May 13, 2025 • 22 mins
In this episode of the Ice Cream Convos Podcast, Xaviera chops it up with "The Chi" stars Hannaha Hall and Jason Weaver to talk all things Season 7—and let’s just say, it’s giving emotional rollercoaster.
Hannaha opens up about Tiffany’s emotional journey, navigating grief, and what she’s most excited for fans to see this season.
Jason gives us insight into Shaad’s evolution, that “May-December” romance with Alicia, and working alongside the legendary Lynn Whitfield.
From behind-the-scenes gems to deep discussions about community, healing, and storytelling, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and the real tea on what’s coming in Season 7 of "The Chi."
📺 "The Chi" Season 7 premieres May 16 on Paramount+ with Showtime and airs May 18 on Showtime.
🎥 Watch this interview!
Visit IceCreamConvosPodcast.com for more episodes!
Be sure to subscribe, comment, and share with a friend! 🎧🖤🍦
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ice-cream-convos-podcast--2027902/support.
Hannaha opens up about Tiffany’s emotional journey, navigating grief, and what she’s most excited for fans to see this season.
Jason gives us insight into Shaad’s evolution, that “May-December” romance with Alicia, and working alongside the legendary Lynn Whitfield.
From behind-the-scenes gems to deep discussions about community, healing, and storytelling, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and the real tea on what’s coming in Season 7 of "The Chi."
📺 "The Chi" Season 7 premieres May 16 on Paramount+ with Showtime and airs May 18 on Showtime.
🎥 Watch this interview!
Visit IceCreamConvosPodcast.com for more episodes!
Be sure to subscribe, comment, and share with a friend! 🎧🖤🍦
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ice-cream-convos-podcast--2027902/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Compensation ice conversation, but on the grind all day, every day,
ice cream combos always real. They never play.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Download up podcast listen on any day?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Why didn't not do this sooner?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
On that thing?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
And ever say exime Bro best host of all time.
All of the faithful listeners will say they never alive
check every story they run like me with the Brahms
Win not the Social Report anything. It should be a
crime entertainment news year. I gotta get mine from I
C C. And you should be in Klin to do
(00:44):
the same. If you got alfamn, I do go sign
this lady to shine like Franking Stein. Tell it the
day designed ice creamcombos dot com.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
Tune in.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
This influence fluence for ice cream.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
I awesome, Well, Hannah, I am xaviera of ice cream convos,
and I am so excited to be speaking with you today.
I feel like I already know you, so pardon me
(01:20):
if I act a little comfortable with you.
Speaker 5 (01:22):
No, You're totally fine. It's such a pleasure to be
here though. Thank you for having me, absolutely so.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
The Shy is one of the shows that I and
my audience are equally as excited about, Like I literally
like p it's go time.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
It's go time. They coming.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
So Friday the sixteenth, we are back for season seven.
What are you most excited about coming into this season?
Speaker 6 (01:46):
Ooh, you know what, I've been saying this so many times,
but I'm just I'm still stuck on the fact that
this is seven seasons, Like it's a big season, and.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
You know, like I watch a lot of show when you.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
Get deep into these seasons, the shots can go up
and down.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
Now this is going up. It's going up.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
It's so much. That's the sore for this season. Like,
I'm excited to get the responses, Like I'm excited at
this season seven and that's a big thing.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
That's a big thing for me and just our show
in general.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
But also I'm excited for the fans. You know, we
got so many messages about like this, you know that
everyone's reacting to Rob.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
They still look if I post a picture.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
They're like, girl, you outside and Rob is just on
the porch.
Speaker 5 (02:40):
I'm like, oh my god.
Speaker 6 (02:42):
So just to get that closure for the fans with that,
So I'm excited for them to get some closure on that.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Hopefully they can get some closure because they may not.
Speaker 6 (02:52):
But but yeah, that I want to see how no, no,
I just want to see their responses to certain storylines,
to some of the new characters, just everything new that's
coming fortive and how recepted they're gonna be to that.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
But yeah, you know it's funny Roll said that. I
definitely agree.
Speaker 4 (03:17):
My daughter and I literally had a conversation today about
how shows sometimes go on a decline like we want more,
like give me another season, give me another season. But
The Shy literally is one of the shows that it's
almost like, y'all, just the writers or Lena, you just
get in a room and like, all right, how we
(03:37):
gonna hurt them with this?
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Well, how we're gonna get them with this one?
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Because you know, I'm still in therapy about Rob but
we'll talk about that later. But you know, I had
the opportunity to screen the first two episodes, and when
you say that, y'all are coming like kicking in the door,
waving the four for to quote one of my favorite
rappers this season is not a joke. And for you,
(04:01):
I wanted to ask you because we have watched Tiffany.
