February 3, 2026 • 21 mins
This episode is a major full-circle moment. Loren LoRosa hosts an exclusive virtual HBCU roundtable with Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and the conversation is equal parts inspiring, insightful, and real.
Broadcast journalism students from HBCUs across the country step into the spotlight to ask Yahya about joining the Marvel universe, bringing Simon Williams to life, and the emotional reality of chasing a dream in Hollywood. From insecurity and ambition to representation and staying true to yourself, Yahya opens up about the passion, doubt, and perseverance behind the superhero shine.
Loren also reflects on why this moment hits deeper for HBCU creatives and how Wonder Man is more than just another Marvel series — it’s a story about belief, purpose, and not giving up when the world hasn’t caught on to your greatness yet.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
I'm a homegirl that knows a little bit about everything
and everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
You know, if you don't lie about that, right Lauren, Hey, y'all,
what's up.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
It's Lauren lo Roza and this is the latest with
Lauren lo Roza. This is your Deli dig on all
things pop culture, entertainment, news, and all of the conversations
that shake the room.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Baby.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
So today I'm gonna take you guys right into a
conversation that is shaking the room right now because currently
trending everywhere. I'm seeing it across Google trends in the
US X. The conversations are happening because Marvel's new TV
show about actors trying to make it in Hollywood and
you know, just all of the things that happen and
(00:42):
don't happen lack thereof, especially when you're a black actor
in Hollywood.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Wonder Man, it's trending.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
So wonder Man stars yah y'all, abduah matein the second
and it's hitting the comic book world by joining Marvel.
And he's joining Marvel after his Aquaman and Watchmen roles
to place Simon Williams, who is another return it Jess hilarious.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Come on, that we are report recording the podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Say hi, hey y'all, I'm on my way to go
get a fucking a Jay show because these in crows
is killing a bitch.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Oh my god. So what is one demand?
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So wonder Man is this like series and it's set
in the Marvel universe. And basically yah Ya Abdullah the
team who plays Simon is trying to get on in
the acting world, but because he has these superpowers, he's
trying to suppress them because the last time Hollywood let
actors in I mean like superpower actors into the to
the the universe or to the world, they had a little.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Issue that was the X Men when they did that.
So they So what I'm.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Learning because I'm new to the Marvel universes that all
these shows and characters connect.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
So wonder Man is of Marvel, Yes, yes, yes, see
they be making.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
People to fuck up. Oh my god, can I cuss
on here? Bitch, Dyve be making people.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
To fuck up? You ain't gonna fucking wondermand what that? Okay? No,
So wonder Man is a part of the Marvel series already.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
And then Serban Kingsley, who's also in this wonder Man series, uh.
He reprises his role as the as Marvel University's Trevor
Trevor Slattery and that I had to do.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
All this research for this, and I'm like, this goes
so deep.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
This is like Real Housewives, but when they all come
together for like the reunions and like the travel show
here and they're like, okay.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Okay, so so do you have to do a read
for this?
Speaker 5 (02:26):
No?
Speaker 1 (02:26):
I did an interview. I said, I talked to y'all, y'all,
abdua mateen.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
So you talked to wonder man.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Okay, some HBCU students from Norfolk State University, Hampton University.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yeah, they were miniature.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
What is his super bowel? He wonder He thinks a lot.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Girl, I'm out here. That hilarious. Is crazy. No, no,
y'all have to watch this series.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
But let's get into the conversation so you guys can
hear straight from yall, y'all abduing mateen.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
This was so cool because the students got a chance
to ask questions.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
And these are students with like journalism backackgrounds and radio
backgrounds and all that stuff.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Let's get into it right now.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
What's up everybody, and welcome.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
This is a very special wonder Man Virtual HBCU Roundtable Conversation.
I am Lauren de Rosa, the Latest with Laura de
Rosa via Black Podcast Network and The Breakfast Club, and
I'm really excited to be here. I graduated from a
HBCU myself, Delaware State University, and I was telling some
of the students I've never experienced anything like this when
(03:28):
I was a student, so I'm so happy for them
to be here, to be having this conversation. I'm joined
by five incredible students joining from HBCUs all over the country,
and I love what I'm seeing already. Everyone is so
proud they're uping their schools. If you went to hbc
you understand the pride, You see the merch. So everything
is on full display today and this conversation is gonna
(03:49):
be super interactive.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
We also want to send a big.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Thank you to watch the Yard for all of their
continued support and partnership as they uplift HBCU voices and culture.
