Cassandra Freeman on Meditation, Acupuncture and the Alexander Technique

You’ve most likely seen Cassandra Freeman on a few of your favourite reveals, like Atlanta and Blue Bloods, or in iconic 2000s movies Inside Man and I Suppose I Love My Spouse, however now she’s one of many stars of Bel-Air, and also you gained’t be capable to look away. Her fascinating efficiency as the enduring Aunt Viv is all her personal, so depart your comparisons behind. Bel-Air is a dramatic retelling of the beloved The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air set within the modern-day. Freeman shared with us why she nearly didn’t audition for the position of Aunt Viv, her favourite light make-up remover and why she’ll solely drink water from one particular bottle.

How did you make such an iconic position your individual?

“Properly, I feel it begins off with the creator of the present Morgan Cooper. He did a extremely nice job saying from the start that I didn’t should have the strain of making an attempt to be like Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell’s model. He was like, ‘these are your footwear. Really feel like you may create your individual footwear’. So that basically helped alleviate a lot of stress. I undoubtedly checked out what Jan and Daphne did and tried to maintain a few of their essence whereas including one thing new to the position on the similar time.”

Was it intimidating?

“Oh, for positive. I used to be so intimidated that I didn’t even need to audition for this. I threw my hat within the ring as a result of my supervisor simply saved saying, ‘you must attempt. That is so good for you.’ After I interviewed with Morgan Cooper, the creator and Rasheed [Newson], who’s the showrunner, they’d such an ideal imaginative and prescient that I forgot to be intimidated. I used to be far more keen about it. It felt like they had been making an attempt to create one thing actually revolutionary, and I assumed ‘oo I need to be part of that.’”

How did hair and make-up enable you to get in character as Aunt Viv?

“Hair and make-up was so essential for Vivian. It began with [considering] what was the story we need to inform? This was a lady nonetheless changing into who she in the end will change into afterward in life. So I assumed, what does the Bel Air girl of at the moment appear like? I felt like due to what’s taking place with Phil’s life, operating for a marketing campaign, her look can be a bit extra conservative. I felt like who can be the particular person she would take a look at? That might be Michelle Obama. So within the first few episodes, I feel it’s apparent that she’s form of like a paper cut-out doll of Michelle Obama. She even references Michelle Obama in one of many episodes, so her look and magnificence could be very paying homage to that.”

How do you middle your self throughout weeks of loopy filming schedules?

“I apply TM [Transcendental Meditation]. I meditate two to a few occasions a day. I apply the Alexander Approach too, which is all about alignment of your backbone. When you have a wholesome backbone, you could have a wholesome life. When I’ve moments in my trailer, I simply lay down in relaxation place, which is mainly knees are touching and also you’re mendacity in your again, you are able to do a deep state of relaxation like that, however truly really feel extra energetic. I do gua sha on my time without work each day within the morning and the night once I take off my make-up. 

Acupuncture really helps floor me—that’s a necessity capturing a present like that. Acupuncture is sort of a cure-all. You sit down, and by the point you permit in quarter-hour, it’s like growth, I really feel like probably the most powerfully centered itself. So acupuncture is certainly one of many large issues.”

Has meditation at all times been simple for you?

“I feel meditation adjustments each day, simply how we modify each day. Even nonetheless, there are days the place it’s onerous for me to take a seat down and do it, after which there are different days the place it’s so easy. However I at all times really feel like once I sit right down to meditate, the primary minute feels the toughest, and the second feels much less onerous and by then, 20 minutes may simply cross.

I’m meditation as my various to espresso or wine. A lot in order that espresso and wine aren’t even my first go-to. I form of examine into my physique and assume, ‘What’s it that I really want proper now?’ Typically it’s simply water and lemon. That’s what’s nice about meditation—it makes you discover the delicate physique and what the delicate physique wants to revive itself.”

What magnificence secrets and techniques have you ever realized over time?

“It’s essential for me and my pores and skin to make use of one thing actually light to take away my make-up, so I take advantage of one thing referred to as Spa Water. I like that stuff. I take advantage of that and cotton balls to take my make-up off nearly each day. 

The only issues are the truest issues, so I drink plenty of water, however my water is at all times infused with lemon or cucumber. I’ve my favourite water bottle. It’s like I’m a three-year-old. I gained’t drink water except it’s on this sure water bottle that I’ve as a result of I like room temperature water. It retains it on the good temperature, and truly for ladies, it’s greatest to drink room temperature water anyway.

My make-up hacks and tips have modified a lot over time. Proper now, I’m actually simply utilizing the smallest quantity of concealer proper below my eyes. I really feel prefer it’s simply extra pure. I nearly am beginning to consider in the world of heavy makeup. I nearly need to consider it. The outcomes are so nice. I’ve days on YouTube The place I simply watch make-up artists and the way they do what they do. I’m like, ‘what an ideal trick,’ however I might by no means replicate the trick.”