Bel-Air's Cassandra Freeman: Developing the Star Within

Cassandra Freeman's stardom was meant to be. With a range that extends from relatable character types such as "Sylvia" from Spike Lee's "Inside Man" to our generation's beloved "Aunt Viv" on Peacock's "Bel-Air", she's become one our favorites to watch.

Photo Credit: Anne Marie Fox/PEACOCK

While she may be an expert in her craft, it didn't happen overnight. It didn't happen without consistency, effort and ambition. Freeman attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts where she received a Master of Fine Arts in acting. According to our interview, it seems that this program may have molded her into the confident actress that we all see today.

"You know what I think makes the NYU acting program so great and so many great actors have come out of there? There's a teacher there named Jim Calder. There is class where he will be like no matter what you do, the exercise is: can you believe more?

Think about the exercise of that! Thank God for Jim Calder," says Freeman. She mentions that program is responsible for opening a door to be cast as "Sylvia" by Spike Lee's casting director. She takes the groundwork from here and extends it to every character we know. She defies all odds and impresses us every time.

Today, we know her as Aunt Viv. According to Merriam-Webster an aunt is: "the sister of one's father or mother," "the wife of one's uncle or aunt" or for the Black family, it is a wise, feminine figure that feels like a mother, but can also be a friend. Freeman fits the part perfectly. With her likable personality and her adaptability with portraying a range of characters, she brings a new version of the famed 1990s (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) Aunt Viv to life.

We meet this Aunt Viv in season one as an idea of a woman, who is simply defined based upon merit rather than personality. We don't know much about her passions, her likes, or how she sees herself until about season three and four. Arguably one can say that by the end of season four, we've gotten to know her and we see her for the first time when she remembers who she is.

Freeman states that Aunt Viv "is reminded of her passion for art when she is told she wasn't an artist." Before this "we didn't know that she had a passion for art." “She had been living ‘a shadow artist life,’ which she later left behind to embrace the full expressiveness of her artistry.”As she stepped into her purpose as an artist, she gave birth to an arts organization/ fellowship that helped her identity and career finally align.

Through this character, we also see Freeman grow. While her earlier roles remain memorable, this performance stands out as the strongest expression of her own expertise.

To witness the star in action, catch episodes of "Bel-Air" steaming on Peacock.

A Moment With Cassandra Freeman (Interview) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EO57rAhzyU