
‘If Beale Street Could Talk’: The Cast Talk Colorism & The Importance Of Black Love

Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of Moonlight premiered his third film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
If Beale Street Could Talk is an adaptation of the 70's James Baldwin novel, a story centered around a young black couple in Harlem whose worlds are drastically changed when the fiancé is falsely accused of rape.
Newcomer KiKi Layne at TIFFGetty Images
Starring Stephan James and newcomer KiKi Layne as Alonso "Fonny" Hunt and Clementine "Tish" Rivers respectively, Beale Street is a story that depicts black love in its purest form amid the harsh backdrop of racism and prejudice in America. And it is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Through the acting, storytelling, and directing, Jenkins ensures that we feel seen and heard. He told xoNecole:
"'Moonlight' is a depiction of the family I grew up in. If 'Beale Street' is the family I wish I had."
While black love comes in many variations, the beauty of the film is heightened by the fact that its leading cast all have dark skin. With colorism impacting many actors in the industry, particularly black women, it's refreshing to see characters with actors' of a darker complexion portrayed in this light. The film feels like home; yet, reminds us that we haven't really seen this type of family on screen. Actress Teyonah Parris, who plays Tish's sister Ernestine in the film, added:
"It's important because you see three different women in such different places in our lives. Different representations of black women. And we all have very different personalities. I think it's really important to be showing a black family unit that's intact and fighting for each other with everything they have. That's what gets them through. Their worlds turn upside down, but they love each other. That's what's really at the heart of all of it."
Teyonah Parris makes an appearance at TIFF.Getty
Regina King and Colman Domingo also star in the film as Tish's parents, Sharon and Joseph Rivers. When asked about the casting of dark skin characters in his films, Jenkins revealed:
"It's not intentional, but it is something that I find myself being conscious of for sure, only because it's been such a long history of one particular type of colorism in our industry. When I write a script. I don't see the character and who they are. I'm having an open mind to the color of that person. Within our spectrum. It shouldn't be dictated one way or the other. The actor comes in. They should get the part."
Interestingly enough, Fonny played by James was originally written as a light skin man. "This might be the one time the source material called for a light skin person, and Stephan just came in and said, 'Nah. This brother is chocolate,'" Jenkins continued.
Stephan James as Fonny'If Beale Street Could Talk'
Many actresses have spoken up lately about colorism and the impact it has on women in the industry. Amandla Stenberg, who stars in The Hate U Give, which also premiered at TIFF has been pretty vocal about the topic. In an interview with Variety, she acknowledged her privilege as a lighter skinned, racially ambiguous woman both in life, as well as art. "Me and Yara and Zendaya are perceived in the same way because we are lighter skinned brown girls," she said. "We fill this interesting space of being accessible to Hollywood and accessible to white people in a way that darker skinned girls are not."
At the premiere, Parris also offered advice for fellow actresses and the role they can play in addressing colorism in Hollywood:
"Being aware and cognizant of what can sometimes be the disparities, and not discrediting anyone's experience and really hearing each other and trying to find a place where it can become a conversation. And realizing that you probably had a lot more advantages than the other person and making sure that's being talked about and dealt with."
Still from 'If Beale Street Could Talk'
While the industry surely has a long way to go before we see the diversity among black people justly depicted, If Beale Street Could Talk is a step in the right direction. It is Jenkins' love letter to black women.
The film premieres November 30, 2018. You can check out the trailer below.
- The 56th New York Film Festival Presents: If Beale Street Could Talk ›
- Toronto Film Review: 'If Beale Street Could Talk' ›
- Barry Jenkins: Jake Gyllenhaal Helped 'If Beale Street Could Talk ... ›
- If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) - Rotten Tomatoes ›
- [WATCH] 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Teaser: Barry Jenkins' Next ... ›
- If Beale Street Could Talk: first trailer for Barry Jenkins' Moonlight ... ›
- If Beale Street Could Talk Has Romance, Despair ›
- If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin ›
- If Beale Street Could Talk Teaser Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips ... ›
- Barry Jenkins' 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Trailer [WATCH] – Variety ›
- If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) - IMDb ›
- If Beale Street Could Talk - Wikipedia ›
Jaleesa Lashay is a film reporter and TV host in Los Angeles. She focuses on engaging in conversations that challenge representations within Hollywood. For more, follow her on IG @JaleesaLashay.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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How Power Women Protect Their Finances With Smart Money Boundaries
No matter what it is, setting boundaries can be challenging, especially when those boundaries involve money. But if you want to sustain success and financial freedom, boundaries are important, both with yourself and with others.
Many wealthy successful women have mastered setting boundaries and prioritizing accountability so that they can ensure they remain that way. Let's face it: If you want a certain quality of life and you work hard to achieve that, you don't want to risk it by taking on habits that jeopardize your financial stability.
Be inspired to not only set money boundaries but keep them by taking heed to the common financial boundaries power women of today establish:
1. They pay themselves first.
Building consistent savings habits is important to wealth-building no matter how much you earn, and the practice is often one that continues even after you're well-booked and well-paid. Actress, producer, and philanthropist Queen Latifah has always been a proponent of this after learning from her mom to "save your money."
This is the epitome of the energy behind paying yourself first. You squirrel something away and take care of yourself by taking care of your future first, before paying any bills. You invest in yourself (within your means and with a budget in mind, of course).
2. They don't loan money without clear repayment rules and expectations are agreed upon.
It's awesome to be able to help people out by loaning them money, but when you don't communicate clearly about repayment (or what will happen if the money is not repaid) you set yourself up for a cycle of taking on other's debts and maybe even building more debt of your own.
Unless you're doing charity, set those boundaries early about when and how a loan will be repaid. And if you know you won't get the money back, rethink the loan altogether.
3. They create budgets that are realistic and reflect their current lifestyle.
In her book, What I Know for Sure, Oprah Winfrey wrote, “I hope the way you spend your money is in line with the truth of who you are and what you care about.” This is key for many successful women, especially when they're budgeting and investing.
Issa Rae told Money.com, "I don’t splurge just because. I will never have 17 cars. I will never have expensive jewelry. I don’t spend that much on my clothes, or shoes. I will spend money on a stylist, and a makeup artist, because those things feel necessary for work. But material things? No."
There's a clear indication that there are clear value systems sustained by what matters to them no matter how much they make, and budgeting is a huge part of that.
4. They consider the long-term effects of a rash purchase before proceeding.
It's totally okay to treat yourself, but if you find yourself impulsively buying things you don't really need or always living check to check because you've maxed out your credit card to take that sixth trip in one year, there's a problem that might put a damper on those financial freedom plans. (That is unless your trip is part of how you make your money, and it's a worthy investment into expanding your prospects.)
Successful women are conscious of the long- and short-term effects of purchases, small and large. They're always thinking about how one action can impact the bigger picture.
5. They are givers and believe in the reciprocity of that.
Many of us are familiar with the famous quote, "To whom much is given, must is required," and there's that undertone of service and charity that is a common thread for wealthy, successful women, especially those who run businesses or lead brands. Involving yourself in acts of service not only enriches your development and that of communities, but it increases your exposure, network, and credibility, often leading to more opportunities to make more money.
Most leading CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals are big on giving back, whether it is through resources, a nonprofit, money, or their time. "As you become more successful, it's important for you to give back. Even if you can't financially give back, kind words and sharing about other businesses on social media mean so much. Every little thing counts. Help out your friends and family with advice, encouragement, and support," said Angela Yee, award-winning radio host and entrepreneur.
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Featured image by Charday Penn/Getty Images
Originally published on August 16, 2024