All Roads Lead to Meagan Good

New years are actually humorous issues.

The beginning of every one all the time appears to result in a mixture of reflection, anticipation and a must fiercely rebrand ourselves. The promise of a recent begin is intoxicating however can usually take one off track from their uniquely designed trajectory.  It’s a reset button, an opportunity to recalibrate and realign with who we’re and the place we need to go. However for Meagan Good, it’s in her and never on her, so 2025 is not any completely different. “This yr feels just like the end result of all the expansion, studying and reinvention I’ve gone by means of in recent times,” she shared throughout her EBONY cowl shoot. “I’m entering into this new chapter with a mindset of freedom, self-love and fearlessness. I’m excited for what’s subsequent, realizing I’ve the instruments, peace and religion to take it on.” Spoken like a girl who is aware of precisely who she is. However as we proceed speaking, it turns into abundantly clear that it took a lot work and belief in her religion to get her there.

Beneath the baddie and Black pop cultural pillar we’ve recognized is a girl with a dream to get all that she desires and deserves as God sees match. That is what anybody would need for their very own life which is emulated all through the scope of her profession.

For 2 seasons, Harlem, created by the sensible Tracy Oliver, has been a love letter to Black womanhood and friendship—a celebration of pleasure, sisterhood and navigating life by yourself phrases. In an leisure ecosystem that usually preys on the feelings and traumas of Black life, this present offered another lens that exhibits what’s potential when the main target is centered on the intrinsic relatability of happiness throughout any tradition.  And with Prime Video saying the collection’ conclusion earlier this month, followers are savoring all of the feels that the present introduced with it. Good’s portrayal of Camille, a scholar and professor of anthropology, has been nothing in need of transformative, providing audiences a personality—and actress— who’s advanced, relatable and genuine. Add that to her iconic roles starting from Eve’s Bayou, Roll Bounce, Assume Like A Man, a literal superhero in Shazam! and most not too long ago in Tyler Perry’s Divorce within the Black, and it’s clear that Good’s profession isn’t simply spectacular—it’s legendary.

In a world the place the concept of an “It Woman” will get tossed round like yesterday’s hashtag, Meagan Good stays untouchable. Traits come and go, however timelessness is one thing you earn—and Good wears it with agency veracity. Religion, fashion, style, finesse and an anchor of consistency have formed her into greater than only a cultural icon; she’s a logo of resilience and reinvention. With three many years of proof, it’s not one thing she places on for the digital camera—it’s one thing she is.

Stepping on set for EBONY’s January 2025 cowl shoot, Good is strictly that: all that. Spirited and current, she strikes with a magnetic vitality that units the tone for the day. Janet Jackson classics play within the background as she strikes every pose with focus, grace and the type of confidence solely expertise can deliver. Between takes, she laughs with the crew, absorbing the second like a girl who’s realized to be absolutely grounded in herself. The set was not solely stuffed with our bodies at work however an vitality that would solely be ordained by probably the most excessive as every little thing is working in divine order; it’s a excellent day. Good’s capability to be within the right here and now—whereas carrying the knowledge of every little thing she’s been by means of—is a complete vibe all its personal.

From her early days on Cousin Skeeter to changing into the heartbeat of Harlem, Good’s profession has been a examine of endurance, evolution and excellence. Whereas others fade with the ebb and circulation of Hollywood’s calls for, she’s remained steadfast, thriving in a lane solely her personal; it’s not a simple feat for a Black lady on this subject. After we sit down to talk additional through the shoot, she displays on that journey with the type of humility and gratitude that solely makes her shine brighter. “It’s about being true to myself and trusting God to information the remainder,” she stated, a mantra that echoes by means of each alternative she’s made.

As we step into the uncertainties of 2025, Good’s vitality feels just like the encouragement all of us want. This yr, she reminds us to look inward, to embrace freedom and self-love, and to maintain our religion on the heart. Along with her signature combine of heat, vulnerability and authenticity, Meagan Good is greater than an It Woman—she’s a blueprint for learn how to reside and develop by yourself phrases. And like the brand new yr itself, she’s all the time transferring ahead, inspiring us to do the identical.

