The Breakfast Club

Episode: INTERVIEW: Devale Ellis and Crystal Renee Hayslett Talk ‘Zatima’, ‘Sistas’, Method Acting, Music Career + More
Date: September 26, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Lauren LaRosa
Guests: Devale Ellis, Crystal Renee Hayslett

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth and candid conversation with actors Devale Ellis and Crystal Renee Hayslett, stars of BET+'s Zatima and Tyler Perry's Sistas. The discussion covers the intricacies of juggling dual timelines between the two popular shows, the challenges of method acting, relatable real-life storylines, navigating careers on- and off-screen, mental health in the Black community, transitioning from behind the scenes to the spotlight, Crystal’s music ambitions and podcast, and the broader cultural impact of their work.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Navigating the “Zatima” and “Sistas” Universe

• Timeline Confusion:

  • Zatima and Sistas run simultaneously but have different timelines, leading to noticeable disconnects for viewers.
    • "There's a six month gap in between Zatima and Sistas...So when you watch the shows simultaneously, you like—it don't make sense. She's pregnant in one, she's not pregnant." — Devale Ellis [04:09]
    • "It needs to...There needs to be a time jump somewhere because it's the same audience, so it needs to be cohesive." — Crystal [04:29]
  • Devale explains how Zach evolved from a peripheral antagonist to a central romantic interest, and why some overlapping characters (like Andy and Fatima) behave differently in each show.

• Audience Response:

  • Both shows have a "cult audience" who are highly invested and often confront the actors about their characters' decisions. [05:06-08:31]

2. Storylines & Real-Life Relatability

• Reflecting Real Life:

  • Many fans relate deeply to the stories—baby mama drama, professional jealousy, and co-parenting.
    • "I got two close friends that got three baby mothers...watching y'all go through this was my life." — Devale Ellis [07:00]
    • "Every season, there's something...from a friend or a fan that stops us and says, 'I'm going through that right now.'" — Crystal [06:47]

• Soap Operas for a New Generation:

  • The hosts compare the fandom around Zatima and Sistas to classic daytime soaps:
    • "They love lives born and beautiful y'all...People tune in every week just like our grandparents did every day." — DJ Envy & Crystal [07:32-07:37]

3. Method Acting, Emotional Toll, & Mental Health

• Method Acting Challenges:

  • Devale details staying in character, sometimes at the expense of real-life friendships, especially during intense storylines.
    • "We filmed 20 episodes in 10 days...How am I supposed to be happy-go-lucky one minute and then be angry?" — Devale Ellis [11:03]
    • "We actually got into an argument because we weren’t talking." — Devale [10:57]

• Emotional Aftermath:

  • Real-life trauma sometimes surfaces in performance, and carrying heavy roles can be draining.
    • "I had to cry every other scene. So I was really in a bad place...And in that situation, it was like that. You know, we got into argument, and I said, I don’t think I can do this." — Devale [11:33]
    • "I go back in the tent, lost it, lost it. Crying...When you go through that trauma and that pain and you gotta bring it back up to show people, it don't just go away." — Devale [14:26]

• Support and Advice:

  • Crystal and the hosts underscore the need for Black men (and all people) to seek therapy and prioritize mental wellness.
    • "I've been on him about therapy...black men, they hold up everything and everyone around them. And as a friend, I can see, like, it's a lot on you right now." — Crystal [13:26]
    • "In Zatima, specifically, we are talking about mental health for black men, and I appreciate it." — Devale [15:24]

• Detachment & Recovery:

  • After filming, Devale deliberately disconnects from social media and acting to recover.
    • "I take about four weeks and just disappear from everybody, because I gotta get back to me." — Devale [15:47]

4. The Streams of Advice & Life Lessons

• To “Real Zachs” (men like Devale’s character):

  • "You have to give yourself grace and empathy, but also don't be afraid to do the work, bro...A lot of us growing up in the 90s and 2000s was a lot of toxic behavior..." — Devale [16:52]
  • The conversation touches on how the shows challenge outdated views of masculinity.

• Communication in Relationships:

  • Devale shares how playing Zach forced him to improve communication with his own wife:
    • "If Zach goes to Fatima and tells him he knows about Chaz, rather than going off the rail...Now, if I have an issue, I go right to my wife...having the conversation is more important than just going off and doing it on your own." — Devale [25:24]

5. Crystal Renee Hayslett’s Journey: Hustle, Music and Podcasting

• From PA to Leading Lady:

  • Crystal details her climb from production assistant to Tyler Perry’s stylist, then actor—her persistence and openness to opportunity.
    • "I was always pursuing acting behind the scenes...And at the time I started styling Tyler, I stopped auditioning...When I finally got the guts to tell him...he gave me the opportunity." — Crystal [28:40]

• Reflections on Fatima & Self-Care:

