Philanthropist, actress, producer, entrepreneur – how Marsai Martin does everything? Although we’re not sure, we do know that she’s adding another title to her resume from Philip Sonicare’s first-ever Come Back Coach. As she prepares to star in the next Fantasy football film alongside Kelly Rowland, Rome Flynn and Omari Hardwick, Martin partners with the #1 sonic toothbrush brand recommended by dental professionals worldwide to empower users to harness their highest self with confidence and self-care rituals, including oral care and hygiene.
“I love their toothbrushes. They’re amazing and they’re so elegant, so well put together,” Martin told Girls United of her love for the Sonicare Philips One toothbrush, available in eight different colors and featuring a two-minute SmarTimer™ to ensure proper brushing time and a Quadpacer to signal when to move to the next section of the mouth. In addition to its travel-friendly packaging, which is an advantage for the ancient blackish star who travels all the time, Martin appreciates the collaboration between her and the “dope people” of the Philips Sonicare team.
Having a deep relationship with her smile since she was younger, Martin considers it her favorite feature and prides herself on prioritizing hygiene and health as a form of self-care. “When I was little, my smile was one of the biggest things I loved about myself – and it still is today. I like it when people smile, I like it when I make people smile, and that’s why I do what I do. I don’t think many people know how much of an impact a smile can have, and I think working with someone or a team that helps and connects with people like that, it works. It’s a beautiful moment.
Girls United caught up Little producer and star of the Philips Sonicare event in Brooklyn, New York, to talk about what self-care and wellness means to her, Gen Z prioritize mental healthand how she maintains balance as a multi-hyphenate 18-year-old creative.
Girls United: What does self-care look like to you and how do you make sure to implement it into your daily routine?
Marsaï Martin: “Every step I take, no matter how big or small, builds my confidence. As soon as I wake up, I thank God every day for waking up (and) getting up for the next day. Even that in itself makes me happy. It’s like taking care of myself to think about that and have that mindset too and be grateful for the little things. I would say waking up, immediately making your bed and brushing your teeth is the very first thing to do. As soon as I wake up, I clean my bed, then I brush my teeth directly with the Phillips One from Sonicare. The bedroom may be messy, but the bed – it’s the bed itself.
“Brushing my teeth and making my bed (are) the two main things, and then having affirmations when I get ready, wash my face, et cetera. I also do video diaries. Yes, I have a therapist and all that, but really (staying) in tune with my emotions is always an important thing to me. Talking to myself about different things is something that has helped me through a lot. It’s more like, “I wake up, this is how I feel today, this is what I think my day is going to be like.” I’m not entirely sure, because obviously every day is a new day. It prepares me for whatever happens to me.
GU: How have you seen Gen Z control the mental health and wellness narrative through social media?
Martin: “Lots of ways. I think after the pandemic started to subside, people started going out more and mental health started to be a louder topic and conversation because it was just different. It was really weird to be back on stage. People gained different emotions, different feelings about things, and people grew up in a sense where being social with others was no longer a factor. I’m actually really grateful that it’s still a thing and it’s still a topic that we’re talking about. There are a lot of people who turned 18, just like me, and are going through so many ups and downs. It’s a space and a time where multiple doors have opened and you just don’t know which lane you want to enter, especially for me. I think there should also be heavier topics (and) more detail about mental health because there’s so much to say for sure, especially at my age.
GU: When your mind is elsewhere, what do you do to ground yourself?
Martin: ” Take a break. I feel like we constantly view life as if it’s still moving, but there are times (where) we can just take a break and be alone for a minute. I feel like everyone deserves that. I call it a respect thing, like a sense of pause. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the industry or in a completely different profession that stresses you out a lot. I believe that taking a break, whether it’s for a day or a week or as long as you need, to just reset is very, very important.
“And also, you just have to change your mindset about a whole bunch of things. I think when you go into something that you consider complicated or very stressful, or you just don’t know how it’s going to end, that’s a level of stress and anxiety for me. I think about changing your mindset on different things like, “Okay, I’m going to meet these people. I’m coming into something incredible, the check is going to be incredible. Just thinking about positive things is something that helps me immensely. Even doing something like this, working with Philips and working with a new team on something that fits into my daily life is very refreshing, gets me moving and helps me create a healthier mindset for myself- even.
About D’Shonda: Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, D’Shonda Brown is the associate editor of Girls United. When she’s not interviewing or writing, she enjoys running, dancing, shopping for sneakers, and watching Lifetime movies.
