Regina King, Zazie Beetz & The Women Who Inspired 'The Harder They Fall'
The Harder They Fall has been the talk of social media since it premiered on Netflix last week. The film is a first of its kind. A western with a star-studded, all-Black cast that includes Idris Elba, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield, but what makes the story even more interesting is that the characters are all based on real people. While the real people have never met in real life, the actors in the film do and they come together to tell an explosive, yet touching fictional story.
While white men have historically been at the forefront of Western movies, The Harder They Fall puts an end to that by not only having an all-Black cast but also having strong Black female characters.
Regina King's character, "Treacherous Trudy," is just as powerful and respected as Idris Elba's character, who she plays alongside throughout the film. Zazie Beetz's character "Stagecoach Mary" plays alongside Jonathan Majors' character but proves herself to be more than just his love interest.
Lastly, we have "Cuffe," played by Danielle Deadwyler, who defies what a stereotypical woman is supposed to be. The film's director Jeymes Samuel spoke with Essenceon the importance of having fearless female characters in the film.
"Just because the story takes place in the 1800s shouldn't give you license to make women subservient," he said. "When Nat Love says to Trudy Smith, 'Where's your boss? She goes, 'Boss?' When Nat Love says to Stagecoach Mary, 'What in my character makes you think I'd allow that?' She goes, 'I wasn't asking for your permission.' Ain't no subservience in this movie. We're kings and queens on horseback."
And why would the women be subservient when they were real-life badasses?
History.com says that Mary Fields aka Stagecoach Mary was the first Black woman to work as a mail carrier and she was known to sport two guns to fight off thieves. Because of her height and tough demeanor, she was feared by many, but also loved and respected.
At 17-years-old, Cathay "Cuffe" Williams became the first documented woman to serve in the United States Army, although she enlisted as a man. When she was found out, she was discharged and later joined the Buffalo Soldiers.
Cathay Williams, aka "Cuffe" was the first-ever Black woman to serve in the US Army. She enlisted as a man in 1866 under the name "William Cathay" when she was just 17.
— McKenzie Jean-Philippe (@McKenzie_JP) November 6, 2021
Where is Cathay's biopic?!?! #TheHarderTheyFall pic.twitter.com/eJsxxIINfw
There is little known information about Gertrude "Treacherous Trudy" Smith, but according to Jeymes, she was a pickpocketer and well-traveled, which explains the character's accent. She also used to run with a woman named Dolly Mickey. It's also reported that the story her character in the film shared about her sister happened in real life.
So, there you have it. These ladies were not only badasses, but they were free Black women who made history. Even in the 1800s, they didn't let being Black or being a woman stop them from living life on their own terms.
Now, that's powerful!
Featured image by Kevin Winter/WireImage via Getty Images
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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What These Beauty Editors And Writers Learned About Beauty From Their Moms
Beauty editors are the heart of the industry. They work endlessly to provide us with inspiring stories and keep us up to date on beauty trends that help remind us we are that girl. However, before they were the trailblazers of the beauty industry, they were little girls inspired by their mothers’ beauty routines.
Watching them every morning as they put on their favorite lipstick and got ready for the day. Dreaming of the moment when they, too, could play in their mother's makeup bag and discover the secret behind the captivating beauty world.
Asia Milia Ware, Kayla Greaves, and Shauna Beni are three masterminds behind some of your favorite digital publications. They have pushed beauty trends and started groundbreaking conversations in the industry. Not only are they some of the most talented beauty writers and editors, but they are fabulous women who get it from their mamas!
We chatted with each of them to learn more about how their mothers have influenced their love for beauty.
Asia Milia Ware
Beauty and Fashion Writer, The Cut
Asia Milia Ware is a beauty and fashion force to be reckoned with. You can catch her on somebody's island in the latest fashion or at an occasional function with friends and a bold red lip. Ware’s infectious love for beauty and fashion started as a young girl watching her mom’s simple yet profound beauty routine. “My mom’s beauty routine was simple. She had her go-to Revlon red lipstick that doubled as a blush, followed by Amber Rose perfume oil, and she would do her nails,” says Ware. As Ware gained an admiration for beauty, she would turn her mother's sweet red lipstick kisses into blush. A mother’s love would soon birth the trajectory of Ware’s successful career in the beauty industry.
“It impacted me as a young girl because I saw how it made her feel. I saw the instant mood booster it was to apply her lipstick, and I saw how special she felt when she would go to the hair salon and be pampered instead of doing it herself,” she says. Seeing her mother’s confidence and happiness made Ware crave a similar feeling. Sneaking into her mother’s makeup bag and putting on lipstick became a thrill. That thrill soon turned into Ware tagging along to the nail salon with her aunts. “I saw Black women unapologetically indulging in themselves through beauty, and it was a community I couldn’t wait to be part of.”
Seeing women pour into themselves was pivotal for the way Ware would view self-love, but Ware’s most important lesson in beauty would be self-acceptance. “I was a rebel; if she [her mother] told me I didn't need certain makeup or weave, I would still want it. But, in hindsight, she was teaching me to love everything about myself without the enhancements,” says Ware. Living in a world where beauty can seem more important than who we are, learning to love our core can help enhance our self-confidence and view beauty as an accessory, not a necessity.
Kayla Greaves
Award-winning Beauty Journalist and former Beauty Editor at InStyle
“My mother was very big on beauty. I can’t remember when she ever went out without glam and a fit to match,” says Greaves. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Greaves is an award-winning journalist who challenges beauty norms while looking effortless in glam. Like her mother, she has a wash and roller set and well-manicured nails. “She had her weekly wash days, followed by doing her own roller set, and while under the dryer, she would be doing her mani/pedi. Many of my memories of her have become fuzzy, but as a little girl, I remember looking up to her and thinking she was the most beautiful woman on the planet,” says Greaves.
Like most little girls, Greaves enjoyed playing in her mother's closet and makeup. She fell into beauty as she tried on her mother's clothes and indulged in her makeup bag. “I always wanted my nails painted, my hair done, and begged her to put a little blush on my cheeks before we went out,” says Greaves. Her mother's passion for beauty was soon embedded in her daughter, who couldn’t wait to define beauty for herself.
As Greaves grew up, she unfortunately couldn’t bask in conversation about beauty with her mother. However, she’s adopted what she remembers of her mom into her routine. “she always had a simple makeup routine, and I've adopted that. My go-to look is a combo of mascara, a little highlighter, and a well-lined red or nude lip. Ironically, I have my mother's lips—maybe that's why they're my favorite feature.” Greaves' mother's love for beauty will forever be remembered and carried through her daughter's spirit.
Shauna Beni-Haynes
Shopping Editor, Teen Vogue
Shauna Beni-Haynes' beauty routines are filled with so much life. From pink hair to vibrant makeup and fashion looks, Haynes' love for beauty knows no bounds. Although Haynes’ relationship with beauty is larger than life, her mom always kept things simple. “All she needed was a classic red lip, red nails, and a big, voluminous blowout. That was her go-to beauty routine, and I love looking back at her pictures and seeing how beautiful she looked,” says Haynes.
Similar to Haynes, her mother created her own rules when it came to beauty. A bold red lip and voluminous hair deeply impacted Haynes at a time when most were doing the opposite. “In a time when the beauty standard was focused on long, straight, silky hair, I could rock my natural curls loud and proud, thanks to the confidence instilled from my mom's beauty routine,” says Haynes. Her mother’s courage became rooted in a lesson for Haynes to use the beauty features she already had, allowing her to embrace her full self.
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Featured image by Asia Milia Ware/Instagram
