Perception Magazine

THIS IS @serayah For her, motherhood is not about readiness—it’s about surrender. “Nothing makes you ready. You just jump in and know that you’re ready to give.” It’s the quiet evolution of self, the daily discovery of new parts of who she is becoming. The first time she saw her son, awe eclipsed everything. “I literally thought, he’s alive. For nine months he was just an idea… and then one turns to two.” She remembers checking his fingers, his toes—making sure he was whole, healthy, here. Gratitude became her compass, every cry a reminder of life, every breath a miracle. And her hope for him is both tender and fierce. “To not only make him strong and aware, but to cultivate a space where emotions are okay.” Softness and steel. Heart and armor. A future where he learns to go within, to carry both strength and tenderness into the world. This is Serayah: mother, woman, and self—ever evolving, ever becoming.

Our latest cover star is @birgundi_baker and she gives us life as Keisha on The Chi ❤️ We had the amazing opportunity to speak with Birgundi Baker about her journey on The Chi and the powerful role of Keisha—and it’s clear this character has reshaped her just as much as she’s shaped Keisha. “Keisha has really taught me patience… I have to approach her with maturity, patience, love, and tenderness—because that’s what she exudes.” For Birgundi, Keisha’s story is deeply personal. “I thought I was giving and loving, but Keisha is on a whole other level. She’s a vessel for others. I’ve actually learned from her.” She also shared how portraying motherhood on screen mirrored her own experience: “I have two children… I remember what it felt like to go into labor, trying to stay calm, just like Keisha. But my experience was different—I had my babies during the pandemic, so I was alone. Keisha had her village.” What makes her portrayal so powerful is the way it reflects the truth of Black womanhood—its resilience, sacrifice, and enduring love. “It means everything to me not only to play Keisha but to see the Black woman portrayed this way on TV… The way The Chi takes Keisha’s life seriously—it’s legendary.” Through Keisha, Birgundi isn’t just telling a story—she’s affirming the sacredness of being seen, reminding us why representation matters and why it lasts. Photography Credit: @calvingproductions

Our Cover Girl @tiacarrere Box office queen, island icon, and original big sis— Tia Carrere is back in the building. More than two decades after giving voice to Nani in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Carrere returns in the live-action reboot—this time on screen as Mrs. Kekoa, a no-nonsense, all-heart social worker guiding ohana through chaos, loss, and love. “I originally wanted to play Tutu,” Tia laughs, “but Mrs. Kekoa ended up being such a lovely part.” And lovely she is. Rooted in compassion, layered in truth, and grounded in culture, Carrere’s performance is a masterclass in heart—a beacon of love and light in a film that’s already broken box office records. And the film? Breaking records. Dominating summer. Already the highest-grossing movie of the year! From Cassandra in Wayne’s World to Grammy wins, whale shark dives, and now mentoring the next generation in Lilo & Stitch Live-Action—this is a full-circle moment we’ll be replaying for years to come! Mahalo, Tia, for showing us the power of aloha, onscreen and off. Ohana forever.

@jalynemilhall is writing his next chapter in real time. He’s not waiting for the moment—he’s building it as it unfolds. At 19, he’s in that in‑between space where everything is shifting, and you can actually feel the evolution happening. When The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins hit his radar, it wasn’t strategy—it was instinct. “First off, I love the mockumentary style… I was like, okay—this could be really funny.” Even in the audition, he was already world‑building. “I had the camera moving, zoom-ins… I had such a great time doing it.” That spark carried through the entire process—into comedy, into new creative muscles, into a version of himself audiences haven’t fully met yet. “One thing I pride myself on is diversity… so stepping into comedy—it was a welcome challenge.” But what grounds it all is the truth he brings to the work. “It’s not really about embodying a character… it’s about implementing my real-life experience.” And if this feels like a defining moment—he’ll tell you it’s just a checkpoint. “The journey’s not done. The train is still rolling.”

Fun chat with Perception Magazine! We talk about The Chosen and future projects 👀 Link in bio! 📷: @jacksondavisphoto 💇🏽‍♂️/💄: @makeuphkp @creativeprinc #interview #tv #film #thechosen #thechosentvseries

Cover Star @davidajala “It’s always about the character — finding where they live, what they want, and how they change you in the process.” Our cover star David Ajala peels back the layers of performance in Netflix’s psychological thriller The Woman in Cabin 10, starring opposite Keira Knightley. As the enigmatic photographer Ben Morgan, Ajala dives deep into themes of power, perception, and the quiet art of code-switching. “He’s the guy who can move through spaces unnoticed — but you remember him enough to invite him to the next soiree.” In The Woman in Cabin 10, Ajala brings to life a man whose silence speaks louder than words — charming, watchful, and morally elastic. “He’s visible when he wants to be, invisible when he needs to be,” he says. “You need to believe there’s something there, but never fully grasp it. That’s what makes it interesting.” Opposite Knightley, he explores the tension between truth and illusion in a world where perception is as slippery as the sea beneath them. Under the direction of Simon Stone (The Dig), Ajala delivers a performance defined by restraint and chemistry — a slow burn that lingers long after the credits roll. Ajala’s career continues to be one of reinvention, reflection, and fearless storytelling. On screen and off, he’s redefining the craft — grounded, magnetic, and always searching for what’s real.

Thank you @perception_mag for the love on our new series @littlehollywoodtv , featuring an exclusive interview with Tonya Renee Banks. #brandontv #littlewomen #littlewomenedit #littlewomenla #littlewomenatl #littlehollywood #btv #brandonstudios #perception #perceptionmagazine

Big thanks to @perception_mag for the beautiful cover and the great chat about my upcoming Netflix action film #ALineofFire 🔥🎬 Grateful for this and excited for what’s ahead! #entertainmentmagazine #perception

When @samanthalockwood walks into a room, you feel it before you see it. There’s this calm confidence — a mix of grace and grit — that lingers long after she’s gone. That same energy defines her latest role in A Line of Fire, where she stars alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. and Jason Patric. “What drew me in was a mix of intensity and non-stop action,” she told us. “But it’s not just about explosions — it’s about choices under fire. That’s what makes it meaningful.” In our digital cover story, Lockwood opens up about vulnerability, legacy, and what it truly means to be brave. “You don’t have to be invincible to be a hero,” she says. “Sometimes bravery is about choosing the right thing, even when it costs you everything.”

Such a treat being interviewed by @perception_mag We dive into my journey filming The Institute, my music career and more! Enjoy!

Thank you @perception_mag for this 🔥 cover of @birgundi_baker ! Check out Birgundi on The Chi on Showtime and her new music dropping soon. #covergirl 📺🎶

@__chiderah is creating his own path through storytelling! “I got tired of just sitting around and waiting… so I decided to be proactive and make things happen on my own.” From a Houston high schooler secretly in love with theater to a filmmaker commanding the full spectrum of storytelling, Chiderah Uzowulu has forged his path with grit, vision, and heart. His latest work, Hierarchy, is far more than an action drama — it’s a meticulously layered exploration of “power, control, and moral complexity,” brought to life by Chiderah as writer, producer, and lead actor. The journey to completion was anything but smooth. “We were out of money by day nine,” he recalls with a wry smile. Yet through perseverance, creative drive, and faith, the film reached the finish line — ready to grip audiences and spark conversation. And when the final scene fades, one question will remain: Who really holds the power?