October 14, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode, Michelle welcomes back friend of the show — producer, author, and actor DeVon Franklin, whose new film Ruth and Boaz hit number one on Netflix. The two dive deep into the power of storytelling rooted in faith, truth, and perseverance.
DeVon opens up about how Ruth and Boaz became a global success, the inspiration behind its modern retelling of love and purpose, and how life imitated art when he found his own “Ruth.” He and Michelle also discuss rejection as redirection, expressing interest in love without fear, and the spiritual lessons that come from staying open to God’s timing.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Checking In with Michelle Williams, a production of
iHeartRadio and The Black Effect. I'm excited, you guys. I
need you guys to stay tuned as I speak with
Devin Franklin, producer of the number one movie on Netflix,
(00:25):
Ruth and Boaz. We're gonna talk about a few things,
so just come on. He's a friend of Checking In.
Stay with us. Hello, good people, Welcome to another incredible
episode of Checking In. You guys know weekly, I always
say another incredible one because I think they get better
(00:46):
and better as the week goes on. I'm really excited
to have someone who has been a friend to my
Checking In podcast in the past. He is currently the
producer of the number one movie on Netflix, Ruth and Boaz.
He's a New York Times best selling author. He's an
actor as well on Divorced Sisters on BT plus movie
(01:10):
Relationship Goals is coming out soon with Amazon MG and
Studios Film Soul on Fire. Y'all. He is newly married,
newly married, and we're going to talk about that. But
I'm so excited to have author, producer, and a friend
Devon Franklin.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yo, what's up, sister? So glad to be here. It's
good seeing you. It's been too long.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
It has been too long. But since the since the
past few years that you've been on checking in, you
have been on fire, literally, I guess listen respectfully on
fire through the fire right, all the fires, all the
fires literally, the California fires. But we are here, you
(01:59):
are here. I'm so excited to be talking to you.
Congratulations on Ruth and Boaz.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Thank you. I'm so excited. I mean, who would have
ever thought.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
This movie would be number one, you know, number one
new release on Netflix. It's in the top ten and
over sixty countries around the world. It's number one in
almost ten countries around the world, which is amazing. So,
I mean, that's just it's a testament to God and
his timing and his divine providence.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
I mean, it's just it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Well, the La Sentinel says, Divon Franklin is proving that
storytelling rooted in faith and truth isn't just relevant, that
it's in demand, which being number one proves that statement
that's true.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
I didn't even know that that's a good quote.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Yes, oh, l A Sentinel they said it. They said,
Devon Franklin is proving that storytelling rooted in faith and
truth isn't just relevant event that it's in demand. I
want to take a sidebar because I saw Michelle Duffy
at an event in Atlanta. I was able to sneak
home Friday night to be a speaker at doctor Carrie
(03:13):
Bryant's Women's gala and Michelle Duffy. They surprised Michelle Duffy
by being honored. Friday night, Michelle Duffy was talking about
the importance of this movie being number one. We've got
to show Netflix and people that this is what we want.
(03:33):
By Sunday, you were at my church, Change Church, Oh yeah,
talking about the movie and I was like, had it
gone number one then? Did you know? But it was
so weird because Friday, Michelle Duffy was saying, Yo, it's
got to be number one. Let's watch it, keep watching it,
let's watch it. And then within two days it's like, Yo,
(03:54):
it's number one.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Yeah, it went number one overnight.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
That is incredible.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
It's just hung in there. I mean, it's just almost
like a little engine that could. Cool part about it
is seeing you know, the responses from around the world.
You know, it's like people are watching the movie, they're
engaging with the movie. People are crying talking about how
much the movie affected them. And then, you know, and
then there's some that are like, oh, this wasn't good,
(04:21):
you know, and it's like that it's okay, you know, not
for everybody, and that's all right, that's all right. Not
every movie has to be for everybody. But those that
the movie is for has been just unbelievable and humbling.
And I'm just so grateful, you know, when you look
at Tyler Lepley.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
And Sorea, yes, you know, Boas.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
And Ruth, and then you look at miss Felicia Rashad
who plays Naomi, you know, I mean, it's just like,
I'm just so grateful for their gifts being put on
such a thing.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Yes. Also in that same article La Sentinel, you do
say something that everything is not going to be a hit,
But you said just keep persevering and everything that you
do do, whether it's win or lose, you'll see the
reason why. Later. You gotta go read your own interview.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I didn't even know it came out, all right, it's.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Very very very good, Ruth and Boaz. You said it
is the first all black How did you word that
at changed Church.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Do you remember I was saying that, you know, when
I first started on this journey, I wasn't aware that
there had ever been a modern version of this story done,
let alone a modern version you know, people of color.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
And so yes, yes, yes, since I.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Have learned that there was, like I think may have
been a lifetime movie that was loosely based on the
Book of Ruth, you know, which I just didn't know about. So,
you know, maybe this is the second version, you know,
but the movie is this is probably the most mainstream version. Yeah,
film version that has that has been done. And uh
and when I read the book, the story in the
(06:02):
Book of Ruth, I said, wow, this feels like a
movie to me, you know, just the story, the love story,
how they didn't neither of them were looking for love
neither and they found it, you know. And then also
in the story, and we have this in the movie,
you know, if anything, you know, Boaz sees Ruth and
it's her work ethic that makes him, you know, stop
(06:24):
for a moment and take her in.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
It's not even her beauty, it's her work ethic.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And then as he provides, you know, an opportunity for
her to He basically says, hey, this is the field
you can work in, and you're going to be protected,
like I'll make sure you're protected. Yes, but he didn't
take it any further. You know, it was ultimately up
to Ruth to go back to him on the threshing
floor to express their interest.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Wait a minute, net the whole other interview, we don't
go there at teach. One of my notes said Ruth
was minding her business, is working. Yep, period, she wasn't looking.
I don't even know. Did she feel qualified worthy? I
(07:10):
don't know, but she was minding her business working. But
the book of Ruth, I don't does it? You answered,
this doesn't necessarily encourage the woman, you know dropping a
hint or yeah it does. Going to the man's feet.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Only basically tells him yes, and he only says, hey,
you would to go, you know, op to his feet?
