'Harlem' star Meagan Good on getting 'intentional' before turning 40: 'I stopped drinking and really leaned into therapy'
The Unwind is Yahoo Life’s well-being series in which experts, influencers and celebrities share their approaches to wellness and mental health, from self-care rituals to setting healthy boundaries to the mantras that keep them afloat.
After years of playing the girlfriend (Think Like a Man) or the best friend (Jumping the Broom), veteran actress Meagan Good has found just the right juicy role to sink her teeth into. Enter Harlem, a new dramedy from Girls Trip creator Tracy Oliver on Amazon Prime. After a tough audition process, Good landed the multidimensional part of Dr. Camille Parks, a professor of anthropology at Columbia University who’s struggling with her personal life but is supported by friends ??Quinn (Grace Byers), Tye (Jerrie Johnson) and Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) who all live in the titular NYC neighborhood. She even gets to share screen time with the great Whoopi Goldberg, who plays her superior, Dr. Pruitt.
These days, Good is not only addressing Season 1 cliffhangers and questions of a second season; she is also promoting a new partnership with global humanitarian organization, World Vision, which addresses hunger and poverty worldwide. As part of her work with World Vision, Good designed the "Tie That Binds" wrap bracelet, which was handcrafted in India by a group of fair-trade women artisans.
“It was the perfect opportunity to help design something that looked the way that I would want it to look — that I would wear,” Good says of the bracelet. “Older and younger generations both really love vintage, so I hoped that it would be a gift that would transcend quite a few generations … not just stylish for all ages but, most of all, meaningful.”
It’s a hectic time for Good, but the Los Angeles native seems to be enjoying the ride. Yahoo Life caught up with her to chat about landing her "dream role" — and how the actress prioritizes her mental health all year round.
You’ve been acting since you were young and it seems like this was a part you’ve been waiting for. How are you liking Harlem?
It really is a role I’ve dreamed about. Starting out as a child actor and trying to make the transition from child actor to adult — which is hard for any child actor — and [then getting parts] of the sexy girl/love interest. It’s fun for the first couple of years but then you realize you’re not being taken seriously or see that you’re capable of more than what you’ve done thus far. For me, I spent a lot of my 30s reinventing myself, and when a character comes along like this, I’m like, I know her! It’s a dream role. There’s so much of me in [Camille] but people haven’t seen that from me.
How was the audition process?
I thought it was in the bag but … I didn't hear anything for two weeks. [At first] they said they weren't sure I wasn't right for the role, and I said, “Please! Get me in the room!” So when I got the part, I cried. One of the best feelings for me is that even after 30 years in the business, I can still surprise people and still change people’s minds. That’s the most gratifying thing to me in getting the chance to play Camille.
Congrats on landing the part. What a time to be on television, right?
Seeing all these amazing shows with rich characters that people can relate to, the unique cultural experiences of Black women [in Harlem]. That we get to exist in this space without being unapologetically Black — just being women.
What’s your approach to mental health?
It’s everything. As I’ve gotten older, I can pinpoint the things I haven't dealt with. I was like, you need to look under the hood, you need a good therapist, you need to take time to make sure that your well-being and your spirit is your priority.
What changed for you?
This year I took a moment — [turning] 40 was about to happen. Around April, I stopped drinking and really leaned into therapy. I got very intentional about [wellness] because I wanted to go into 40 with peace of mind, with unexplainable joy, with more sense of self and a wholeness. I have a tendency to jump over things or go around them, instead of walking through them, and this year it was about walking through things and having those days when you’re grieving something from 15 or 20 years ago. Really walking through it.
What stresses you out?
Having a lot on your plate in a day — I can manage it, but sometimes I get overwhelmed. I hate not responding to texts and emails and I stress myself about keeping up. I hate to disappoint people but you’ve got to take care of yourself [first].
Do you have any small self-care rituals to help you reset?
I try to hit the reset button every morning internationally: I breathe, I pray. I make it a point not to touch my phone. I’ll put on gospel or uplifting music, something to give me strength. As the day goes on and if I’m in a moment where I’m stressed out, I’ll take a beat and steal away somewhere. I’ll go into myself and just breathe and pray; I’ll find that peace and reset my brain. Everything else can wait for five minutes.
What’s your mantra for life?
My authenticity is my superpower. There’s something beautiful about knowing there’s no one in the world like you. When you're not authentic, you’re in trouble because you're not in alignment with who you are. When you’re truly authentic, we bring the right people into our lives.
The wrap bracelet is really pretty — and the mission is even better. How did you get involved with the World Vision Fund?
I love Christmas but I’m not big on presents; I think we should give them year-round. What I like about the bracelet is that it’s bigger than a gift. It helps an entire family get on their feet. You’re not just giving a thing, you’re giving a gift that can change a life. The statement is even bigger than fashion.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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