As I pulled up to the Secret Garden Miami there was a torrential rainstorm. I was about to meet the infamous Cleveland Browns Quarterback, Deshaun Watson and his girlfriend, recording artist Jilly Anais, for the SET Cover Shoot that was planned for outside, in a garden, and it was storming. I parked and as I was gathering everything to get out of the car, the rain started to slow down. I saw the stylist, Hailey, and photographer, LaReina, doing a walk-through on the grounds. Once I caught up with them, although I was visibly disappointed by the weather, I complained, almost apologetically, about the weather, as if I could control it. LaReina was upbeat and positive. She felt that the overcast would make the photos better. It was just enough reassurance to calm my worries — an instant stress relief. My mind was at ease. Let’s do this.
While I reviewed all the to-do’s and list of questions for the interview, I was startled by the glaring ring of my cell phone, it was my assistant calling to say, “Deshaun and Jilly have arrived”. I hustled into the holding area to greet them. The couple looked like money. Jilly stood confidently, with piercing eyes and a megawatt smile, as she moved closer to hug me. Deshaun, relaxed, stylish, and a little more reserved, held out his hand to shake. They thanked me for the opportunity to be featured and I shared my excitement for them to grace the next cover of SET Magazine. A tone of gratitude was set even with the grey skies overhead.
I’m not sure how, but just in case you haven’t heard, Deshaun, former Houston Texans Quarterback, recently signed a historic contract with the Cleveland Browns. To be clear on why this is historic, the Browns traded 3 first-round picks and offered a five-year guaranteed $236 million contract – the most guaranteed amount in the NFL. He appeared confident, rested and ready for the SET shoot.
While Jilly greeted the crew and settled in for hair and makeup, Deshaun stepped away to get fitted for clothes in a separate room. Craft Services began taking orders. Some of the crew requested Cuban coffee and bagels. Surprisingly, Jilly and Deshaun wanted McDonald’s to hold them over during the shoot. And as usual, despite the weather when I first arrived, the day was coming together, as planned.
We started the day shooting Deshaun. We walked gingerly out onto the grounds, the grass crunching under our feet. The clouds were beginning to pass over and the Secret Gardens smelled of fresh-cut grass and rain, creating a sultry backdrop perfect for a feature story. Deshaun was led to the first location where he would begin, and almost slipped on the slick rocks heading into the lagoon. A collective gasp filled the quiet space. He regained his footing and smiled. “Let’s not go any further out on these rocks,” he said. In agreement, the photographer and posing coach redirected Deshaun to an even better spot.
Watching Deshaun, I couldn’t help but think about the things I’d read and seen in the media about him. In front of me, appeared a confident, fit, attractive, young, black man. A rich, young, black man. My mind drifted as it searched for clarity on a combination of what I see before me and the things I’ve read. Internal conflict ensued. But as always, there is more to a person than what we perceive or what that person allows us to see. One thing was certain, there were multiple accusations and lawsuits. Slippery.
Deshaun was accused of sexual misconduct. Not sexual assault, not sexual harassment, not rape. He was not accused of any criminal charges. In fact, two grand juries in Texas dismissed cases and would not allow charges to be brought against Deshaun nor a court hearing to take place, due to lack of sufficient evidence. A Harris County grand jury rejected the case brought against him. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Tony Buzbee who represents the majority of the women, took the case to another county. The Brazoria County grand jury also rejected the case. The Brazoria County District Attorney, Tom Sellick said, “After a careful and thorough review of the facts and evidence documented in the reports prepared by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston Police Department as well as hearing testimony from witnesses, the grand jury for Brazoria County has declined to charge Deshaun Watson with any crimes. Accordingly, this matter is closed.”
Deshaun has publicly maintained his innocence stating that nothing happened that wasn’t consensual. His attorney, Rusty Hardin, filed exhibits stating that there are discrepancies in the stories. In documents one of the women accusing Deshaun of sexual misconduct said in a sworn affidavit, “I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to.” She also said, “I would love to be in love and to love him.” This woman sent three dozen text messages to Deshaun after accusing him of sexual misconduct. The NFL did their due diligence. There was not enough evidence for there to be a trial. This, among other reasons, is why Deshaun is still in the league and the Falcons, Saints, Panthers, and Browns all expressed interest in signing him to continue to play in the NFL.
Does that mean nothing happened? According to the complaints against Deshaun, he exposed himself during massages and touched therapists with his genitals. Did the women feel uncomfortable, pressured, or coerced to do things they did not want to? Did his behavior cross professional or legal boundaries? This case, like similar cases, ended with a settlement…murky.
The sun peeked from behind the clouds and the temperature krept up as the day progressed. Kamlakay, our posing coach, encouraged Deshaun to move his head back and hold his chin up. He did so willingly. BUT she asked him to move his hand closer to his mouth and look over. She showed an example of what she was going for so the looks would be different. The inspiration was an image of David Beckham. Deshaun was reluctant, unwilling. By this time Jilly had reappeared out of hair and makeup with her robe, tightly sinched at her waist, looking glamorous…beautiful. Her presence was clearly disarming for Deshaun. His posture and demeanor changed when she was beside him. He relaxed as she lovingly touched him. LaReina reset the lenses and adjusted lighting, Jilly said, “Deshaun is uncomfortable and doesn’t want to do those poses.” He said it, she said it. We got it. I laughed because Kamlakay wanted him to give David Beckham energy and Deshaun was like, “Hell Nah”. Message received, loud and clear.
Jilly Anais is certainly an influencer, not just on social media but in Deshaun’s life. Jilly and I had been in contact to schedule the shoot. She was pleasant and so accommodating as we coordinated schedules. It was clear they were there because she wanted to be part of the shoot. She was coming down to Miami for a fashion show so we could make the SET shoot happen. I immediately liked her “go-getter” demeanor. She told me about her music career, how she spends time in the studio and her cook books she’s published. From the phone to the photo shoot Jilly was upbeat, witty and had a sense of humor. I asked Deshaun what attracted him to Jilly. He said, “Her character, her personality, of course her looks she is visually stunning, and just her soul…” Jilly is Deshaun’s soulmate. Jilly blushed as she told me about Deshaun’s fresh tattoo of her face on his back. The ink was there and they are planning a future together, come what may. Like Vanessa Bryant or Georgina Rodriguez some women are built to weather storms. Jilly certainly is. Calm.
On the day of the shoot, the storm cleared up beautifully. When the clouds blow over for Deshaun’s legal woes, with Jilly by his side, coupled with continued focus and motivation, they are confident there will be brighter days.
And as we await what’s to come for the pending allegations and the rest of the NFL season, we pray for the best for both Deshaun and Jilly.