Speaker 1 (07:35):
You know why they did? You have a peedicure? Though? First? So?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Did you know what I.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Love about that? Which is why we incorporated our version
of that in the movie. I think that in the
male you know, female dynamic as it relates to you know, dating,
there is kind of this thought, well, the man is
you know, supposed to be, you know, the one that approaches.
And don't get me wrong, once she Ruth expressed her interest,
(08:03):
then Boas took it from there, you know, and he's like, oh,
I got it. And so what I love about that
is that it does take two to tango. And I
think it is totally appropriate and great for a woman
to express her interests like hey, yeah, I'm interested, and
then and then leave it alone, like if he's interested,
let him, you know, come on, take take the leadership,
go ahead, you know. But sometimes I think that, you know,
(08:24):
relationships could be you can miss out on a relationship
and that's that. And obviously a man can't express his
interest too, so it's two way street. But you can
miss out when you're thinking one will the other person
if they're interested, they'll come up, or you're too afraid
to express your interest. I think when you look at
both Ruthe denbo As when it ultimately came down to it,
(08:47):
they both expressed their interest very good. And I think
that's important because so often we don't want to be rejected.
But you know, rejection is not really rejection, it's just redirection.
It's like somebody you're interested in, you express your interest
and they say, oh, not me, okay, So then you're
going to be redirected to the right person instead of
(09:07):
empowering that person to make you feel like you're unworthy
or something's wrong with you.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
This is so good.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Rejection is a reflection of them, not a reflection, y'all.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
This is so good. Y'all. Promise y'all. I have real
tears forming not because I'm sad because freedom. Lately, I
have been relearning some things that were probably just like
not into you that you thought was truth and could
(09:39):
have you bound in certain areas, especially in the area
of relationship or no, honey, is he that finded he
got to find you, and blah blah, blah blah, all
of those things that you hear. But the encouragement of
this story, I'm not saying just go out and put
yourself out in front of every man that you see.
(10:01):
That's not what this story is is saying. But I
have my own personal testimony about that that I think
will come in some time about that. But I love
where you say she wasn't looking for it, that she
was certainly minding her business, working you and Tyler Perry
(10:29):
coming together to produce faith based movies. How did you
all come about seeking who would play these play these
roles in Ruth and Boaz.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yeah, it just came from you know, I'm a big
believer in committing to the process. Whatever the lover it
might be, like, let's commit the process of success. And
when we all hold hands and commit to the process, then,
in my experience, the process.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Will reveal who's right for what role.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
So when it comes to you know, when the king
to in Boaz, you know, we had our great casting director,
her name is Leah Daniels Butler. You know, she went
out to you know, I mean wide. I mean I
think we saw probably one hundred Ruths, one hundred bow
asses and just.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
He didn't see me.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
That's well, I'll talk to Lee about that.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
I've been on Broadway though, guys for two years. Ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
That's what it is. You're not available, that's the problem.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
No, no, no, no, I'm just I'm just I'm being silly.
I'm being silly, But I really in faith. I'm excited
about doing more faith based some faith based things, because
I mean that's who we are.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Okay, go ahead, No, we we saw you know, a
bunch of people and on the Ruth front. You know,
I had done Kingdom Business with Soreya show that we have,
you know, it's on BT, and her team kept coming
to me telling me she was to come into audition,
(12:01):
but she hadn't showed up yet, she hadn't sent in
her tape yet.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
So I hit her up.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
I'm like, hey, you know, Ray are like, look, I
really think you should audition for this. And she was
a little hesitant because she felt like she had always
been playing these music parts. And I said, I know, yes,
this part of Ruth is definitely musical. You know, Ruth
is is an artist.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
In the movie.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
She sings yeah, but it's more than that. So would
you just come in please? And so she did and
she auditioned and it was like, boom, there's Ruth. So
then we did a chemistry read with a couple other
actors to find out who would play Boas. While we
were starting that process, Tyler Lepley sends in his self
tape audition and when we saw that tape, we were like, well,
(12:46):
there's Boas. And we put them into a chemistry read
and the rest is history. It was just evident that
they were meant to play this part. These parts. And
what was so cool about it is while they both
were auditioning, they were in another movie shooting another film
at the same time, playing brother and sister.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
So wow, it's so crazy.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
And that movie hasn't come out yet, but it's pretty
amazing that, you know, there they were in the same hotel,
different rooms, auditioning and it was their part. And and
you know what I'll say about that is is like
when you look at Sorea, right, like initially she had
an idea of what she didn't want to do, but
(13:32):
ultimately had to open herself up to what God wanted
to do. She was saying, I don't want to do
to sing again in a movie or a show, and
God is saying, no, I want you to use your
gifts and you're gonna see this is gonna do something
that you never thought possible. I mean, you know her
(13:52):
that poster Ruth nabou As that movie It's around the world.
Her life, it is his life has already changed. So
this idea that sometimes we don't know what's best. We
don't and I commend her for being open to the
process and just committing to it, you know, you know,
and to see what would happen. And then also when
you look at you know, Tonner Lepley as Boaz like
(14:13):
with no direction. He was told it's probably too late,
you know, you waited too long to do your tape.
He's like, it doesn't matter, I'm gonna do it anyway,
and he went ahead and sent it in.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Because how many gems did Minister Devon? Because you tapped
into that party right now, I'm.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Just articulating the story, you know, so people get it,
you know, because what's yours is yours and you just
gotta you just gotta get out of your own way,
you know, and then they leave the rest up to God.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Is it true that this when this story was either
being filmed or you were thinking about executing and do
in this movie, that it kind of aligned with where
you were.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Oh yeah, very much so.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
I mean the irony is the same month that I
started working on this film feature adaptation of the Book
of Ruth. It was the same month that I met
my now wife, same month I came up with the
idea earlier that month, and at the end of the
month Easter because Easter last year in twenty four Easter
(15:28):
fell the last Sunday of March yes, the last Sunday
of March was when we first met, and you know,
and it's just and then our story you know, evolved,
and you know, we didn't yeah, hit it until some
during the summer. But as I was developing the story
and as the writers were writing, it was just kind
(15:48):
of amazing to me. They you know, sent me the
script and in June and I was like, guys, I'm living.
