THE JOURNAL’s latest cover star is LaKeith Stanfield, one of the most distinctive and compelling actors of his generation. Stanfield’s range, ability to disappear into roles, and refusal to conform to Hollywood’s expectations set him apart as singular. In anticipation of the release of his latest project with Jennfer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, Lynne Ramsay’s DIE, MY LOVE, LaKeith sits down with writer Tahirah Hairston for a candid conversation about authenticity, maintaining balance and self-expression.
Stanfield shares the significance of his consciousness and internal compass as a guiding force in approaching the projects he takes on – a mirror of his authenticity and passion. He reflects on growing up in Riverside and Victorville, California and the transformative moment that connected him with acting as emotional expression, as well as finding personal channels of expression in everything from his music and collaboration with Kid Cudi to fashion.
On balance and staying grounded, LaKeith emphasizes his dedication to mental health through meditation and embracing his emotions. Intentional self-care, clear boundaries and a private personal life remain essential to sustaining his work and giving his all.
Over the course of his conversation with THE JOURNAL, a portrait emerges of an artist who is fully present in his work while drawing clear boundaries and retaining a sense of elusiveness beyond his roles. Stanfield demonstrates that authenticity doesn’t require total transparency. In an industry where Black performers are often expected to be perpetually available for consumption, his insistence on maintaining mystery feels like its own form of resistance.
On the conscious decision to conceal his “tricks of the trade” for acting: “Imagine you went to a magic show, but before the magician did every trick, he showed you exactly how he did it. Then the magic would not do anything for you.”
On his latest project, Die, My Love, and how it resonated with him partly due to his desire to honor the process of motherhood as a father of three: “I walked with my wife [the model Kasmere Trice; they married in 2023] through her experience. It was amazing and beautiful, and as a man you’re always trying to figure out how you can be as useful as possible in such a beautiful process. And then reading it through the lens of this script was very much from the perspective of a woman and what her journey might look like. I thought that was valuable, it spoke to me.”
On giving his all to roles while keeping balance: “I have a tendency to get into these characters and I give it everything I got. And I think that sometimes causes me to be exhausted emotionally. So, I like to have fun to offset that.”
On his approach to fame and maintaining boundaries: “My work is my work. You go to work, and then you come home and you’re at home.”
On his projects and deep appreciation for the team collaboration that goes into it: “It is very much something I was a part of. There’s a writer, there’s a director, there’s a cinematographer, there’s a personal assistant. There are so many people that come together to make projects happen and I’m just a part of that piece.”
On his collaboration with Kid Cudi, which emerged from their dedication to authenticity: “I’ve always loved what [Kid Cudi] was doing, marching to his own beat, being himself.”
On his music as another channel for personal expression and reflection: “It’s more of an X-ray than any interview I’ve ever done. I don’t really talk too much about personal stuff in the interviews. The music is my canvas to be able to really paint a clearer picture of some of the things that I’ve experienced, survived, and learnt from.”
On being one of the best-dressed men in Hollywood and deep connection to fashion: “It’s just expression. Anyway, from whatever outlet, I must and can express, that’s what I’m interested in doing.”
On the evolution of his approach to dressing: “When I was younger, I kind of liked to stand out. As I’ve grown, I don’t want to stand out as much, but I like to feel good.”
On meditation and allowing himself to feel his emotions: “It’s a skill you develop. The hardest thing is to get out of your own way. A lot of times feelings can feel counterproductive, but at the end of the day, we’re all human beings. You’ve got to feel. It’s just a stronger, easier skill to implement. Not all feelings are bad, some are good, and you’ve got to feel those, too. I’ve been training myself to do that.”
On his intentional self-care and growing value of privacy as an attribute to it: “My private life is something that I’ve grown to value more and more. Sometimes you have to pour back into yourself.”
On his concerns about raising children in the digital age: “It’s important to protect them from the internet.”
On preserving mystery as a form of authenticity: “Sometimes it’s better just to live and immerse yourself in the magic of it.”
Photographed by Philip-Daniel Ducasse
Styled by Kristen Neillie
[Photo Credit: Philip-Daniel Ducasse for Mr Porter]
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