Who is Nafeesha Nicholson?

J. Alphonse Nicholson is certainly making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. You may know him as Lil Murda from the hit Starz series P-Valley. The show chronicles the lives of a group of strippers and entertainers at a strip club in the Mississippi Delta. J. Alphonse plays an aspiring rapper who is struggling with his sexuality, career and ongoing social pressures.   

Blavity was able to catch up with the budding star in an Instagram Live interview, where the North Carolina actor shared some words of wisdom. In addition to talking about his P-Valley experience, he encouraged viewers to take something away from the show. 

“Look at yourself and figure out what it is about yourself that you want to love more…and then love those around you,” J. Alphonse said during the Instagram Live. “There are so many messages within P-Valley and I feel like everybody can take something from it, but at the end of the day, love on your loved ones.” 

He later doubles down on his love-filled message by shouting out his wife, Nafeesha Nicholson. Calling her his “confidante,” J. Alphonse shared with Blavity that she’s his go-to when it comes to prepping for his scenes.

“She’s my biggest support system. We talk about everything, we share everything. … The dope thing about my wife is that she’s not an artist … so she’s coming at it with a very fresh pair of eyes just like an audience member would, so she can give me her honest opinions about what it is that I’m doing,” J. Alphonse said.

He went on to express how his wife has been with him every step of the way. He added how her support has been immensely important to him throughout the process.

“It’s dope to have a dope Black woman in my corner,” he said.

It’s undeniable that J. Alphonse and Nafeesha Nicholson are #CoupleGoals. Learn more about this powerhouse couple and their strong relationship.

The pair met while J. Alphonse's career was just taking off.

The couple met in 2015 while J. Alphonse was actively working to kickstart his acting career. After dropping out of college in 2013, J. Alphonse decided to move to New York City to pursue his dreams. By 2015, he had landed his first role in a TV series entitled Blue Bloods. He continued getting roles in other notable shows such as Mr. Robot, Luke Cage and Chicago P.D. His breakout role came in 2019, when he secured a part on P-Valley

Nafeesha Nicholson was always there by his side supporting him on his journey. When asked about his wife’s reaction to his P-Valley character, he told the Revolt’s Black Girl Stuff crew, “She caught me at the very beginning of my career, so we’ve been prepared for this, and then she was there every step of the way. … I’m grateful to have her in my corner.”

J. Alphonse Nicholson and his wife are raising a son.

J. Alphonse Nicholson is not only a talented actor and loving husband — he’s also a proud father. Per his IMDb profile, he has a son named Bryce Nicholson. Although it’s unclear if Nafeesha is the boy’s biological mother, the pair seem to be raising the boy together. J. Alphonse often gushes on social media over his wife and their strong kinship. 

“I’m of the belief that every Black man needs a strong Black woman,” he wrote of Nafeesha on Instagram in June 2020. “So grateful to have such a strong, beautiful, intelligent Black woman by my side. Happy Anniversary baby!”

They’ve worked together on social media campaigns.

Scrolling through J. Alphonse’s Instagram reveals that the married couple has done some social ads together. Most notably, the pair is featured in various Target ads promoting the holidays. In one Instagram ad, J. Alphonse writes: “They say if you want to go fast, go alone and if you want to go far, go together. I’ve been blessed with a partner that helps support me and pushes me to go after life with tenacity.”