This stud may play a kick-ass crime fighter on Black Lightning, but Cress Williams' guard wasn't up on the Watch set. When the actor isn't busy living out his childhood dream of being a dual identity superhero, he brings electricity and energy to a fashion photo shoot.
Photographer Derek Blanks captured The CW star for the July/August 2018 issue of Watch. Scroll to see these hot photos—including web-exclusive bonus images—plus learn fun facts and interview tidbits about Cress Williams!
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Black Lightning airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW. Stream next day free only on The CW!
Never stop dreaming
Shirt by Puma. Watch by ESQ by Movado. Necklace by M. Cohen.Bracelets by David Yurman and M. Cohen. Ring by David Yurman.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
For Williams, his childhood dream became a reality when he got the lead role on Black Lightning. "It was always more of a kid fantasy than a career goal," he says.
Lessons learned
Shirt by Puma. Sunglasses by Retrosuperfuture. Necklace by M. Cohen.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
The actor takes to heart lessons from the past and recognizes how wisdom comes with age and experience.
"Everything feels like a second chance. Not to say I completely blew my first chance, but I made some mistakes both career-wise and personally. I feel like it's almost a second act now," the star shares about this new life chapter.
Gotta have faith
Jacket by Coach. Hooded shirt by ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo. Pants by Helmut Lang. Shoes by Puma. Watch by Movado. Bracelets by David Yurman and M. Cohen. Ring by David Yurman.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
"I was just really open to the idea of hearing God, following God, and listening to God. Even in my darkest times, I never lost that awareness." — Cress Williams
Match made in heaven
Jacket by Puma. Pants by Reebok. Necklace and right bracelet by M. Cohen. Ring and left bracelet by David Yurman. Watch by ESQ by Movado.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
Fun fact: Williams met his wife Kristen Torrianni at a church group.
Reality check
Suit by Haspel. Shirt by Pronto Uomo from Men's Wearhouse. Tie by Kenneth Cole from Men's Wearhouse. Belt by The Black Tux. Watch by Movado. Ring by David Yurman.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
"I figured I would just be this really big character actor and hope that I don't die." — Cress Williams
Move-it motivation
Suit by Haspel. Shirt by Pronto Uomo from Men's Wearhouse. Pocket square, cuff links,and belt by The Black Tux. Tie by The Tie Bar. Watch by Movado. Bracelet and rings by David Yurman.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
Fun fact: Williams has worked hard to foster healthy habits. He exercises two to three hours a day five days a week, has cut sugar from his diet, and successfully kicked a 20-year marijuana habit.
Social impact
Shirt by Pronto Uomo from Men's Wearhouse. Cu�ff links by The Black Tux. Tie by The Tie Bar. Rings by David Yurman.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
Black Lightning isn't just your typical superhero show, and grapples directly with social justice issues—including race, education, drug use, and disparities in law enforcement—that are going on in the world today.
Make a difference
Suit by Pronto Uomo from Men's Wearhouse. Shirt by Egara from Men's Wearhouse. Pocket square by Joseph Abboud from Men's Wearhouse. Cufflinks by The Black Tux. Watch by Movado. Bracelet and ring by David Yurman.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
"I'm not a politician and I'm not an activist in any way. I see this as my form of making a difference. I try to do it with my art. The opportunity to do something like that, to tell a story that is not just fluff and that's not just entertainment, was really something I wanted and needed at this point in my life." — Cress Williams
Modern hero
Jacket by Puma. Pants by Reebok. Necklace and right bracelet by M. Cohen. Ring and left bracelet by David Yurman. Watch by ESQ by Movado.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
"There are just not that many black superheroes out there, and at that point Black Panther was already taken." — Cress Williams
Mister Independent
Vest by Hart Schaffner Marx. Shirt by Michael Kors from DXL Men's Apparel. Jeans by Red Tab by Levi's. Belt by The Tie Bar. Watch by Movado. Bracelet by M. Cohen. Rings by David Yurman and M. Cohen.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
Williams admits that he has always been self-reliant, rarely asking for help from others. "I'm getting better about that, but my natural inclination is to just do it myself," he says.
In the public eye
Suit by Pronto Uomo from Men's Wearhouse. Shirt by Egara from Men's Wearhouse. Pocket square by Joseph Abboud from Men's Wearhouse. Cufflinks by The Black Tux. Watch by Movado. Bracelet and ring by David Yurman.
Photography by Derek Blanks | Styled by Christina Pacelli
"You hear people calling you by character names on the street. Recently, when people see me, I've heard them go, 'Black Lightning!' And I'm like, 'Hey,' and then I'm like, 'I could do that, I'm OK with that.' That sounds pretty good to me." — Cress Williams
Originally published in Watch Magazine, July-August 2018.
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Black Lightning airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW. Stream next day free only on The CW!
