Actress Cassandra Freeman, known for her roles in Bel-Air, The Enemy Within, and I Think I Love My Wife, recently shared an inspiring message about the creative process on her social media.
In a captivating video, Freeman revealed a personal anecdote from her time filming the movie Kenya Wanda and offered sage advice to fellow creatives: protect your process and trust your instincts.
A Lesson in Creative Intuition
Freeman recounted her preparation for playing Rose Kabuyi, a character who led her to Rwanda and a transformative experience.
She shaved her head and immersed herself in the role, often listening to Rihanna’s Run This Town Tonight to connect emotionally with her character.
Her creative process was met with skepticism by the film’s director, who suggested her music choice was inappropriate and insisted she immerses herself in the local culture’s music instead. However, Freeman’s intuition proved spot-on.
“I finally got to meet Rose while I was there shooting,” Freeman shared. “We were enjoying dinner, and her phone rings—it’s Run This Town Tonight.”
To her surprise, the real-life Rose was a fan of American music and obsessed with the same song Freeman had used to connect with the character.
Advice to Creatives: Trust Yourself
Reflecting on the experience, Freeman emphasized the importance of trusting your creative instincts and not allowing others to dictate your process.
“Don’t tell people your process, because people will always think your process is incorrect,” she said. “It’s between you and your source. You’re supposed to follow fate, and if it’s an arm wrestle between you and fate, let fate win.”
Inspiring Creatives to Stay Authentic
Freeman’s heartfelt message resonated deeply with her followers. Her caption, “Don’t allow outside influences to get in the way of your creative process – It’s yours to own and operate in,” sought to bring attention to the importance of authenticity and self-trust in any artistic journey.
