“Being able to merge the worlds of black-ish and Girlfriends was surreal for me—and so much fun,” ESSENCE’s October cover star told Entertainment Weekly of the reunion. “These are women I grew up with and love deeply and it was easy to tap back into the magic of our chemistry and how much we love each other. It was giggles on top of giggles on top of giggles.” When the show landed on small screens back in 2000, Black women everywhere tuned in to choose which of the main characters was most relatable to their lives. Pulled from the expansive mind of writer Mara Brock Akil, during its eight year run, Girlfriends went on to become an iconic show that served as proof that we are truly magic. Find out what the cast members have been up to since leaving our living rooms.
Career-driven Tracee Ellis Ross’ portrayal of Joan Clayton on Girlfriends was a reminder that Black women can and will be everything they dreamed of. While the show wasn’t the start to her impressive resume, it was the one that set the standard for her future in acting. Since the show’s ending in 2008, Ross has held roles in many shows including CSI, Private Practice and Reed Between the Lines. As of 2014, the award-winning actress has starred in the hit-show black-ish alongside Anthony Anderson.
Since ending her eight season run as the neck-rolling, sassy, rant-filled Maya Wilkes on Girlfriends, Golden Brooks has been quite busy. After acting in independent films and making appearances in shows such as The Exes and Hart of Dixie, Brooks joined the cast of TV One’s Hollywood Divas in 2014 and had a recurring role in the Starz show Blunt Talk. She this year she played Jimmy Lee in the TV mini-series, I Am The Night.
Playing the role of the free-spirited and bohemian chic Lynn Searcy, Persia White took on a role that will be forever remembered. Since ending her stint on the iconic show Girlfriends, White digitally released her debut album Mecca, has appeared in The Vampire Diaries. She also married fellow actor Joseph Morgan in 2014.
Known as the loud, selfish and bougie girlfriend of the group, Toni Childs — played by Jill Marie Jones — became the friend that everyone loved to hate due to her stuck up attitude. Ending her time on the show after six seasons, Jones went on to act in movies such as The Perfect Holiday alongside Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut and Gabrielle Union and the Black-ensemble cast film, 35 & Ticking. Additionally, she has had roles in shows like Sleepy Hollow, American Horror Story, and Ash vs Evil Dead.
