INTERVIEW: Devale Ellis and Crystal Renee Hayslett Talk 'Zatima', 'Sistas', Method Acting, Music Career + More

Summary

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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

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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.

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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.

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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]

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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]

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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

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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.

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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.

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

Transcript

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[Regina Hall]

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[Crystal]

Badass woman. That's us.

[Regina Hall]

That's a pretty good list. That's so many reasons why you need to catch one battle after another.

[Deval Ellis]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Deval Ellis]

Hold up.

[DJ Envy]

Every day, I wake up. Wake your ass up.

[Deval Ellis]

The Breakfast Club. Y' all finished or y' all done?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne, the guy. We are the breakfast club. Lauren LaRosa is here as well. We got some special guests in the building.

[DJ Envy]

Yes, indeed.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It seems like you're on every show right now. Ladies and gentlemen, Deval Ellis and Crystal Hazlett. Welcome.

[Crystal]

Morning.

[Deval Ellis]

Thanks for having me.

[DJ Envy]

How y' all feeling?

[Regina Hall]

Good morning.

[Crystal]

Feel good.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

First of all, I want to salute y' all for getting here, because, listen, traffic, we walked, and they had to pat everybody down.

[Deval Ellis]

You had to walk.

[Crystal]

The middle detective put us out.

[Deval Ellis]

Like, I got to get there. I was like, what? I'm from New York, so this was easy for me. I was like, walk down 55th. We'll get there.

[DJ Envy]

How many blocks you had to walk there? Two.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah, it's two. It wasn't bad.

[Crystal]

It was bad. It was bad.

[DJ Envy]

That ain't bad.

[Regina Hall]

Season four. Yes. Yeah.

[Crystal]

Crazy.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Regina Hall]

Two episodes in, obviously. The season airs September 11th.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Zatima.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah, Zatima. Absolutely. My bad. I'm going straight in because I was watching.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They're like, which one show?

[Regina Hall]

So I. All right. I want to know why the storylines.

[Deval Ellis]

Don'T add up between Sisters, Zatima and Sisters.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yo, but break down what's happening first.

[Deval Ellis]

For people that don't know.

[Regina Hall]

All right, Yeah. Y' all go in and break it down.

[Crystal]

Break it down.

[Deval Ellis]

So this is the biggest thing. There's a six month gap in between Zatima and Sisters. And this is what. When people try to understand the show, I explain it like this. Sisters was about the four sisters, and now the fifth, Zach's character was an ancillary character. He was an antagonist to Karen, and then he became Fatima's love interest.

[Regina Hall]

Right.

[Deval Ellis]

So Zatima is the story about Zack and Fatima, and Sisters is about what Zach was when he was with Karen. So there's like a six month gap in between. So when you watch the shows simultaneously, you like. It don't make sense. She's pregnant in one. She's not pregnant.

[Crystal]

It's confused.

[Deval Ellis]

Different storylines.

[Regina Hall]

Okay.

[Deval Ellis]

Different timelines.

[Crystal]

All right. Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

So Sisters is ahead. So when you see Zach. No, the team is ahead.

[Regina Hall]

When Sisters.

[Deval Ellis]

When Zach is acting crazy and he seem like he ain't go through therapy yet, it's because he hasn't on Sisters.

[Regina Hall]

Okay?

[Deval Ellis]

That's why the Zach on Zatima is a lot more calm. He's been through therapy.

[DJ Envy]

When Sisters Comes back. Is it going to catch up?

[Crystal]

It needs to, because I'm confused. We've been talking about that. We got to jump. There needs to be a time jump somewhere so that. Because it's the same audience, you know, so it needs to be cohesive.

[DJ Envy]

But did Tyler forget? Like, why did he write it?

[Deval Ellis]

Like, what happened? Sometimes I think he do forget. He wrote eight shows at one time. But I think he had a plan for Zatima. I think he wanted it to be his own thing. He wanted it to be separate. I don't think he expected. To be honest, I don't think he expected Sisters to be on TV for this long. I mean, we've done 10 seasons. Damn.

