BEL AIR'S CASSANDRA FREEMAN IS LIVING THE DREAM

BY IRVIN RIVERA, EDITOR: CLARA SELEY-KATZ

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, FASHION STYLING: ANDREW PHILIP NGUYEN

Cassandra Freeman is many things, a wife, mother, actress, creator and wellness queen just to name a few. She is a woman who wears many hats and wears them well all while preaching balance, creativity and connectivity to her followers. In our interview with Freeman we talk about her role of Vivian on the new Bel-Air show (now streaming on Peacock), the challenges of being a working parent, “blacktress brunches,” and so much more.

Dress: H&M, Necklace: GEORGINA JEWELRY, Ring: FREDERICA ROSSI, Belt: UBS GOLD

Cassie! How are you? What’s keeping you busy nowadays?
Everything! I’m a mom, wife, entrepreneur, and artist. I create my days, but it’s a to-do list that’s never-ending! It’s a dream when I’m able to keep it in balance.

Tell us about your character Vivian Banks on Bel-Air.
Vivian Banks is the iconic character Aunt Viv from the original “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”. She is a devoted wife, mother of 3, and in our version, she is a visual artist who is reaching for her dreams after having it on the backburner to nurture her family.

How Vivian’s evolution throughout the seasons of the show?
This season we see her grappling with how to be an artist of substance and to stand up for herself and for her perspective as an artist. Viv is someone who follows the rules, however, being an artist is about creating your own rules!

**LEFT:** Set: ASOS, Caftan and Heels: KAIANE DESIGNS, Necklace: PAVE THE WAY JEWELRY, Earrings: UBS GOLD **RIGHT:** Dress: H&M, Necklace: GEORGINA JEWELRY, Ring: FREDERICA ROSSI, Belt: UBS GOLD

What’s the best part about playing your character?
To work with my cast and the producers is a dream. We are a collaborative show, and it truly feels like we all have the intention of putting something heartfelt out into the world. This show is about many things but ultimately, it’s a show about family.

What are the challenges and the highs that you experienced during filming?
It’s always challenging to work long days and to miss my own family. I have a son who I’m obsessed with and an incredible husband. The best way we all stay in touch is by us sending lil’ videos to each other! And that's truly meaningful to us all. Amongst the highs of being on the show, I'm still trying to fully believe I’m actually Aunt Viv. I grew up loving this show so to step through the looking glass and become one of the characters I have beloved.... blows my mind. I also think another high was the entire cast and I going to a Lakers game together! I’ve never been to a game and to sit courtside was thrilling!

How did you manage to rise above the challenges?
I think it’s important we all have a list of at least 5 things we need to do when we feel low or challenged. I have about 6 or so. Mine are: 1) Press reset and begin brand new again in whatever is overwhelming you 2) Call someone and tell them exactly what is going on, that is challenging. 3) Go outside into nature, barefoot is for extra credit. 4) Do something artistic that can safely allow you to release stress. My close friends and I love karaoke, and after a night of singing, it feels like we did a workout for our spirit! 5) Eat something great and remember your gut and brain are connected, so if one is off, so is the other. 6) Finally exercise and meditation - the days that are hardest for me to meditate are the days I need it the most. And if you don’t know how to meditate, just consciously breathe in for 7 counts, hold for 3 and release the breath through your heart and inside say, “I am valuable and I honor myself.”

You’re also going to be in Aristotle Torres’ Story Ave and Bill Oliver’s Our Son. What can you tell about these projects and your roles in each?
Both are beautiful projects filmed in New York and are very different. Story Ave is about a kid who's a street artist that’s having to deal with the death of his brother, and runs away from home, attempts to rob an MTA worker and the robbery goes right!
The other is Our Son and is basically a custody battle drama between Luke Evans and Billy Porter. It’s beautiful and sad and they are both amazing in it.

You’ve made your mark on the genres of drama, comedy in film, TV, and stage throughout the years. What is your proudest moment of your career so far?
Definitely playing Aunt Viv is a proud achievement. I know how much people love this character and I’m profoundly humbled that people have embraced me and the entire show.

Tell us about your creative process. What puts you in the mood to create? Is there a special thing that you do every time you create or prepare for a scene?
Inspiration is a fickle thing…the more you chase her, the more fleeting she becomes. Sometimes silence in my bedroom when everyone is gone is all I can hope for because then I can hear myself think. Also, if I watch something or read something artistic, that can flip on the switch in me immediately.

Who and what inspires you?
Nature is so inspiring. No matter what, she thrives. No matter how bad the weather is, life continues to grow. I think it reminds us of the same thing about our own lives. And of course, my son! To see little people with so much joy and passion is such a great litmus test to check in on our own joy. Also, my husband inspires me, he has such an incredible eye for detail. He sees everything! He is an award-winning sound designer and his level of specificity and tireless persistence in overcoming challenges to make each filmmaker's dream fulfilled is truly inspiring.

Tell us more about Creatricity. What inspired you to create a space and bring BIPOC creative to the forefront of the industry?
Hollywood failed to create an effective way for us all to connect and create in a seamless and efficient manner. It’s particularly difficult to discover new creatives to collaborate with, and then if you add diversity, it’s even more challenging. Most importantly, I think it’s necessary for creatives to be around each other to encourage and inspire one another.

Long story short, what inspired me is after a few times I hosted "Blacktress brunches," my

co-founder Stephani Lilly Smith and I had the epiphany that what we were providing for a small group of actresses, could be beneficial to the entire Entertainment ecosystem. So, we thought to create an app that’s like LinkedIn meets IMDB and includes dynamic in-person events.

Coat: FABIO GAVAZZI, Dress: SANTE GRACE, Cuff: PAVE THE WAY JEWELRY, Earrings: UBS GOLD

What’s your dream project?
I would love to play a comedian. I’m a recovering standup comedian so it would be great to tap back into that energy and add romance and conflict to the sauce.

Are there any Directors / Filmmakers you want to work with?
Yes, all of them! Haha! Too many to name but I admire Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Will Packer, Regina Hall, Tina Fey, Judd Apatow…and so many more!

Out of all the roles that you’ve played, is there any role/character that resonated with you the most and why?
The role that I think will live on for a long time is my Juneteenth character from Atlanta. I loved working on that show, and that character was so deliciously interesting! She was funny and so deeply complicated.

Dress: MARIAH LYNN DESIGN, Earrings: UBS GOLD

Aside from acting, what else keeps you busy?
I paint. I’ve always painted on and off. However, Aunt Viv has made it pour out of me like never before. I love playing with color, it’s so soothing to me. I feel like the world is not as bright and as vibrant as it can be, and painting allows me to bring it all to life in a fun and surprising way.

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?
I’ve learned repeatedly that people can surprise you, and the only way to know for sure is if you leave your room and dare to make friends with new people in new places. I’m a homebody, but people have the ability to turn on the joy inside. Life is meant to be in relationships with other people and hopefully, those people are uplifting and thriving in what they love, and that energy is infectious.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

Going In Many Places All At Once or I Told You so, But No One Asked Me