Best known for her powerful performance as Kimmie in Netflix\u2019s hit drama Beauty in Black<\/em>, actress Taylor Polidore Williams is no stranger to emotionally demanding roles. As the series prepares to return with Part 2 on March 19, the rising star is reflecting on the overwhelming fan response, the self-care rituals that help her decompress after intense filming days and why giving back\u2014especially to her alma mater, Clark Atlanta University\u2014remains central to everything she does.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really does sound far away, but it\u2019s basically tomorrow. It feels so good. This is the second part of season two, and where we left off in part one was such a cliffhanger. The supporters and people who watch the show are so excited, and I\u2019m excited too. At this point, I\u2019ve honestly forgotten some of what happens, so I\u2019m also curious to see how things end. I can\u2019t wait to watch it and see how everyone reacts because that\u2019s my favorite part.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s overwhelming gratitude. I\u2019ve been acting for a while, and you never really know how a project will be received. That\u2019s something I can\u2019t control, and it\u2019s not what I focus on when I take on a role. So it\u2019s always a treat to be part of a project that really resonates with people and has supporters who are so invested in the characters. There\u2019s so much content out there now, so the fact that people choose to watch our show makes me really happy. I\u2019m very grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMusic is a big part of my process. I make playlists for every character I play\u2014Kimmie has her own playlist that helps me get into the world. Then I have personal playlists too: a dopamine boost playlist, a positivity playlist, even a bedtime playlist. When I\u2019m coming out of costume, I\u2019ll play my personal music to help transition back to myself.<\/p>\n A huge part of working with heavy material is leaving it on set. I can\u2019t bring that energy home to my husband and my goldendoodle\u2014they want to play. I have to come back to myself.<\/p>\n My beauty routine actually helps with that reset, too. On set, I\u2019ll usually start with makeup wipes\u2014typically the Neutrogena ones the makeup artists have. When I get home, I create my own little spa routine. I start the shower so the bathroom gets warm and steamy, and then I double cleanse. I\u2019ll use an oil cleanser first and then wash my face. There\u2019s something about taking the makeup off and cleaning my face that feels like a big exhale. Creating that ritual helps me leave work behind instead of carrying those feelings with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne I\u2019ve been using for quite a while is the La Roche-Posay Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil. It goes from oil to foam, and I really like using that after I remove my makeup. Then I also have a medicated wash from my dermatologist. After long filming days\u2014sometimes 14 or 16 hours on set\u2014my skin needs something a little stronger.<\/p>\n For the rest of my nighttime routine, I use the CeraVe Hydrating Toner and their nighttime moisturizer. I also use a Clarins under-eye firming product every night. I can\u2019t remember the exact name\u2014I\u2019d have to go check my bathroom.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s not broken, don\u2019t fix it. It works! I feel moisturized, and that\u2019s what matters. During the day, I keep things lighter. I use the Peach & Lily Water Gel Moisturizer, and I love the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. It\u2019s by far the best facial sunscreen I\u2019ve ever used.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU in Atlanta. Going there really shaped how I view community. Being surrounded by Black excellence and pride is such a powerful experience. It teaches you that things often mean more than how they appear on the surface\u2014how you carry yourself, how you uplift others and how you give back when you have a voice and a platform.<\/p>\n I had a brand partnership with Savage X Fenty, and I thought, sure, I can create content\u2014but what if we could also collaborate to give back to Clark Atlanta? I pitched the idea of bringing an installation to freshman move-in day. We gifted the girls pink and green workout sets\u2014the colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the sorority I\u2019m part of\u2014and handed out snow cones while welcoming the freshmen. It turned into this really beautiful moment.<\/p>\n As a college student, it was so inspiring to see alumni come back after achieving amazing things. You realize they were once right where you are. I wanted to create that same moment for these students\u2014to show them that someone who sat in those same classrooms can go on to do something big, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nMarch 19th sounds far away, but it\u2019s really not. That\u2019s when the new part of the season premieres. How are you feeling going into it?<\/h2>\n
A Netflix series is such a big deal. How does it feel to hear that people are watching and giving you all of this positive feedback?<\/h2>\n
Your character goes through some really heavy moments. After a long day of filming, how do you transition back to your real life?<\/h2>\n
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Are there any brands or products you really love?<\/h2>\n
Everyone mentions CeraVe when I ask about beauty products. It\u2019s such a solid option.<\/h2>\n
Beyond your professional work, you\u2019re involved with a lot of nonprofit initiatives. Why is giving back\u2014especially to college communities\u2014so important to you?<\/h2>\n