Black Actresses Who Embrace Holistic and Spiritual Practices

Spirituality in Hollywood often transcends the red carpet, with many stars turning to metaphysical practices, meditation, and ancient traditions to maintain their grounding. For Black actresses navigating the pressures of the entertainment industry, these rituals can serve as essential tools for mental wellness and creative expression. From crystal healing and tarot reading to silent retreats and ancestral veneration, the methods are as diverse as the talent. This list highlights women who have publicly shared their dedication to spiritual and holistic lifestyles.

Erykah Badu

Known for her neo-soul classics and roles in films like ‘The Cider House Rules’ (1999) and ‘What Men Want’ (2019), Badu is perhaps the most iconic figure of modern bohemian spirituality. She is a certified Reiki master and a doula who has assisted in numerous births, viewing her service as a spiritual calling. Her lifestyle involves a deep connection to crystals, incense, and chakras, which she frequently discusses with her fanbase. Badu often describes her creative process as channeling energy from a higher source, blending artistry with metaphysics.

Rachel True

Best known for playing the teenage witch Rochelle in ‘The Craft’ (1996), True has been a lifelong practitioner of tarot. She eventually turned her passion into a profession, releasing her own deck and guidebook, the True Heart Intuitive Tarot. True emphasizes using the cards not just for divination, but as a psychological tool for self-reflection and clarity. She views tarot as a “shrink-in-a-box” that helps users navigate their subconscious thoughts and emotions.

Jada Pinkett Smith

The ‘Girls Trip’ (2017) star has been open about her journey toward spiritual healing, often discussing the importance of “shadow work” to confront personal trauma. She has explored various holistic modalities, including the use of plant medicine like ayahuasca, which she credited with helping her overcome deep depression. Pinkett Smith frequently advocates for meditation and reading spiritual texts to maintain balance within her family life. Her platform often serves as a space for discussions on healing the spirit and finding inner peace.

Halle Berry

Berry, an Oscar winner for ‘Monster’s Ball’ (2001), has maintained a dedicated meditation practice for over two decades. She utilizes yoga not only for fitness but as a physical form of meditation to clear negative energy from her body. Berry often shares her wellness routines, which include headstands and deep breathing exercises designed to center the mind. She credits these practices with helping her endure difficult personal times and connecting with her inner strength.

Willow Smith

Following in her family’s footsteps, the ‘I Am Legend’ (2007) actress creates music and art deeply rooted in metaphysical themes. She is an avid student of yoga and often engages in kirtan, a form of devotional singing and chanting. Smith has expressed a strong interest in the properties of crystals, even learning how to create Orgonite energy generators. Her public discourse frequently touches on the nature of reality, vibration, and raising one’s consciousness.

Lupita Nyong’o

To manage the intense pressure following her success in ‘Black Panther’ (2018), Nyong’o turned to rigorous mindfulness practices. She famously attended a 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat, where communication and external distractions were completely forbidden. The actress described the experience as a way to “un-clutch” from worldly attachments and reset her nervous system. She continues to use meditation as a vital tool to navigate the highs and lows of her career.

Viola Davis

The acclaimed star of ‘Fences’ (2016) is a firm believer in the power of prayer and manifestation. Davis has shared the story of how she specifically prayed for a husband with the exact qualities of her partner, Julius Tennon, visualizing his presence in her life before they met. She attributes her success and stability to a foundation of faith and the intentional focusing of her thoughts. Davis often speaks about the importance of gratitude and spiritual grounding in surviving the industry.

Sanaa Lathan

After experiencing panic attacks, the ‘Love & Basketball’ (2000) actress found relief through Transcendental Meditation. She has since become a vocal advocate for the practice, crediting it with curing her anxiety without medication. Lathan also practices breathwork, specifically using techniques like the “physiological sigh” to instantly reduce stress. Her holistic approach focuses on calming the nervous system to maintain mental clarity and emotional health.

Tiffany Haddish

Haddish, the breakout star of ‘Girls Trip’ (2017), embarked on a profound spiritual journey that included discovering her Jewish heritage and having a Bat Mitzvah at age 40. She also incorporates New Age practices into her routine, such as talking to water to “program” it with positive intentions before bathing. Haddish believes in the power of vibration and frequently speaks about her spiritual experiences while visiting Africa. Her approach blends traditional religion with intuitive energy work.

