Ac Magazine cover stars — Dominique Jackson and Noma Dumezweni

Dominique Jackson & Noma Dumezweni - Photographed by Andrew Egan

Dominique Jackson & Noma Dumezweni

(hed) The Beauty of Becoming

(deck) Two Icons of Grace and Style Share Their Journeys of Faith and Self-Discovery

Ac Magazine cover stars — Dominique Jackson and Noma Dumezweni — met years ago on the set of the groundbreaking FX series “POSE,” where Dumezweni played Tasha Jackson, the emotionally complex mother of Jackson’s iconic character, Elektra Abundance Evangelista. The scene they shared was a raw, painful, and transformative moment that changed both their lives and the lives of countless viewers around the world.

Now, years later, the actresses sat down once again as peers, friends, and women on deeply personal journeys of discovery. Both have graced the covers of Ac Magazine. Dumezweni, the Spring 2025 issue, and Jackson now, as the radiant face of our Jewelry Issue. Both were photographed by the talented Andrew Egan, whom they praise for his “exceptional gift of capturing truth.”

For both women, faith has been the compass guiding them through uncertainty. “The last year has been about fear or faith,” Dumezweni, who is also known for her stage work and 2006 Olivier Award-winning role in “A Raisin in the Sun,” shared. “When fear creeps in, I lean into faith. I’ve come to see that we are souls having a human experience — each life, each lesson, is chosen for a greater purpose. I turned 56 this year, and I love getting older. Would I go back? No, thank you. Every challenge shaped me.”

Jackson, who also carries the titles of author, model, and reality television personality on her CV, nodded in understanding. “It’s been a test of faith, but a beautiful journey,” she said. “I lost work during the strike, brand deals ended, and suddenly everything I built seemed to crumble. I was depressed, anxious — I suffer from agoraphobia — but I found peace in stillness. Faith was all I had, and it carried me.”

Jackson, who has been open about her mental health journey, spoke candidly about the power of therapy. “I started therapy in 2012. Ten years later, I can say it saved me. It gave me tools to express, to heal, to find grounding. I still stay in touch with my therapist. The growth is ongoing.”

Dumezweni smiled in agreement. “We’re both still discovering ourselves,” she said. “And that’s the gift — to keep learning until our last breath.” For Jackson, water has always been her sanctuary. “When I get in the pool, everything melts away. It’s where I feel closest to my Caribbean roots. I’m a Pisces — it makes sense,” she laughed.

Dumezweni, meanwhile, finds solace in solitude. “In a seven-day week, I need one day just for myself. Without that pause, the next week doesn’t flow.”

Their shared “POSE” scene remains a cornerstone of their connection. “Noma playing my mother was revolutionary,”  Jackson reflected. “It wasn’t just a performance; it was healing. That scene changed lives. So many parents have said, ‘I didn’t know that’s what I looked like.’ After we wrapped, I broke down. My body caught up to the trauma. But it was necessary.”

Dumezweni remembered it just as vividly. “I knew it was your real story,” she softly said. “You were seismic, Dominique — unlike anyone we’ve ever met. I was honored to help tell that truth.”

Today, Jackson, who recently turned 50 is thriving. She walked in Prabal Gurung’s fashion show and is preparing to travel to Australia to receive the inaugural Tribute at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival for her work on “POSE” and her new documentary, “I’m Your Venus.”

When asked where she sees herself ten years from now, she answered without hesitation: “If life continues to be granted, I want to make real change for those who need it most. The beauty of our diversity is that we can learn from each other instead of criticizing.”

Her mantra is simple yet powerful: Catch it. Check it. Change it.

Their conversation closed with an African proverb about children holding hands as they race toward a tree to share its fruit. “We can all hold hands going to the tree,” Dumezweni said. Jackson nodded. “Yes, we can all share in the beauty of life together.”

The Fall 2025 Issue of Ac Magazine and the special Holiday 2025 Issue are available now.