MadameNoire Featured Video

Actress Zoe Kravitz has been having one of her best years yet in terms of her career. She recently starred in the HBO hit Big Little Lies and is preparing for the release of her new film, Rough Night. That’s why she’s being featured front and center on the cover of Allure‘s June issue.

Zoe Kravitz Black

Inside of the issue, the 28-year-old talked about the journey it’s been to be 100 percent comfortable with herself. And while so many would be surprised by that considering she’s one of the most beautiful actresses out right now, she admits that she struggled to really embrace her Blackness. Kravitz is, of course, the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, who are both biracial. Growing up, she said that she was one of the only Black students in the schools she attended, and her family was also filled with White people, so that had an impact on the way she viewed her racial identity for some time.

“I am definitely mixed. Both my parents are mixed. I have white family on both sides. The older I get, the more I experience life, I am identifying more and more with being black, and what that means — being more and more proud of that and feeling connected to my roots and my history,” Kravitz said.

She continued, “It’s been a really interesting journey because I was always one of the only black kids in any of my schools. I went to private schools full of white kids. I think a lot of that made me want to blend in or not be looked at as black. The white kids are always talking about your hair and making you feel weird. I had this struggle of accepting myself as black and loving that part of myself. And now I’m so in love with my culture and so proud to be black. It’s still ongoing, but a big shift has occurred. My dad especially has always been very connected to his history, and it’s important to him that I understand where I come from.”

As the star put it, “Racism is very real, and white supremacy is going strong.” All the more reason to know yourself and fiercely embrace your identity. #sayitloud

Image via WENN 

Comment Disclaimer: Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN