Nafessa Williams (T&A) in Showtime’ Twin Peaks [S1E3]
David Lynch was enough to say yes to! Itās always been a dream to work with him so that pretty cool. Just reading the script and it was just a fun character, but David Lynch for sure was a no brainer. Iām a huge fan of his work and I went back and watched all the old āTwin Peaks.ā It was very fun and mysterious and thrilling so it was pretty cool. It was something different from what Iāve done before.
I would also like to say, follow your dreams and I think that when life begins. When we follow our dreams and encourage others to follow theirs and just to be fearless about whatever it is you want.
This is a tough business for any ethnicity. You have to put in a lot of hard work and resilience. Plus you definitely have to have thick skin and it has to be something you really want to do. I do feel that it [the industry of Hollywood] is design for you to quit and to give up. But I think itās about knowing your lane and not comparing yourself to anybody. That means going after what you want, getting in acting classes, taking those auditions one by one. And eventually it will stick. Youāll gain confidence from that experience and soon youāll have other opportunities. Itās a numbers game.
What the fuck I just wat……calm down. Calming down. Counting backwards from 100. I’m watching for nudity. I’m hanging on for the boobies. I’m sticking around for another splendid nude debut like Nafessa Williams. I can do it. Always look on the bright side of things.
Going back to sexy Nafessa with her magnificent tits and juicy butt. Sweet Lord!
As much as I desperately want to strangle Lynch, I’m also magnanimous enough to praise, respect and thank him for somehow persuading the hottest of the hot babes to go naked in his flicks. Not the frustrating side boobs, quick brief view or low-lighted nonsense that has become the norm nowadays but full on, satisfying and wankable type of nudity.
Nafessa apparently comfortable in her own skin and open minded in baring her boobs and butt despite liberal sprinklings of religious-tinged phrases and inspiring quotes (via social medias) which seems to be – not stereotyping to be sure – a favorite among black artists.
Based on the tweets of the actresses cast in the revival, almost all of ’em are huge fans of Lynch and the original Twin Peaks. Surely that’s a major factor for someone like Nafessa to accept a (guest?) role with nudity attached to it. A major booster career-wise from the actresses perspective, cast in certified prestigious series helmed by a legendary director.
Going the extra mile and standing out from the rest on a show with bazillions of actors.
We’re talking #TwinPeaks on the red carpet with @NafessaWilliamspic.twitter.com/zeemwHDbgW
ā Twin Peaks (@SHO_TwinPeaks) May 20, 2017
Nafessa Williams was born on December 4, 1989 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ā She is an African-American actress and best known for her 2011 role as Nicole Gordon in the Meek Mill film Streets, her 2011 role as Deanna Forbes on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, and her 2016 role as Dr. Charlotte Piel on the CBS drama Code Black.
Williams studied criminal justice at West Chester University and interned in the homicide unit of the District Attorney’s Office.Ā
Williams has been cast as Anissa Pierce in the 2017 Mara Brock Akil/Greg Berlanti series Black Lightning and as Jade in the 2017 Mark Frost/David Lynch Showtime series Twin Peaks.
Actress Nafessa Williams Gives Mz Mahogany The Scoop on Her Career
Mz Mahogany: How did you get your start as an actress?
Nafessa: I started my career as a model actually. I did a lot of print, hair and beauty. One day I decided to take an acting class and I fell in love! I traveled to New York daily from my hometown Philadelphia for acting classes. Soon after, I was signed to an agency and the auditions began to roll in.
Mz Mahogany: What was it like being a part of the One Life to Live cast?
Nafessa: OMG it was a dream come true. I am super grateful to have been a part of such an historic show. Not to mention I learned so much from this experience. Soap work is really fast, so youāve got to be on point.
Mz Mahogany: Are you currently working on anything?
Nafessa: Yes I am currently recurring on The Bold and The Beautiful
Nafessa Williams also has a non-profit organization, Beautiful Girls, based in Philadelphia. They mentor and guide teenage girls from the ages of 8 ā 18.
Nafessa Williams Talks Being An American, Not Just An African-American Actress
She may not be a household name, but I promise you will be hearing a lot about Nafessa Williams very soon.
More specifically, on the upcoming season of the hit medical drama āCode Black,ā which is now in its sophomore year on CBS.
Earlier this week I caught up with the West Philadelphia native to talk about her role on the series as well as what it is like to be young, Black woman breaking into Hollywood.
This is what she had to say:
CB: Is āCode Blackā your first major role?
Williams: On a national network? Yes.
CB: So being young and Black, how difficult was it to break into Hollywood?
Williams: This is a tough business for any ethnicity. You have to put in a lot of hard work and resilience. Plus you definitely have to have thick skin and it has to be something you really want to do. I do feel that it [the industry of Hollywood] is design for you to quit and to give up. But I think itās about knowing your lane and not comparing yourself to anybody. That means going after what you want, getting in acting classes, taking those auditions one by one. And eventually it will stick. Youāll gain confidence from that experience and soon youāll have other opportunities. Itās a numbers game.
