Meet theBeauty in BlackCast’s Real-Life Partners

Mar. 15, 2025

Steven G. Norfleet and Anthony Hemingway; Max Sebrechts and Crystle Stewart.Photo:Getty

Getty

Tyler Perry’s empire was built on dramatic stories, and the entertainment mogul’s latest project,Beauty in Black, showcases everything but the perfect relationship — whether it be with family or romantic partners.While the Netflix series is rather salacious, filled with toxic relationships, the show’s cast members, including its leading women, Taylor Polidore Williams and Crystle Stewart, live drastically different lives.Williams married her husband in early 2024, while Stewart rang in her 10th anniversary in 2024.“thank you to my husband for everything,” Williams wrote onInstagramfollowing her wedding. “I truly just wanted to say my husband because he already knows how grateful I am lol. 😝.“Like Williams, other cast members have tied the knot in recent months, including Xavier Smalls and his wife, Vanessa Martinez, who wed in December 2024 — two months afterBeauty in BlackPart 1 premiered. The remaining eight episodes of the series dropped on March 6.Here’s everything to know about the real-life partners of theBeauty in Blackcast.

Tyler Perry’s empire was built on dramatic stories, and the entertainment mogul’s latest project,Beauty in Black, showcases everything but the perfect relationship — whether it be with family or romantic partners.

While the Netflix series is rather salacious, filled with toxic relationships, the show’s cast members, including its leading women, Taylor Polidore Williams and Crystle Stewart, live drastically different lives.

Williams married her husband in early 2024, while Stewart rang in her 10th anniversary in 2024.

“thank you to my husband for everything,” Williams wrote onInstagramfollowing her wedding. “I truly just wanted to say my husband because he already knows how grateful I am lol. 😝.”

Like Williams, other cast members have tied the knot in recent months, including Xavier Smalls and his wife, Vanessa Martinez, who wed in December 2024 — two months afterBeauty in BlackPart 1 premiered. The remaining eight episodes of the series dropped on March 6.

Here’s everything to know about the real-life partners of theBeauty in Blackcast.

01of 09Taylor Polidore Williams and Jero WilliamsJero Williams and Taylor Polidore Williams in January 2017.Taylor Polidore Williams/ InstagramWilliams, who plays Kimmie, married her husband, Jero Williams, on May 4, 2024, aftergetting engaged on Christmas Dayin 2022.“Best day of my life! Thank you to my husband for everything,” the actress wrote on Instagram alongside photos from the couple’s wedding at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.Jero attended Morehouse College and is currently a surgical resident.

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Taylor Polidore Williams and Jero Williams

Jero Williams and Taylor Polidore Williams in January 2017.Taylor Polidore Williams/ Instagram

Taylor Polidore Williams/ Instagram

Williams, who plays Kimmie, married her husband, Jero Williams, on May 4, 2024, aftergetting engaged on Christmas Dayin 2022.

“Best day of my life! Thank you to my husband for everything,” the actress wrote on Instagram alongside photos from the couple’s wedding at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

Jero attended Morehouse College and is currently a surgical resident.

02of 09Crystle Stewart and Max SebrechtsCrystle Stewart and Max Sebrechts at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.GettyStewart, who plays Mallory, married Belgian-born modelMax Sebrechtsin August 2014. The couple share two children, daughter Anne-Jolie and son Max Jr.“Little munchkins change your life, it’s these good moments that I keep close to my heart and which I will cherish for a long time 😘,” Sebrechts captioned a September 2023Instagrampost of their children. “They even may make bad days turn good 😊.”

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Crystle Stewart and Max Sebrechts

Crystle Stewart and Max Sebrechts at the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.Getty

Stewart, who plays Mallory, married Belgian-born modelMax Sebrechtsin August 2014. The couple share two children, daughter Anne-Jolie and son Max Jr.