You know, we have seen tiff go from her and
Emmett to you know, the little I don't even know
what you want to call it a situationship, and then
it was like she finally found her true match and Rob,
and then you leaned into being a boss chick, and
(04:22):
it's just like, look at the evolution of this beautiful
girl and then just to have all of that snatched away.
So my question to you is how heavily does it
weigh on you? Because this is I assume that this
is going to be a very emotional season for Tiff.
You know, she's grieving the loss of Rob. So you know,
(04:44):
as far as that is concerned, what do you do
to kind of, I guess manage it all is you know,
the decompression because I can only imagine that this is
going to be a very very emotional season.
Speaker 6 (04:57):
Yeah, you know, I had so season four I had
to really teach myself how to detach, okay and understand like,
these are characters that we are playing and not something.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
That we should be bringing home.
Speaker 6 (05:16):
So just because I started that a season four fast
forward season seven, it was easier for me to detach,
but I still kind of struggled.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
I think I struggled more.
Speaker 6 (05:30):
With just trying to tell the story and the best
way possible I never experienced grief from a person that
I was intimate at that level with. So just making
sure I'm honoring that moment, those feelings, this story, these
words that were trying to bring to life, that was
my priority. And sometimes I did take that anxiety home
(05:51):
with me, like, oh, you know what, I really really
want to tell the story. I really really want to
you know, be connected to the audience with this. I
had so many messages about, you know, women who have
experienced that, or just men that are really curious about
how she's done, how Tiff is gonna deal with it.
So I think the weight of all of that really,
(06:15):
like it affected me. But I was I was on
a roll with being able to detach myself. But then
this one, it was it was more difficult. It was
definitely more difficult, but it was just like that constant
mental reminder like Hannah, this is Tiff, this is what
she's doing. But you know, I think I did it.
I think I was able to find some balance.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Yes, talk to me about working with the one and
only miss Lynn would Field, because the scenes with the
two of you are like magic on screen.
Speaker 5 (06:47):
Look at Jason, Welcome to the party.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yes, I'm so sorry, y'all. I was having I was
having trouble with the Lincoln all of that. So I'm
so sorry.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
Ladies.
Speaker 5 (06:58):
It's okay, welcome to the party.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
So you had to get your timing because Hannah was
just telling me, well, I was just asking Hannah about
the experience of working with the one and only Miss
Lynn Whitfield. So I'm gonna let Hannah tell me, and
then I want to chime in from you as a
love interest.
Speaker 6 (07:16):
Awesome, awesome, well, nothing short of amazing. I'll say that Lynn,
you know, I want to say Lynn helped me with
a lot of those emotional scenes. Lynn asks you what
you need, and typically we all kind of ask each other,
what do you need?
Speaker 5 (07:32):
What do you need that there's is there something I
can do?
Speaker 6 (07:34):
But Land for those emotional scenes, sometimes it'll.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Be a look.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
She knows what looked to give you. She knows just exactly.
Speaker 6 (07:43):
What to give you in that moment so that you can.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
Bring that emotion up out of you.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
So just having someone with that level of skill set
and talent was amazing and it was like comforting to
have her.
Speaker 5 (07:57):
I think all also like it. It's for me. I
don't want to say this and be look that wrong.
Speaker 6 (08:06):
But it is intimidating, but in a good way because
you're making sure you're on point with what you need
to do, because you're like, Okay, I don't know what
to expect.
Speaker 5 (08:16):
What is she going to bring to the table?
Speaker 6 (08:18):
Lynn, she may do something different than this thinge or
in this take. So that excitement I get excited for that.
I love challenge. I love that feeling of like being
intimidated and having to bring something extra.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
So it was a lot of that.
Speaker 6 (08:34):
You know, I love to break down scripts, so just
having her there to break it down with me, there
were many times that, you know, we were able to
discuss the script.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
A little bit more.
Speaker 6 (08:43):
And again, I've never experienced grief to this level, and
not to say that she did, but obviously she's an
older woman, so she has more life experience than me,
and we talked about even that. So just having that
support there and knowing that this is such a season
veteran actor like she she had worked her way through
(09:05):
all moments like this, it was.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
It was a lot.
Speaker 6 (09:09):
It was so many things, like just a great experience overall.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
And the whole iron sharpening iron, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Like absolutely, yes, yes, are you Jason not.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
I mean, honestly, I think Hannah said it all. You know, uh,
I think we all felt that way working alongside with Lynn.
