The Tyler Perry universe is expanding, but this time with his first drama series on Netflix, Beauty in Black. The 16-episode series follows two women leading starkly different lives. Kimmie, played by Taylor Polidore Williams, is struggling to make ends meet after being kicked out by her mother and finds refuge in a famed Magic City strip club. Meanwhile, Mallory, played by Crystle Stewart, is a successful businesswoman running her family’s hair care dynasty. The two lives become intertwined in shocking ways and what ensues is a story with drama, violence, secrets, and ambitious women that bear more similarities than expected. The N’ Crew had the pleasure to chat with actress Amber Reign Smith, who plays Rain in Beauty in Black.
Smith is a rising actress with notable roles in both television and film. She has appeared as a series regular in Tough Love: Atlanta, as well as acclaimed shows like Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Rap Sh*t, and Games People Play. She recently broke into the film sphere, starring in the Western film Outlaw Posse alongside iconic Hollywood names like Mario Van Peebles, Whoopi Goldberg, and John Carroll Lynch. Following Smith’s guest appearance in the hit series, The Oval, Beauty in Black will be her second role working with Tyler Perry. This newest project stands out from his other productions–not only as Netflix’s first drama series with Perry, but because of its unique storyline and intriguing approach to taboo topics. Smith has discovered this divergence firsthand.
Just N Life sat down with Smith in an exclusive Q&A where she discussed her role in Beauty in Black and what the up-and-coming actress has in store for the future.
Just N Life: How do you think this project complements and broadens Tyler Perry’s sphere of films and productions?
Amber Reign Smith: This project is like nothing we’ve seen from Tyler Perry before. There is drama, of course, but there’s action and violence. There’s sex, drugs, and rock and roll. It’s a ton of fun. I think this is a huge contrast versus the things that we’ve seen from Tyler Perry before. I’m super excited to be a part of it.
JNL: What does the title Beauty in Black mean to you?
ARS: The first thing that comes to mind is that black comes in all shapes, sizes, and complexions, and it is all beautiful.
JNL: As an actress, you take on many versatile roles. In the Wu-Tang: An American Saga, you play Roma. Recently, you were in the film, Outlaw Posse, where you play Queenie. With this new role, what is new to the character Rain that you haven’t explored before?
ARS: I didn’t expect Rain to be so relatable. She’s raw. She’s uncut. I think a lot of women will be able to understand a lot of what she’s going through if they haven’t gone through it themselves, especially women who are in the nightlife industry. I was very pleased to play this character because it’s a story that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to.
JNL: Kimmie is at a struggle-filled point in her life and Rain seems to be the only person she can trust. What role does friendship and sisterhood play in this series?
ARS: I love the dynamic between Kimmie and Rain. Taylor Polidore Williams and I did a lot of backstory, building out our characters, and discovering how we got to where we are today. Because as you mentioned, we are in a bit of a struggle right now.
JNL: A theme of this series is survival and ambition. In Hollywood, the path to success includes many roadblocks. Even the best actors deal with rejection. As an actress and woman in a competitive industry, how do you maintain that sense of ambition and drive?
ARS: First and foremost, knowing that rejection is a part of the process. You do not audition to book the role. You audition because you love what you do. Auditioning is just the work, and booking is the bonus. You don’t go into it thinking you are going to book everything. You just know that rejection is a part of it. There will be “yeses,” but the “noes” will most likely outweigh the “yeses.” I don’t look at rejection as rejection. I look at it as redirection.
JNL: Beauty in Black is led by powerful female individuals played by you, Taylor Polidore Williams, and Crystle Stewart. What do you think your characters learn from each other? And outside of the series, as real people, what did you learn from each other?
ARS: I’ll start with myself learning from Taylor. I actually attended her improv class years ago here in Atlanta. She started an improv class with some friends of hers, and it really blew up. It is a full circle moment to be here with her today. I have learned a lot of actual acting skills from Taylor and her friends who created the booking room. From Crystle, who plays Mallory, I have learned to be confident and fierce from her as a person. First of all, she’s gorgeous, but she carries herself with so much grace, and she’s such a strong actor. I’ve learned equally from both of them. As far as our characters, Rain is learning to be ambitious and to want more for herself. She is pretty complacent and comfortable where she is, but Kimmie wants more and is not afraid to go after what she wants. That is something that Rain is picking up from her best friend. And then as far as what Rain learns from Mallory: just be a boss.
JNL: Following the release of Part 1 and Part 2 of the series, what overall message do you hope viewers will come out with?
ARS: From Rain’s perspective, I want people, but women in particular, to know that you are who you are and to be comfortable with who that is. You do not have to change who you are to fit in. You can be you and still be confident to do what you need to do in this world.
JNL: You’re acting, mentoring, and also an entrepreneur. What kind of projects do you hope to work on in the future?
ARS: I’m really into psychological thrillers. I just love how people think and why they do the things they do. So I would love to act in a psychological thriller. As far as film, in general, I am really looking forward to producing in the future and maybe even directing.
JNL: You also help run the art studio Kicky Mats in Atlanta. If you had a mat for your character, what would it say?
ARS: If my character were to have a doormat, the colors would be black and blue because Rain’s favorite color is blue. It would say “Come back with tequila”.
JNL: How would you describe Beauty in Black in three words?
ARS: Fiery, explosive, and rich.
The first part of Beauty in Black is out now on Netflix. Watch the trailer below and get excited to binge your new favorite drama series.
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