I'm like, this is right here is my life, okay.
And so it was just amazing for me to find
my ruth, you know, and her to find her boss
so to speak, and likely imitating light. And then when
I showed her the first cut of the film, you know,
she started crying, just saying, that's us, that's us.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Yeah. Yeah, it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
And the cool thing about this movie, so you know,
I got married, Sorea got engaged, had a child. Tyler
Lepley got engaged. Our director Alanna Brown had a second child.
One of our writers, you know, got engaged. I mean
there is something on this movie, you know.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
So saints listen, y'all better watch this movie. You put
some blessed oil on your head. I don't know what
she got to do, but say your prayers and say, Lord,
I've seen what you've done for others, come on, come
on and do it for me. Sometimes you can see
(16:55):
things and be like, Okay, did he really say that
or not? So it actually was aligning with where you
were in your life. Did y'all inten? Tyler looks like
you his that profile of the picture, and Sarrea is
giving Maria.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
A little bit. That's funny. No, I hadn't hadn't thought
about that.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Look at y'all, look at them, Look at that poster.
Look at that profile a little bit. Okay, okay, y'all
got to redo the poster.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
Oh that's a great idea. Okay, that's actually a cool
viral idea.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Like Halloween is coming up on it. And I'm not saying,
come on, I'm not saying I'll celebrate Halloween.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
But yes, I know what you're saying.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
It's for your anniversary or whatever. To Ruth and Boaz
you have done. You've stepped behind the camera as well.
I'm just curious, especially in One Man's show Be True,
my Journey from Breakdown to Breakthrough, you did at the
(18:01):
Myriad Miura at Elaine Theater. This pasture line, it's going
to be available on audible. Okay, which do you like best?
Behind the camera or in front teaching preaching? What? What
do you like best?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Oh man, it's hard to say a best. I truly
genuinely love the combination of both. I really I love
the opportunity to you know, be in in front of
the camera and behind the camera and able to go
back and forth, you know, professionally, seamlessly. That that's really
(18:42):
my joy because because I don't you know, you mentioned
a word earlier, you know, freedom and and and I
love that, right. I love having the freedom to have
these different gifts that will allow me, you know, different
forms of expression and different opportunities and so you know,
being in front of the camera or being on.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Stage, you know, doing be true. I mean it was.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
It was one of the most terrifying things. I mean,
you know, because you're on stage all the time. There's
no safety net making a movie or a TV show.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
You mess up.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Oh cut, let's do it again. When you're on that stage,
you gotta deliver. And for it to be a one
man show where it's just me, right and nobody else
I can cut to. So either they're going to be
engaged or they're not. And what I loved about that
was very gratifying for me because I wrote the show,
I produced it, I directed it. And to be able
(19:44):
to like write something about my life that's so personal,
but be able to dramatize it in a way that
anyone could come and listen and connect to the story
and then deliver that that story successfully, that was just
a real personal accomplishment for me. And I was like, Wow, Okay,
I'm really good at this.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
This is good.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
You should be so proud because you were, like you said,
up there, by yourself. You don't have the support of
the ensemble. You didn't have the orchestra in the pit, right.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Right, No orchestra in the pit. It was it was me.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Well, the good thing though about that is when you're teaching,
it's just you.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Mm hmm. That's true.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
You know. So I don't know if you if you
tapped into some of that that's vulnerable. It's scary. The
word is in you. But something might something might come
out wrong, or God might be like, I know you
prepared for this, but I want you to teach this.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
So that's the only difference there is. Well, the main
difference is like when I'm preaching, you know, and that
does happen, you know, where God gives me a word
it it may have been a new thought that extemporaneously that.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
I'm a communicating in the moment.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
The difference is that, you know, while preaching certainly has
an entertainment aspect to it, you know, because it's like
you want the presentation of the message to be engaging.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Yeah received, well yeah, yeah, there.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
Is a theatrical element to that.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
However, it's very different than theater, you know, in doing
the One Man's Show, because people were paying to come
see a performance, not a sermon, and so it was
very important for me to perform the piece. And because
I am who I am, you know it's gonna come through, you.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
Know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
But like, I've really had to think more as an
actor and as a performer on that stage for it
to be successful, because if I thought more as a
preacher than I would have preached the message instead of
allowing them to experience is the message, yes, which is
which was different, but it was great. I enjoyed it
(22:04):
and being in divorced this is I enjoy that and
produce it. I mean, it's all of it kind of
works together, and and so I wish I could tell
you like, oh, it's this one that I love the most,
but I really enjoy the combination of.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
All of it.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
Mm hmm. Well, I'm excited because you've got something coming
out and I'm only saying what I saw you say, okay, okay,
and I wrote it down that you want to continue
to tell stories that reflect the fullness of the human experience, flawed, faithful,
(22:42):
and filled with purpose. You've done miracles from heaven, from
from miracles from having to Ruth and boys and relationship
goals with my good sister Kelly Rowland. I was so,
so so excited to see that. Will you continue to
(23:05):
do faith based movies or will you venture out and
I don't know, storytelling in another way? Or is this
your your this you're called here?
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Yeah. I mean when I.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Look at you know, what I consider a faith based movie,
that spectrum is pretty broad, right, and so for me,
you know, it's also it's a specialization that I have
committed to learning, you know, as a filmmaker. Like and
I've been in I've been in Hollywood since I was
eighteen years old, so you know, for a long time,
(23:41):
I've really been honing my skill set on how to
do this, how to make a movie that can be
spiritual yet still commercial and can.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Still you know, reach the masses.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
And when even though it reaches the masses, you don't
feel that it's watered down. You know, you feel like, yes,
that was really good. You know, you see Ruth and
bo As you know, there's nothing watered down about that.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
You know.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
If we talk about God, we talk you know, they're
Christians all the things, but the themes are universal and
finding love as a universal endeavor. So long answer to
your question, Yeah, I don't as a filmmaker like this
is the path that I am on for the foreseeable future.