Within the quiet moments of the duvet shoot, we steal a while alone with Ms. Good to replicate on her life and the thrilling promise of how she’s going to proceed to take the longer term by the horns and make it her personal.

You will have had such a fruitful profession. Fairly frankly, so many look to you because the blueprint of what it means to be an “It Woman.” What has been your secret to sustaining longevity and success by means of the adjustments of your life?

Meagan Good: My secret to longevity and preserving my head above water in all of the craziness is actually God and in addition my mom. My mother all the time advised me, “Don’t consider your individual hype. Ensure you keep humble, maintain perspective, be form, and have a grasp on what’s actually happening.” It’s like Monique as soon as stated: “If you look on a set, there’s no ceiling as a result of it isn’t actual.” This profession is one thing we get to do, and we’re blessed to do it. Having that perspective retains me grateful. I attempt to deliver that gratitude into how I deal with individuals—any set I present as much as, anybody I encounter. On the finish of the day, you possibly can solely do your greatest, and God has to deliver it throughout. That’s been my mindset and I’m actually grateful.

You appear to have such a supportive village, and group is our solely option to maintain one another up in these instances.  How has sisterhood been integral to your private {and professional} life?

My sister, LaMiya, is my greatest pal. I look as much as her, respect her and belief her fully. Sisterhood, to me, means having individuals in your life who actually have your again and your greatest curiosity, who maintain all of it the best way actual with you, and love on you if you want it most. I’m so grateful for my sister and the bond we share. Past her, I’ve an actual village of girls—buddies who cowl me, pray for me and present up for me in ways in which matter to me. Sisterhood is a present, and it’s taught me a lot about love, loyalty and what it means to help one another actually.

Our group has had the power to see you in entrance of the digital camera for thus a few years and watch you develop into the girl we see right now. And as you recognize, Black girls are not any stranger to reinvention. What has reinvention seemed like for you and the way do you constantly problem your self to evolve?

Properly, it has undoubtedly been a reinvention each decade. I’ve all the time had the mentality of eager to guarantee that each season of my life is the most effective season of my life—no matter that appears like for me, no matter I need to accomplish, no matter I need to expertise. I’ve been intentional about studying alongside the best way.

On this season of reinvention, there’s such a freedom. I don’t assume I’ve ever felt this free or skilled this type of peace earlier than. I’ll have thought I did at different durations, however now that I do know what this appears like, it’s unimaginable. It’s among the finest emotions on this planet, and it makes me really feel like I can tackle something. It makes me proud to face in my authenticity.

It makes me proud to be who I’m and to know my coronary heart. It makes me proud to have the individuals I do in my life. The journey of my profession makes me extremely grateful—even for the disappointments, the closed doorways, and the individuals who didn’t consider in me. All of that builds your character. It permits you to both develop into bitter or higher. I select to develop into higher each single time and to search out pleasure within the course of.

As I stated earlier, I get to do that. We might produce other jobs or be doing one thing completely different, however I get to be right here. It’s been a fairly epic journey—slightly over 30 years—and I really feel like I’m simply starting.

Who’s Meagan Good now, on this second? What has she continued to study from all her earlier eras?

Oh my gosh! One of the simplest ways to explain Meagan now’s that I’ve all the time been very self-aware in some ways. Truthfully, I’m stunned at how self-aware I’m. I usually ask myself, “The place do I get that from?” I do not know. However I do know who I’m. I do know what I would like, and I do know what I don’t need.

Rising up as a baby actor, I’ve all the time been clear about who I’m and what I would like, however I did have emotions of guilt—questioning if it was okay to need these issues or whether or not I’d be judged for them. Would individuals assume I’m somebody completely different than I actually am as a result of they don’t have a full understanding of me?

