{"id":17250,"date":"2025-12-01T18:54:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T23:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/femimagazine.com\/?p=17250"},"modified":"2026-01-13T11:01:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T16:01:42","slug":"elijah-cooper-a-rising-star-with-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/femimagazine.com\/?p=17250","title":{"rendered":"Elijah M. Cooper: A Rising Star with Purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Elijah M. Cooper<\/a><\/strong> 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. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing,\u201d he says. \u201cBefore 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\u2019s passing, what it means to band together, rely on family, and grow stronger through loss.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah\u2019s character now carries Bobby\u2019s legacy, and the transition from a minor role to front and center has been surreal. \u201cI just hope audiences enjoy it as much as I do,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diving deeper into Harry\u2019s story has pushed Elijah in unexpected ways. At 19, he finds himself at a similar life stage as his character, who is 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat connection lets me bring authenticity to the role,\u201d 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. \u201cHill runs, firefighter drills, it\u2019s tough but exciting. This is the kind of heroic stuff you dream about,\u201d he says with enthusiasm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up on set alongside Angela Bassett<\/strong> has been another transformative experience. Elijah recalls being nervous at first. \u201cActing alongside Angela Bassett is intimidating,\u201d he admits. But her advice changed everything, \u201cShe told me, \u2018We\u2019re all here to make a great show together.\u2019 That helped me relax and focus on collaboration.\u201d Three seasons later, that mindset still guides him. \u201cAngela has been like a mother figure to me from day one,\u201d he says warmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah\u2019s versatility shines through his work in projects like Goosebumps<\/em>, The Vanishing<\/em>, and All American<\/em>. Balancing roles that showcase athleticism with those demanding artistry requirea unique approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about authenticity,\u201d he explains. \u201cEach 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.\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Photography: Kai Byrd| @kaibyrd_<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond acting, Elijah is making waves in fashion with his brand, Tints Streetwear. \u201cFashion is storytelling,\u201d he says. The brand originated in India with a mission to preserve hand embroidery, a craft often seen as a lost art. \u201cEvery garment tells that story,\u201d Elijah explains. His passion for storytelling extends to building a media arm for the brand to visually share these narratives. \u201cAs an actor and storyteller, I bring that same intentionality to the brand,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running a brand has taught Elijah valuable lessons about creativity and leadership. \u201cIt\u2019s taught me confidence,\u201d he says. \u201cMaking creative and executive decisions at a young age showed me that my ideas matter. It\u2019s helped me grow as a leader and as a person. Everything \u2026 acting, business, life works together to shape who I\u2019m becoming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Morehouse man and part of the Spellhouse legacy, Elijah carries a deep sense of responsibility. \u201cMorehouse emphasizes showing up as a strong Black leader,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt\u2019s taught me that Black culture isn\u2019t a monolith we\u2019re multifaceted. That perspective influences my storytelling and my business. Representation matters, and I want to reflect that in everything I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service is another cornerstone of Elijah\u2019s life. He is deeply involved with Girl Well, Inc., and passionate about making golf accessible to Black and Brown youth. \u201cService is in my family\u2019s DNA,\u201d he says proudly. His sister founded Girl Well during the pandemic to provide self-care resources, and Elijah shares that commitment. \u201cGolf has been a big part of my life, and I want to share that access. We shouldn\u2019t hoard resources; we should extend ourselves to others. That\u2019s how we all grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked how he hopes to inspire the next generation through his platform and philanthropy, Elijah\u2019s answer is clear and intentional. \u201cI want people to see authenticity in everything I doincluding acting, business, giving back,\u201d he says. \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Elijah M. Cooper<\/a><\/strong> is more than a rising star, he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography: Kai Byrd| @kaibyrd_<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. 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