[Crystal]

Already.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah, we've done 10 seasons already in six years. Like, if you think about it, that's a lot of television.

[DJ Envy]

God damn. I be flying.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Kyle, don't stop. He don't stop either. He just.

[Deval Ellis]

He's still going. I didn't lock in six years.

[Podcast Host]

But to have something on TV for six years and people are locked into the sister's audience, and they also are like cult audience about Zatima, too.

[Crystal]

Yes, that's so true. Yeah.

[Regina Hall]

Even the Andy situation. Even that, you know, I don't want to give up, you know, give it away. But it's like on Sisters, I mean, well, with. On Zatima, right? How she was jealous because Zatima getting all the attention. I mean, that's what Sister. She was getting all the attention from the NFL players, you know, helping with the contracts and everything. She ain't getting the attention. But on, you know, on the other show, you know, she. Andy saved a lot. I mean, Zach saved Andy's life.

[Crystal]

You know what I mean?

[Regina Hall]

So when.

[Deval Ellis]

No, it's. See, well, that's both the same show. This is why it's confusing. But Andy, that's exactly.

[Crystal]

To your point.

[Regina Hall]

Exactly.

[Deval Ellis]

People are confused because it's two shows on at the same time. And Andy was first like her homie, but now Fatima moving up. She was the girl who was the assistant, and she was the one that was behind the scenes. But now she's about to get her law degree. And I think Andy is a little bit jealous. I think it's a little bit like, wait, you don't got time to do the stuff I want you to do. Cause you can do it.

[Crystal]

But what she's working on is really big. It's the case for Karen and yourself and the doctor and how he's mishandling women in labor. So what she's working on Is very important. I think Fatima just getting caught up in actually growing and what she has going on and seeing, like, wait, this is my chance.

[Regina Hall]

And it's real relatable because you do got real situations like that with random groups and things like that. Do y' all have friends that hit y' all outside the show? Like, yo, I went through that, or I went through that right now at work?

[Crystal]

Absolutely. Yes. No, absolutely. I feel like every season, there's something, whether it's a friend or a fan that stops us and says, I'm going through that right now. Or I've been through that. It's so relatable, for sure.

[Deval Ellis]

I got two close friends that got three baby mothers who was just like, zach's story is there. And I have a friend, particularly, who broke up with his girl, got back with her, she got pregnant. And then it was like, dang, my new girl is pissed because my old girl is pregnant. And they still worked it out. Like, the new girl and the old girl, they found a way to co parent together. Because not everybody is toxic.

[Regina Hall]

Right.

[Deval Ellis]

Some people find ways to make things work. So a lot of people are like, yo, watching y' all go through this was my life.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Y' all always say to yourself, man, we didn't knew stories. You know how back in the day our parents used to. Grandparents used to watch their stories.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[DJ Envy]

Watch my stories. They love lives born and beautiful y', all.

[Deval Ellis]

The new stories.

[Crystal]

Isn't that crazy? A primetime soap opera? Yeah, it's crazy. People tune in every week just like our grandparents did every day.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I remember grandparents, mamas. Did my mama watch All My children.

[Regina Hall]

And be mad at y'.

[Deval Ellis]

All.

[Regina Hall]

I be mad at y' all sometimes. I'll be like, man, I hope that only come up today.

[Deval Ellis]

Because this episode, you get it all the time.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

People give you the middle finger, the.

[Deval Ellis]

Street all the time.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ladies, curse your out.

[Podcast Host]

Make it good for you both.

[Deval Ellis]

Both shows. Because Zach's character is very divisive. Yes. He was written to be an antagonist to these ladies. So when people be like, he get on my nerves. That's what he was supposed to do. But when they see me, they just like, I can't stand you. I'm like, I'm doing my job. And then on Zatima, he still has the same remnants. So he does stuff to Fatima that even when I'm reading it, I'm like, I would never in my life as a man do this. But then I have to justify it in my mind that to act it out on television and People be like, I just can't stand you on that show. I'm like, I know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do people pull you to the side and start asking you questions? Be like, why would you do that?