“Little munchkins change your life, it’s these good moments that I keep close to my heart and which I will cherish for a long time 😘,” Sebrechts captioned a September 2023Instagrampost of their children. “They even may make bad days turn good 😊.”

03of 09Xavier Smalls and Vanessa MartinezXavier Smalls attends the Beauty in Black Special Screening at IPIC Atlanta on October 21, 2024 in Atlanta.GettyXavier Smalls, who plays Angel, proposed to makeup artistVanessa Martinezin August 2023.“I love you forever Vanessa, can’t wait to see what God has in store for our relationship and future family,” he wrote onInstagramafter popping the question.The couple eventually wed on Dec. 7, 2024, in Mexico, perInstagram.

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Xavier Smalls and Vanessa Martinez

Xavier Smalls attends the Beauty in Black Special Screening at IPIC Atlanta on October 21, 2024 in Atlanta.Getty

Xavier Smalls, who plays Angel, proposed to makeup artistVanessa Martinezin August 2023.

“I love you forever Vanessa, can’t wait to see what God has in store for our relationship and future family,” he wrote onInstagramafter popping the question.

The couple eventually wed on Dec. 7, 2024, in Mexico, perInstagram.

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Steven G. Norfleet and Anthony Hemingway

Steven G. Norfleet, who portrays Charles, and Anthony Hemingway tied the knot in September 2019 after getting engaged the year prior. According toThe New York Times, actressAisha Hindsofficiated the nuptials, which took place at the Newhall Mansion in Piru, Calif.

“My experience as an African-American man is that we can have it the hardest with being comfortable and open with our sexuality,” Norfleet told the outlet. “But once we got together, I realized this is someone that I’m truly in love with, and I don’t want to hide it.”

Other celebrities in attendance at the 300-guest wedding includedRegina King,Sterling K. Brown,Sarah PaulsonandJosh Duhamel.“High five to five years of love, laughter, and peace! From ‘I DO’ to ‘WE STILL’. Five years in, forever to go! I love you best friend!” Hemingway wrote onInstagramin honor of the couple’s 5th wedding anniversary in September 2024.

05of 09Charles Malik Whitfield and Rosie WhitfieldCharles Malik Whitfield and Rosie Whitfield attend the Premiere Of TUBI’s “Stepmother 3” held at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on June 05, 2023 in Glendale, California.GettyCharles Malik Whitfield, who plays Jules, is married to Rosie Whitfield. The couple share a son, Leo. Charles is also a father to three daughters, Lexi, Kiara and Madisyn, and a son, Malik.In May 2020, Charles wished his wife a happy Mother’s Day, thanking her for her support.“Screaming Happy Mother’s Day to my wife Rosie that hold this home together with ❤️,” he wrote onInstagram.

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Charles Malik Whitfield and Rosie Whitfield

Charles Malik Whitfield and Rosie Whitfield attend the Premiere Of TUBI’s “Stepmother 3” held at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on June 05, 2023 in Glendale, California.Getty

Charles Malik Whitfield, who plays Jules, is married to Rosie Whitfield. The couple share a son, Leo. Charles is also a father to three daughters, Lexi, Kiara and Madisyn, and a son, Malik.

In May 2020, Charles wished his wife a happy Mother’s Day, thanking her for her support.

“Screaming Happy Mother’s Day to my wife Rosie that hold this home together with ❤️,” he wrote onInstagram.

06of 09Debbi Morgan and Jeffrey WinstonJeffrey Winston and Debbi Morgan at Prime Video’s ‘Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black’ Premiere on July 8, 2024, in New York.ShutterstockDebbi Morgan, who portrays Olivia, has been married to her fourth husband, Jeffrey Winston, since July 13, 2009.“15 years of wedded bliss. I love you Honey!” the actress wrote onInstagramin honor of the couple’s wedding anniversary in July 2024.Morgan was formerly married to actor Charles Weldon from 1980 to 1984; actor Charles Dutton from 1989 to 1994 and photographer Donn Thompson from 1997 to 2000.

