Cassandra Freeman from ‘Bel-Air’ Shares How She Approaches Self-Care and Her Role as Aunt Viv 3.0
Cassie Freeman Reflects on Her Role as Aunt Viv in Peacock’s ‘BEL-AIR’
Cassie Freeman is captivating audiences in her role as Aunt Viv in Peacock’s reimagined series, BEL-AIR, which offers a modern and multifaceted portrayal of an aspiring art academic reclaiming her dreams. As the series prepares to conclude its four-season run on November 24, Freeman shares insights into Aunt Viv’s transformation and her own journey during this “slow-down” era.
“I feel so satisfied. I also feel so excited, of course. I think when people see this season, they’re going to feel like they got more than they ever could have wished for. I’m just as excited as the fans to see. I can’t wait to see their reaction to the season. It’s a lot,” Freeman said.
Freeman acknowledged that embodying Aunt Viv has blurred the lines between her personal identity and the character. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that, over time, when you play these characters, you start to lose the boundary between what’s you and what’s them. My fashion has changed because of her.”
The character’s confidence in expressing her inner life through fashion has influenced Freeman’s own wardrobe choices. “It made me reconsider why I dress, how I dress and for whom I even dress. It has also given me a new language to use in my marriage,” she noted, mentioning the honest conversations that Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil share.
Freeman has embraced a new routine that supports both her physical and emotional well-being. “I wake up every morning, light a candle and it’s surrounded by people from my family’s past. I do a prayer. I light a candle. I journal for three pages, and I try to exercise," she explained. “I was doing a 130-day straight exercise routine just to stay in motion. My spirit life and my meditation are the foundation for the joy that I’m able to hold on to in my life.”
She’s adapted her self-care practices as well, focusing more on massage therapy to alleviate stress-related migraines. “I’ve stopped doing acupuncture as much. Now, I’m big on getting a massage once, even twice a month," she shared.
Freeman also emphasized the significance of reducing stress in her life. “I realized more of life has to be about getting rid of cortisol in the body. I’m basically into anything that allows me to decompress.”
Looking to the future, Freeman expressed her desire to embrace a slower pace. “I want to have the peace of not rushing; I am seeking the opposite. I’ve been really deep on this idea of: ‘We are not infinite people who live forever. We’re so finite. We’re not supposed to fit everything in the day.’”
As the fall and winter seasons approach, she looks forward to fashioning layers that evoke comfort and warmth. “I love layering. That’s my favorite thing. I can wear boots, pants, a shirt, and a sweater. I love the slowness and the coziness of the season,” she said.
Freeman’s reflections reveal not just her connection to Aunt Viv but also a personal journey toward balance and authenticity amidst life’s demands.
