In an interview with Refinery29, the Emmy-winning star spoke candidly about regularly having Black women play his love interests — a decision he says is very intentional.
Sterling has appeared in over 70 TV and movie projects — and often with a Black love interest by his side — whether that’s Susan Kelechi Watson in This Is Us or Enuka Okuma in Paradise. When asked whether he makes those casting decisions “consciously,” Sterling confirmed he does.
“I’m aware of the sort of Eurocentric standards of beauty that tend to predominate media,” he explained. “Light-skin oftentimes is seen as more beautiful than dark-skin, etc. and Brown wants to be someone that sort of shows all of the beauty that is Blackness, right?”
He continued, “Brown don’t discriminate, to be perfectly honest with you. I understand the power of representation and how often Black women seem to feel unseen by Black men, in particular. And there’s so many sisters that are waiting for brothers to be like, ‘Hey, man, I’m here for you whatnot.’ And brothers sometimes don’t tend to see them.”
Sterling, who’s married IRL to fellow actor Ryan Michelle Bathe, said he’s hoping to change that narrative through his casting choices. “I want them to know that SKB sees them,” he explained, “and hopefully in the people that he chooses to be paired with onscreen or whatnot, there’s an appreciation for them and that they know that they are as beautiful as I know they are.”
Sterling’s comments were met with widespread praise online, with many commending him for using his platform to uplift Black women in such an intentional way. One person wrote, “Well, ok Sterling flips hair over shoulder.” Another said in part, “Yes , thank you ! good for himWay too often , its a light skin if not white love interest in tv and movies.”
Another comment read, “Love him he makes a great point, I think the first time I saw a dark skinned black woman treated as a beauty was the original Vivian in fresh prince, she was stunning.”
Someone else said, “Ok. I’m in love.”
“Truly appreciate this from Sterling, representations matters,” a fifth fan said, as someone else gushed, “He’s perfect.”
Yes, Sterling!! Now, BRB — I’m going to stream Paradise and This Is Us all over again.