And itās about not comparing yourself to what any other actor is doing and what their timeline is like. Itās about knowing who you are, staying true to that and focusing on you.
CB: So how long did it take you to break into Hollywood? Youāve been at this for a while, right?
Williams: Yeah, Iāve been at this for eight years, full-time. I started out in Philly. I did a film called āStreets with Meek Mill.ā It was produced by Charlie MackĀ [a Philadelphia-based promoter and business associate of Will Smith] and written and directed by Jamal Hill. I tried to take advantage of what I could in Philly. But when it was time to move on, I moved on to New York. There, I booked a series regular role on āOne Life To Live.ā I played a character named Deanna Forbes. She was my first big job. It was on daytime TV. And it was a great opportunity until that show got canceled. Thatās when I came out here to L.A. And I have been grinding at it everyday. Iāve been here for five years now and it is just starting to pay off.
CB: So you identify yourself as an American actress as opposed to an African-American actress. As you see it, whatās the difference?
Williams: Well, I am African-American and I am a proud African-American. I just donāt like to put myself in a box and say, āIām an African-American actress.ā I am an American actress and I can do any kind of role. And I try to not to get too caught up and too focused on the whole, āthereās not a lot of roles out here for us,ā or the āonly I can play this kind of character.ā I think I have proven that I can play any type of character. On āCode Black,ā Iām playing a doctor. So yeah I just try to think big. And not put myself in any kind of box. Whether it is a role calling for a White woman or not. Whether it is made for a Black actress or not. I just go into things positively without that attitude.
CB: Though I have to imagine the roles being offered are pretty limited? I mean, do you get offered roles that donāt call for you to be an African-American?
Williams: Yeah. āCode Blackā was open ethnicity. There were 500 girls who went out for this role and I booked it, while being a Black actress. So again, itās about not putting yourself in that box. I try not to focus on not playing certain roles because Iām Black. I can do anything.
CB: So last year, Jada Pinkett-Smith issued a call to action asking Black actors and actresses in particular to consider boycotting the Oscars and instead put our efforts into producing and building Black film and television. Since then weāre seeing more and more people of color being offered roles and even television deals. Do you think that Hollywood is turning over a new leaf?
Williams: For sure, it is. You turn on the television and you have Taraji P. Henson. You have Viola Davis. You have Meagan Good who had a show recently. You have Morris Chestnut. So itās like, this is our time. And I think it is a great time for us. It is a great time to be an African-American actress in Hollywood. Also, we have to be aware we have to create our own roles. Yeah, I understand that we have to make a stand and I support it. But at the same time, we have to create our role and the roles that we would like to see us cast in.
CB: Would you like to direct in the future? And are you writing anything?
Williams: Oh my God, yes! Debbie Allen and Regina King inspire me. They are directing all over the place. And actually, my best friend and I are working on a script. So you can complain about it or you can not wait for anybody to hand us anything. In the last two years or so, Iāve really been getting into doing my own writing. And learning the technical side of things. Iāve also been shadowing some of my friends who are directors like Jamal Hill. That is something that I am interested and curious about. And that is something that I want to venture off to.
CB: What kind or roles do you want to play?
Williams: So my dream role is to play BeyoncĆ© [laughter]. Letās pray that I am still look young enough to play her. I also want to get into some action film. I am actually doing some martial arts training, some combat training, so that I can be prepared when those opportunities present themselves. Also voice over and animation. So Iām excited about the future has for me.
CB: So what does the future hold for you?
Williams: Well Iāll be in reboot of Twin Peaks. It comes out next year on Showtime. I am really honored to work alongside the legendary David Lynch. I have a really cool character. I just wrapped a Netflix film called Burning Sands, where I play one of the leads. Everybody in Philly knows about Terri Woods āTrue to the Game.ā Well, I play a lead character and that will come out next year. And recently I was a part of the NBA 2k 7 team, which just came out on Friday. I have a character in that. I have scenes with Michael B. Jordan, so that was amazing. So yeah, I have a lot of cool stuff coming out.
Nafessa Williams: Burning Sands
Q) What are the recent projects youāre working on?
Nafessa: I have Burning Sands thatās due out on Netflix on March 10th and Iāll also be in the upcoming reboot of āTwin Peaks,ā which I canāt say much about.
Q) What do you think makes Burning Sands so different to what the other things Netflix is bringing?
Nafessa: What I think we need to do and what I think Burning Sands is going to accomplish with the film is bring awareness to the hazing with fraternities and sororities when it comes to pledging. I think Burning Sands is going to shine some light on that.
Q) What can you tell us about your character Toya?