You know, she is such a powerhouse. She's she's a legend,
she's icon. Like we've all enjoyed her work throughout the years,
(09:44):
and we all can recognize her her skill set. I mean,
she's one of the supreme performers out here. So there's yeah,
you come on, you come onto the set feeling a
little intimidated because you know who you're gonna be playing
opposite of in that scene that day. But here's what
I can honestly say about Lynn's absolutely beautiful that Hannah
(10:08):
already had kind of hinted at or put that out
there already. She just has such a warm and beautiful spirit,
and she's there as a team player, like, yeah, you
get you can feel her presence, but she's not coming
in there with any kind of diva vibes. It's a
She really does ask those questions like Okay, what do
you need from me? Do you have or do you
(10:29):
have any questions that you know you as an actor
you maybe we're thinking about internally that because because she
knows too. There are a lot of times whereas an
actor you don't want to I mean, we have great directors,
don't don't get me wrong, but there there are times
where you feel like I don't necessarily want to bring
that to them. Maybe that's something that I can work,
(10:52):
you know, work out within myself. And we always do
this on the show as well, as members will talk
to one another and try to help each other out
and guide each other through these scenes and through these moments.
But when you get in that kind of information from
someone like Lynn Whitfield, and you know, and she just
coming there with a level of humility and grace where
(11:15):
you're just kind of in alle that by just how
cool she is. And then it really dawns all he wants.
The scene is done and it turns out to be
a great scene, and you go, holy shit, excuse my French,
but man, I just did a great scene with Lynn Whitfield.
That's when it finally hits you. But in the moment,
it's just actors on set going to work and you know,
(11:39):
the best of the best. That's how they are. You know,
the viral of Davis is the Denzel Washington's you know,
all the greats, the true greats are exactly like that,
the way Lynn Whitfield is so, you know, to have
a royalty on set like that every day, to be
able to bounce ideas off of one another, and be
able to sit down and have a normal conversation with
(12:01):
her even at lunch, you know, and talk about the
films with her that we've seen her in in the past,
with you know, a thin line between love and hate,
the Josephine Baker's story, you know, and to be able
to kind of, you know, pick her brain and talk
to her as an actor and trade secrets and notes,
and I mean, it was just an amazing experience that
working with her, and I probably me and Hannah can
(12:24):
speak for the rest of the Cash in that regard.
Working with her has just been a tremendous honor, like
you're really really loving.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Yeah, absolutely absolutely. Okay, So, Jason Shod your character Shod.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
We have watched Shod, and I was telling Hannah that
we have watched Tiff as well, go on the journey
over the seven seasons of this show. We are now
in season seven. We have watched Shot come home from jail.
We want to watch Burboro be homeless, you know, try.
Speaker 5 (12:51):
To find love. He messing up in the phone, he done.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Lost his bill, and now he's in this May December relationship.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
That's what we're gonna call it. We're gonna keep it.
This made. She gave Shod that trench coat, and baby,
he lost his mind. He was real.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Yeah, So talk to me about just the character arc
of Shod, because you know, we've watched him now kind
of just find I guess his footing. He's in this
relationship with the one I would like to refer to,
like as.
Speaker 5 (13:23):
A queen, a powerful queen.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Yes, And it appears going into season seven, Shod is
going to be taken on a different type of role
that may bring him full circle and land him back
at the beginning a square one if he makes some
poor choices. Yeah, talk to me about Shod's character arc
going in there.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
I think that that's that's that's thank you first and
foremost for even taking the time out to really notice
and see his growth in the ups and downs that
he's gone through. I think the writers have done an amazing,
a beautiful job of telling a very honest story with
him that you know a lot of black men in
(14:07):
his country go through and I think what has been
beautiful is seeing him go through the ups and downs.
But also while he's going through these ups and downs,
I think one of the things that people really like
about the character is that he has heart and at
his core, he has a good spirit, and he's down
for his people. He's very loyal. Unfortunately, you know, there
(14:31):
are times when he gets in his own way, and
even in this particular stage of life where his character's
at right now and even working for Alsia, and you
see him on this trajectory going a certain kind of way,
you know, because it's shod you still don't know if
he's gonna continue to go down that path, because he
(14:51):
does have a habit of sabotaging himself, and so much
of it is rooted in insecurities that he has past,
that he's encountered in his life, which will be explored
this season, which I think was beautifully told and explained.
But yeah, as of right now, it does seem like
(15:12):
Shad has firm footing. But I think the audience will
enjoy seeing him even in this moment, if seeing like
he's finally on a path, He's still struggled with things internally.
There's still a power dynamic within a relationship between him
and Alicia. Like you mentioned, she's a queen and this
(15:33):
is a man who's still trying to accept himself as
being a king in his own right. So when you
have kind of like that kind of dynamic between those
two characters, it can make for some very interesting storytelling.
