Tessa Thompson has been grinding at this Hollywood life for a long time and her upcoming role in Thor proves that she's a hustler. You may recognize the brown beauty from when she played as Michael "Bae" Jordan's love interest, Bianca, in the boxing movie Creed. She seriously knocked her performance out of the park, and we loved it!
But please believe that Tessa has been making moves way before Dear White People and has also been making music as a side hustle. Get to know this Hollywood hustler, and see why you should keep your eye on this one.
1. She worked with several artists, including Donald Glover, to help produce music for Creed.
Tessa said that she put in some serious work for Creed's musical score - two weeks straight, 15 hours a day. Talk about grinding! She told The Hollywood Reporter,
[Composer] Ludwig Goransson and I also had some guest artists come in. We had Donald Glover and an indie artist I really love called Moses Sumney. Other than that, it was basically just us hanging out. We had made 10 songs that we sent to Ryan, and there were four that he felt strongly about that would work in the context of the movie.
2. She was actually naked under the covers in one of her love scenes in Creed
Yes! Tessa was butt naked with Michael "Bae" Jordan in one of those Creed movie love scenes! I live! She spilled the tea about her steamy love scenes with the hot actor with Hello Beautiful.
"The nudity for us in that, and first of all it's a PG-13 film–but we are in fact naked under those covers," Tessa explained....'I think for us it was about being emotionally naked and not so much the physicality. Mike and I were fast friends and we were long admirers of each other's work, so we had an easy rapport and it didn't feel awkward. Literally, when we shot it that day Ryan was the only one who was in and out of that room,' she told us...
'We wanted to talk about what Black love looks like and shoot it in a way that looks honest,' she revealed.
3. She feels a sense of gratitude in selecting roles that speaks to America
Tessa also played Diane Nash in the electrifying, Ava Duvernay-directed film Selma.She admitted that she didn't know a lot about Diane Nash before taking the role, But after immersing herself in era films, books, and propaganda posters, as well as talking with some activists, she learned how Diane was actually an unsung hero from the Civil Rights Movement.
Tessa said that what she also found interesting was how similar the images from the movie Selma and the riots in Ferguson, Mo. were. She told Refinery 29,
I mean, to look at these images from Ferguson and some of the images, just a still from our movie, and see the parallel is so striking. So, I feel a great sense of gratitude for being able to work on projects that I think have something to say and to offer to us now. I never even thought of the idea of legacy, but regardless of what we do, we're here and we leave our mark on the world around us."
4. Her performance in Copper will seriously make you cry
Before Dear White People, Tessa played a very quiet former slave who is married to a New York City doctor in the BBC America Civil War drama Copper. Her character says few words, but when she talks, she commands attention.
There's one scene in the show where she tries to break down a light pole that her brothers were hung from when the city experienced civil unrest. The scene is so powerful that everyone I know, black or white, who has seen it breaks down crying. To date, this has been one of her most powerful roles.
Check out the drama on Netflix, and get ready to feel all the feels - anger, happiness, sadness - at the same time.
5. But don't get it twisted, because Tessa can turn up like the rest of us
Tessa was also getting her "dance on" with her friend Janelle Monae for Janelle's music video "Yoga." But she was killing it, though!
6. She studied hard to get the Philly girl lifestyle right for Creed.
Tessa said that she got to know her hair team very well to perfect how Philly girls act and talk. She said she wanted to make sure that role she was portraying related to the audience from the area, and she nailed it. She told BET,
[Bianca] She's such a Philly girl, and it's such a compliment for people to say, that are from Philly, you know, that you really captured that. That I felt like I was hearing and looking at a Philly jawn. I'm like, that's like the biggest compliment that I can give a sense of place and tell that story. Because I think representation is so important, and when you think about the Rocky movies, there are these films that are, you know these iconic Philadelphia films...
We wish Tessa much success!
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Let’s start with some pro tips from Breanna Knights, a Brooklyn-based stylist with over a decade of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, specializing in goddess braids. She takes pride in maintaining the beauty and longevity of her clients' goddess braids, focusing on ensuring their scalp and curls remain healthy and hydrated.
