Posted by | Ray Cornelius
“@tessamaethompson has gone from Hollywood’s best-kept secret to an official IT girl,” said ESSENCE on Instagram. “I like the idea of expanding perceptions of what a woman can be & what a woman of color can be.”
Thompson was shot by 20-year photography veteran Shaniqwa Jarvis and expressed her sincere appreciation for the collaboration.
“It feels really refreshing to be shot by a woman,” says Thompson to ESSENCE. “Actresses are so often subject to the male gaze. The highest sense of praise and honor is being seen by a woman and feeling acceptance from other Black women, just a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. That, to me, is so profound.”
ESSENCE will hit newsstands on October 26.
Photo Credit: ESSENCE