Michael Cooper Jr:
Michael Cooper Jr.'s breakout co-lead performance as Justin Edwards in Netflix's Forever, a modern reimagining of Judy Blume's novel reimagined by Mara Brock Akil, has been one of 2025's most talked-about turns from a new face. The chemistry between Cooper Jr. and co-star Lovie Simone has earned the show and its cast significant attention, and it is clear he is all but poised for a major moment.
Cooper Jr. exclusively shared with us some of his acting inspirations: "There are so many people who have shaped how I view the craft. Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, and Viola Davis. Their performances taught me what it looks like to create a fully fleshed-out, multidimensional character. Currently, Daniel Kaluuya, Jharrel Jerome, and Taylor Russell have this raw vulnerability that’s rare, and I’ve been really drawn to their work."
This type of shit pisses me off so bad. White rom coms flop all the fucking time yet they’ll keep doling out money to make em. But let one black movie flop and they won’t give a black writer/director/producer the time of day for the next decade