Knights’ expertise extends to understanding the tension level, hydration needs, and proper cleansing techniques for goddess braids.
Hydration Is Key:
Moisture is essential for maintaining the integrity of your goddess braids. Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner or moisturizing spray to hydrate your scalp and braids. Pay attention to the ends of the braids, as they tend to be the driest part. Avoid heavy products that can weigh down the braids and cause buildup.
“To maintain neatness and longevity for goddess braid styles, I recommend treating the goddess hair just as you would your natural curls," Knights tells us. "This consists of putting up your hair at night in a bonnet. I also encourage using mousse or a bottle of water mixed with conditioner to make the curls bounce back. These two options depend on if the curls are a synthetic blend, or if it’s 100% human hair."
When it comes to keeping the goddess curls refreshed and hydrated, Knights’ favorite mousse brands include:
Bumble and bumble's Bb Curl Mousse
Bumble and bumble
Bumble and bumble's Bb Curl Mousse is a lightweight mousse that enhances curls with a blend of oils and butters, providing long-lasting volume, and bounce without stiffness.
The Vigorol Mousse Olive Oil
Amazon
The Vigorol Mousse Olive Oil is a fave amongst the girlies. Reviewers say, “Product works well taming frizzy curls as well smoothing natural hair, human hair, and synthetic crochet or individual braided hair. Adds shine without looking or feeling greasy.”
Knights also recommends using Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment mixed with water in a spray bottle. “These products are sure to bring curls back to life," she adds.
If you’re looking for particular techniques or tricks to alleviate tension or discomfort often associated with wearing goddess braids, Knights shares that knotless goddess braids are usually done with less tension at the scalp, rather than traditional braids. “I highly suggest gauging tightness throughout your braiding session with your stylist. Should your braids end up too tight, one of my favorite go-to's is the Bumble and bumble’s Hairdresser's Invisible Oil. It provides a cool sensation on the scalp, without over saturating the scalp with oil,” Knights says.
The stylist also suggests a spray bottle with water to relieve tension. Additionally, less styling in the first few days of installing the braids to avoid scalp irritation.
Gentle Cleansing:
One topic that can be confusing when committing to goddess braids is the washing process. Should I wash my braids? How often should I wash them? We had all the questions, and Knights came with the tea. “Everyone’s wash [day] routine is different. To each client’s discernment, by weeks 3-4, if your scalp is itchy or shows signs of dandruff, it would be safe to wash your braids.
"I highly recommend paying more attention to the scalp rather than the braids itself. Keeping the braids up in a bun while saturating the scalp will keep the curls from matting and tangling during the wash process. After washing the scalp I recommend reapplying mousse and tying the hair down with a scarf to help tame any frizz that may occur after washing.”
Protect Your Crown:
One of the biggest keys to the longevity of goddess braids is having a braid bonnet and shower cap to ensure that the braids are dry. Invest in a satin or silk bonnet or scarf to protect your goddess braids while you sleep. Cotton pillowcases can cause friction, leading to frizz and flyaways. Additionally, tying your braids with a silk scarf can help preserve their shape and prevent them from unraveling.
“Combing through the loose curls with your fingers and having a routine to ensure that the hair isn't matting or entangling into one another can help with longevity as well," Knights shares. "The same way you’d care for your curls after a successful wash day would also promote the longevity for any 'goddess' style!”
Courtesy
Regular Touch-ups:
As your natural hair grows, your goddess braids may begin to loosen or develop new growth around the edges. Schedule regular touch-up appointments with your hairstylist to re-braid the edges and ensure a seamless look. Avoid leaving braids in for too long, as this can cause tension on the scalp and lead to breakage.
Minimize Manipulation:
While it's tempting to constantly touch and style your goddess braids, excessive manipulation can lead to frizz and premature loosening. Limit the use of styling tools and refrain from pulling or tugging on the braids. Embrace the natural beauty of your braids and allow them to flourish with minimal interference.
Nourish from Within:
Maintaining healthy hair starts from within. Ensure you're consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and hydration to promote hair growth and vitality. Incorporate foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and plenty of water into your daily routine for optimal hair health.
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