And of course, we are honored to be joined by
today's special guest, actor, producer, and star of Marvel Studios
new series wonder Man, premier in January twenty seventh on
Disney Plus.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yah Ya abdul Matine the second welcome, Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
What's going on?
Speaker 6 (04:18):
How y'all doing?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Yeah, soll thank you for joining us today. You know,
we really are excited to have you here. How are
you feeling today?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I'm chilling.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
I'm doing even better right now. I'm glad to be
with you all.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Yeah right, isn't this so cool of an experience For this,
I'm more excited for the.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Students than anything.
Speaker 6 (04:34):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, me too. I mean, I'm excited for myself.
You know, I'm excited for y'all too, but I'm I'm
excited for myself too, you know, being being with you all.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Yes, well, okay, so we got we all got a
chance to take a look at, you know, at the
iconic work that you did on screen.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
So you definitely should be excited for yourself.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
You're stepping into a whole new universe, and we're excited
today to talk about the creativity, the purpose, and the
journey that goes into this. So to kick off this
HBCU around Table discussion that we have happening, We're going
to bring up Trinity Pender from Dealer University.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Hi Ya, y'all, what's going on to be here.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
My name is Trinity Pender.
Speaker 7 (05:17):
I'm a graduating senior at the Illustrious Dealer University.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
My major is mass Communication and.
Speaker 7 (05:24):
I have a concentration.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
In multimedia journalism. And my question for you.
Speaker 7 (05:31):
Today is, after living inside this character for months, what
do you think the biggest difference is between the Simon
Williams on the page and the one the audiences will meet.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
M oh Man, you're taking me back a couple years,
a couple of years now with the question about being
on the page. I mean, hopefully you know to me,
the Simon Williams that you'll see, the Simon Williams that
you'll see that you'll see, is the Simon Williams that
(06:03):
I saw on the page. So it's it's it's it's
it's the interpretation of what it was that I saw
on the page, which is a guy with a big heart,
a guy who really cares about acting, a guy who
can be selfish and a bit manipulative in order to
get what he wants. A dude who's insecure, who's very
(06:25):
very passionate. Sometimes he's a bit of a nervous wreck,
but I think his intentions are good and and he
cares a lot and also someone who's willing to learn too.
I hope, I hope that they see all of all
of those things. But I think if you do see those,
then you will only see those because that's what I
saw on the page. So hopefully it's it's actually the same.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Thank you so much for that. Thank you for that question, Trinity.
You heard the the Illustrious on this car.
Speaker 6 (07:01):
Represent exactly.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Okay, So up next, we have Kendle Parks from Prairie View,
A and M University.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Hi ya ya to meet you.
Speaker 8 (07:13):
I am coming from the Prairie View, Texas the Illustrious University,
the PR and marketing coordinator for our student run television production.
I wouldn't say club because we're more than that, but
definitely heading into marketing. And I'm so glad to have
(07:35):
been able to have this conversation with you because my
question is, what would you say was your most memorable
moment being on set?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (07:44):
Man, I have I have so many. I had so
many fun moments on set, so many memorable moments. You know.
Sir Ben Kingsley just left and uh, he plays a
he plays a character. He plays it as as Trevor Schlatterer.
He plays a car to call the Mandarin and he's
He's I think that was from the first Iron Man movie.
(08:05):
And there was a day I wasn't working this day,
or I had already finished my work, but I got
to watch him put on that character. So I sort
of got to be a fan, you know, as a
Marvel fan, I got to be a fan of Sir
beIN as the Mandarin, and I sort of snuck in
the back and watched watched him work, and that was
(08:28):
that was cool because most days, you know, when I
went to work, it was about me working and a
camera on me. That was a cool moment because I
got to step aside and just have a moment for
myself and be a fan of what it was that
we were that we were creating, and to work with
Sir beIN. You know, that was a that was a
(08:50):
really good moment watching him, watching him recreate that.
Speaker 8 (08:54):
Well, thank you for that.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Thank you, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
Ken.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Do I have a question yah yah?
Speaker 6 (09:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
So you know, when I think about like.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Sci fi and animation, just television and entertainment in general,
I think about the way it's kind of like a
form of escapism, like we could watch it in our
households to get away from so many different things, or
just to see things that we might not have gotten.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
To experience, or whatever the case may be.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Right, And when I'm watching you on screen, a lot
of the story that I'm watching you tell is about
this character that you're dreaming to be forever, right, because
it takes you into this place that just makes you
feel whole. What part of your real life did you
pull from to execute.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
That so well on character?