Lauren London

Following the tragic loss of her partner Nipsey Hussle, the ‘ATL’ (2006) actress dove deep into spirituality to navigate her grief. London speaks candidly about surrendering to God and finding a “survive and thrive” mindset through faith. She views her life’s purpose as being of service to others, using her pain to fuel her spiritual growth. Her journey emphasizes the importance of trust in a higher power during life’s darkest moments.

Tracee Ellis Ross

The ‘Black-ish’ (2014–2022) star practices a philosophy of active meditation, which she defines as “doing what you are doing while you are doing it.” Ross is a proponent of visualization and often retreats to nature to recharge, admitting she talks to trees to feel connected to the earth. Her wellness routine is centered on cultivating joy and self-acceptance as spiritual acts. She uses these grounding techniques to maintain her effervescent energy and creativity.

Amandla Stenberg

Stenberg, who starred in ‘The Acolyte’ (2024), engages deeply with the concepts of intuition and spiritual balance. She has discussed how practicing martial arts helps her connect her body and spirit, mirroring the Force-sensitive themes of her work. Stenberg views her clarity and artistic direction as products of spiritual non-attachment. She frequently explores the intersection of identity and spirit in her interviews and creative projects.

Keke Palmer

Palmer, the star of ‘Nope’ (2022), is a strong proponent of the law of attraction and manifestation. She publicly shared how she manifested her son, Leodis, and frequently speaks about using spiritual beliefs as a guiding force for her career decisions. Palmer encourages her fans to focus on the feelings they want to achieve rather than just material outcomes. Her brand of spirituality is practical, empowering, and centered on self-belief.

Janelle Monáe

While also a music icon, Monáe has made a significant mark in acting with films like ‘Hidden Figures’ (2016) and ‘Glass Onion’ (2022). She frames her work through the lens of Afrofuturism, which she views as a spiritual reclamation of Black history and future potential. Monáe considers her concept of the “Dirty Computer” as a way to embrace those who are marginalized, viewing her artistry as a vessel for unity and healing. Her spiritual expression is inextricably linked to her advocacy for freedom and identity.

Naomie Harris

The ‘Moonlight’ (2016) actress relies on meditation to stay connected to her “higher self” amidst a busy filming schedule. Harris is also a devotee of grounding, often walking barefoot on soil or sand to align her body clock and energy after traveling. She prioritizes holistic health, having spent time as a raw vegan, and views food as a way to nourish the spirit as well as the body. Her routine focuses on maintaining a calm, centered internal state regardless of external chaos.

Cynthia Erivo

Erivo, the star of the film adaptation of ‘Wicked’ (2024), treats her fitness regimen as a form of moving meditation. She utilizes therapy and tools like infrared sauna blankets to heal what she calls “internal bruising” from the emotional demands of her roles. During intense production periods, she adopts a monk-like existence, conserving her energy and abstaining from social distractions. Erivo believes that a strong body supports a clear mind and spirit.

Angela Bassett

A legend of the screen known for ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ (1993), Bassett grounds her life in a deep, abiding faith. She frequently cites the adage “good things come to those who pray” and relies on scripture to navigate the uncertainty of Hollywood. Bassett views her acting talent as a divine gift and purpose, approaching her roles with a sense of spiritual responsibility. Her resilience and longevity in the industry are often attributed to this unwavering spiritual foundation.

Susan Kelechi Watson

Best known for her role in ‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022), Watson dedicates time every morning to prayer and meditation, ranging from 15 to 50 minutes. She believes in the spiritual “gems” passed down from ancestors and friends who have transitioned, using their wisdom to guide her life and art. Watson views her vulnerability on screen as a way to connect deeply with the humanity of others. Her practice is disciplined and serves as the anchor for her daily life.

Gabrielle Union

Union, the star of ‘Bring It On’ (2000), is a fervent believer in vision boards and the power of writing down intentions. She and her husband famously create elaborate vision boards to map out their family goals and professional desires. Union speaks about the importance of manifesting the life you want through clear visualization and positive action. Her approach combines spiritual intention with practical planning to achieve success.

Michaela Coel

The creator and star of ‘I May Destroy You’ (2020) has described her writing process as a deeply spiritual, almost transcendental experience. Raised in a strict Pentecostal environment where she once spoke in tongues, Coel eventually moved away from organized religion to find her own spiritual path. She views herself as a vessel for stories, often crying during the writing process as she channels complex emotions. Coel’s work is a testament to the cathartic and healing power of creative expression.

Share your favorite spiritual practice or let us know which actress inspires you the most in the comments.