When Elijah M. Cooper stepped into his new role as a series regular on 9-1-1, it marked a defining moment in his career. For Elijah, this chapter feels nothing short of rewarding. “It’s amazing,” he says. “Before I accepted the role, our showrunner Tim and I talked about bringing a fresh perspective to the season. This chapter is about moving forward after Bobby’s passing, what it means to band together, rely on family, and grow stronger through loss.”
Elijah’s character now carries Bobby’s legacy, and the transition from a minor role to front and center has been surreal. “I just hope audiences enjoy it as much as I do,” he adds.
Diving deeper into Harry’s story has pushed Elijah in unexpected ways. At 19, he finds himself at a similar life stage as his character, who is 18.
“That connection lets me bring authenticity to the role,” he explains. But the physical demands have been intense. With Harry entering the Fire Academy, Elijah trained hard for scenes that included a Rocky-style montage in the season finale. “Hill runs, firefighter drills, it’s tough but exciting. This is the kind of heroic stuff you dream about,” he says with enthusiasm.
Growing up on set alongside Angela Bassett has been another transformative experience. Elijah recalls being nervous at first. “Acting alongside Angela Bassett is intimidating,” he admits. But her advice changed everything, “She told me, ‘We’re all here to make a great show together.’ That helped me relax and focus on collaboration.” Three seasons later, that mindset still guides him. “Angela has been like a mother figure to me from day one,” he says warmly.
Elijah’s versatility shines through his work in projects like Goosebumps, The Vanishing, and All American. Balancing roles that showcase athleticism with those demanding artistry requirea unique approach.
“It’s all about authenticity,” he explains. “Each character has unique traits, so I dive into both the physical and psychological aspects. For All American, I trained like a real quarterback, footwork, spiral, everything. For 9-1-1, I learned firefighter fundamentals. Becoming the character fully makes the performance real.”
Beyond acting, Elijah is making waves in fashion with his brand, Tints Streetwear. “Fashion is storytelling,” he says. The brand originated in India with a mission to preserve hand embroidery, a craft often seen as a lost art. “Every garment tells that story,” Elijah explains. His passion for storytelling extends to building a media arm for the brand to visually share these narratives. “As an actor and storyteller, I bring that same intentionality to the brand,” he adds.
Running a brand has taught Elijah valuable lessons about creativity and leadership. “It’s taught me confidence,” he says. “Making creative and executive decisions at a young age showed me that my ideas matter. It’s helped me grow as a leader and as a person. Everything … acting, business, life works together to shape who I’m becoming.”
As a Morehouse man and part of the Spellhouse legacy, Elijah carries a deep sense of responsibility. “Morehouse emphasizes showing up as a strong Black leader,” he explains. “It’s taught me that Black culture isn’t a monolith we’re multifaceted. That perspective influences my storytelling and my business. Representation matters, and I want to reflect that in everything I do.”
Service is another cornerstone of Elijah’s life. He is deeply involved with Girl Well, Inc., and passionate about making golf accessible to Black and Brown youth. “Service is in my family’s DNA,” he says proudly. His sister founded Girl Well during the pandemic to provide self-care resources, and Elijah shares that commitment. “Golf has been a big part of my life, and I want to share that access. We shouldn’t hoard resources; we should extend ourselves to others. That’s how we all grow.”
When asked how he hopes to inspire the next generation through his platform and philanthropy, Elijah’s answer is clear and intentional. “I want people to see authenticity in everything I doincluding acting, business, giving back,” he says. “If someone looks up to me, I hope they see a good person and feel inspired to be one too. We all have the power to create positive examples.”
Elijah M. Cooper is more than a rising star, he’s a storyteller, entrepreneur, and advocate with a vision for impact. His humility and drive set him apart, and as he continues to shine on screen and beyond, one thing is certain, Elijah is building a legacy rooted in purpose.
Photography: Kai Byrd| @kaibyrd_
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