Speaker 6 (09:33):
Well, I think the part of myself that that's that
still has a dream, you know, the part of myself
that is still on the journey. You know, when I
film this, I had been out of school for I
think out of I had been out of out of
college for eight years, nine years or something like that.
(09:55):
And so you know, I remember being and graduate school
feeling like I had something to offer, knowing that I
had something to offer, but also knowing that nobody knew
that I was here. I felt like I'm in this
tiny room in this big, big world, knowing that what
I have to offer. Can feel the can can feel
(10:19):
the globe, you know what I mean. And that's where
that's where we meet Simon. You know, Simon has this dream.
He knows that he has something special inside of him
that he has to offer, and he feels like nobody knows.
And you know, in the first episode, I think he said,
I just need you to I just need you to
believe in me, you know, And that's sometimes that's what
it's like as a as a creative, you know, as
(10:40):
a student, as somebody with ambition. You know, no one
does it on their own, you know, and we all
need someone to just take a take a chance. And
so I know what it's like. I know what it's
like at some point to be in Simon Williams, Simon
Williams's shoes, and I think that that'll be something that's
really uh to a lot of artists that are you
(11:02):
going to tune in to watch this show?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Definitely relatable to get out of your own head thing.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, it was so.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
On point yeah and over yeah.
Speaker 6 (11:13):
The the overthinking, the over analyzing, the the anxiety, but
then the ability to persevere through that. You know, sometimes
even in the acting scenes, I've got the internal motive that's,
you know, do do do do do But to know
that I've done the work, so nobody can see what's
actually going on, you know, nobody can actually tell. So yeah,
(11:37):
there there are definitely times where uh, sort of the
fiction blends over into reality.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I appreciate that. All right, So now
we're going to go back to another studio question.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Let's continue with Malie Davis from Norfolk Norfolk State univers
say that right, yeah, right, your folks State University.
Speaker 6 (12:00):
Most definitely, Hey, y'all, y'all, what's going on? Davis, also
known athlete app in the building with ninety.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
One of the solo via NOCA State University's radio.
Speaker 6 (12:10):
The series highlights what it means to be an actor
in the early stages of their career. Can you talk
about your character's journey and how it parallels to your
own start in the industry. Uh, it doesn't really, you know,
I had I had a you know, my character uh
didn't go to school. You know, my character has been
(12:30):
you know, it's just sort of plugging away doing smaller jobs,
coming in and doing a little bit of background work here,
you know, coming in and having you know, two lines
two lines here, one line there, maybe a guest spot
on television. My personal journey was I was. It was different.
(12:53):
You know. I had an opportunity, you know, to to
to to play a larger role in my very first job,
and I sort of hit the ground, hit the ground running.
Still had those moments of doubt and the nerves and
things like that. But you know, my story is not
(13:14):
Simon Williams' story. My story is my story is my story.
Simon williams story is Simon williams story. But we did
both start off with a big dream and a small trailer,
you know what I'm saying. And when Simon Williams got
his big trailer, he's still in there doing the work.
And when I got my big trailer, I'm still in
(13:35):
there doing the work. I think that the commonalty is
the passion, the real, true passion for the craft, although
our paths are markedly different.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Thank you so much, and you know, behold the green
and goold. Thank y'all. Thafinitely.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
All right, now we're gonna hop on over to Sidney. Frank,
she's here from Himpton University.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Hi.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
Yeah, Hey, Hey, I.
Speaker 9 (14:04):
Am a city Frank. I am a second year JOURNALISTM
major with a minor in film. Losingtos, California, on campus.
I'm an active member of the National Council of Newgirl
Woman and an active member of our student organization. And
today I'm asking you how have your past roles in
superhero movies contributed to your portrayal of Simon Williams and Winnerman.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
You know, it'll, it'll that's a great question, I think
it'll it'll probably take me a little while to really
answer that, to really understand that question and its totality.
