Essence Atkins on working with the Wayans family: ''At this point, I feel like I'm a cousin.''

In the film and television industry, it has become hard to find a loyal group of people to work with consistently. Everyone wants to be the biggest star in the room, which causes problems that can turn a potential masterpiece into a controversial dud.

Essence Atkins doesn't deal with that when working with the Wayans family, a bond she has built with the legendary comedy family since the '90s. It started when she appeared in an episode of The Wayans Bros., titled "Farmer's Daughter," where she portrayed Shawn's love interest, who became more interested in helping their cousin Sheila (Kim Wayans) get over a heartbreak.

"It’s so rich because you have the trust and love there. I mean, next year will be 30 years since I first worked with Marlon, Shawn, and Kim Wayans on 'The Wayans Bros.' — that was in 1995, and I’m now working with them on their sixth project," she said during an interview with entertainment journalist Ty Cole for REVOLT in 2024. "At this point, I feel like I'm a cousin (laughs). Besides the fact that we've made money together — because that's what we've done — we've gone through iterations and through the journey of life. Thirty years to watch someone become a parent, get married, get divorced."

Since then, she has worked on various films and television shows with Marlon and, most recently, with Damon Wayans Sr. Atkins has worked more closely with Marlon and discussed what makes their bond special.

"We've never been romantically involved. We just love each other from such a deep, beautiful, pure place, and it allows a freedom and respect, and that he can continue to advocate for me. It isn't based on anything other than [that] he just loves me and respects my talent."