In junior high school, you could catch me somewhere giving my desktop a virus from pirating music. And then you have Marsai Martin, who is pitching whole films to Will Packer and Kenya Barris at only 10 years old.
We've gotten the opportunity to watch the now 14-year-old star grow up on the hit ABC show, Black-ish and now she's breaking out on her own as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood history. Her latest project Little was inspired by the classic Tom Hank's film Big and will feature some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Marsai pitched the idea nearly four years ago with maturity and confidence that left the executive producers stunned. Martin told The Root:
"After the Season 1 finale of Black-ish, we told Kenya Barris about it, and he called Will [Packer] and said: 'Yo, you know the girl who plays Diane on Black-ish? She has this dope idea!'"
Not only did she wow the likes of Packer, who produced our favorite blockbusters Girls Trip and Ride Along, but its creation provided roles to some of the industry's most talented and notable Black women, Issa Rae and Regina Hall. Talk about drippin' Black girl magic!
The comedy entails a story of a powerful businesswoman, Jordan Sanders, played by Regina Hall who also executive produced the film. Jordan Sanders, though good at what she does, treats people in a harsh manner and is transformed into 13-year-old kid by a child hoping to teach her a lesson. The only one that has knowledge of this is her assistant, who is hilariously depicted by Issa Rae. With undeniable talent and some stars slaying natural hairstyles on the big screen, it seems as though it is going to be impossible to leave the theaters without your chest swelling with pride.
This has all been made possible because of a girl with a vision in an environment that embraced her ideas and encouraged her confidence. Marsai has learned a lesson that many of us are still trying to believe in: Dreams do come true. Marsai shares:
"It doesn't matter if you are four or 84, there's no limit to what you can do...And if you prove that you can do it, you don't have to wait... A 13-year-old created this film and it turned out to be a wonderful, loving and fulfilling film."
Marsai, Issa Rae, and Regina Hall will be doing much more than starring in an excellent film, they will be providing representation for younger Black girls trying to find their place in a world where they often will be the only ones in the room as they rank higher. It is so important that these spaces are created and that we not only have a seat, but can also ensure these tables are assembled with Black women in mind.
As for inspiration, what more could you ask for? As we tweak our vision boards, it is also important to have the courage to align yourself with people with the means to support them. What are you waiting for?
Little premieres in theaters April 12, 2019. Check out the trailer below!
Little - Official Trailer (HD)youtu.be
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