But like, I was really fortunate to be able to
put all of the superhero things aside and just play
(14:45):
a dude, you know, and Watchman and Aquaman, you know,
I was very much involved with the supernatural elements of
those characters and inside of those worlds. With this one,
you know, I just got a chance to be a
dude with a dream, you know. And he had he
had powers, but they sort of look like anger management,
(15:11):
you know what I'm saying. It sort of looks like anxiety,
you know, the things that he's dealing with. He sees
his powers not necessarily as a as an asset, but
more so as a liability. And so I really got
to play a guy with anger issues, with with with anxiety,
(15:31):
a guy with a big heart, a guy with a dream,
and to let the Marvel people do all of the
superhero stuff around me, so you know that that's that's
really the setting for the story that we're telling. And
my job was just to go out and to just
portray an actor in pursuit of a dream. And so
(15:53):
it's really the best of both worlds because I do
get the superhero stuff, because Simon gets some of that,
and then at the other end, I get the heart
and the soul, you know, of a story about a
guy with a dream. So I sort of got the
best of both for us.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Okay, Now, last but not least, our final student. We
have watched the Yards Lucky giveaway winner. Her name is
Kaylyn John Louis and she is from Florida A and
M University. What's your question for yah y'all?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Hello, yah y'ah, As she said, my name is Kaylin
John Louise. I am a graduating senior journalism student at
Florida A and M University. Also is firing k on w
A and m F F ninety point five, the Flavor
Station and a member of Zae to Phi Beta Sorority.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Incorporate.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I love watching your performance and wonder man, it reminded
me about the bigger impact of storytelling, and with us
both being in Greek letter organizations, we understand what it
means to represent something bigger than ourselves. So my question is,
how does that understanding influence the kind of stories you're
drawn to tell.
Speaker 6 (17:05):
It's a good question, it's a great question.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Hmm.
Speaker 6 (17:11):
You know, I'm gonna be honest. I I don't think
much about representation, right. It's not to say that I
don't value it, because I absolutely do, but this is
sort of the way that I approach it, right. I
know who I am, I know where I'm from. I'm
(17:33):
a black man, I'm American, I'm from New Orleans. I
grew up in West Oakland, and my path is my path.
I believe that if I make work that for an
audience of one first, right, and that audience is me.
I really believe that if I make work for myself,
(17:54):
then the people who I want to respond to it
will respond to it. That allows me to do is
to always be considering first my truth, my personal appetite,
and to not be swayed by other people's opinions, to
(18:15):
not let my art and my creativity be swayed by
other people's opinions or the desires of what other people
want to see me do. Now, I do hope at
the end of the day that when I make, when
I do my work, that the people who I've met
along the way, that they respond to my work, because
(18:37):
if I'm making it for myself, then I'm making it
for the extensions of myself. But that's really the extent
of how I think about representation. At the same time,
I do, you know, even in my production company, I
do think that it's important to open doors and to
make sure that, you know, people who come from where
I come from have the same type of education and
(18:59):
opportunortunities to do what it is that I'm able to do,
so that they can go and tell stories and represent
in the ways that they want to represent as well.
So I sort of realized that I represent something, I
represent something that is bigger than myself. But I do
that by by first representing myself and then I let
(19:19):
what I represent speak for I let what it is
that I represent hopefully be seeing in the work, you know,
in the work that I do, and for the opportunities
that I didn't create, So I hope that I hope
that answers that question.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
I did. Thank you so much. Yeah, y'all your Greek.
Speaker 6 (19:42):
I'm in Alpha.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Okay, okay, she said, both of us. I'm like, I
didn't know he was Greek.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
So this is the close of the conversation. It's been
an incredible conversation. Thank you to our students for all
of the thoughtful questions and representing yours your school so
well today. You guys are such a great job. Huge
thank you to watch your yard for their partnership and
their support. And of course, yah y'all, thank you so
much for joining us, joining us, sharing your time, all
your insight and your energy. I don't know if you
(20:10):
have any advice encouragement you'd like to say for anybody
that's watching, But if so, now's the time.
Speaker 6 (20:14):
Oh yeah, look, keep on going like the world is
wide open right now. So you know, make your stuff
for yourself. And it's a long it's a long road.
But find friends, that's what I would say. Find friends
who believe in you. But you gotta believe in yourself first,
(20:35):
So you know, keep going. And if I'm still around,
then I'll see y'all. When y'all get here.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
We appreciate it. So guys, make sure you go and
check out Marvel Studios. Wonder Man, you'll see yah y'all,
and you know all the other amazing casts in the storyline.
It premieres January twenty seven, streaming exclusively on Disney Plus.
Thank you guys so much, all of you for joining us.
Speaker 6 (20:59):
I'll watch y'all take it.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Ye all right, guys.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
So that has been another exclusive conversation here at the
Latest with Lauren de Rosa the podcast. The people have
been telling me we need to do more of these conversations.