Nafessa: So, Toya is like your fun friend. Sheās the friend you want go out and party with. Sheās the friend that rides or dies ā the one you can count on to be there through whatever. Sheās bold and sheās tough. She knows what she wants and she doesnāt apologize regardless on if people agree with them. She is who she is and sheās very assertive and not afraid to go out and get what she wants. And she doesnāt actually go to the college, but sheās really good friends with everyone who does.
Q) Burning Sands is going to be making its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, are more excited or nervous?
Nafessa: Oh my god! Well, um, I think Iām more excited than anything because Iāve been dying to go to Sundance. Itās always been a dream of mine. I always wanted to go with a film in the competition and the film having it premiere there and itās like a dream come true so Iām really excited. Iām always nervous when it comes time to look at some of my work itās an actor thing. Iām just really excited. Itās a great way to start off the year and itās Sundance.
Q) The reboot of āTwin Peaksā is premiering May 21st on Showtime, what can you tell us about the new Twin Peaks?
Nafessa: Without giving too much away, there is nothing I can tell you. (laughs) Iām so sorry I wish I could but I canāt other than Iāll be in it.
Q) How was your character Jade originally described to you and how did it evolve to what we see on screen?
Nafessa: David Lynch was enough to say yes to! Itās always been a dream to work with him so that pretty cool. Just reading the script and it was just a fun character, but David Lynch for sure was a no brainer. Iām a huge fan of his work and I went back and watched all the old āTwin Peaks.ā It was very fun and mysterious and thrilling so it was pretty cool. It was something different from what Iāve done before.
Q) Are you looking forward to the reaction fans will have when they see the reboot?
Nafessa: Oh yeah, thatās going to be really exciting. Especially because it already has a huge fan base already so itās going to be cool to see what they think. I know what itās like to love a show and itās always a cool thing. Oh my God Iām a huge fan of āFull House,ā how exciting was that for me to see. So, I can understand being a fan of a show and see how itās going to be and what characters they are going to bring back and how much of the storyline youāre going to stick to. So, yeah, itās quite exciting to see what their feedback is going to be.
Q) How will the reboot differentiate itself from the previous version?
Nafessa: I really canāt get into that. Honestly, outside of my scenes I really donāt know too much.
Q) How is working with Netflix different than working with Showtime?
Nafessa: This is actually my first time doing a Netflix original and I really appreciate all the cool new content that Netflix is open to showcasing. This is actually my third film that will be on Netflix so I have been working with Netflix for some time now. So, itās just really cool to have up and coming artist to be able to showcase on Netflix where Showtime is a network that has been around forever and you know they are always going to have that good strong classic content so itās pretty cool.
Q) You also host VIP Happy Hour on YouTube, what caused you to start this and how important is it that women know their #girlbosses?
Nafessa: Oh my God, so Iām like the ultimate advocate for #girlbosses. I think itās very important just to know that we can do whatever it is we want and that was the main goal of the TV show. To inspire and empower women that they can do whatever and be whatever and kudos to YouTube for giving us that platform that you can create whatever kind of content there is that youāve been working on or dreaming of doing. But itās very important, I think we are in the years of the woman and I think itās for all of us women itās our responsibility to step up and inspire other women whether they be artists or entrepreneurs whatever the case is the women that are coming up behind us I think itās just our duty to give back and thatās that VIP Happy Hour means to me and to my girls and those are like my real life best friends. So, it was just cool to inspire women and let them know that team up with your best friends and create content together and I believe that if we work together and help each other we will get there quicker. Kind of what VIP Happy Hour is about.
Q) You also have an online fashion boutique āSaturday Dreamingā how did that come about?
Nafessa: So, I am a fashion lover. I have been playing dress up since I was about four years old hints why Iām an actress. My best friend since we were about thirteen years old we just love fashion and my dream was to have a Forever 21. My thing was as a college student, as a new artist and inspiring actress sometimes your budget is low when you need to go shopping and I appreciated that I could go to Forever 21 and have fifty bucks and come out with an entire outfit. So, thatās what Saturday Dreaming vision was ā to create that outlet thatās budget friendly and where you can come and get cool pieces. Itās for the girl who is following her dreams, but wants to look as if sheās already succeeded. And itās again really cool to team up with my best friend since we were thirteen years old and come together and create something cool for women and inspiring artists and itās very affordably priced. Itās not about labels, itās not about how much money you spend itās about who you are and how you express yourself through your fashion.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
Nafessa: I would just like to say āthank youā to everyone who has been following my career since the beginning or if youāre new appreciate the encouragement I get on social media and the support and the love. And I would also like to say, follow your dreams and I think that when life begins. When we follow our dreams and encourage others to follow theirs and just to be fearless about whatever it is you want. I feel like Iām in this position as an actress so that I could inspire other people and give back and encourage other people to follow their dreams. I think that is the most important thing, just live fearlessly and take risks and do what makes your stomach bubble. Those butterflies, go after those.