  • Crystal notes her character is self-sacrificing to a fault, and stresses the value of boundaries and self-care for women.
    • "One thing that Fatima does not do is take care of herself. She doesn't pour back into herself...I wish that they would write in some stuff where she can actually just pour back into herself." — Crystal [27:13]

• Music Ambitions:

  • Crystal confirms she’s pursuing music, despite a tight work schedule.
    • "I'm working...it takes a while. Like, it's not just one of them, like, microwave things, you know? So just taking my time with it. I wanted to be right." — Crystal [30:17]

• Launching a Podcast:

  • New podcast “Keep It Positive, Sweetie” premieres on the Black Effect Podcast Network.
    • "One thing I want to do is see all my friends win...When she started talking to me about her story and her journey and everything that she believes, I was like, you should talk about this." — Devale [36:55–37:46]
  • The podcast fosters inclusive Christian conversations, addresses “church hurt,” and gives a sense of community.

6. Sports, Parenting & Life Skills

• Why Encourage Kids into Sports?:

  • Devale discusses how he prefers his sons to pursue track for discipline, but supports their football ambitions due to life lessons.
    • "If you're great at doing one thing, you're great at doing everything because you've learned how to do it. And I think sports is the ultimate way to test their will..." — Devale [30:53]
  • Both Devale and Crystal reflect on how being former athletes gave them discipline and resilience.

• Old-School Coaching vs. Now:

  • The group discusses the changing culture of coaching, discipline, and how “softness” may affect the next generation.
    • "That standard is what I think is missing from us. Everything is very soft." — Devale [32:51]
    • "There's no consequences for people these days...I think it's hurting us as a community." — Devale [33:54]

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On dual storylines:

  • “There's a six month gap in between Zatima and Sistas...So when you watch the shows simultaneously, you like—it don't make sense. She's pregnant in one, she's not pregnant.” — Devale Ellis [04:09]

• On playing Zach (audience reactions):

  • “Both shows. Because Zach's character is very divisive. He was written to be an antagonist...But when they see me, they just like, I can't stand you. I'm like, I'm doing my job.” — Devale Ellis [08:02]

• On Method Acting & Mental Health:

  • “We filmed 20 episodes in 10 days...How am I supposed to be happy-go-lucky one minute and then be angry?” — Devale Ellis [11:03]
  • “When you go through that trauma and that pain and you gotta bring it back up to show people, it don’t just go away.” — Devale Ellis [14:26]
  • “In Zatima, specifically, we are talking about mental health for black men, and I appreciate it.” — Devale Ellis [15:24]

• On Communication:

  • “Once I tell her how I feel about it, then she's like, okay, we can handle it this way...Having the conversation is more important than just going off and doing it on your own.” — Devale Ellis [25:24]

• On Crystal’s growth:

  • “I was always pursuing acting behind the scenes...when I finally got the guts to tell him I was producing Sistas with him...he gave me the opportunity. And then here we are.” — Crystal [28:40]
  • “One thing that Fatima does not do is take care of herself. She doesn’t pour back into herself...I wish that they would write in some stuff where she can actually just pour back into herself.” — Crystal [27:13]
  • “We're more alike than we're not...More of bringing people closer to Christ...I want people to feel seen and feel loved and know that, hey, you're good here.” — Crystal [38:03]

Important Timestamps

• [02:32–07:00] — Guest welcome, navigating NYC, introduction to Zatima and Sistas timeline confusion
• [07:00–08:31] — Storylines' real-life resonance; audience investment; soap opera parallels
• [10:57–14:41] — Method acting, emotional labor, and support systems between Crystal and Devale
• [15:24–17:09] — Mental health narratives and advice for “real life Zachs”
• [25:24–26:55] — How Zach’s character informed Devale’s marriage and family communication
• [27:13–29:50] — Crystal’s views on Fatima’s self-care, boundaries, and her route from styling to acting
• [30:17–30:36] — Crystal’s commitment to music
• [36:49–38:03] — Announcement and vision for Crystal’s podcast “Keep It Positive, Sweetie”
• [38:18–39:46] — Discussion about faith, church hurt, and belonging

Highlight Moments

• Devale candidly shares his struggles with internalizing the trauma from acting and the importance of emotional boundaries.
• Crystal’s raw honesty about not desiring a Fatima-like relationship in real life, and being open about boundaries and personal growth.
• The hosts create space for real talk about therapy, church, masculinity, and working in the entertainment business.
• Celebration of whole journeys—from PA to lead actor, and from off-screen hustle to launching a music and podcast career.
• The mutual support and friendship between Crystal and Devale is evident throughout, frequently reinforcing each other's growth and mental health.

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a blend of humor, transparency, and wisdom, giving listeners insight into the lives behind their favorite characters. It's about more than TV drama—it's about real lessons, evolving perspectives, and supporting one another in the entertainment world and beyond.

Listen to The Breakfast Club for more inspiring, honest, and culture-shaping interviews.