So I just encourage the audience to continue to tune
in not only with Shod but all the other characters
(15:55):
on the show. All of the characters have some amazing
story arcs. How you've been able to see them grow
and evolve, and you know, even when they're not at
their best, you see them come out of it on
the other side better people in their own way. So
no kudos to the writers, to our directors and everybody
(16:15):
that helps us, you know, tell those beautiful stories like that,
because we're definitely not doing it on our own. There's
you know, we got great material to work with and
we have you know, great people there in Video Village
that are working with us to help us, you know,
find the way as we build out these characters, any storylines.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
And I think that's one of the things that really
tethers your viewers to this show is that each it's
almost like each character is so carefully written with so
much heart and so and it's so genuine that it's
like you ever watch something you're like, come on, child,
you don't know. Ain't nobody gonna say that or do that.
It's like I would have made that decision. I would
(16:53):
have said I would have, you know. And I think
the authenticity that's the word I'm looking for.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
The authenticity of the is what just keeps us so
locked in.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
And I know I'm probably talking way longer than I should.
Chanel probably flagged me in a moment. But the other thing,
one more point I just want to speak to is
how beautiful Okay, thank you, Bill.
Speaker 5 (17:17):
I just love how.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Beautifully that community has been woven into the storyline. You
have the sister circles and the brothers circles where you
create safe spaces to really talk about things that we
deal with, you know, and so you just don't have
to go through things alone. And I just love that
so much. And I hope that just seeing that, even
(17:41):
on an entertainment platform, will kind of ignite or invoke
it in real life and circles of friendships and things
of that nature. But before I go one word that
you would use to describe Season seven word make it good.
So people be like, dang, okay, okay, I got the
(18:02):
download that and.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
You go first, you go first, I'll say, oh man.
And I know it's such a cliche term that people use,
but it really is a rollercoaster ride this season. You know,
we're dealing all these characters are dealing with their storylines.
(18:24):
It's summertime, shy. I don't know if people have ever
been into Chicago during the summertime, but it's lit, you
know what I'm saying. There's so many different things that
are going on in your own personal life that are
going on in the city, out in the street. So
it's like all of that energy, you know, combined with
what people are already kind of familiar with it, you know,
(18:45):
with the show. I think they're just sitting for a treat.
You know, this is the first season where you've seen
the characters out and about the city alive. So I'm
just excited for people to get a chance to see
that and how how beautifully it was shot. You get
to see Chica I go now, you know, with trees
and you know, and just like that that warm summertime
(19:05):
shot energy. So that's what I'm looking forward to the
audience to see.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
All right, my one word.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
I'm sitting here really think you because it's just so
many different things, like we we touch a lot of
different things.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Yeah, okay, so I'm gonna give my one word.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Dang just damn, just damn damn, Like damn from that kind.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Of happens like that every season. Like it's kind of
like that every season because the audience when when we
get through with like the last episode of a show
comes on or the show, people are always saying to
me in the comments on social media, like damn, I
didn't expect that. So, like that's probably the perfect word
it is.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Because acting on point, damn y'all eating acting, you know,
the storylines, Damn.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
I can't believe that just happened. It's just damn. It
of damns.
Speaker 6 (20:01):
It definitely is a lot of damns this season. I think,
I mean, I think I'm an goal with retribution. Please,
it's gonna be some stuff. It's gonna be some stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
So you use all these words that you make I'm
mad at her, get her t I word off people.
Speaker 6 (20:20):
I'm going on the roller coaster.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Yeah, getting your expeditiously.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
It's good, though, I feel like Roller Coasts a little bit.
Speaker 5 (20:26):
Better than that yours.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
You can tell I had a hard time gradually.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
Thank you both so much for taking out time to
talk to me. You are always welcome to come back
and talk to me.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
I will be supporting, I will be watching, I will
be posting and reminding everyone to tune and I cannot wait. Jason,
you missed it, but I told Hannah I saw the
first two episodes and damn and damn no, damn so
so much. No.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
And we really appreciate your support, and again, thank you
for even emphasizing the importance that we place on community.
That's something that we really pride ourselves on as well.