[Deval Ellis]

Like, it's really you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you answer in character?

[Regina Hall]

Yes, you do.

[Deval Ellis]

I do. Even. Even just now, right? I'm defending Fatima. I'm like, andy is jealous because Zach.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Has to see it that way.

[Deval Ellis]

I literally went back into it. But when you step back and think about it, like, she's supposed to be supporting a woman doing a job that's supposed to be supporting black women, and she's not. Fatima's wrong in that situation. But Zach don't see that. Andy jealous. That's the way Zach see it. So when I talk to people, I talk to them like, it's the stories. I'm like, yeah, Zach will do what he want to do. I don't give an F if you mad. And they be like, I can't believe you act like this. I'm like, that's my character, baby.

[Regina Hall]

And I'mma give you the utmost props because you are not even a mom. But the way you are carrying on like baby mama, all of that, like.

[Crystal]

You know what I'm saying?

[Regina Hall]

Giving it up for the prego tap in the channel because I know you are a godmother. You do have beautiful children in your life.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But what did you.

[Regina Hall]

Did you call up Kadeen? Like, look, how was you acting?

[Crystal]

Well, I was around. I saw how she was acting. Yeah. When she was pregnant with Dakota. My sister recently had a daughter, and my brother just had a son. So I've seen it while they were pregnant. We've been on vacation. So I, like, I study everybody, the movements, how they get up, how they walk, and it's so crazy. I had to go get realigned after that season because of, like, pushing up with one.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, you thought you was a pregnant woman for real, Evelyn, I gotta get into it.

[DJ Envy]

You was a chiropractor?

[Crystal]

Oh, yeah. I had to. I had my first of all. The prosthetic. Belly is so heavy.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

And then just like, getting up and pushing, like, with one arm. How a pregnant mother would.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

I can't imagine, like, the pain that they're really in carrying a baby and then like that. Oh, it was bad. My back was all jacked up and shoulder.

[Regina Hall]

So you still good with being a rich auntie in real life? You good?

[Crystal]

Absolutely. Okay. Yeah. I love it.

[Regina Hall]

It's the power of acting. Right? See?

[DJ Envy]

Is it true? She one of your godmothers?

[Deval Ellis]

Yes, that's the coldest D. Okay. Okay.

[Crystal]

Yes. I got to see Kadeen while she was pregnant. That was the latest one that I actually got to see to watch and study how they move.

[Regina Hall]

How.

[Podcast Host]

I was going to ask, how well does that.

[Crystal]

How. Sorry.

[Podcast Host]

How well does that work for you guys on screen? Like, because you have a real life relationship, but also, when does it hurt that you have a real life relationship and you guys are working together on screen?

[Crystal]

Oh, what scene was season was that? This is one. Okay, now I'm getting mixed up. What show it was? It was a season where we were really at odds.

[Deval Ellis]

Season two of Zatima.

[Crystal]

Yeah. So we couldn't even, like, talk like, in real life.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He remembers it.

[Deval Ellis]

Season two. Season two. We actually got into an argument because we weren't talking.

[DJ Envy]

We are.

[Deval Ellis]

We're very close. Like, her and me. Her and my wife are close. Me and her are close. We talk, like, every single day. We doing season two, I'm getting into Zach mode, and Zach's not feeling Fatima. So I'm not texting, I'm not calling. We not talking.

[Regina Hall]

Damn.

[Deval Ellis]

And she's just like, yo, D, what's up? And I'm just like, what's up?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Don't what's up me right now.

[Deval Ellis]

We was really having conversations. I was like, listen, in order for me to go to my job. Cause people don't understand this, too.

[Crystal]

I do not remember this.

[Deval Ellis]

We filmed 20. We filmed 20 episodes in 10 days.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Jesus.

