In Her Words: Serayah is Learning to Let go, Lean in, and Protect Her Peace

From her breakout role as Tiana Brown on Empire to her recent leading turn in Ruth & Boaz, actress and singer Serayah has grown into a woman who moves with intention. Celebrated as one of television’s brightest young stars, she’s now embracing new layers of artistry — and motherhood — with the same grace and groundedness that first drew audiences to her. This year, the multi-talented beauty welcomed her first child, a son with her fiancé, rapper and actor JoeyBada$$, marking a new chapter that’s as tender as it is transformative. As she opens up about faith, self-care, and surrendering control, Serayah is learning that protecting her peace is the most powerful performance of all.

On preserving her mental health

Serayah: When it comes to my mental health, I try to find moments of solitude every day. Sometimes it’s meditation in the morning or journaling before bed. I’ve always loved to journal. It helps me release what’s on my mind. I also like to do things that give me a mental break — yoga, boxing, the gym. There’s something about it, chemically, when you exert that energy. You reset. I find healing in camaraderie too. Having a girl’s day really helps lift the load.

Music is one of those things you can use when you are feeling any type of way. There’s a song for every emotion. Writing for me is very therapeutic. Journaling or writing a song is a big release. Music has always played a big part in my life. Dancing too—because that’s a whole other piece of it where you feel the music in your body.

On her recent pregnancy

When I know what I want, I’m very fixed on it. I’m very, ‘I’m gonna get this thing.’ Going into my pregnancy, I was doing all the things, breathing exercises, birthing classes — making sure I was ready. When I found out my son was [in a breech position], I was upside down on the floor, doing stretches every morning and night. Then we found out he was what they call a ‘double nuchal’ — the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice. That’s why he never turned. They suggested I not do an inversion, and I knew I was going to have a C-section. I had it all planned for a week later, but I went into labor two days after that. And you know what? It was divine. I think it was God’s way of saying, 'Sit down. You’re covered.' My doctor — she was a Black woman — did her thing. The birth was beautiful, very calm, and I would have it no other way now that I’ve gone through it. It was one of the biggest lessons I’ve ever learned in my life: just to release control.

Giving birth is the biggest hormone drop any living being will ever experience. You’re on top of the world when you’re pregnant, then you have your baby and you’re like — ‘What just happened?’ There were some rough days. It lasted about a month and a half, and then I started to see the light. I’m grateful for that because I know it can be more severe for some women.

It’s a super delicate time but I got through it with my support system—my fiancé, my mom came to stay for a month, my best friend came to town and my dad and stepmom visited. His family is local. That really helped. Now I know why they say it takes a village. You can do it by yourself, but it’s extremely hard. Going through the C-section, I felt powerless. I couldn’t even really help because I couldn’t even get up. 

I just take it one day at a time. The biggest thing for me is giving myself grace—grace to feel whatever I’m feeling. There are rough days. When you’re not sleeping you’re just not yourself.

I’m so independent. I’m an only child. That was the first time I had to really ask people to do things for me. I remember being in the room crying and my fiancé walked in like, ‘What’s happening?’ I couldn’t even formulate the words. I just needed to cry.

On her creative process

I recently went to Atlanta, where my mom lives, and had studio sessions for a week. My mom watched my son during the day, and I’d come home and be with him at night. It’s trial and error — one day at a time. With creativity, what I’ve learned is that when you feel it, it just happens and when you don’t, take that time to allocate toward something else.

On privacy and balance

Where I’m at right now as far as privacy, it’s about balance. I’ve always been a person that never gave too much, but I want to give more. That’s what’s cool about my Snapchat, where I released my birthing story vlog. I recognize that with the influence I have, there are so many women who can resonate with what I’m going through. I have to make sure that my partner and I are in agreeance about certain things as far as it pertains to life, the daily ins and outs and what we’re gonna show. I just try to be mindful of that piece of it. I didn’t share my son’s name or face yet because I want to protect that sacred space. Both of his parents are public figures. I’m a little more forward than Joey is, but I think there’s a world where I start to share him.

On her acting and role choices

When it comes to acting, I try to be involved in film and TV that has purpose, especially being a Black woman. I think about what it means to have this piece of content that lives forever. It matters to me. The reason I’m even in the business is because I was spiritually moved by other performers. I want to give that back. I have tried to avoid oversexualized things, nudity. I don’t know if I’ve been presented with the right project that makes sense to me to do that. I never wanted to just be known as the ‘pretty girl’ or a ‘sexy girl.’

By the time we started the rollout for Ruth & Boaz, it felt good to be back out and back to myself. Just feeling good — physically changed, mentally changed—everything is different. I remember the first time I went out socially, I felt like a fish out of water. With the rollout, it was intense. I’m still catching up on sleep.

Something that Ruth & Boaz actually taught me is leaning into your community. I’ve been doing that a lot lately — reaching out to my girlfriends and peers who do what I do. Sometimes when you aspire to do things, you’re wishing and praying for this miraculous day to come, but really it’s already around you. Any dream God gives you is attainable. Look around you. Use what you have.