I think what the show is able to do, and
I know Chanelle's probably gonna hit you for this one,
but I think what the show has been able to
do not only serving as being entertainment. It's showing a
(21:21):
different perspective of how we can coexist and interact with
one another as a community. And so there's a lot
of ideas that we kind of plant in people's minds,
Like you said, with the Sister Circle, with the Brothers,
these are things that I'm knowing people are looking at
on the show, being influenced by and implementing those same
things in their own communities. So, you know, on top
(21:42):
of the fact that we're entertaining people, I think we're
also helping to enlighten and inform and encourage our community,
in particular to speak to one another and to love
one another and to listen to one another, you know
what I mean. So thank you for just mentioning that,
because that's something that we're all very conscious of, the cast,
(22:02):
the writers, the crew. That's something that we talk about
on the regulars. What are we represented to the community,
you know what I mean, What message are we sending?
So I'm glad that that's coming across. So thank you
again for mentioning that.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
Oh you are most welcome, and just congratulations and kudos
to an amazing job and another season many more to come,
hopefully many more to thank you.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yes, thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
You're welcome, and thank you Janelle. You both have a
beautiful day.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
You thank you, thank you all right, bye bye bye
bye
Speaker 3 (22:36):
By
Compensation ice conversation, but on the grind all day, every day,
ice cream combos always real. They never play.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Download up podcast listen on any day?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Why didn't not do this sooner?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
On that thing?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
And ever say exime Bro best host of all time.
All of the faithful listeners will say they never alive
check every story they run like me with the Brahms
Win not the Social Report anything. It should be a
crime entertainment news year. I gotta get mine from I
C C. And you should be in Klin to do
(00:44):
the same. If you got alfamn, I do go sign
this lady to shine like Franking Stein. Tell it the
day designed ice creamcombos dot com.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
Tune in.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
This influence fluence for ice cream.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
I awesome, Well, Hannah, I am xaviera of ice cream convos,
and I am so excited to be speaking with you today.
I feel like I already know you, so pardon me
(01:20):
if I act a little comfortable with you.
Speaker 5 (01:22):
No, You're totally fine. It's such a pleasure to be
here though. Thank you for having me, absolutely so.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
The Shy is one of the shows that I and
my audience are equally as excited about, Like I literally
like p it's go time.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
It's go time. They coming.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
So Friday the sixteenth, we are back for season seven.
What are you most excited about coming into this season?
Speaker 6 (01:46):
Ooh, you know what, I've been saying this so many times,
but I'm just I'm still stuck on the fact that
this is seven seasons, Like it's a big season, and.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
You know, like I watch a lot of show when you.
Speaker 6 (02:01):
Get deep into these seasons, the shots can go up
and down.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
Now this is going up. It's going up.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
It's so much. That's the sore for this season. Like,
I'm excited to get the responses, Like I'm excited at
this season seven and that's a big thing.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
That's a big thing for me and just our show
in general.
Speaker 6 (02:25):
But also I'm excited for the fans. You know, we
got so many messages about like this, you know that
everyone's reacting to Rob.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
They still look if I post a picture.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
They're like, girl, you outside and Rob is just on
the porch.
Speaker 5 (02:40):
I'm like, oh my god.
Speaker 6 (02:42):
So just to get that closure for the fans with that,
So I'm excited for them to get some closure on that.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Hopefully they can get some closure because they may not.
Speaker 6 (02:52):
But but yeah, that I want to see how no, no,
I just want to see their responses to certain storylines,
to some of the new characters, just everything new that's
coming fortive and how recepted they're gonna be to that.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
But yeah, you know it's funny Roll said that. I
definitely agree.
Speaker 4 (03:17):
My daughter and I literally had a conversation today about
how shows sometimes go on a decline like we want more,
like give me another season, give me another season. But
The Shy literally is one of the shows that it's
almost like, y'all, just the writers or Lena, you just
get in a room and like, all right, how we
(03:37):
gonna hurt them with this?
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Well, how we're gonna get them with this one?
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Because you know, I'm still in therapy about Rob but
we'll talk about that later. But you know, I had
the opportunity to screen the first two episodes, and when
you say that, y'all are coming like kicking in the door,
waving the four for to quote one of my favorite
rappers this season is not a joke. And for you,
(04:01):
I wanted to ask you because we have watched Tiffany.
You know, we have seen tiff go from her and
Emmett to you know, the little I don't even know
what you want to call it a situationship, and then
it was like she finally found her true match and Rob,
and then you leaned into being a boss chick, and
(04:22):
it's just like, look at the evolution of this beautiful
girl and then just to have all of that snatched away.
So my question to you is how heavily does it
weigh on you? Because this is I assume that this
is going to be a very emotional season for Tiff.
You know, she's grieving the loss of Rob. So you know,
(04:44):
as far as that is concerned, what do you do
to kind of, I guess manage it all is you know,
the decompression because I can only imagine that this is
going to be a very very emotional season.
Speaker 6 (04:57):
Yeah, you know, I had so season four I had
to really teach myself how to detach, okay and understand like,
these are characters that we are playing and not something.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
That we should be bringing home.
