Kiersey Clemons

SHE MAY NOT PASS FOR THE AVERAGE 'GIRL NEXT DOOR', BUT KIERSEY CLEMONS IS ONE EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED QUEER BLACK HOLLYWOOD STAR WHO ISN'T AFRAID TO SPEAK HER MIND

- SAHRAH ENOUS

One of the reasons why Kiersey Clemons - who plays The Flash's love interest, Iris West, in the latest superhero movie - resonates with audiences is because she isn't afraid to be authentically herself and speak her mind, despite dealing with bipolar disorder for the last three years.

"I've learned so much about myself through acting. I think I always knew that's my way through, and if I find that, I find me. And I can break all of these spells and all this darkness that's trying to overcome me because I'm still powerful," she exclaims. "I am so relieved to know why these things are happening to me, and how necessary a diagnosis is, because now I can make sense of myself and it allows me to love myself."

FINDING HERSELF

Part of learning to accept herself involves liberating herself from façades and shame. Thus, when it comes to her hair and style, she embraces the "chaos of beauty", as she puts it. One of her most defining features is her stunning hair, but embracing her curls didn't come easily.