[Deval Ellis]

So how am I supposed to be happy? Go lucky one minute and then be angry? And then this season was when I found out that my mom and my brother was going through drug stuff. I talked about my dad, and I was going through therapy. I had to cry, like, every other scene. So I was really just in a bad place. And a lot of time, people don't realize with actors, you wear that when you walk around. Like, when I'm in a bad place as Zach and I gotta go do something, sometimes the remnants come out, and sometimes I have to apologize to people. Like, my fault. Like, I didn't mean that. And in that situation, it was like that. You know, we got into argument, and I said, y', all, I don't think I can do this. Remember after season two, I was like, I can't do this no more. She's like, what you mean? And I was like, it's just a lot. It's heavy to be this character.

[DJ Envy]

So you a method actor for real?

[Deval Ellis]

For real.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

Seriously? Yeah, I am. Like, the last couple years has been a lot. I Did another project with Courtney where my character went through a lot. I lost my daughter. Oh, shout out to Old Gray Mare. And I had to do press while filming, and I broke down in an interview. Matter of fact, it was the ESSENCE interview where I broke down, and I was like, I'm tired. I'm exhausted.

[Regina Hall]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

I had just come off a film in Old Grey Mare where I lost my daughter in a tragic accident. So I really was just exhausted mentally. And I'm doing an interview, and I was tired, and I broke down, and people were like, damn, what is he going through? And I'm like, I was going through it, but I was in character. So how do you.

[Regina Hall]

Oh, go ahead.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And I was gonna ask. So when you have that. When you shoot 10 days and you in character that long, do you not go home and you be like, babe, I'm just gonna get a hotel next?

[Deval Ellis]

I don't go home. I stay on campus. Stay on campus, and we lock in. Cause even my kids don't like seeing me like that. Like, I'm auditioning for projects now. I'm walking around saying lines in my head, going through stuff. And they just like, dad going through something.

[Crystal]

Right?

[Deval Ellis]

But that's what actors go through, and people don't realize it's a real thing. But I love what I do, and I love that I have somebody like this. My homie, my best friend. When I'm going through something, she'll be like, bro, you are devoured right now, not Zach.

[Crystal]

When I saw that Essence interview, I remember calling you. I was like, bro, she called me, you putting a lot on yourself right now. And I've been on him about therapy. I'm like, you need to go talk to somebody. Cause I feel like black men, they hold up everything and everyone around them. And as a friend, I can see, like, this. It's a lot on you right now. And I could see it in real time on that interview. And I was like, I know my friend is hurting right now.

[Deval Ellis]

She called me.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

It wasn't no text, no dm. She called me, yo. And I was like, what's up? She's like, facetime me. She's like, what's going on? And a lot of people don't realize that, like, when you're going through stuff, you really need people to give you grace and give you empathy and shout out to, like, y', all, too, for talking about this. You talk about mental health all the time with men. And that's why I actually love playing Zach, because Zach is going Through a lot. He lost his child, and I lost my child. So doing that scene as sisters and not having to go through this with Zatima, my homegirl here, she. When we. Do you remember the scene?

[Crystal]

I remember, yes.

[Deval Ellis]

The end of season four, there's a scene. It's a real bad scene. And it goes back to when I watched gay miscarry. And we doing the scene, everybody shooting fast. They're like, yo, that was dope. I go back in the tent, lost it, lost it. Crying.

[Regina Hall]

I'm like, ah.

[Deval Ellis]

And then my barber comes in and is just like, what's the matter? I'm like, I need somebody. So they get Crystal. Crystal come in, they call K, and they're like, deval, you all right? I said, y' all don't realize 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. And I had to think about that for weeks afterwards. So it's good to have somebody that this journey I'm doing with somebody. I love it. But shout out to y' all for talking about mental health. You talk about it all the time, too, Envy, because as a father, I think you got six kids now. 6. Yep. 6. People don't know until that man break down how much he had to carry before, it was like, it's enough now. You know, we. We allow. And black women. We don't even allow black women to vent as much as we should, but we allow our women to vent more than men. Yeah, but in Zatima, specifically, we are talking about mental health for black men, and I appreciate it.

