Jurnee Smollett undertook a significant physical transformation, gaining 20 pounds of muscle, for her role as Detective Michelle Calderon, a former Marine, in the Apple TV+ series Smoke. This intense training regimen, guided by her trainer Jeanette Jenkins, focused heavily on strength training and lifting heavier weights than Smollett ever had before. The physical change was crucial for Smollett to embody the “muscular posture” and resilience of her character, who is a troubled detective investigating serial arsonists alongside an arson investigator.
The ‘Smoke’ Role: Michelle Calderon’s Physicality
Smollett’s character, Michelle Calderon, is introduced as a former Marine, a background that necessitates a strong and formidable physical presence. Smollett aimed for Michelle to have a more muscular build than her typical physique, and this physical embodiment was a significant part of her process in building the character. The demanding nature of the role, portraying someone who pushes her body to its limits and channels her trauma into her workouts, required a deep commitment to physical training.
Smollett’s Workout Evolution
Smollett’s fitness journey intensified after becoming a mother, initially focusing on regaining strength and mobility for roles like Black Canary in Birds of Prey. For Smoke, the objective shifted specifically towards bulking up and increasing overall muscle mass.
Shifting Focus: From Mobility to Muscle
While previous roles, such as Birds of Prey, emphasized mobility and stunt work, the preparation for Smoke was distinct. Smollett, who typically has a leaner build, worked with Jeanette Jenkins to achieve a “more muscular presence” for Michelle. This involved a significant increase in strength training, with Smollett lifting heavier than she ever had in her life. She went from approximately 120 lbs to 140 lbs for the role, a clear indication of the muscle gain.
Key Elements of the Training Plan
While an exact daily or weekly workout schedule isn’t fully detailed, the publicly available information highlights key components of Smollett’s training for Smoke:
- Heavy Strength Training: This was the cornerstone of her regimen, with a focus on continually increasing the weight lifted. This approach was designed to build significant muscle mass.
- Glute Activation: Trainer Jeanette Jenkins emphasized activating the glutes at the start of sessions, often using resistance band squatted abductions. This ensures that major muscle groups are engaged effectively during heavier lifts.
- Warm-up and Stretching: Smollett consistently incorporated yoga flow for warming up and stretching before and after her workouts, recognizing her body’s need for preparation.
- Boxing: As part of her training to feel capable of fighting, boxing was also incorporated into her regimen.
- Marine Training Research: Smollett researched Marine training, acknowledging its intensity and the need to train under various elements, including carrying heavy loads and crawling. This research helped her understand the demanding physical nature of her character’s background.
The Mental and Emotional Connection to Physicality
Smollett views physicality as a crucial element in character building. She noted that the physical transformation for Michelle was deeply intertwined with the character’s emotional landscape. Michelle’s tendency to be avoidant meant that her intense workouts served as an outlet for her frustrations, pain, and anger, especially given her childhood trauma. This connection allowed Smollett to embody Michelle’s resilience and intensity beyond just the visual aspect.
The rigorous training for Smoke left Smollett feeling “incredibly strong and accomplished,” which further aided her transition into the demanding role of Detective Michelle Calderon.
