paved a new creative path from small-screen to the silver screen. The full cover story is now live on ESSENCE.com. 

The collective impact of Black television royalty, Golden Globe nominee Issa Rae, Emmy nominee Tracee Ellis Ross, and Independent Spirit Award winner Erika Alexander in leading roles in ‘American Fiction’ has received widespread critical acclaim following their transformative roles in iconic television series Insecure, Girlfriends, and Living Single (which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year), underscoring the trio's profound influence in shaping narratives and pushing creative boundaries on how Black women are portrayed in media. 

Beyond the small screen triumphs that catapulted them to stardom, these visionary actresses are poised for an exhilarating leap into uncharted artistic territories. With an unwavering commitment to authenticity and a passion for storytelling style that deeply resonates with Black women, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Erika Alexander are trailblazers set to carve new paths and redefine the portrayal of Black sisterhood in entertainment.

In a cover story captured exclusively from ESSENCE, the power trio reflects on the invisible thread connecting their careers, leading to the release of ‘American Fiction’ - a compelling tapestry of narratives that will captivate new audiences as the women who brought the beloved Issa Dee, Joan Clayton, and Maxine Shaw to life introduces Coraline, Lisa, and Sintara to the world. 

ESSENCE’S January/February 2024 issue hits newsstands on December 28th and will celebrate the fictional characters who inspired Black women during the Black TV Golden era, while shining a spotlight on the everyday Black women superheroes forging their own paths in various corners of the universe.

CAST QUOTES

GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEE, ISSA RAE

On the character, Issa Dee, in the groundbreaking series, Insecure, changed her perspective on life:

“I played a character who was a younger version of myself, or so I thought, and I didn’t recognize that I still exhibited those insecure traits, the lack of confidence in some areas. Ironically, doing this show made me so confident. Playing this character who was uncertain of herself, similar to you, is just like—I am very much not that anymore, and I am very sure of myself and what I’m doing. I’m sure of myself behind the scenes. It taught me a lot of lessons that I put into place in my real life. So I thank her for shining light on my strength.”

On her character in ‘American Fiction’ monetizing Blackness for mainstream consumption:

“She saw the games being played. She knows that she’s an excellent writer, and she was like, f*ck it, I’ll play the game, too. And I think that so much of being a Black woman is sometimes like that—like, ‘You’re going to try to play me, but I will overcome, and I’ll play the game better.’ And I honestly love that part of it.”

EMMY NOMINEE, TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

On the legacy of portraying Joan Clayton in the beloved series, Girlfriends:

“I don’t think I realized, while I was playing Joan, that for eight years I was speaking the dialogue of a woman who was waiting to be chosen, which is one of the reasons that publicly I speak so clearly, and all the time, about that not being a choice for me, and to sort of break that mold. Because I don’t want young girls—or boys, but [especially] young girls— to be taught to grow up dreaming of their wedding. I want young girls to grow up dreaming of their lives—who they want to be and what they want to give to the world.”

On the significance of how her role in ‘American Fiction’ was written: 

“It is not easy as an actress—as a woman and as a Black actress—to find roles where you are not written in the context of something else— where your identity is not because of something, or you’re just the setup for someone else, or you establish something and then you’re gone, and just used in that way. And what Cord Jefferson did in these split seconds, in these moments that we appear on the screen, is ensure that we are whole people. And it was on the page—and I think it’s why we were drawn to the script, because that is a spectacular thing, and it’s rare.” 

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD WINNER, ERIKA ALEXANDER

On the impact of her iconic role as Maxine Shaw on the coveted series, Living Single:

“I’ve lived long enough to see grown women come up to me and say that the character of Maxine Shaw meant something to them. And they went out into leadership. They went into politics. They pursued tough careers. People like Stacey Abrams, Ayanna Pressley. It’s amazing. So I give that back, as something that someone put into me—and for that brief period, I’m able to tap into that and put it out in the world. And thank goodness for all the people who came along and provided those opportunities to express those bonds of sisterhood.”

On ‘American Fiction’ capturing Black women’s story of survival:

“Black women do a lot to thrive, but first they have to survive. They have to survive society’s expectations, and then their own ambition—because obviously you’re looking at three very accomplished women in this film. That’s what Cord did.”

CREDITS

Photography: Micaiah Carter 

Styling: Solange Franklin Reed

Creative Movement Director: Stephen Galloway at The Collective Shift

Erika’s Hair & Makeup: Fred4Face using Fashion Fair 

Erika’s NRAY Locs: Debra Hare-Bey

Issa’s Hair: Felicia Leatherwood using Sienna Naturals & Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush 

Issa’s Makeup: Joanna Simkin using Patrick Ta Beauty at The Wall Group 

Tracee’s Hair: Marcia Hamilton using Pattern Beauty at Forward Artists 

Tracee’s Makeup: Molly Greenwald using Retrouvé Skincare & Pat McGrath Complexion at A-Frame Agency Nails: Yoko Sakakura using Presto and Airgel at A-Frame Agency 

Nail Assistants: Amber Studer & Sayo Sangalang 

Photo Assistants: Sam Rivera, Cory Hackbarth & DeMarquis McDaniels 

Set Design: Bette Adams at MHS Artists 

Set Design Assistants: Kylea Meredith, Graham Law, Nicky Buzzerio & M Czerwinski 

Photo Assistants: Sam Rivera, Cory Hackbarth & DeMarquis McDaniels 

Digitech: Blake Mohr 

Styling Assistants: Oreolu Zaccheus & Annisah Medinah 

Tailor: Shirlee Idzakovich

Tailor Assistant: Ivy Idzakovich 

Retouching: picturehouse + thesmalldarkroom 

Production Manager: Kendoysa Pratt 

Production Assistants: Frankie Benkovic, Jordan Mack, Jai Wilson, Melani Jessie & Jessica Nixon Shot at NYA Studios

FASHION CREDITS

Spread 1: Issa Rae wears Cedric Mizero jacket, Gabriela Hearst dress, Diotima jewelry, Chanel earrings, Brother Vellies pumps; Tracee Ellis Ross wears Kìléntár clothing, Vhernier jewelry; Erika Alexander wears Valentino clothing, Mateo jewelry, Paris Texas boots. 

Spread 2: Erika wears Norma Kamali top, Levi’s jeans, Patricia Von Musulin jewelry; Tracee wears Nappy Head Club T-shirt, Levi’s jeans, Patricia Von Musulin earrings, Mounser bracelets; Issa wears Chanel clothing and jewelry. 

Spread 3: Erika wears Issey Miyake top, Bed on Water skirt, Mounser earrings; Issa wears Alexander McQueen clothing and shoes, Admiral Row earrings; Tracee wears Loewe clothing, Patricia Von Musulin earrings, Vhernier ring.