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Debbi Morgan and Jeffrey Winston

Jeffrey Winston and Debbi Morgan at Prime Video’s ‘Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black’ Premiere on July 8, 2024, in New York.Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Debbi Morgan, who portrays Olivia, has been married to her fourth husband, Jeffrey Winston, since July 13, 2009.

“15 years of wedded bliss. I love you Honey!” the actress wrote onInstagramin honor of the couple’s wedding anniversary in July 2024.Morgan was formerly married to actor Charles Weldon from 1980 to 1984; actor Charles Dutton from 1989 to 1994 and photographer Donn Thompson from 1997 to 2000.

07of 09Ricco Ross and Julie RossJulie Ross and Ricco Ross attend the PHOENIX Tv Series Los Angeles Red Carpet Premiere at Regal LA Live on July 13, 2024 in Los Angeles.GettyRicco Ross, who plays Horace, is married to his “Goddess” Julie Shannon Ross. Ross is a father to daughters Aisha and Makaila and son Rami.Ross often posts about his trips with his wife, including aLas Vegas road tripin October 2024 and aNew York City staythe month prior to ring in Julie’s birthday.

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Ricco Ross and Julie Ross

Julie Ross and Ricco Ross attend the PHOENIX Tv Series Los Angeles Red Carpet Premiere at Regal LA Live on July 13, 2024 in Los Angeles.Getty

Ricco Ross, who plays Horace, is married to his “Goddess” Julie Shannon Ross. Ross is a father to daughters Aisha and Makaila and son Rami.

Ross often posts about his trips with his wife, including aLas Vegas road tripin October 2024 and aNew York City staythe month prior to ring in Julie’s birthday.

08of 09Richard LawsonRichard Lawson attends the Beauty in Black Special Screening at IPIC Atlanta on October 21, 2024 in Atlanta,.GettyRichard Lawson, who plays Norman, was previously married toBeyoncé’s mom,Tina Knowles. The couple wed in 2015 before eventuallyfiling for divorcein July 2023.The actor has two children: daughter Bianca, whom he welcomed with his ex-wife, Denise Gordy, and a son named Ricky.

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Richard Lawson

Richard Lawson attends the Beauty in Black Special Screening at IPIC Atlanta on October 21, 2024 in Atlanta,.Getty

Richard Lawson, who plays Norman, was previously married toBeyoncé’s mom,Tina Knowles. The couple wed in 2015 before eventuallyfiling for divorcein July 2023.

The actor has two children: daughter Bianca, whom he welcomed with his ex-wife, Denise Gordy, and a son named Ricky.

09of 09Bryan TanakaBryan Tanaka attends the Beauty in Black Special Screening at IPIC Atlanta on October 21, 2024 in Atlanta.GettyActor and dancerBryan Tanaka, who plays Officer Alex, formerly datedMariah Careyfor more than seven years. The couple got together in 2016 buteventually split in 2023.“Our decision to embark on different paths is mutual, and as we navigate these separate journeys, we do so with profound respect and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the invaluable time we’ve shared,” Tanaka said in a statement, posted onInstagramin December 2023.He added: “The memories we’ve created and the artistic collaborations are etched in my heart forever.”

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Bryan Tanaka

Bryan Tanaka attends the Beauty in Black Special Screening at IPIC Atlanta on October 21, 2024 in Atlanta.Getty

Actor and dancerBryan Tanaka, who plays Officer Alex, formerly datedMariah Careyfor more than seven years. The couple got together in 2016 buteventually split in 2023.

“Our decision to embark on different paths is mutual, and as we navigate these separate journeys, we do so with profound respect and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the invaluable time we’ve shared,” Tanaka said in a statement, posted onInstagramin December 2023.

He added: “The memories we’ve created and the artistic collaborations are etched in my heart forever.”

source: people.com