Lacrystal Parker
- Sep 3
- 6 min read

JT Lands the cover of Essence Magazine September Issue

By: Nandi Howard | Photography By: Zee Nunes

Photo production credits: Hair: Tevin Washington using Hair So Fab. Makeup: Eden Lattanzio using MAC Cosmetics. Nails: Tiana “Tiny” Hardy. Set Design: Jenny Correa at Walter Schupfer Management. Tailor: Carol Ai at Carol Ai Studio. Photography Assistants: Fernando Freire and Andy Beardsworth. Fashion Assistant: Ashley Weiler. Post Production: Bruno Rezende. Production Coordinator: Georgia Ford. Location: Splashlight Studios.

JT is coming in Hot! on the cover of Essence Magazine 2024 Issue

“My thing is, I didn’t know she was bringing her whole crew,” JT exclaims, remembering when Natalie Nunn from the controversial franchise Baddies joined her on stage recently. We’re on set in New York City for this digital cover shoot; the Miami-born rap star is eating comfort food from Sweet Chick as we take a break in her glam corner—days after her first mixtape, City Cinderella, was released. It’s her first solo project; JT was part of the rap group City Girls but is now on a path to individual self-discovery.

ESSENCE: When you were first starting out, did you feel like you had to conform to trends?

JT: At the time, I don’t think the industry really had a particular fashion sense. In 2017 and 2018, everybody was very authentic. Everyone was doing their thing—even the biggest stars.

ESSENCE: With you being in a group, did you feel like you had to portray an image or that you could just be you?

JT: No, that was just us. Very stylish girls—always had it! Always gave on-trend. If Jordans were in style, I’d have on Jordans. If a designer was in style, I’d have on that designer. My first Chanel purse was a boy bag. I always had stuff. Everybody in Miami is very designer-conscious. We grew up listening to music about designers. That’s what kind of makes you an It girl there: designer clothes. So we’re very materialistic down there. Very. I don’t feel like when I entered the industry my style changed at all.

ESSENCE: Walk me through when your style started evolving to avant-garde. Do you remember your first time experimenting in those labels?

JT: In 2019, for my birthday, I wore Rick Owens from head to toe in black. I also wore a blue Chanel puffy bag. When I first started out and met my partner, he was like, “You need to wear Chrome Heart and Rick.”

ESSENCE: Nobody was wearing it.

JT: No. Nobody was. I’m not going to lie—I was like, “What?” Because I’m from down South. We don’t have those stores. I think they just put Rick in Miami recently. We are very much Chanel, Gucci, Prada girls. Then I stepped it up when my partner put me in runway, and it was very uncomfortable. I’m a street bitch! Then I said, Okay, I like this, and this can be my identity. This can elevate me.

ESSENCE: What’s your new aesthetic?

JT: I’m in a new era. Everybody has their f—ed-up moments. Like, Oh when I wasn’t that fly—you know?

ESSENCE: Yeah. You’ve got to go through those growing pains a little.

JT: And you’ve got to learn who you are. You’ll be okay.

ESSENCE: Did you feel like the fashion industry accepted you when you first started experimenting with your style?

JT: When I first started, I wouldn’t say I wasn’t accepted. [But] I don’t think they thought I was serious. You have to be consistent for people to know that you’re serious. When I first started, it was like, Okay, you can get an outfit or two—but are you really committing to this lifestyle? So I never stopped. Then, as years passed, I created moments on my own—for people to see me in another light.

ESSENCE: I saw a TikTok of this girl saying you’re inspiring brown-skinned girls.

JT: When I saw that TikTok, it gave me chills. I don’t put any money into making anybody like me. I always want people to just like me for me. When I saw it, I first thought she was about to bash me—because I’m so used to seeing people talking shit. I listened to it again, and she said, “We haven’t had a dark-skinned girl killing it in fashion since Foxy Brown.” It gave me the chills. It makes so much sense. It’s no shade to nobody else.

ESSENCE: One thing that I really liked about this project rollout is that you gave us a short film, looks and a real mixtape.

JT: This is my thing. The most regrettable era of my career was me just pretending to be. I have been to prison, and to be able to represent my people in the best light as a second chance is so real. And I said some sh-t. But it’s like, I’m now being able to be that girl and keep it clean. I haven’t fully got to that stage yet—but they’re going to see how we can present ourselves like anybody else and earn the respect. I’m like, “Oh my God, I’m viral for being pretty.”

ESSENCE: Being cool and being an inspiration.

JT: Exactly.

ESSENCE: What is the best thing to go viral for?

JT: I used to go viral for saying crazy sh-t. Now I can keep my mouth closed and just show my face.

ESSENCE: You’ve gotten a lot better at Twitter. You may say small things, but you are not going on your rants as much. What happened?

JT: I have never had an argument that served a purpose. It’s a waste of time, and I’m growing up.

JT: I remember a while ago—it was probably two years ago—it was like, “The thing with ESSENCE is, they ain’t going to give you no cover.” I was like, Dang. Look at us two years later!

ESSENCE: It’s full circle. What would you tell young girls who are hoping to beat the odds?

JT: Be new, and be you. You have to be both. I hear people telling people all the time, “All you’ve got to do is be yourself.” But in this market, you have to stand out. What’s so special about you, that makes you deserving of people’s attention? And when you get in that position, you’ve got to fight to stay in that position. You’ve got to come in with your head on strong. You can’t look around and see that it’s working for her, so you’re going to go, and you’re going to do what she’s doing. And—whether they like it or not. People might hate something, but if that’s you, they’re going to be able to identify it. [Still], just being yourself isn’t enough in this industry—because there are so many of us, and it’s so oversaturated. You’ve got to be authentic and new. Invent yourself in a way that takes your authenticity and mixes it with something that’s going to make you stand out, no matter what it is. Then you apply your talent to that, and create your brand.

This interview was edited for clarity.

Photographed by Zee NunesStyled by Ron HartlebenHair: Tevin Washington using Hair So FabMakeup: Eden Lattanzio using MAC CosmeticsNails: Tiana “Tiny” HardySet Design: Jenny Correa at Walter Schupfer Management Tailor: Matthew Neff at Carol Ai StudioPhotography Assistants: Fernando Freire & Andy Beardsworth Fashion Assistant: Ashley WeilerPost Production: Bruno RezendeProduction Coordinator: Georgia FordLocation: Splashlight StudiosProduction: The Morrison Group

JT Lands the cover of Essence Magazine September Issue

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