Best known for her powerful performance as Kimmie in Netflix’s hit drama Beauty in Black, 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—especially to her alma mater, Clark Atlanta University—remains central to everything she does.
March 19th sounds far away, but it’s really not. That’s when the new part of the season premieres. How are you feeling going into it?
"It really does sound far away, but it’s 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’m excited too. At this point, I’ve honestly forgotten some of what happens, so I’m also curious to see how things end. I can’t wait to watch it and see how everyone reacts because that’s my favorite part."
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?
"It’s overwhelming gratitude. I’ve been acting for a while, and you never really know how a project will be received. That’s something I can’t control, and it’s not what I focus on when I take on a role. So it’s 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’s so much content out there now, so the fact that people choose to watch our show makes me really happy. I’m very grateful."
Your character goes through some really heavy moments. After a long day of filming, how do you transition back to your real life?
"Music is a big part of my process. I make playlists for every character I play—Kimmie 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’m coming out of costume, I’ll play my personal music to help transition back to myself.
A huge part of working with heavy material is leaving it on set. I can’t bring that energy home to my husband and my goldendoodle—they want to play. I have to come back to myself.
My beauty routine actually helps with that reset, too. On set, I’ll usually start with makeup wipes—typically 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’ll use an oil cleanser first and then wash my face. There’s 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."
Are there any brands or products you really love?
"One I’ve 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—sometimes 14 or 16 hours on set—my skin needs something a little stronger.
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’t remember the exact name—I’d have to go check my bathroom."
Everyone mentions CeraVe when I ask about beauty products. It’s such a solid option.
"If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It works! I feel moisturized, and that’s 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’s by far the best facial sunscreen I’ve ever used."
Beyond your professional work, you’re involved with a lot of nonprofit initiatives. Why is giving back—especially to college communities—so important to you?
"I’m 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—how you carry yourself, how you uplift others and how you give back when you have a voice and a platform.
I had a brand partnership with Savage X Fenty, and I thought, sure, I can create content—but 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—the colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the sorority I’m part of—and handed out snow cones while welcoming the freshmen. It turned into this really beautiful moment.
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—to show them that someone who sat in those same classrooms can go on to do something big, too."
