Jurnee Smolletts first date was a family affair.
Her four brothers didnt love the idea, and literally tagged along, unbeknownst to the guy.
And they were just over in the corner.
I kid you not.
Man, they wouldnt let me go on this date without them!
If it all sounds like the makings of a sitcom, well, in some ways it was.
But life wasnt without challenges.
For one thing, money was tight.
There was that dynamic of Were all weve got, so were going to take care of each other.
And the death of that former self gave life to this new self, she says.
How did you come to that understanding?
Im in that walk right now.
I watched my mom raise six kids as a single Black mom.
It changed my life.
Its essentially about how you have to verify youre a whole, functioning human being.
Because if we do not take care of ourselves, were not able to be present.
Were not able to enjoy our time with them.
Were not able to play.
So with Dolores, that was a concept we honed in on.
This is a family run by women.
Did that mirror your experience?
My parents separated when I was very young.
But even prior to that, it was very much a household of What mommy says [goes].
And Dolores was raised in a household where her father was absent.
So Im very familiar with growing up in a single-Black-woman-led household and what that feels like.
Im raising my son.
Youve got these babies, and youre tryingto protect their joyand raise them to be their whole selves.
And then Malik comes home, having spread his wings, and his mother is terrified and furious.
Yeah, I remember a moment with my mom when that happened.
I was 16, and I was newly driving.
I was helping pay the bills at home, so I thought I was grown.
And after work, I went to Universal to see a movie with some friends.
I didnt tell her.
When I came home, oooh!It wasprobably one of the more furious moments shes had with me.
Why didnt you tell me where you were?
I was older than Malik, but I didnt understand.
Like, Whats she tripping about?
Now I understand that mama-bear fear.
The film also shows how, in some ways, our siblings raise us.
Andyou once said, I have these four brothers who thought they were my dad.
But we were parentified children a bit, too.
Ive worked since I was 10 months old.
My mom and dad came from poverty.
Their innocence isnt tampered with yet.
These are the kind of stories I dont get to see enough.
I want to see more of them.
And I want my son and my niece to have these sorts of stories.
Do you remember a similar coming-of-age moment for you?
It probably had to do with my parents separation and feeling like the world I knew no longer existed.
I grew up in that moment.
So when I was 11, he taught me how to handle accounts and all these real grown-up things.
Does it impact your approach to money now, the fact that you were financially literate so young?
Oh, without a doubt.
We didnt come from wealth.
But I wouldnt change it, because it kept me very grounded.
Yes, I am very responsible with the financial side of my life.
I know where everythings spent; Im checking on things all the time.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
The movie does such a beautiful job of bringing the past into the present through the grandmothers eyes.
And youve talked about this concept of blood memory, of feeling connected to the experience of your ancestors.
Are you kidding me?
My people were kings and queens.
I know the spirit of conquering things and surviving and thriving amid challenges.
Thats in my blood.
We come from mighty people.
So blood memory is not just about the trauma.
Blood memory is to be celebrated.
Its to be owned.
And its to be proud of.
I know youve hadincredible highs and lowsthese past few years,losing friendsand gaining amazing accolades.
Its just been a ride.
Where are you on that journey?
Im a deeply spiritual person, and I think the process of life is the ebb and flow.
Youve got to ride the waves.
And Im also a Libra, so I appreciate balance.
So where am I at in it all?
Im having a conversation with you about a film Im incredibly proud about.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
