There’s a reason audiences around the world can’t look away from Beauty in Black. The Tyler Perry–created drama—set inside the high-stakes, image-obsessed world of a cosmetics empire—has quickly become a global phenomenon, earning the top spot as the most-watched English-language series on Netflix with 8.7 million views and 57.4 million viewing hours in just one week. The 16-episode series, which premiered on October 24, 2024, has now released its much-awaited second part this March, continuing its deep dive into ambition, power and betrayal within the beauty industry.
At the center of the show’s intrigue is Mallory, portrayed by Crystle Stewart, whose layered performance is helping define the series’ emotional core. But for Stewart, the experience of starring in a global hit hasn’t just been career-shifting—it’s been surreal.
“I live two different lives!” she says. “I live between Houston and LA. Houston is all about family time with my kids, drop-offs, taking them to school and back and forth, lunches and all that. When I come back to LA for the events and all the celebrity things, it is an adjustment! I sometimes forget about the show, until I walk down the street and they’re saying, ‘Mallory?’ I’m like, ‘Oh, yes! Hi.’ It’s been an experience. I’m so excited that so many people love this show. I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s responses about the latest.”
With the rollout of the second part now underway, Stewart has also been navigating a busy stretch of press, appearances and the glam that goes with it—something she embraces with intention.
“It’s my job. I’m an actress. I have a hit show that I’m on,” she says. “It’s my job to promote it and be graceful about it. It’s something I really enjoy doing. In the headspace, I turn on some music, put my makeup on, try to find a cute outfit, and I’m ready to rock and roll.”
In the series, Stewart plays a woman entrenched in the high-stakes world of a beauty empire—an environment that felt, in some ways, closer to home than expected.
“I was going to study cosmetology growing up because I actually am pretty decent at doing hair,” she says. “I wanted to go to hair school. I just decided on a different route. It was funny when they said, ‘You own a hair company.’ I love the beauty business in general. It was easy for me to fall into speaking about hair and hair-care lines and all those great things.”
Outside of acting, Stewart’s personal beauty routine blends professional-grade skin care with lifelong staples. “I use DMK products now, they are really great,” she says. “Their Moisture Max is wonderful. I use their BP lotion for any breakouts, and their skin lightener for dark spots.” She also credits Estée Lauder with making her look rested. “They have this under-eye cream that’s magnificent. That’s a life-saver, especially after being on set all day and needing to go to an event that night.”
And then there’s her most enduring staple: Keri lotion. “I have to put people onto Keri lotion. I’ve been using Keri lotion since I’ve been a baby. It’s a thicker lotion, but it absorbs on the skin. It leaves this beautiful, glowy look to your natural skin. I swear by that.”
As Beauty in Black continues its cultural momentum, Stewart hints that the next chapter of the series will show audiences a different emotional register for her character.
“You see a different side of Mallory,” she says. “They’re used to seeing this woman that is just fearless. She’s still fearless and on attack mode, but they see different emotions coming from her in regards to just her personal life, her business life and what she’s willing to fight for and what she’s willing to do to maintain what she feels is hers. I just love that.”