You know, I don't really even have a desire to
(24:25):
tell other types of stories. Now, there may be things
like from my childhood and I'm like, oh man, it'd
be great to do a remake of that, that series
or that movie, and I would certainly do that.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I'm a producer on the upcoming Masters of the.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Universe film, and that was like a piece of that
was that was a cartoon and a toy line and
that I grew up with.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Yeah, oh yes, lord, but y'all he did the movie
about the person the flaming hot cheet.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
You know what that is that has faith in it.
You know, it's operational.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
So so for me, really it's really about the stories. You know,
I want to tell great stories. I want to tell
uplifting stories. And then as an actor, you know, I'm open,
I'm open to you know, what are the right parts,
the right movies, the right directors. And then you know,
as an author really is just going to come down
to what God is calling me to write.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
So you know, I just try to stay you know
what I mean.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Well, please look forward to all the church plays that's
gonna come out, that's gonna be, that's gonna be Ruth
and Boas.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Hey, maybe there should be some type of script written
for the church. You know, you're so correct licensing and
write all of that good stuff.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
I just want to say Ruth and Boaz was absolutely beautiful.
Shout out to one of the writers, Michael Elliott. Yes,
just beautifully shot. Just lighting for us, Yes, our skin.
(26:09):
It's like they knew where to like put that light
for the cheekbone. And that's true, you know, And so
I'm really really thankful for your time because I was like,
I didn't get you in the beginning of the promoting
of Ruth and Boaz, and I just wanted to be
careful of the well how did you come up with
(26:30):
Ruth and bow As? How did you? But I'm so
excited and to encourage people that I'm glad that we
all know what you went through, but you didn't let
it bring you down too long, and that you are here,
(26:51):
you're smiling, you're looking good, and y'all listen, he's telling you.
It don't take long. I know it does it don't
take long. It does not take long. Met in twenty
twenty three, we.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Met area twenty four.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
Lord, I don't put twenty three, No, don't, Lord Jesus,
just a tidbit. It does not take long. What was
I should say? What was so special? Because she is
that you said, uh huh, I'm right now, this is
(27:30):
this is this is it? It's time.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
Great question. You know. I actually kind of talk about
it in my in the Woman's Show you.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Know, okay y'all, which comes out January twenty ninth.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Yep, you gotta listen to that.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
Okay, okay, So we can't wait, No, no.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
No, no, no.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
The thing that the thing that spoke to.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Me the most was like, you know, it's like when
you're dating someone, it's very easy to kind of date
and they're into what you do and you're into what.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
They do, and that's all good.
Speaker 2 (28:10):
But underneath the surface, when it comes to your heart
and your soul, you know, they don't really tap that.
And so for me, she she was got underneath the
hood and really nurtured my soul, my heart, you know,
really loved that person, you know, and that's what did
it because I'm like, oh my goodness, you know that
(28:31):
just that kind of love and care and consideration, and
you know, it's like as a man, you know, being
busy doing a whole lot of things, you know, trying
to conquer the world on some level.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
You know, it's like trying.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
To find the right partner can be difficult, but with her,
it actually was very easy because it's like she was
addressing something in me that I couldn't address on my own.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
And that was what made the difference.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
It's like, oh, well, you know, this this type of love,
this type of consideration, this type of care, the way
she just was nurturing me.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
You know that I was. I was like, this is
the one.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
For me, this is you know, and and not to mention,
you know, she's obviously you know, beautiful and y things, yes,
you know, but.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
The thing that's most beautiful about her is her heart.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
And that's truly, you know, what I fell in love with,
and that is what you know, she fell in love
with me, and you know that. And also it's like
once it started happening, we both knew that, Okay, this
is what's meant.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
To be and we just felt it.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
And you know, I've been married now for two months
and it's it's going good, you know, so a good start.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
This is awesome. Congratulation, y'all. I got to look at
my calendar or something because I am just weeping will
over here.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
I love it ya.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Please be encouraged, Please please, please please, He's being encouraged.
I'm just encouraged with his presence coming back to checking in,
and he always leaves us with something. He just gives
us something to think about, something to let you know,
as the old folks say, you can run on and
see what the end is going to be. I'm gonna
(30:15):
end this podcast with something that the Queen Felicia Rashad
said she and by the way, she came to see
me and death becomes her. She and her sister, Debbie Allen.
I didn't know they were there. They didn't stop to
say that. But months later, someone that I know that
does her hair, she gave me some really really encouraging
(30:36):
words through him, and I'm like, that must mean I'm
doing pretty good up there, because she ain't gonna say
something she don't mean, but she said, I believe, I
hope I'm saying it right. Some love stories don't start
with rainbows. Some start with ashes.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Yeah, some love stories don't start with.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Some love story start in the ashes.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
In the ashes. So then I was like, Lord, beauty
for ashes, that's your next movie. Define that's a good idea,
even thought about that the next one. That's the next one.
Thank you so much for being with us here on
checking in, and congratulations y'all to everything. He really has
(31:28):
been everywhere doing his thing. And congratulations on Ruth and
Boaz being in number one, number one in over ten countries,
just absolutely amazing. So we are looking forward to the
next and we honor you and thank you for everything
that you've already given us.
Speaker 3 (31:46):
Oh, thank you, my sister. You know it's always good
seeing you.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
Yes, sir, look at Samantha clapping. All right, we'll see
you again. I appreciate you absolutely, Thank you, sir. Okay, bye, bye, Okay,
you guys, this interview was just super amazing in so
many ways. I hope y'all felt encouraged. I hope you
(32:11):
guys felt like y'all continue on your journey and what
is for you, I promise you is for you. Just
stay focused on what you're supposed to be doing. I
promise y'all. This is just incredible. I'm encouraged. So I
don't know about you, And if you haven't seen Ruth
(32:32):
and Boaz, make your way to your Netflix account, or
go to a friend's house that has it, go to
your mama's house that has it. Summer. I don't know,
but let's make this movie. Let's keep it in the
top ten for as long as we can. And again,
thank you guys for listening to my podcast, checking In.
