Marcellas Reynolds is an American actor, author, documentarian, and television host. His notable television appearances include GMA3, Access Hollywood, E! Live from the Red Carpet, The Bold and the Beautiful, Supreme Models, and Yes, Dear. Reynolds began his television career in 2002 on CBS's hit television series Big Brother season three, becoming the first openly gay black man cast on a major network reality series. His writing has appeared in Chicago magazine, Essence, The Guardian, and L.A. Style Magazine. Reynolds is the author of Supreme Models: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion and Supreme Actresses: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Hollywood, Supreme Sirens: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Music, and the executive producer of Supreme Models, the documentary.

Personal life

Reynolds was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Chicago's South Shore. He graduated from Kenwood Academy and briefly attended the University of Illinois Chicago's Circle campus.

Early career

In 1995, Aria Model and Talent owners Marie Anderson and Mary Boncher discovered Reynolds while waiting tables. Represented during his model career by Ford Models, Beatrice Models in Milan, and Goodfellas Model Agency in London, Reynolds modeled for the GAP, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, and photographers Norman Jean Roy and Bruce Weber. In 2000, while modeling in New York, Marcellas Reynolds began working as a fashion stylist. His list of advertising clientele includes H&M, Kohl's, Lord & Taylor, and Macy's. His editorial work has appeared in British GQ,  InStyle, and British Vogue. His list of past clientele includes Rebecca Hall, Jayma Mays, David Schwimmer, Sharon Stone, and Justin Timberlake. In 2002 after his appearance on CBS's Big Brother season three, Reynolds began his career as an entertainment reporter and television host working for BET, CBS, E!, FOX, and the Style Network. His celebrity interviews include Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin, Brad Garrett, Tyrese Gibson, Beverly Johnson, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Debra Messing, Lupita Nyong'o, Issa Rae, and Gabrielle Union. Reynolds's early television appearances include BET's Remixed, CBS This Morning, CNN Newsroom, E! Network's E! Live from the Red Carpet, Perfect Catch, Style Network's How Do I Look? and Style Star, The Tyra Banks Show, and Yes, Dear. In 2005, Reynolds appeared as Micah Okwu on CBS's daytime soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. Reynolds also has a cameo in the 2009 movie Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat.

Current career

Reynolds's recent television appearances include Access Hollywood, Daily Mail TV, Good Day Chicago, Tamron Hall, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and multiple appearances as an entertainment reporter for Good Day L.A. In 2018 Reynolds appeared on The Good Place as Tahani's favorite patissier, and in 2019, Reynolds appeared on How to Get Away with Murder as a corrupt FBI agent. On October 8, 2019, Reynolds published Supreme Models: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion, the first-ever art book celebrating top black models, which was filled with revealing essays, interviews, and stunning photographs. American Vogue named Supreme Models "One of the Nine Best Books of 2019." In 2020, Essence named Supreme Models "The Number One Book on Black Style." In 2021, BookAuthority named Supreme Models one of the "100 Best Fashion Books of All Time." On October 26, 2021, Reynolds published his second book, Supreme Actresses: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Hollywood, a comprehensive collection of photographs, interviews, and profiles of the most influential Black actresses who have worked in film, television, and theater. Town and Country Magazine named it "One of October 2021's Best Books." On September 24, 2022, Supreme Models, a six-part Vogue/YouTube Originals documentary series, premiered. Executive produced by Reynolds, Iman, and R.J. Culter, Reynolds appears in and provides voice-over for all six episodes. The docuseries received two 2023 Telly Silver Awards and accolades from numerous publications such as Essence, Forbes, Glamour, and Vogue. On September 26, 2022, Reynolds announced the February 2024 publication of his third book, Supreme Sirens: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Music. On February 23, 2024, Reynolds published Supreme Sirens, a stunning photography book that explores the power, rebellion, and resilience held within the voices of trailblazing Black female musicians—from legendary jazz chanteuses Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. From glamorous girl groups like the Supremes to sultry sirens Lena Horne and Eartha Kitt. From soul sensation Tina Turner to superstars Beyoncé and Rihanna. From multi-platinum pop stars Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston to rap royalty like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, and cover star Missy Elliott.

Publications

Reynolds, Marcellas. Supreme models: Iconic Black women who revolutionized fashion. Illustrated. Abrams, 2019. Reynolds, Marcellas. Supreme actresses: Iconic Black women who revolutionized Hollywood. Illustrated, Abrams, 2021. Reynolds, Marcellas. Supreme Sirens: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Music. Illustrated, Abrams, 2024.

Filmography