Speaker 6 (05:16):
So just because I started that a season four fast
forward season seven, it was easier for me to detach,
but I still kind of struggled.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
I think I struggled more.
Speaker 6 (05:30):
With just trying to tell the story and the best
way possible I never experienced grief from a person that
I was intimate at that level with. So just making
sure I'm honoring that moment, those feelings, this story, these
words that were trying to bring to life, that was
my priority. And sometimes I did take that anxiety home
(05:51):
with me, like, oh, you know what, I really really
want to tell the story. I really really want to
you know, be connected to the audience with this. I
had so many messages about, you know, women who have
experienced that, or just men that are really curious about
how she's done, how Tiff is gonna deal with it.
So I think the weight of all of that really,
(06:15):
like it affected me. But I was I was on
a roll with being able to detach myself. But then
this one, it was it was more difficult. It was
definitely more difficult, but it was just like that constant
mental reminder like Hannah, this is Tiff, this is what
she's doing. But you know, I think I did it.
I think I was able to find some balance.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Yes, talk to me about working with the one and
only miss Lynn would Field, because the scenes with the
two of you are like magic on screen.
Speaker 5 (06:47):
Look at Jason, Welcome to the party.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yes, I'm so sorry, y'all. I was having I was
having trouble with the Lincoln all of that. So I'm
so sorry.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
Ladies.
Speaker 5 (06:58):
It's okay, welcome to the party.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
So you had to get your timing because Hannah was
just telling me, well, I was just asking Hannah about
the experience of working with the one and only Miss
Lynn Whitfield. So I'm gonna let Hannah tell me, and
then I want to chime in from you as a
love interest.
Speaker 6 (07:16):
Awesome, awesome, well, nothing short of amazing. I'll say that Lynn,
you know, I want to say Lynn helped me with
a lot of those emotional scenes. Lynn asks you what
you need, and typically we all kind of ask each other,
what do you need?
Speaker 5 (07:32):
What do you need that there's is there something I
can do?
Speaker 6 (07:34):
But Land for those emotional scenes, sometimes it'll.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Be a look.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
She knows what looked to give you. She knows just exactly.
Speaker 6 (07:43):
What to give you in that moment so that you can.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
Bring that emotion up out of you.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
So just having someone with that level of skill set
and talent was amazing and it was like comforting to
have her.
Speaker 5 (07:57):
I think all also like it. It's for me. I
don't want to say this and be look that wrong.
Speaker 6 (08:06):
But it is intimidating, but in a good way because
you're making sure you're on point with what you need
to do, because you're like, Okay, I don't know what
to expect.
Speaker 5 (08:16):
What is she going to bring to the table?
Speaker 6 (08:18):
Lynn, she may do something different than this thinge or
in this take. So that excitement I get excited for that.
I love challenge. I love that feeling of like being
intimidated and having to bring something extra.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
So it was a lot of that.
Speaker 6 (08:34):
You know, I love to break down scripts, so just
having her there to break it down with me, there
were many times that, you know, we were able to
discuss the script.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
A little bit more.
Speaker 6 (08:43):
And again, I've never experienced grief to this level, and
not to say that she did, but obviously she's an
older woman, so she has more life experience than me,
and we talked about even that. So just having that
support there and knowing that this is such a season
veteran actor like she she had worked her way through
(09:05):
all moments like this, it was.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
It was a lot.
Speaker 6 (09:09):
It was so many things, like just a great experience overall.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
And the whole iron sharpening iron, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Like absolutely, yes, yes, are you Jason not.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
I mean, honestly, I think Hannah said it all. You know, uh,
I think we all felt that way working alongside with Lynn.
You know, she is such a powerhouse. She's she's a legend,
she's icon. Like we've all enjoyed her work throughout the years,
(09:44):
and we all can recognize her her skill set. I mean,
she's one of the supreme performers out here. So there's yeah,
you come on, you come onto the set feeling a
little intimidated because you know who you're gonna be playing
opposite of in that scene that day. But here's what
I can honestly say about Lynn's absolutely beautiful that Hannah
(10:08):
already had kind of hinted at or put that out
there already. She just has such a warm and beautiful spirit,
and she's there as a team player, like, yeah, you
get you can feel her presence, but she's not coming
in there with any kind of diva vibes. It's a
She really does ask those questions like Okay, what do
you need from me? Do you have or do you
(10:29):
have any questions that you know you as an actor
you maybe we're thinking about internally that because because she
knows too. There are a lot of times whereas an
actor you don't want to I mean, we have great directors,
don't don't get me wrong, but there there are times
where you feel like I don't necessarily want to bring
that to them. Maybe that's something that I can work,
(10:52):
you know, work out within myself. And we always do
this on the show as well, as members will talk
to one another and try to help each other out
and guide each other through these scenes and through these moments.