I know this week alone, if you missed it, go
back and check it out. We had Tacar Jones of
America's ext Top Model talking about that new Next Top
Model docu Sriies that is coming. We hear Derrick Johnson,
(21:22):
the president of the NAACP, talking about Kanye West and
his apology, and now here we are we didn't talk
to wonder Man.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Thank you guys for tuning in.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
I tell you every single episode my Low Riders, y'all
could be anywhere with anybody talking about all of the.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Things, and y'all choose to be right here with me.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
And I appreciate that I'll see you guys in my
next episode.
I'm a homegirl that knows a little bit about everything
and everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
You know, if you don't lie about that, right Lauren, Hey, y'all,
what's up.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
It's Lauren lo Roza and this is the latest with
Lauren lo Roza. This is your Deli dig on all
things pop culture, entertainment, news, and all of the conversations
that shake the room.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Baby.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
So today I'm gonna take you guys right into a
conversation that is shaking the room right now because currently
trending everywhere. I'm seeing it across Google trends in the
US X. The conversations are happening because Marvel's new TV
show about actors trying to make it in Hollywood and
you know, just all of the things that happen and
(00:42):
don't happen lack thereof, especially when you're a black actor
in Hollywood.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Wonder Man, it's trending.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
So wonder Man stars yah y'all, abduah matein the second
and it's hitting the comic book world by joining Marvel.
And he's joining Marvel after his Aquaman and Watchmen roles
to place Simon Williams, who is another return it Jess hilarious.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Come on, that we are report recording the podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Say hi, hey y'all, I'm on my way to go
get a fucking a Jay show because these in crows
is killing a bitch.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Oh my god. So what is one demand?
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So wonder Man is this like series and it's set
in the Marvel universe. And basically yah Ya Abdullah the
team who plays Simon is trying to get on in
the acting world, but because he has these superpowers, he's
trying to suppress them because the last time Hollywood let
actors in I mean like superpower actors into the to
the the universe or to the world, they had a little.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Issue that was the X Men when they did that.
So they So what I'm.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Learning because I'm new to the Marvel universes that all
these shows and characters connect.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
So wonder Man is of Marvel, Yes, yes, yes, see
they be making.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
People to fuck up. Oh my god, can I cuss
on here? Bitch, Dyve be making people.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
To fuck up? You ain't gonna fucking wondermand what that? Okay? No,
So wonder Man is a part of the Marvel series already.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
And then Serban Kingsley, who's also in this wonder Man series, uh.
He reprises his role as the as Marvel University's Trevor
Trevor Slattery and that I had to do.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
All this research for this, and I'm like, this goes
so deep.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
This is like Real Housewives, but when they all come
together for like the reunions and like the travel show
here and they're like, okay.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Okay, so so do you have to do a read
for this?
Speaker 5 (02:26):
No?
Speaker 1 (02:26):
I did an interview. I said, I talked to y'all, y'all,
abdua mateen.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
So you talked to wonder man.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Okay, some HBCU students from Norfolk State University, Hampton University.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yeah, they were miniature.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
What is his super bowel? He wonder He thinks a lot.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Girl, I'm out here. That hilarious. Is crazy. No, no,
y'all have to watch this series.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
But let's get into the conversation so you guys can
hear straight from yall, y'all abduing mateen.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
This was so cool because the students got a chance
to ask questions.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
And these are students with like journalism backackgrounds and radio
backgrounds and all that stuff.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Let's get into it right now.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
What's up everybody, and welcome.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
This is a very special wonder Man Virtual HBCU Roundtable Conversation.
I am Lauren de Rosa, the Latest with Laura de
Rosa via Black Podcast Network and The Breakfast Club, and
I'm really excited to be here. I graduated from a
HBCU myself, Delaware State University, and I was telling some
of the students I've never experienced anything like this when
(03:28):
I was a student, so I'm so happy for them
to be here, to be having this conversation. I'm joined
by five incredible students joining from HBCUs all over the country,
and I love what I'm seeing already. Everyone is so
proud they're uping their schools. If you went to hbc
you understand the pride, You see the merch. So everything
is on full display today and this conversation is gonna
(03:49):
be super interactive.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
We also want to send a big.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Thank you to watch the Yard for all of their
continued support and partnership as they uplift HBCU voices and culture.
And of course, we are honored to be joined by
today's special guest, actor, producer, and star of Marvel Studios
new series wonder Man, premier in January twenty seventh on
Disney Plus.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yah Ya abdul Matine the second welcome, Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
What's going on?
Speaker 6 (04:18):
How y'all doing?
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Yeah, soll thank you for joining us today. You know,
we really are excited to have you here. How are
you feeling today?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I'm chilling.