[DJ Envy]

Have you got that disconnect after the show's over, though? Like, you know, because, you know, you said you stay away from your family while you're filming. Once filming and everything's complete, it's time to go back home. How do you just disconnect and get that character out of you?

[Deval Ellis]

What people don't know is that I disconnect from you talking about social media and everything. There's points in social media where you won't see me too much. There's stuff I filmed before. There's stuff that I just collab on, and I take about four weeks, and I just disappear from everybody, because I got to get back to me. I got to get back to spending time with my kids, my wife, my family. I can't just be Zach all the time. And even when you're on social media, you Zach. So I just got to put it down, and I don't they ating you.

[DJ Envy]

Like, fuck you, Zach. Therapy ain't working, man.

[Deval Ellis]

For real, though.

[Regina Hall]

For real.

[Deval Ellis]

People come at you. I can't believe you treat Fatima like that. If I ever see you in the street, damn. And I'm just like, damn, this is a TV show. But I get it. You invested.

[Crystal]

All right, we appreciate it.

[Deval Ellis]

Keep watching. Keep watching. But it gets to be a lot sometimes.

[Regina Hall]

How do you respond to the people that really relate to Zach? Like, the guys. There are guys. There are real life Zack. Like my son's father, Rome. Rome loves Zach. Rome is Zach. Like, how do you give advice to the real Zachs of the world?

[Deval Ellis]

I tell them because I do have a couple of really close friends who are Zachs, and I tell them, like, you have to. You have to give yourself grace and empathy, but also, don't be afraid to do the work, bro.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

Like, what we saw growing up. A lot of us growing up in the 90s and 2000s was a lot of toxic behavior from a lot of people that we just said was normal.

[DJ Envy]

Very true.

[Deval Ellis]

But it was so fun, wasn't it? Wasn't it?

[Regina Hall]

But it was hurting, y'.

[Deval Ellis]

All.

[DJ Envy]

It was.

[Deval Ellis]

It was hurting. It was hurting a lot of us. And we just have to change our mentality and realize that it's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to say no. It's okay to say, I don't want to do this. And the more I speak to these young men who talk to me about it, they say, you know what? I thought being Zach was the.

[Regina Hall]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Deval Ellis]

From Paul Thomas Anderson comes one battle after another. What's going on, everybody? It's your boy, juju Green, AKA Straw Hat Goofy. You're a movie guy, and I'm sitting here with the lovely and quite frankly, badass women of one battle after another. We got Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infinity. When you first read your character on that script, what did your character remind you of?

[Regina Hall]

As you can see, you know, we don't always agree with a lot of things that perfidia do. But for the most part, we see a survivor. We see a woman that's in survival mode. You know, we also see a woman that's unapologetically herself, but then she is also, like, mysterious. And, like, you know, she got, like, a little sex appeal that's like, you know, how's she pulling them in like that?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You feel me?

[Regina Hall]

You know, she's mysterious, and she's also like a master manipulator. And she's like a octopus. She can, like, get her way out of anything.

[Crystal]

You know what I'm saying?

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah, I love that. One battle after another. Now playing only in theaters. Experience it in IMAX and other premium formats. Get tickets now. Rated R under 17, not admitted without parent. Best I Could Be, which is having sex with a bunch of different women and having babies and chasing the streets. And now they're starting to see different versions of that because there are different versions of black men who aren't doing what we grew up thinking was the only way to get out.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

So now I'm just like, look at other people who you want to aspire to be like and then follow that, you know? And also I tell them, get off social media. Which is crazy because I've built so much of my empire on social media. I constantly tell them to get off social media. All of these young men, they're like, how do you get off? It is a drug. It's addictive. It's not healthy.

[Crystal]

We just talking about that.

[Deval Ellis]

It's a business. You know what I'm saying? It's not real.

[DJ Envy]

It's not a real space is shaping narratives about ourselves. Like you're allowing other people to shape narratives about you.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

You know how wild that is to know who you are, to know what you about, to get online and reason and be like. Then you start believing that.