But when you get in that kind of information from
someone like Lynn Whitfield, and you know, and she just
coming there with a level of humility and grace where
(11:15):
you're just kind of in alle that by just how
cool she is. And then it really dawns all he wants.
The scene is done and it turns out to be
a great scene, and you go, holy shit, excuse my French,
but man, I just did a great scene with Lynn Whitfield.
That's when it finally hits you. But in the moment,
it's just actors on set going to work and you know,
(11:39):
the best of the best. That's how they are. You know,
the viral of Davis is the Denzel Washington's you know,
all the greats, the true greats are exactly like that,
the way Lynn Whitfield is so, you know, to have
a royalty on set like that every day, to be
able to bounce ideas off of one another, and be
able to sit down and have a normal conversation with
(12:01):
her even at lunch, you know, and talk about the
films with her that we've seen her in in the past,
with you know, a thin line between love and hate,
the Josephine Baker's story, you know, and to be able
to kind of, you know, pick her brain and talk
to her as an actor and trade secrets and notes,
and I mean, it was just an amazing experience that
working with her, and I probably me and Hannah can
(12:24):
speak for the rest of the Cash in that regard.
Working with her has just been a tremendous honor, like
you're really really loving.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Yeah, absolutely absolutely. Okay, So, Jason Shod your character Shod.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
We have watched Shod, and I was telling Hannah that
we have watched Tiff as well, go on the journey
over the seven seasons of this show. We are now
in season seven. We have watched Shot come home from jail.
We want to watch Burboro be homeless, you know, try.
Speaker 5 (12:51):
To find love. He messing up in the phone, he done.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
Lost his bill, and now he's in this May December relationship.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
That's what we're gonna call it. We're gonna keep it.
This made. She gave Shod that trench coat, and baby,
he lost his mind. He was real.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Yeah, So talk to me about just the character arc
of Shod, because you know, we've watched him now kind
of just find I guess his footing. He's in this
relationship with the one I would like to refer to,
like as.
Speaker 5 (13:23):
A queen, a powerful queen.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Yes, And it appears going into season seven, Shod is
going to be taken on a different type of role
that may bring him full circle and land him back
at the beginning a square one if he makes some
poor choices. Yeah, talk to me about Shod's character arc
going in there.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
I think that that's that's that's thank you first and
foremost for even taking the time out to really notice
and see his growth in the ups and downs that
he's gone through. I think the writers have done an amazing,
a beautiful job of telling a very honest story with
him that you know a lot of black men in
(14:07):
his country go through and I think what has been
beautiful is seeing him go through the ups and downs.
But also while he's going through these ups and downs,
I think one of the things that people really like
about the character is that he has heart and at
his core, he has a good spirit, and he's down
for his people. He's very loyal. Unfortunately, you know, there
(14:31):
are times when he gets in his own way, and
even in this particular stage of life where his character's
at right now and even working for Alsia, and you
see him on this trajectory going a certain kind of way,
you know, because it's shod you still don't know if
he's gonna continue to go down that path, because he
(14:51):
does have a habit of sabotaging himself, and so much
of it is rooted in insecurities that he has past,
that he's encountered in his life, which will be explored
this season, which I think was beautifully told and explained.
But yeah, as of right now, it does seem like
(15:12):
Shad has firm footing. But I think the audience will
enjoy seeing him even in this moment, if seeing like
he's finally on a path, He's still struggled with things internally.
There's still a power dynamic within a relationship between him
and Alicia. Like you mentioned, she's a queen and this
(15:33):
is a man who's still trying to accept himself as
being a king in his own right. So when you
have kind of like that kind of dynamic between those
two characters, it can make for some very interesting storytelling.
So I just encourage the audience to continue to tune
in not only with Shod but all the other characters
(15:55):
on the show. All of the characters have some amazing
story arcs. How you've been able to see them grow
and evolve, and you know, even when they're not at
their best, you see them come out of it on
the other side better people in their own way. So
no kudos to the writers, to our directors and everybody
(16:15):
that helps us, you know, tell those beautiful stories like that,
because we're definitely not doing it on our own. There's
you know, we got great material to work with and
we have you know, great people there in Video Village
that are working with us to help us, you know,
find the way as we build out these characters, any storylines.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
And I think that's one of the things that really
tethers your viewers to this show is that each it's
almost like each character is so carefully written with so
much heart and so and it's so genuine that it's
like you ever watch something you're like, come on, child,
you don't know. Ain't nobody gonna say that or do that.