(32:55):
I love you all very much. Checking In with Michelle
(33:18):
Williams is a production of iHeartRadio and The Black Effect.
For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Welcome to Checking In with Michelle Williams, a production of
iHeartRadio and The Black Effect. I'm excited, you guys. I
need you guys to stay tuned as I speak with
Devin Franklin, producer of the number one movie on Netflix,
(00:25):
Ruth and Boaz. We're gonna talk about a few things,
so just come on. He's a friend of Checking In.
Stay with us. Hello, good people, Welcome to another incredible
episode of Checking In. You guys know weekly, I always
say another incredible one because I think they get better
(00:46):
and better as the week goes on. I'm really excited
to have someone who has been a friend to my
Checking In podcast in the past. He is currently the
producer of the number one movie on Netflix, Ruth and Boaz.
He's a New York Times best selling author. He's an
actor as well on Divorced Sisters on BT plus movie
(01:10):
Relationship Goals is coming out soon with Amazon MG and
Studios Film Soul on Fire. Y'all. He is newly married,
newly married, and we're going to talk about that. But
I'm so excited to have author, producer, and a friend
Devon Franklin.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yo, what's up, sister? So glad to be here. It's
good seeing you. It's been too long.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
It has been too long. But since the since the
past few years that you've been on checking in, you
have been on fire, literally, I guess listen respectfully on
fire through the fire right, all the fires, all the
fires literally, the California fires. But we are here, you
(01:59):
are here. I'm so excited to be talking to you.
Congratulations on Ruth and Boaz.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Thank you. I'm so excited. I mean, who would have
ever thought.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
This movie would be number one, you know, number one
new release on Netflix. It's in the top ten and
over sixty countries around the world. It's number one in
almost ten countries around the world, which is amazing. So,
I mean, that's just it's a testament to God and
his timing and his divine providence.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
I mean, it's just it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Well, the La Sentinel says, Divon Franklin is proving that
storytelling rooted in faith and truth isn't just relevant, that
it's in demand, which being number one proves that statement
that's true.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
I didn't even know that that's a good quote.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Yes, oh, l A Sentinel they said it. They said,
Devon Franklin is proving that storytelling rooted in faith and
truth isn't just relevant event that it's in demand. I
want to take a sidebar because I saw Michelle Duffy
at an event in Atlanta. I was able to sneak
home Friday night to be a speaker at doctor Carrie
(03:13):
Bryant's Women's gala and Michelle Duffy. They surprised Michelle Duffy
by being honored. Friday night, Michelle Duffy was talking about
the importance of this movie being number one. We've got
to show Netflix and people that this is what we want.
(03:33):
By Sunday, you were at my church, Change Church, Oh yeah,
talking about the movie and I was like, had it
gone number one then? Did you know? But it was
so weird because Friday, Michelle Duffy was saying, Yo, it's
got to be number one. Let's watch it, keep watching it,
let's watch it. And then within two days it's like, Yo,
(03:54):
it's number one.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Yeah, it went number one overnight.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
That is incredible.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
It's just hung in there. I mean, it's just almost
like a little engine that could. Cool part about it
is seeing you know, the responses from around the world.
You know, it's like people are watching the movie, they're
engaging with the movie. People are crying talking about how
much the movie affected them. And then, you know, and
then there's some that are like, oh, this wasn't good,
(04:21):
you know, and it's like that it's okay, you know, not
for everybody, and that's all right, that's all right. Not
every movie has to be for everybody. But those that
the movie is for has been just unbelievable and humbling.
And I'm just so grateful, you know, when you look
at Tyler Lepley.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
And Sorea, yes, you know, Boas.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
And Ruth, and then you look at miss Felicia Rashad
who plays Naomi, you know, I mean, it's just like,
I'm just so grateful for their gifts being put on
such a thing.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Yes. Also in that same article La Sentinel, you do
say something that everything is not going to be a hit,
But you said just keep persevering and everything that you
do do, whether it's win or lose, you'll see the
reason why. Later. You gotta go read your own interview.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I didn't even know it came out, all right, it's.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Very very very good, Ruth and Boaz. You said it
is the first all black How did you word that
at changed Church.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Do you remember I was saying that, you know, when
I first started on this journey, I wasn't aware that
there had ever been a modern version of this story done,
let alone a modern version you know, people of color.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
And so yes, yes, yes, since I.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Have learned that there was, like I think may have
been a lifetime movie that was loosely based on the
Book of Ruth, you know, which I just didn't know about. So,
you know, maybe this is the second version, you know,
but the movie is this is probably the most mainstream version. Yeah,
film version that has that has been done. And uh
and when I read the book, the story in the
(06:02):
Book of Ruth, I said, wow, this feels like a
movie to me, you know, just the story, the love story,
how they didn't neither of them were looking for love
neither and they found it, you know. And then also
in the story, and we have this in the movie,
you know, if anything, you know, Boaz sees Ruth and
it's her work ethic that makes him, you know, stop
(06:24):
for a moment and take her in.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
It's not even her beauty, it's her work ethic.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And then as he provides, you know, an opportunity for
her to He basically says, hey, this is the field
you can work in, and you're going to be protected,
like I'll make sure you're protected. Yes, but he didn't
take it any further. You know, it was ultimately up
to Ruth to go back to him on the threshing
floor to express their interest.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Wait a minute, net the whole other interview, we don't
go there at teach. One of my notes said Ruth
was minding her business, is working. Yep, period, she wasn't looking.
I don't even know. Did she feel qualified worthy? I
(07:10):
don't know, but she was minding her business working. But
the book of Ruth, I don't does it? You answered,
this doesn't necessarily encourage the woman, you know dropping a
hint or yeah it does. Going to the man's feet.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Only basically tells him yes, and he only says, hey,
you would to go, you know, op to his feet?
Speaker 1 (07:35):
You know why they did? You have a peedicure? Though? First? So?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Did you know what I.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Love about that? Which is why we incorporated our version
of that in the movie. I think that in the
male you know, female dynamic as it relates to you know, dating,
there is kind of this thought, well, the man is
you know, supposed to be, you know, the one that approaches.