[Crystal]

Wait, am I. Yeah, it's real.

[Podcast Host]

I was going to say after that, because before the ESSENCE interview, you and Kadeen were here. And when I watched ESSENCE interview and I watched people respond to it, the conversations that it started from me were also really powerful.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

When you see that, are you. Because you're very open. But is there now, like, a different sense of responsibility? Because all of your open moments cause moments like that and you don't even do it on purpose.

[Deval Ellis]

I don't. But all I can do is be open. Ever since I was a little kid, I always spoke my mind. Like, truth is always like. You see, I hashtag devours truth. Because I want people to say, realize this is not what I'm saying. The world is. This is what I've experienced. This is what I've been through. And if what I've been through make you feel something good or bad, then I'm just sharing and that's all I can do. If it made you feel something bad and you can take away something to become better because of it, cool. If you took away something good, cool. But I got to share and tell my truth to fulfill my purpose. You know, ever since I was young, I felt like God was like, yo, you have a purpose that's bigger than just doing whatever it is you think is going to be done in Brooklyn. And stay with that. Don't ever fall weary of that. Don't. Don't hide from it. Don't go on a different adjacent. Just listen to what God is telling you and do that. And for me, it's sharing my life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I didn't expect to share about the miscarriage with K, but then all these women started talking about. They went through it perimenopause. We shared about that. Women are talking about that mental health with men, it's like, these are conversations we should be having. That's why all of the taboo topics that are causing conversations that people are upset about is what we need as a people.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't think people are upset. I just love the honesty.

[Deval Ellis]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because what your relationship is, is not Jess and Chris's relationship. It's not me and Gia's relationship. It's not Charlamagne and his wife's relationship.

[Regina Hall]

It's not.

[Deval Ellis]

I forgot.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Sorry, Lauren.

[Deval Ellis]

But it's not.

[Regina Hall]

It's not.

[DJ Envy]

She got two. Lauren got two.

[Deval Ellis]

Zach in real life.

[Regina Hall]

But yes. Don't know.

[Podcast Host]

Don't put me in Zach as though.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But the reason I love it, it shows people that it's not perfect.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because what we seen was a lot different in our industry growing up. We seen the go to the clubs and chase this. We seen that. And I wish there were other people, other besides the Cosby show that showed us how to do things.

[Deval Ellis]

Envy. I'm glad you. I'm so glad you said that. Because the truth is, when I was growing up, I said to my dad and my uncles, I wish y' all would have told me some of this stuff when I was in my teenage years. Why? Why did you wait till I'm older? And they always tell me, well, we don't talk about that, but think about how you could have helped me.

[Regina Hall]

Correct.

[DJ Envy]

Right.

[Deval Ellis]

Think about how. So that's what I use. I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna tell the truth. It may not be pretty, but hopefully it helps somebody. That's right. I got four boys. Hopefully it helps them. So that's all I can do with this. Especially wizardima. People like, why do you like playing Zach? Because Zach is toxic. Zach is angry. Zach has trauma. Zack is all of us. But I get to be Zach and make poor decisions and to watch people see how that poor decision affected my girl. So now the next dude that think he wants to be Zach looks up and says, oh, that's how I affected Fatima. Let me not do that to my girl. So that's, you know, to me, it's just another example.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Regina Hall]

Chris, have you planned Zach ever helped your marriage with Kadeem?

[Deval Ellis]

Like, absolutely, Absolutely. Just having those conversations in real life and being like, yo, if Zach would have told. For example, if Zach goes to Fatima and tells him he knows about Chaz, rather than going off the rail and be like, I'm gonna press this nigga. Yeah, that's me. Now, if I have an issue now, I'm gonna write to my wife. I don't care what the issue is. This is what it is. I don't know how you think you wanna deal with it, but it's how I feel. Once I tell her how I feel about it, then she's like, okay, we can handle it this way. If I'm in agreement, we rock. If I'm not in agreement, she be like, hey, you the leader in this. I'll let you take the role. But having the conversation is more important than just going off and doing it on your own.

