Rumor has it that the hit television series P-Valley is returning for a third AND fourth season. But not everyone is slated to come back — and that includes one of its main characters, Elarica Johnson.
What is P-Valley?
P-Valley is a Starz series that follows a group of employees who work at a strip club called The Pynk. Set in the fictional town of Chucalissa, Mississippi, the television show is anything but fake. Each week, the series confronts a number of problems in the Black community, from colorism to misogyny.
And following its premiere in 2020, fans can’t get enough of the drama. Its season 2 premiere skyrocketed to 4.5 million viewers, a more than 1000 percent increase in viewership from its first season premiere. And according to social media, that number is only growing.
P-Valley, the play
The story is based on the play, Pussy Valley by Katori Hall. In the play, Hall deep dives into what life is like as a Black exotic dancer in the deep south. And in an interview with Essence, Halls explains what she hopes viewers take from the show.
“I want people to look at Uncle Clifford, Mercedes, Autumn Night, Miss Mississippi and see themselves,” she said. “For me, it’s about making these unreal characters create a bridge of empathy and understanding for women who haven’t had that opportunity to be seen as the full body beings that they are.”
Elarica Johnson Exits P-Valley
Elarica Johnson plays Hailey Colton, a.k.a Autumn Night, on the popular series. She quickly earned a number of fans with her big personality and even bigger hustler mentality. But after two seasons, Johnson announced her decision to exit the show, saying she felt her character’s story had run its course.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she says, “Looking at the scripts this season, and the journeys of the characters and where the Pynk was going, Autumn’s journey felt like it was coming to an end. She has done what she needed to do, and it was time for her to move on.”
Fans love Elarica Johnson’s character on P-Valley. But not many people know who the young actress is outside of the show. Here are five things to know about P-Valley star Elarica Johnson:
1. Elarica Johnson is a BIG foodie
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Elarica Johnson is recognized for her beauty both on and off the series. But even though the actress has a body many fans pay for, Johnson admits to being a foodie at heart.
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She regularly posts pictures of her meals on her Instagram story aptly titled “FOODIE.” There, she highlights the foods and beverages she tries at different eateries during her travels. From pastas to nachos to salads, Johnson is not afraid to cover it all.
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When asked what question she wishes interviewers would ask her but never do, she responded in true foodie fashion. “I love food and no one asks what I had for breakfast.” She says in an interview with Euphoria. Her breakfast? — 10 cherries, granola yogurt, and biscuits. “It made me very happy.” She says. “I’m currently with family, and they’ve filled the fridge with everything I love!”
2. She LOVES fashion
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When it comes to serving a look, Elarica Johnson is your girl. Whether the actress is sporting a tailored suit on P-Valley or rocking a gown on the red carpet, Johnson always shows up and shows out.
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Her onscreen fashions have made their way onto blogs and social media accounts, many of which are dedicated only to her. Plus, Johnson has been featured in a number of photoshoots, where she worked with several talented designers to make their visions come alive.
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From glittering gowns to graphic tees, Elarica Johnson is the ultimate fashion muse. And judging by the comments under her social media posts, her fans would certainly agree.
3. P-Valley is not her first big role
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Elarica Johnson nails her character in P-Valley, putting her on the map as a rising star in Hollywood. But before she joined the popular drama series, she acted in a huge blockbuster film.
Johnson started her acting career when she was a teenager. Her knack for acting earned her many more roles spanning television and film. In 2009, she played a waitress in the hit movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
She shared recounted her experience on Instagram Live, revealing that she went to an open-call audition but didn’t think she’d get the part. “I went and lined up for 10 hours, got in the room, got asked my name, and a hobby. Then the lady was like, ‘Thank you.’ I was really pissed off.”
But even though she didn’t get the role she auditioned for, she did receive a call for another one, calling it the beginning of her career. “It’s going to follow me for the rest of my life and I’m quite ok with it.”
4. She has a pup named Biggie
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Anyone who’s a fan of Elarica Johnson knows that she takes her title as a “pet mom” pretty seriously. As the proud mother of a Maltipoo, Johnson likes to share her pooch named Biggie with fans on social media. And we can’t lie, he steals the show every time.
Not to mention, Biggie is racking up just as many fans as Johnson is. He even has an IG story highlight dedicated to him. From pictures of him cosplaying as a baby lion to posts of his first haircut, “Poppa” is the easily the cutest thing we’ve seen on our timelines.
5. She's more than just her
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Elarica Johnson is a natural beauty. And part of what makes her so captivating is her thick and luscious hair. Johnson fully embraces her natural hair, even saying that she prefers it over other styles.
But she didn’t always love her natural hair. In an interview with Glamour, she talks about her experience. “I learned to love it, but I also learned that it doesn’t define me.” She says.
She explains that even though others fawn over her hair texture, she’s more than just her hair. “There was this kind of love for this kind of mixed-race texture, and I never wanted that to rub off on me.” She reveals. “I started to think about it and was like, ‘Look, if I have this hair, or any other hair, if I straighten it, if it’s curly—whichever way, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a part of me.”