Speaker 6 (04:27):
I'm doing even better right now. I'm glad to be
with you all.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Yeah right, isn't this so cool of an experience For this,
I'm more excited for the.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Students than anything.
Speaker 6 (04:34):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, me too. I mean, I'm excited for myself.
You know, I'm excited for y'all too, but I'm I'm
excited for myself too, you know, being being with you all.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Yes, well, okay, so we got we all got a
chance to take a look at, you know, at the
iconic work that you did on screen.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
So you definitely should be excited for yourself.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
You're stepping into a whole new universe, and we're excited
today to talk about the creativity, the purpose, and the
journey that goes into this. So to kick off this
HBCU around Table discussion that we have happening, We're going
to bring up Trinity Pender from Dealer University.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Hi Ya, y'all, what's going on to be here.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
My name is Trinity Pender.
Speaker 7 (05:17):
I'm a graduating senior at the Illustrious Dealer University.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
My major is mass Communication and.
Speaker 7 (05:24):
I have a concentration.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
In multimedia journalism. And my question for you.
Speaker 7 (05:31):
Today is, after living inside this character for months, what
do you think the biggest difference is between the Simon
Williams on the page and the one the audiences will meet.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
M oh Man, you're taking me back a couple years,
a couple of years now with the question about being
on the page. I mean, hopefully you know to me,
the Simon Williams that you'll see, the Simon Williams that
you'll see that you'll see, is the Simon Williams that
(06:03):
I saw on the page. So it's it's it's it's
it's the interpretation of what it was that I saw
on the page, which is a guy with a big heart,
a guy who really cares about acting, a guy who
can be selfish and a bit manipulative in order to
get what he wants. A dude who's insecure, who's very
(06:25):
very passionate. Sometimes he's a bit of a nervous wreck,
but I think his intentions are good and and he
cares a lot and also someone who's willing to learn too.
I hope, I hope that they see all of all
of those things. But I think if you do see those,
then you will only see those because that's what I
saw on the page. So hopefully it's it's actually the same.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Thank you so much for that. Thank you for that question, Trinity.
You heard the the Illustrious on this car.
Speaker 6 (07:01):
Represent exactly.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Okay, So up next, we have Kendle Parks from Prairie View,
A and M University.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Hi ya ya to meet you.
Speaker 8 (07:13):
I am coming from the Prairie View, Texas the Illustrious University,
the PR and marketing coordinator for our student run television production.
I wouldn't say club because we're more than that, but
definitely heading into marketing. And I'm so glad to have
(07:35):
been able to have this conversation with you because my
question is, what would you say was your most memorable
moment being on set?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (07:44):
Man, I have I have so many. I had so
many fun moments on set, so many memorable moments. You know.
Sir Ben Kingsley just left and uh, he plays a
he plays a character. He plays it as as Trevor Schlatterer.
He plays a car to call the Mandarin and he's
He's I think that was from the first Iron Man movie.
(08:05):
And there was a day I wasn't working this day,
or I had already finished my work, but I got
to watch him put on that character. So I sort
of got to be a fan, you know, as a
Marvel fan, I got to be a fan of Sir
beIN as the Mandarin, and I sort of snuck in
the back and watched watched him work, and that was
(08:28):
that was cool because most days, you know, when I
went to work, it was about me working and a
camera on me. That was a cool moment because I
got to step aside and just have a moment for
myself and be a fan of what it was that
we were that we were creating, and to work with
Sir beIN. You know, that was a that was a
(08:50):
really good moment watching him, watching him recreate that.
Speaker 8 (08:54):
Well, thank you for that.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Thank you, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
Ken.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Do I have a question yah yah?
Speaker 6 (09:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
So you know, when I think about like.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Sci fi and animation, just television and entertainment in general,
I think about the way it's kind of like a
form of escapism, like we could watch it in our
households to get away from so many different things, or
just to see things that we might not have gotten.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
To experience, or whatever the case may be.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Right, And when I'm watching you on screen, a lot
of the story that I'm watching you tell is about
this character that you're dreaming to be forever, right, because
it takes you into this place that just makes you
feel whole. What part of your real life did you
pull from to execute.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
That so well on character?
Speaker 6 (09:33):
Well, I think the part of myself that that's that
still has a dream, you know, the part of myself
that is still on the journey. You know, when I
film this, I had been out of school for I
think out of I had been out of out of
college for eight years, nine years or something like that.