And don't get me wrong, once she Ruth expressed her interest,
(08:03):
then Boas took it from there, you know, and he's like, oh,
I got it. And so what I love about that
is that it does take two to tango. And I
think it is totally appropriate and great for a woman
to express her interests like hey, yeah, I'm interested, and
then and then leave it alone, like if he's interested,
let him, you know, come on, take take the leadership,
go ahead, you know. But sometimes I think that, you know,
(08:24):
relationships could be you can miss out on a relationship
and that's that. And obviously a man can't express his
interest too, so it's two way street. But you can
miss out when you're thinking one will the other person
if they're interested, they'll come up, or you're too afraid
to express your interest. I think when you look at
both Ruthe denbo As when it ultimately came down to it,
(08:47):
they both expressed their interest very good. And I think
that's important because so often we don't want to be rejected.
But you know, rejection is not really rejection, it's just redirection.
It's like somebody you're interested in, you express your interest
and they say, oh, not me, okay, So then you're
going to be redirected to the right person instead of
(09:07):
empowering that person to make you feel like you're unworthy
or something's wrong with you.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
This is so good.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Rejection is a reflection of them, not a reflection, y'all.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
This is so good. Y'all. Promise y'all. I have real
tears forming not because I'm sad because freedom. Lately, I
have been relearning some things that were probably just like
not into you that you thought was truth and could
(09:39):
have you bound in certain areas, especially in the area
of relationship or no, honey, is he that finded he
got to find you, and blah blah, blah blah, all
of those things that you hear. But the encouragement of
this story, I'm not saying just go out and put
yourself out in front of every man that you see.
(10:01):
That's not what this story is is saying. But I
have my own personal testimony about that that I think
will come in some time about that. But I love
where you say she wasn't looking for it, that she
was certainly minding her business, working you and Tyler Perry
(10:29):
coming together to produce faith based movies. How did you
all come about seeking who would play these play these
roles in Ruth and Boaz.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yeah, it just came from you know, I'm a big
believer in committing to the process. Whatever the lover it
might be, like, let's commit the process of success. And
when we all hold hands and commit to the process, then,
in my experience, the process.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Will reveal who's right for what role.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
So when it comes to you know, when the king
to in Boaz, you know, we had our great casting director,
her name is Leah Daniels Butler. You know, she went
out to you know, I mean wide. I mean I
think we saw probably one hundred Ruths, one hundred bow
asses and just.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
He didn't see me.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
That's well, I'll talk to Lee about that.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
I've been on Broadway though, guys for two years. Ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
That's what it is. You're not available, that's the problem.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
No, no, no, no, I'm just I'm just I'm being silly.
I'm being silly, But I really in faith. I'm excited
about doing more faith based some faith based things, because
I mean that's who we are.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Okay, go ahead, No, we we saw you know, a
bunch of people and on the Ruth front. You know,
I had done Kingdom Business with Soreya show that we have,
you know, it's on BT, and her team kept coming
to me telling me she was to come into audition,
(12:01):
but she hadn't showed up yet, she hadn't sent in
her tape yet.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
So I hit her up.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
I'm like, hey, you know, Ray are like, look, I
really think you should audition for this. And she was
a little hesitant because she felt like she had always
been playing these music parts. And I said, I know, yes,
this part of Ruth is definitely musical. You know, Ruth
is is an artist.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
In the movie.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
She sings yeah, but it's more than that. So would
you just come in please? And so she did and
she auditioned and it was like, boom, there's Ruth. So
then we did a chemistry read with a couple other
actors to find out who would play Boas. While we
were starting that process, Tyler Lepley sends in his self
tape audition and when we saw that tape, we were like, well,
(12:46):
there's Boas. And we put them into a chemistry read
and the rest is history. It was just evident that
they were meant to play this part. These parts. And
what was so cool about it is while they both
were auditioning, they were in another movie shooting another film
at the same time, playing brother and sister.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
So wow, it's so crazy.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
And that movie hasn't come out yet, but it's pretty
amazing that, you know, there they were in the same hotel,
different rooms, auditioning and it was their part. And and
you know what I'll say about that is is like
when you look at Sorea, right, like initially she had
an idea of what she didn't want to do, but
(13:32):
ultimately had to open herself up to what God wanted
to do. She was saying, I don't want to do
to sing again in a movie or a show, and
God is saying, no, I want you to use your
gifts and you're gonna see this is gonna do something
that you never thought possible. I mean, you know her
(13:52):
that poster Ruth nabou As that movie It's around the world.
Her life, it is his life has already changed. So
this idea that sometimes we don't know what's best. We
don't and I commend her for being open to the
process and just committing to it, you know, you know,
and to see what would happen. And then also when
you look at you know, Tonner Lepley as Boaz like
(14:13):
with no direction. He was told it's probably too late,
you know, you waited too long to do your tape.
He's like, it doesn't matter, I'm gonna do it anyway,
and he went ahead and sent it in.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Because how many gems did Minister Devon? Because you tapped
into that party right now, I'm.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Just articulating the story, you know, so people get it,
you know, because what's yours is yours and you just
gotta you just gotta get out of your own way,
you know, and then they leave the rest up to God.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Is it true that this when this story was either
being filmed or you were thinking about executing and do
in this movie, that it kind of aligned with where
you were.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Oh yeah, very much so.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
I mean the irony is the same month that I
started working on this film feature adaptation of the Book
of Ruth. It was the same month that I met
my now wife, same month I came up with the
idea earlier that month, and at the end of the
month Easter because Easter last year in twenty four Easter
(15:28):
fell the last Sunday of March yes, the last Sunday
of March was when we first met, and you know,
and it's just and then our story you know, evolved,
and you know, we didn't yeah, hit it until some
during the summer. But as I was developing the story
and as the writers were writing, it was just kind
(15:48):
of amazing to me. They you know, sent me the
script and in June and I was like, guys, I'm living.
I'm like, this is right here is my life, okay.