It's like I would have made that decision. I would
(16:53):
have said I would have, you know. And I think
the authenticity that's the word I'm looking for.
Speaker 5 (16:58):
The authenticity of the is what just keeps us so
locked in.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
And I know I'm probably talking way longer than I should.
Chanel probably flagged me in a moment. But the other thing,
one more point I just want to speak to is
how beautiful Okay, thank you, Bill.
Speaker 5 (17:17):
I just love how.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Beautifully that community has been woven into the storyline. You
have the sister circles and the brothers circles where you
create safe spaces to really talk about things that we
deal with, you know, and so you just don't have
to go through things alone. And I just love that
so much. And I hope that just seeing that, even
(17:41):
on an entertainment platform, will kind of ignite or invoke
it in real life and circles of friendships and things
of that nature. But before I go one word that
you would use to describe Season seven word make it good.
So people be like, dang, okay, okay, I got the
(18:02):
download that and.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
You go first, you go first, I'll say, oh man.
And I know it's such a cliche term that people use,
but it really is a rollercoaster ride this season. You know,
we're dealing all these characters are dealing with their storylines.
(18:24):
It's summertime, shy. I don't know if people have ever
been into Chicago during the summertime, but it's lit, you
know what I'm saying. There's so many different things that
are going on in your own personal life that are
going on in the city, out in the street. So
it's like all of that energy, you know, combined with
what people are already kind of familiar with it, you know,
(18:45):
with the show. I think they're just sitting for a treat.
You know, this is the first season where you've seen
the characters out and about the city alive. So I'm
just excited for people to get a chance to see
that and how how beautifully it was shot. You get
to see Chica I go now, you know, with trees
and you know, and just like that that warm summertime
(19:05):
shot energy. So that's what I'm looking forward to the
audience to see.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
All right, my one word.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
I'm sitting here really think you because it's just so
many different things, like we we touch a lot of
different things.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Yeah, okay, so I'm gonna give my one word.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Dang just damn, just damn damn, Like damn from that kind.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Of happens like that every season. Like it's kind of
like that every season because the audience when when we
get through with like the last episode of a show
comes on or the show, people are always saying to
me in the comments on social media, like damn, I
didn't expect that. So, like that's probably the perfect word
it is.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Because acting on point, damn y'all eating acting, you know,
the storylines, Damn.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
I can't believe that just happened. It's just damn. It
of damns.
Speaker 6 (20:01):
It definitely is a lot of damns this season. I think,
I mean, I think I'm an goal with retribution. Please,
it's gonna be some stuff. It's gonna be some stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
So you use all these words that you make I'm
mad at her, get her t I word off people.
Speaker 6 (20:20):
I'm going on the roller coaster.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Yeah, getting your expeditiously.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
It's good, though, I feel like Roller Coasts a little bit.
Speaker 5 (20:26):
Better than that yours.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
You can tell I had a hard time gradually.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
Thank you both so much for taking out time to
talk to me. You are always welcome to come back
and talk to me.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
I will be supporting, I will be watching, I will
be posting and reminding everyone to tune and I cannot wait. Jason,
you missed it, but I told Hannah I saw the
first two episodes and damn and damn no, damn so
so much. No.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
And we really appreciate your support, and again, thank you
for even emphasizing the importance that we place on community.
That's something that we really pride ourselves on as well.
I think what the show is able to do, and
I know Chanelle's probably gonna hit you for this one,
but I think what the show has been able to
do not only serving as being entertainment. It's showing a
(21:21):
different perspective of how we can coexist and interact with
one another as a community. And so there's a lot
of ideas that we kind of plant in people's minds,
Like you said, with the Sister Circle, with the Brothers,
these are things that I'm knowing people are looking at
on the show, being influenced by and implementing those same
things in their own communities. So, you know, on top
(21:42):
of the fact that we're entertaining people, I think we're
also helping to enlighten and inform and encourage our community,
in particular to speak to one another and to love
one another and to listen to one another, you know
what I mean. So thank you for just mentioning that,
because that's something that we're all very conscious of, the cast,
(22:02):
the writers, the crew. That's something that we talk about
on the regulars. What are we represented to the community,
you know what I mean, What message are we sending?
So I'm glad that that's coming across. So thank you
again for mentioning that.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
Oh you are most welcome, and just congratulations and kudos
to an amazing job and another season many more to come,
hopefully many more to thank you.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yes, thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
You're welcome, and thank you Janelle. You both have a
beautiful day.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
You thank you, thank you all right, bye bye bye
bye
Speaker 3 (22:36):
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