(09:55):
And so you know, I remember being and graduate school
feeling like I had something to offer, knowing that I
had something to offer, but also knowing that nobody knew
that I was here. I felt like I'm in this
tiny room in this big, big world, knowing that what
I have to offer. Can feel the can can feel
(10:19):
the globe, you know what I mean. And that's where
that's where we meet Simon. You know, Simon has this dream.
He knows that he has something special inside of him
that he has to offer, and he feels like nobody knows.
And you know, in the first episode, I think he said,
I just need you to I just need you to
believe in me, you know, And that's sometimes that's what
it's like as a as a creative, you know, as
(10:40):
a student, as somebody with ambition. You know, no one
does it on their own, you know, and we all
need someone to just take a take a chance. And
so I know what it's like. I know what it's
like at some point to be in Simon Williams, Simon
Williams's shoes, and I think that that'll be something that's
really uh to a lot of artists that are you
(11:02):
going to tune in to watch this show?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Definitely relatable to get out of your own head thing.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, it was so.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
On point yeah and over yeah.
Speaker 6 (11:13):
The the overthinking, the over analyzing, the the anxiety, but
then the ability to persevere through that. You know, sometimes
even in the acting scenes, I've got the internal motive that's,
you know, do do do do do But to know
that I've done the work, so nobody can see what's
actually going on, you know, nobody can actually tell. So yeah,
(11:37):
there there are definitely times where uh, sort of the
fiction blends over into reality.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I appreciate that. All right, So now
we're going to go back to another studio question.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Let's continue with Malie Davis from Norfolk Norfolk State univers
say that right, yeah, right, your folks State University.
Speaker 6 (12:00):
Most definitely, Hey, y'all, y'all, what's going on? Davis, also
known athlete app in the building with ninety.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
One of the solo via NOCA State University's radio.
Speaker 6 (12:10):
The series highlights what it means to be an actor
in the early stages of their career. Can you talk
about your character's journey and how it parallels to your
own start in the industry. Uh, it doesn't really, you know,
I had I had a you know, my character uh
didn't go to school. You know, my character has been
(12:30):
you know, it's just sort of plugging away doing smaller jobs,
coming in and doing a little bit of background work here,
you know, coming in and having you know, two lines
two lines here, one line there, maybe a guest spot
on television. My personal journey was I was. It was different.
(12:53):
You know. I had an opportunity, you know, to to
to to play a larger role in my very first job,
and I sort of hit the ground, hit the ground running.
Still had those moments of doubt and the nerves and
things like that. But you know, my story is not
(13:14):
Simon Williams' story. My story is my story is my story.
Simon williams story is Simon williams story. But we did
both start off with a big dream and a small trailer,
you know what I'm saying. And when Simon Williams got
his big trailer, he's still in there doing the work.
And when I got my big trailer, I'm still in
(13:35):
there doing the work. I think that the commonalty is
the passion, the real, true passion for the craft, although
our paths are markedly different.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Thank you so much, and you know, behold the green
and goold. Thank y'all. Thafinitely.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
All right, now we're gonna hop on over to Sidney. Frank,
she's here from Himpton University.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Hi.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
Yeah, Hey, Hey, I.
Speaker 9 (14:04):
Am a city Frank. I am a second year JOURNALISTM
major with a minor in film. Losingtos, California, on campus.
I'm an active member of the National Council of Newgirl
Woman and an active member of our student organization. And
today I'm asking you how have your past roles in
superhero movies contributed to your portrayal of Simon Williams and Winnerman.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
You know, it'll, it'll that's a great question, I think
it'll it'll probably take me a little while to really
answer that, to really understand that question and its totality.
But like, I was really fortunate to be able to
put all of the superhero things aside and just play
(14:45):
a dude, you know, and Watchman and Aquaman, you know,
I was very much involved with the supernatural elements of
those characters and inside of those worlds. With this one,
you know, I just got a chance to be a
dude with a dream, you know. And he had he
had powers, but they sort of look like anger management,
(15:11):
you know what I'm saying. It sort of looks like anxiety,
you know, the things that he's dealing with. He sees
his powers not necessarily as a as an asset, but
more so as a liability. And so I really got
to play a guy with anger issues, with with with anxiety,
(15:31):
a guy with a big heart, a guy with a dream,
and to let the Marvel people do all of the
superhero stuff around me, so you know that that's that's
really the setting for the story that we're telling. And
my job was just to go out and to just
portray an actor in pursuit of a dream. And so
(15:53):
it's really the best of both worlds because I do
get the superhero stuff, because Simon gets some of that,
and then at the other end, I get the heart
and the soul, you know, of a story about a
guy with a dream. So I sort of got the
best of both for us.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Okay, Now, last but not least, our final student. We
have watched the Yards Lucky giveaway winner. Her name is
Kaylyn John Louis and she is from Florida A and
M University. What's your question for yah y'all?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Hello, yah y'ah, As she said, my name is Kaylin
John Louise. I am a graduating senior journalism student at
Florida A and M University. Also is firing k on w
A and m F F ninety point five, the Flavor
Station and a member of Zae to Phi Beta Sorority.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Incorporate.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I love watching your performance and wonder man, it reminded
me about the bigger impact of storytelling, and with us
both being in Greek letter organizations, we understand what it
means to represent something bigger than ourselves. So my question is,
how does that understanding influence the kind of stories you're
drawn to tell.
