Star of ‘Belle Collective’ talks about upcoming season

Sophia “So Gucci” Williams is part of the cast of OWNTV’s “Belle Collective,” which depicts the lives of Black women business owners in Jackson, Miss. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DENISE JORDAN WALKER.
Sophia “So Gucci” Williams is part of the cast of OWNTV’s “Belle Collective,” which depicts the lives of Black women business owners in Jackson, Miss. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DENISE JORDAN WALKER.

Star of ‘Belle Collective’ talks about upcoming season

By Tia Carol Jones

Sophia “So Gucci” Williams watched the first season of OWN TV’s “Belle Collective” and thought she would be a great fit for the show detailing the lives of six Black women entrepreneurs living in Jackson, Miss. People started to tell her that she should be on the show. Then, one of the cast members contacted her and wanted to pitch her for the show.

“The producers loved us. We were kind of told that we were kind of handpicked by Oprah,” Williams said, adding that producer Carlos King liked her and her husband’s charisma, energy and what they stood for. King has said in other interviews that Williams and her husband were a natural fit for the show.

Williams’ and her husband JJ’s first appearance on the “Belle Collective” was season 2. She said she had to go into prayer and meditation before appearing on the show. She wanted to show the world how her and her husband navigate having a blended family. When colorism became a topic during the second season, they talked about it.

“A lot of things that African Americans sweep under the rug need to be brought to the light to show people you’re not the only person to go through something and it’s OK to talk about it,” she said. 
Williams said while there are blended families out there, she felt a duty to show how her family is dealing with it. She admitted it has been a challenge at times to have a blended family while being the boss of a business.

Williams said JJ gave her the nickname So Gucci. He is always building her up and telling her how beautiful she is. “My husband is one person who lifts me up, keeps me motivated. He’s always compliments me,” she said, adding that she tries to portray positive Black love on the show.

Williams is a licensed realtor, a certified personal trainer and owner of Stairway 2 So Gucci Fitness. Her businesses have grown exponentially since she has appeared on the show. People reach out to her asking for advice about buying a home and about doing virtual personal training sessions. She hosts seminars and workshops for both businesses.

Williams, who was born and raised in Mississippi, described it as the “hospitality state.” People come to visit and like the people’s vibe and energy. Williams said that she gets along with all the women on the show. She said, while she might throw a little shade, if they have an event, she will be there to support. She wants to bring positive energy and lift people up. “We’re all trying to represent Mississippi in a positive light,” she said.

The women on the show also make an effort to highlight Black-owned small businesses throughout the community. If they learn of a new business, they will try and film a scene there, just to bring visibility to the establishment.

“There are million-dollar homes here in Mississippi, there are millionaires here in Mississippi, there are smart, intelligent women that’s working together to build up our community and pass on positive information to everybody. I just want people to see Mississippi in a different light,” she said.

Williams said people have told her they love her and her husband on the show and their transparency about their family dynamic. It makes her feel like God gave her the platform of being on the show to show others it is OK to get a therapist and have bumps in the road when it comes to marriage and family.

Williams said she wanted to be transparent about her life on the reality show because she didn’t want to be fake. “I didn’t just want to give people a good TV show, I wanted to show the real me, the layers of So Gucci,” she said.

On Season Three, which premieres on OWN TV on May 19th, Williams is going to show more of the real her. She said what she likes about the women on the show is the support they give each other.

Williams is available to speak about her life experiences and do fitness boot camps. She can be reached at @sogucci007official on Instagram or email her manager at djwmanages@gmail.com.

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