As a breakout star of 90’s TV shows “In Living Color” and “Living Single,” Kim Coles rose to superstardom with unforgettable and classic characters. But, it was no laughing matter when the actress-comedian’s life took a terrifying turn after she began experiencing heart concerns.
“There were three of us sitting,” she recalled of the change that came about while filming a talk show in Chicago, “and the person said that one in three women will die of heart disease. And I looked, and I knew I was having heart palpitations. I knew I wasn’t living healthy or eating healthy, and I didn’t want to be that one,” Coles told CBS Pittsburgh in September 2015.
Though Coles career is certainly on a different path, the resilient star revealed it was her very roots in comedy, that delivered the best medicine. “The power of laughter as a healer is huge. It is physically important because your body needs oxygen, and when you laugh, you take in the oxygen, and it makes the blood pump stronger, and makes you feel better.”
Now, an ambassador for organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Brooklyn native is using her platform to promote women’s health.
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Coles Goes Red for Women
Taking pictures and looking beautiful in red, Coles hosted a special event in partnership with the annual Go Red campaign — raising awareness for women that heart disease is the number one killer. The luncheon, which took place in February 2016, brought hundreds of people together to where they were schooled on knowing their numbers, taking care of their heart and more importantly, changing their lifestyle.
“I’m passionate [about] the message because heart disease is the number one killer of women and we need more education, and information,” Coles told Detroit’s Fox 2 at the time. “I’ve had my own little heart scares. No problems, but I’ve had heart palpitations.”
She added, “I get invited to speak at the Go Red events in the country, and a constant reminder I need to remember to get on the path to better health. I do okay, but I can do so much better.”
No More ‘Living Single’
Living Single broke viewing records and cross-cultural platforms, even though it was viewed as a “Black show.” Kim shared why it resonated with so many people of different viewpoints.
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“It was understood we had a Black audience and marketed to Black people,” Coles, who had starred in Bounce’s In the Cut, tells Entertainment Weekly in a recent interview. “Well, this cute little Jewish man came to me and started squeezing my arm. He was like ‘Hey beautiful, how are ya? I’m from New York and you girls remind me of my time in Brooklyn.’ I know who that man was. I lived in Brooklyn, in a neighborhood that was predominantly Jewish. He knew who I was; I knew who he was. I remember telling my friends, this Black show resonated with this man. So that really opened up my eyes. I would say to anyone, if you want to laugh, you’ll laugh.”
But “living single” isn’t something that Coles is doing anymore. Since her divorce, it looks she has found love again in Dr. E. Jaye Johnson.
“He brings me JOY,” she posted. “Aaaaand I work on being JOYFUL on my own!”
“He shares so much LOVE! Aaaaand I allow myself to RECEIVE & RECIPROCATE!”
“He is open to COMMUNICATION! I get to be seen & heard and LISTEN to him as well!”
“ANNNNNDDDD even though he likes SUGAR in his Grits…
