Over the years, fans have watched the characters on NBC’s hit show This Is Us grow up right before their eyes, and Tess Pearson, played by Eris Baker, has definitely come a long way since the series first aired in 2016.
In the season 3 finale, Tess came out to her to her parents and her uncle Kevin (played by Justin Hartley) via text message. She then goes on to date Alex, in which Tess explores her queer identity.
Though her mother, Beth (played by Susan Kelechi Watson), previously wanted her in girlier outfits, Tess has now figured out who she is and has become “more confident in dressing how she wants to,” Baker, 16, exclusively tells GRAZIA USA.
“In previous seasons, she would argue with Beth because she doesn’t want to wear a dress or do this, and I think definitely when she came out, it helped her grow into who she is fashion-wise,” the budding star says.
Now, Baker gets to dress in comfortable clothes — baggy pants and a cropped T-shirt — when she gets into character.
This season, the brunette beauty gets to try on one of her favorite outfits — vintage green pants. “It’s not pants you see every day in the mall, so that was really cool,” Baker notes. “I feel like with a lot of these characters, a lot of the dresses are vintage.”
The cherry on top is that Baker gets to help pick out Tess’ outfits. “It’s a lot of fun playing dress up and being a Barbie doll for a day,” she gushes.
These days, Baker is making a name for herself — she was recently nominated for a NAACP Image Award, a feat that took her by surprise. “I wasn’t expecting that at all. I was so excited,” she recalls. “Dan Fogelman, the creator of This Is Us, emailed me, and I feel like that is when I cried. That is when it really set in, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s such an incredible honor.'”
She continues, “It’s such a blessing, and I just have to thank God for this experience because it has given me the opportunity to work on This Is Us. If it wasn’t for him or even Dan for allowing me to be on the show, it wouldn’t be happening to me. I am very, very grateful. To be 16 years old, that is insane.”
With season 6 wrapping up this year, it will be bittersweet for Baker to say goodbye to Tess — but she is grateful that she has taken on this important role. “To have representation on NBC is such a big thing and a thing that needs to be done more, and for Tess to be a part of that, it really means a lot,” she notes. “I hope that she continues to find herself. I definitely think that she is confident.”
“I never in a million years thought I would be playing a character with so much range, and especially at her age — a 14 year old coming out and finding her identity — I never thought that is something I could do, and it definitely strengthened me. I am really happy that I get to play her,” she concludes.
This Is Us airs Tuesdays on NBC at 9 p.m. ET.