On this season of my life, so long as I’m telling my fact and it’s being heard, whether or not individuals agree with it or not doesn’t matter to me. What issues is that I’m telling the reality, strolling in my authenticity, and being pleased with who I’m. Holding that type of house for myself—the identical house I’ve all the time held for others—is actually empowering. It’s a approach of claiming, “No, it’s okay. I like precisely who you’re. I like your coronary heart. I believe you’ve grown in large methods. You’re nonetheless rising, nonetheless therapeutic, and also you’ve healed a lot. You give a lot, however it’s okay to permit others to provide to you too. You care for so many individuals, and it’s okay so that you can be taken care of.” These realizations are all a part of the method.

So, I don’t know the way else to elucidate who I’m now, besides to say that I’m the freest model of myself that I’ve ever been. It’s a spot I’ve been making an attempt to succeed in for thus lengthy. My little Leo persona used to say, “I don’t care,” however deep down, I did. Now, I’ve the enjoyment of absolutely residing in my fact, and it’s the most effective feeling on this planet. I can’t clarify it. It’s like reaching the mountaintop I’ve been striving for, and now I get to see what’s on the opposite aspect of it.

What’s the level of authenticity? What do you are feeling you must achieve from it?

With authenticity, you possibly can’t lose as a result of it’s your fact. Trusting my instincts and being true to myself offers me peace, no matter exterior opinions. If you’re genuine, you’re strolling your individual path, and that’s a win in itself. It’s about trusting your coronary heart and the recommendation of individuals you belief, then discovering your individual option to implement it. It doesn’t matter what occurs, I can all the time look within the mirror and say I adopted my path. That’s successful to me.

Congratulations in your engagement! We hear that EBONY has slightly bit to do with fostering your love connection—Are you able to inform us about your love story and its influence in your life?

(laughs) We met on the EBONY Energy 100 Gala two years in the past, and it was an immediate connection. We had no concept that two years later, we’d be engaged, however every little thing shifted that day. This relationship has taught me about unconditional love—what it means to be beloved within the fullness of who you’re and to like somebody who brings out the most effective in you. It’s been a tremendous journey, and I cherish it deeply. I’ll go away it at that!

You each look so in love and it’s onerous courting as of late. For younger individuals or anybody seeking to discover their very own bae, what ideas would you share with them from navigating your individual love life?

Completely. Don’t take any nonsense—excuse my language. Permit somebody to return into your life fairly than actively trying to find somebody as a result of earlier than that step, the main target ought to be on taking good care of your self. It’s about studying, uncovering who you’re, and permitting God to steer you to the place you’re meant to be.

When the appropriate particular person does come into your life, perceive that the reward is them making you higher. The reward is their unconditional love. The reward is them instructing you what God’s love is—as a result of God has the power to like us in ways in which many people, as people, put situations on. Whether or not it’s household or different relationships, these situations usually exist. However if you discover that type of God-like love, the place there are not any situations, even should you tried, you couldn’t assist however embrace it.

That true, unconditional love—loving you within the fullness of who you’re—is what all of us deserve. It’s about not settling for something much less. It’s additionally about permitting somebody to enhance your life, deliver out the most effective in you, and maintain up a mirror that makes you reside as much as your full potential and the aim for which you had been positioned on this earth. These features ought to be related, although they might specific themselves otherwise. Love and admire the methods these variations enrich your life. I might say it’s a present. God is a necessity, however being given the appropriate relationship is such a blessing. Cherish that reward and cherish your self. Don’t accept something lower than what you actually need and deserve.

On the subject of affection, let’s speak about Harlem. The collection has been so enriching; showcasing Black girls merely residing their lives—not specializing in trauma however highlighting on a regular basis experiences and being doted on by their lovers, buddies, and group— is refreshing and so wanted. That’s what it’s meant for thus many people, however what has engaged on “Harlem” meant to you?

Woman! In actual life? Harlem has been one in all, if not the most effective, experiences I’ve had in 30-plus years on this business. If you speak about sisters—these women, Tracy, and me—these are my sisters. I like them, and so they love me. It’s an plain bond you wouldn’t query from any of us.