Speaker 6 (17:05):
It's a good question, it's a great question.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Hmm.
Speaker 6 (17:11):
You know, I'm gonna be honest. I I don't think
much about representation, right. It's not to say that I
don't value it, because I absolutely do, but this is
sort of the way that I approach it, right. I
know who I am, I know where I'm from. I'm
(17:33):
a black man, I'm American, I'm from New Orleans. I
grew up in West Oakland, and my path is my path.
I believe that if I make work that for an
audience of one first, right, and that audience is me.
I really believe that if I make work for myself,
(17:54):
then the people who I want to respond to it
will respond to it. That allows me to do is
to always be considering first my truth, my personal appetite,
and to not be swayed by other people's opinions, to
(18:15):
not let my art and my creativity be swayed by
other people's opinions or the desires of what other people
want to see me do. Now, I do hope at
the end of the day that when I make, when
I do my work, that the people who I've met
along the way, that they respond to my work, because
(18:37):
if I'm making it for myself, then I'm making it
for the extensions of myself. But that's really the extent
of how I think about representation. At the same time,
I do, you know, even in my production company, I
do think that it's important to open doors and to
make sure that, you know, people who come from where
I come from have the same type of education and
(18:59):
opportunortunities to do what it is that I'm able to do,
so that they can go and tell stories and represent
in the ways that they want to represent as well.
So I sort of realized that I represent something, I
represent something that is bigger than myself. But I do
that by by first representing myself and then I let
(19:19):
what I represent speak for I let what it is
that I represent hopefully be seeing in the work, you know,
in the work that I do, and for the opportunities
that I didn't create, So I hope that I hope
that answers that question.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
I did. Thank you so much. Yeah, y'all your Greek.
Speaker 6 (19:42):
I'm in Alpha.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Okay, okay, she said, both of us. I'm like, I
didn't know he was Greek.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
So this is the close of the conversation. It's been
an incredible conversation. Thank you to our students for all
of the thoughtful questions and representing yours your school so
well today. You guys are such a great job. Huge
thank you to watch your yard for their partnership and
their support. And of course, yah y'all, thank you so
much for joining us, joining us, sharing your time, all
your insight and your energy. I don't know if you
(20:10):
have any advice encouragement you'd like to say for anybody
that's watching, But if so, now's the time.
Speaker 6 (20:14):
Oh yeah, look, keep on going like the world is
wide open right now. So you know, make your stuff
for yourself. And it's a long it's a long road.
But find friends, that's what I would say. Find friends
who believe in you. But you gotta believe in yourself first,
(20:35):
So you know, keep going. And if I'm still around,
then I'll see y'all. When y'all get here.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
We appreciate it. So guys, make sure you go and
check out Marvel Studios. Wonder Man, you'll see yah y'all,
and you know all the other amazing casts in the storyline.
It premieres January twenty seven, streaming exclusively on Disney Plus.
Thank you guys so much, all of you for joining us.
Speaker 6 (20:59):
I'll watch y'all take it.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Ye all right, guys.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
So that has been another exclusive conversation here at the
Latest with Lauren de Rosa the podcast. The people have
been telling me we need to do more of these conversations.
I know this week alone, if you missed it, go
back and check it out. We had Tacar Jones of
America's ext Top Model talking about that new Next Top
Model docu Sriies that is coming. We hear Derrick Johnson,
(21:22):
the president of the NAACP, talking about Kanye West and
his apology, and now here we are we didn't talk
to wonder Man.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Thank you guys for tuning in.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
I tell you every single episode my Low Riders, y'all
could be anywhere with anybody talking about all of the.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Things, and y'all choose to be right here with me.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
And I appreciate that I'll see you guys in my
next episode.
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Charlamagne Tha God
DJ Envy
Jess Hilarious
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