And so it was just amazing for me to find
my ruth, you know, and her to find her boss
so to speak, and likely imitating light. And then when
I showed her the first cut of the film, you know,
she started crying, just saying, that's us, that's us.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Yeah. Yeah, it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
And the cool thing about this movie, so you know,
I got married, Sorea got engaged, had a child. Tyler
Lepley got engaged. Our director Alanna Brown had a second child.
One of our writers, you know, got engaged. I mean
there is something on this movie, you know.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
So saints listen, y'all better watch this movie. You put
some blessed oil on your head. I don't know what
she got to do, but say your prayers and say, Lord,
I've seen what you've done for others, come on, come
on and do it for me. Sometimes you can see
(16:55):
things and be like, Okay, did he really say that
or not? So it actually was aligning with where you
were in your life. Did y'all inten? Tyler looks like
you his that profile of the picture, and Sarrea is
giving Maria.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
A little bit. That's funny. No, I hadn't hadn't thought
about that.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Look at y'all, look at them, Look at that poster.
Look at that profile a little bit. Okay, okay, y'all
got to redo the poster.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
Oh that's a great idea. Okay, that's actually a cool
viral idea.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Like Halloween is coming up on it. And I'm not saying,
come on, I'm not saying I'll celebrate Halloween.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
But yes, I know what you're saying.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
It's for your anniversary or whatever. To Ruth and Boaz
you have done. You've stepped behind the camera as well.
I'm just curious, especially in One Man's show Be True,
my Journey from Breakdown to Breakthrough, you did at the
(18:01):
Myriad Miura at Elaine Theater. This pasture line, it's going
to be available on audible. Okay, which do you like best?
Behind the camera or in front teaching preaching? What? What
do you like best?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Oh man, it's hard to say a best. I truly
genuinely love the combination of both. I really I love
the opportunity to you know, be in in front of
the camera and behind the camera and able to go
back and forth, you know, professionally, seamlessly. That that's really
(18:42):
my joy because because I don't you know, you mentioned
a word earlier, you know, freedom and and and I
love that, right. I love having the freedom to have
these different gifts that will allow me, you know, different
forms of expression and different opportunities and so you know,
being in front of the camera or being on.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Stage, you know, doing be true. I mean it was.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
It was one of the most terrifying things. I mean,
you know, because you're on stage all the time. There's
no safety net making a movie or a TV show.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
You mess up.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Oh cut, let's do it again. When you're on that stage,
you gotta deliver. And for it to be a one
man show where it's just me, right and nobody else
I can cut to. So either they're going to be
engaged or they're not. And what I loved about that
was very gratifying for me because I wrote the show,
I produced it, I directed it. And to be able
(19:44):
to like write something about my life that's so personal,
but be able to dramatize it in a way that
anyone could come and listen and connect to the story
and then deliver that that story successfully, that was just
a real personal accomplishment for me. And I was like, Wow, Okay,
I'm really good at this.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
This is good.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
You should be so proud because you were, like you said,
up there, by yourself. You don't have the support of
the ensemble. You didn't have the orchestra in the pit, right.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Right, No orchestra in the pit. It was it was me.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Well, the good thing though about that is when you're teaching,
it's just you.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Mm hmm. That's true.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
You know. So I don't know if you if you
tapped into some of that that's vulnerable. It's scary. The
word is in you. But something might something might come
out wrong, or God might be like, I know you
prepared for this, but I want you to teach this.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
So that's the only difference there is. Well, the main
difference is like when I'm preaching, you know, and that
does happen, you know, where God gives me a word
it it may have been a new thought that extemporaneously that.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
I'm a communicating in the moment.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
The difference is that, you know, while preaching certainly has
an entertainment aspect to it, you know, because it's like
you want the presentation of the message to be engaging.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Yeah received, well yeah, yeah, there.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
Is a theatrical element to that.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
However, it's very different than theater, you know, in doing
the One Man's Show, because people were paying to come
see a performance, not a sermon, and so it was
very important for me to perform the piece. And because
I am who I am, you know it's gonna come through, you.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
Know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
But like, I've really had to think more as an
actor and as a performer on that stage for it
to be successful, because if I thought more as a
preacher than I would have preached the message instead of
allowing them to experience is the message, yes, which is
which was different, but it was great. I enjoyed it
(22:04):
and being in divorced this is I enjoy that and
produce it. I mean, it's all of it kind of
works together, and and so I wish I could tell
you like, oh, it's this one that I love the most,
but I really enjoy the combination of.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
All of it.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
Mm hmm. Well, I'm excited because you've got something coming
out and I'm only saying what I saw you say, okay, okay,
and I wrote it down that you want to continue
to tell stories that reflect the fullness of the human experience, flawed, faithful,
(22:42):
and filled with purpose. You've done miracles from heaven, from
from miracles from having to Ruth and boys and relationship
goals with my good sister Kelly Rowland. I was so,
so so excited to see that. Will you continue to
(23:05):
do faith based movies or will you venture out and
I don't know, storytelling in another way? Or is this
your your this you're called here?
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Yeah. I mean when I.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Look at you know, what I consider a faith based movie,
that spectrum is pretty broad, right, and so for me,
you know, it's also it's a specialization that I have
committed to learning, you know, as a filmmaker. Like and
I've been in I've been in Hollywood since I was
eighteen years old, so you know, for a long time,
(23:41):
I've really been honing my skill set on how to
do this, how to make a movie that can be
spiritual yet still commercial and can.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Still you know, reach the masses.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
And when even though it reaches the masses, you don't
feel that it's watered down. You know, you feel like, yes,
that was really good. You know, you see Ruth and
bo As you know, there's nothing watered down about that.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
You know.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
If we talk about God, we talk you know, they're
Christians all the things, but the themes are universal and
finding love as a universal endeavor. So long answer to
your question, Yeah, I don't as a filmmaker like this
is the path that I am on for the foreseeable future.