With the ability to reside within the character of Camille, to tug issues out of myself that others hadn’t seen and even knew existed, and to shock individuals after so lengthy on this enterprise has been probably the most gratifying feeling. To play alongside sensible minds and artists who I truly love and luxuriate in spending time with, whether or not at work or at house, is a real reward. I nonetheless have a complete field of Jerry’s garments at my home as a result of that’s simply how it’s—we’re actually a part of one another’s lives.

I like the character of Camille; I like Harlem, I like my showrunner, my boss, Amazon—they’ve all proven us a lot love. All the things about this expertise has been completely epic. It’s about strolling into areas the place individuals see your price and actually consider in you—not simply saying it however placing their cash and friendship the place their mouth is, and exhibiting up for you. That doesn’t occur every single day.

If you deliver 4 girls collectively on a present like this, you don’t know what’s going to occur. However this has been among the finest experiences of my life. Each time I look again with my children, I’ll all the time say, “That one—that present—was one in all them ones.”

With all endings come new beginnings. What are you trying ahead to this yr and in persevering with your individual legacy?

My goodness, (chortle). Properly, I’ll say this—I noticed an interview with Mike Tyson the opposite day, and slightly woman requested him about legacy. He stated, “For those who noticed it, you noticed it.” And despite the fact that I assumed, “Mike, that’s a baby, reply her!” however what he stated rang true to me. I don’t assume legacy is essentially the purpose. I believe it’s about how we deal with individuals and the way we go away them proper now, within the current second. It’s about being absolutely current in life, for nonetheless lengthy we get to be right here, and impacting others in actual time with intention and coronary heart.

For me, there’s no satisfaction or ego in it. I simply need to be nearly as good as I will be and love as deeply and as onerous as I can. I need to present individuals God’s love. I need to present up for individuals. I don’t want it to be a legacy; I simply want it to be their expertise of me. Hopefully, alongside the best way, we are able to all assist one another slightly extra, be slightly kinder to at least one one other and make a optimistic distinction.

“New yr, new me,” proper? It’s time for a recent begin!

A recent begin for the brand new yr—child, it’s been numerous recent begins over the previous couple of years. However this feels just like the end result of that course of: the private course of, the connection course of, the profession course of and the expansion that has been completely insane, particularly this previous yr. All the things I’ve realized, every little thing I’ve poured in, and every little thing that’s been poured into me has been transformational in a approach that doesn’t mirror some other season of my life.

It’s actually a second act, however it’s a second act with all of the instruments, all the knowledge, all of the fearlessness, all the liberty, and all of the self-love. It’s additionally about saying, “Okay, that is what you’re engaged on; right here’s what that is. Perhaps you may need to work on that slightly bit extra.” It’s about being actually blunt with your self. Even in that honesty, there’s no disgrace—simply acceptance. It’s about saying, “That is the place you’re, and that’s okay.

Savannah Taylor (@savmtaylor) is a author, storyteller and multihyphenate artistic who’s in love with all issues Black tradition and group. She at the moment serves as an editor and Director of Editorial at EBONY.

EBONY TEAM

Govt Vice President, Content material Candace Rodney – @cjrodney  Govt Director, Editorial J’nelle Agee – @jnagee30  Director, Growth & Manufacturing Yadira Espinal – @isthatyadira 

Director, Social Selina Smith – @selina.mvriee  

Director, Expertise Ashle Mitchell – @ashle_monae  Director, Editorial Savannah Taylor – @savmtaylor 

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Editorial Author, Model Options Kristin Morgan – @kayforkrstn  Copy Editor Jonathan Giles – @jgileswrites 

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Coordinator, Content material Simone Walker – @s.im 

Coordinator, Editorial Hayley Mason – @hayleymasontv

Cowl Crew

Expertise  Meagan Good – @meagangood 

Cowl Story Author Savannah Taylor – @savmtaylor 

Photographer Martika Avalon – @martika_avalon 

Govt Producer / Artistic Producer David Wept – @davidwept 

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Digitech Renee Dodge – @reneedodge 

Manufacturing Designer Taylor Almodovar – @taylor.almodovar 

Artwork Director Kieth Boos – @keithboos 

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