You know, I don't really even have a desire to
(24:25):
tell other types of stories. Now, there may be things
like from my childhood and I'm like, oh man, it'd
be great to do a remake of that, that series
or that movie, and I would certainly do that.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
I'm a producer on the upcoming Masters of the.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Universe film, and that was like a piece of that
was that was a cartoon and a toy line and
that I grew up with.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Yeah, oh yes, lord, but y'all he did the movie
about the person the flaming hot cheet.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
You know what that is that has faith in it.
You know, it's operational.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
So so for me, really it's really about the stories. You know,
I want to tell great stories. I want to tell
uplifting stories. And then as an actor, you know, I'm open,
I'm open to you know, what are the right parts,
the right movies, the right directors. And then you know,
as an author really is just going to come down
to what God is calling me to write.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
So you know, I just try to stay you know
what I mean.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Well, please look forward to all the church plays that's
gonna come out, that's gonna be, that's gonna be Ruth
and Boas.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Hey, maybe there should be some type of script written
for the church. You know, you're so correct licensing and
write all of that good stuff.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
I just want to say Ruth and Boaz was absolutely beautiful.
Shout out to one of the writers, Michael Elliott. Yes,
just beautifully shot. Just lighting for us, Yes, our skin.
(26:09):
It's like they knew where to like put that light
for the cheekbone. And that's true, you know, And so
I'm really really thankful for your time because I was like,
I didn't get you in the beginning of the promoting
of Ruth and Boaz, and I just wanted to be
careful of the well how did you come up with
(26:30):
Ruth and bow As? How did you? But I'm so
excited and to encourage people that I'm glad that we
all know what you went through, but you didn't let
it bring you down too long, and that you are here,
(26:51):
you're smiling, you're looking good, and y'all listen, he's telling you.
It don't take long. I know it does it don't
take long. It does not take long. Met in twenty
twenty three, we.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Met area twenty four.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
Lord, I don't put twenty three, No, don't, Lord Jesus,
just a tidbit. It does not take long. What was
I should say? What was so special? Because she is
that you said, uh huh, I'm right now, this is
(27:30):
this is this is it? It's time.
Speaker 3 (27:34):
Great question. You know. I actually kind of talk about
it in my in the Woman's Show you.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Know, okay y'all, which comes out January twenty ninth.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Yep, you gotta listen to that.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
Okay, okay, So we can't wait, No, no.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
No, no, no.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
The thing that the thing that spoke to.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Me the most was like, you know, it's like when
you're dating someone, it's very easy to kind of date
and they're into what you do and you're into what.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
They do, and that's all good.
Speaker 2 (28:10):
But underneath the surface, when it comes to your heart
and your soul, you know, they don't really tap that.
And so for me, she she was got underneath the
hood and really nurtured my soul, my heart, you know,
really loved that person, you know, and that's what did
it because I'm like, oh my goodness, you know that
(28:31):
just that kind of love and care and consideration, and
you know, it's like as a man, you know, being
busy doing a whole lot of things, you know, trying
to conquer the world on some level.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
You know, it's like trying.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
To find the right partner can be difficult, but with her,
it actually was very easy because it's like she was
addressing something in me that I couldn't address on my own.
Speaker 3 (28:57):
And that was what made the difference.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
It's like, oh, well, you know, this this type of love,
this type of consideration, this type of care, the way
she just was nurturing me.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
You know that I was. I was like, this is
the one.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
For me, this is you know, and and not to mention,
you know, she's obviously you know, beautiful and y things, yes,
you know, but.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
The thing that's most beautiful about her is her heart.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
And that's truly, you know, what I fell in love with,
and that is what you know, she fell in love
with me, and you know that. And also it's like
once it started happening, we both knew that, Okay, this
is what's meant.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
To be and we just felt it.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
And you know, I've been married now for two months
and it's it's going good, you know, so a good start.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
This is awesome. Congratulation, y'all. I got to look at
my calendar or something because I am just weeping will
over here.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
I love it ya.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Please be encouraged, Please please, please please, He's being encouraged.
I'm just encouraged with his presence coming back to checking in,
and he always leaves us with something. He just gives
us something to think about, something to let you know,
as the old folks say, you can run on and
see what the end is going to be. I'm gonna
(30:15):
end this podcast with something that the Queen Felicia Rashad
said she and by the way, she came to see
me and death becomes her. She and her sister, Debbie Allen.
I didn't know they were there. They didn't stop to
say that. But months later, someone that I know that
does her hair, she gave me some really really encouraging
(30:36):
words through him, and I'm like, that must mean I'm
doing pretty good up there, because she ain't gonna say
something she don't mean, but she said, I believe, I
hope I'm saying it right. Some love stories don't start
with rainbows. Some start with ashes.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Yeah, some love stories don't start with.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Some love story start in the ashes.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
In the ashes. So then I was like, Lord, beauty
for ashes, that's your next movie. Define that's a good idea,
even thought about that the next one. That's the next one.
Thank you so much for being with us here on
checking in, and congratulations y'all to everything. He really has
(31:28):
been everywhere doing his thing. And congratulations on Ruth and
Boaz being in number one, number one in over ten countries,
just absolutely amazing. So we are looking forward to the
next and we honor you and thank you for everything
that you've already given us.
Speaker 3 (31:46):
Oh, thank you, my sister. You know it's always good
seeing you.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
Yes, sir, look at Samantha clapping. All right, we'll see
you again. I appreciate you absolutely, Thank you, sir. Okay, bye, bye, Okay,
you guys, this interview was just super amazing in so
many ways. I hope y'all felt encouraged. I hope you
(32:11):
guys felt like y'all continue on your journey and what
is for you, I promise you is for you. Just
stay focused on what you're supposed to be doing. I
promise y'all. This is just incredible. I'm encouraged. So I
don't know about you, And if you haven't seen Ruth
(32:32):
and Boaz, make your way to your Netflix account, or
go to a friend's house that has it, go to
your mama's house that has it. Summer. I don't know,
but let's make this movie. Let's keep it in the
top ten for as long as we can. And again,
thank you guys for listening to my podcast, checking In.
(32:55):
I love you all very much. Checking In with Michelle
(33:18):
Williams is a production of iHeartRadio and The Black Effect.
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