[Regina Hall]

You weren't always like that.

[Deval Ellis]

No, I was not. Because I wasn't taught like that. My father was like, yo, as the man of the house, is your responsibility to take the stress off your wife? Don't go to her and tell her everything. That's what he told me. And I was like, you know what? I feel that. Until I realized that my decisions, when I wasn't telling her was bringing her more stress. And then that's when I learned, like, I'm going to her anyway. And my father changed too. I talked to him. I came here and told you how I had that conversation with my pops. Now my pops come to me. He's like, I had this issue, man. I went and talked right to your mother. And I was like, what happened? And he was just like, yo, me and your mom talking, now they going on vacations. And then my father says to me, you know, I feel like I became a better man because I started to listen. I said, no, it's because you also started to share. He shared. And when he shared, he started to get other people's perspectives.

[DJ Envy]

I think it's Both. Because it's all about communication.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah, very true.

[DJ Envy]

It's talking about is receiving talk and receive it.

[Deval Ellis]

Very true.

[Podcast Host]

Crystal, a lot of us, a lot of women see themselves in Fatima. What do you want women take away from your character? Maybe in general, but I guess more so. When I watch your character, I'm like, when does. When does she take care of herself?

[Crystal]

She doesn't.

[Podcast Host]

She always showing up for her man and for everybody.

[Crystal]

Yeah. You know, it's funny you say that, because there was another interview I did with. With all the sisters, and they talked about me and Zach's relationship. And when I look at it from the outside looking in, it's not a relationship that I would desire in real life, because it's very toxic. It's a lot of different energies, and I just like to live a peaceful life, you know, and. Which is part of the reason why I go so hard as my real character, Crystal, like, my true character, who I am, because I don't want women to feel like that's exactly what I want. Which is why we like. We add stuff to the scenes to show people resolution or how we working through things. One thing that Fatima does not do is take care of herself. She doesn't pour back into herself. She's of kind, constantly pouring into other people. The Andes and Zach and all his stuff that he has going on. But I wish that they would write in some stuff where she can actually just pour back into herself.

[DJ Envy]

You started off as a costume designer, right?

[Crystal]

Yes. I actually met you when I was styling Tyler at Global Citizens in South Africa. That's when I first met you. I was styling Tyler then. Yeah. Started off as a PA and then worked my way up through costumes.

[DJ Envy]

So you were responsible for the bad wigs?

[Crystal]

I was not that tame. Right. It ain't me.

[Regina Hall]

I wore a dress.

[Podcast Host]

It's clothing.

[Deval Ellis]

I'm gonna try.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

She said, no, no, that part wasn't me.

[Deval Ellis]

That wasn't me.

[DJ Envy]

So how'd you make the transition? Like, how did you go from costume designer to being in front of the camera?

[Crystal]

Well, I was always pursuing acting behind the scenes, like anybody who has a real dream. And music, you have to have a day job. And music, you have to have a day job, Something to pay the bills. And I always try to put myself around what I'm trying to do, which was act. So what she's doing while I was. Well, yeah, what I'm doing now. Come on.

[Deval Ellis]

She's doing acting and music, currently.

[Crystal]

Go ahead and thank you, Val.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Crystal]

Come on.

[Deval Ellis]

Gotcha.

[Crystal]

So, yeah, I fast forward worked my way up from a PA at the studio to costume designer to styling Tyler for five years. And at the time I started styling Tyler, I stopped auditioning. I was actively pursuing acting really, really hard, and nothing was really coming. So when Tyler offered me the position, I was like, dang, does he think I can't act? Because I had auditioned for some of his stuff, but he had never seen the auditions. So when I finally got the guts to tell him I was producing Sisters with him, it was season one. I'm breaking it down for costume design. And I just told him. I was like, listen, I've been wanting to act. These are my stories, my friends stories. Because we were giving him, this is what we're going through in Atlanta, dating in our 30s. And he was like, I love this idea. And he gave me the opportunity. And then here we are.

[DJ Envy]

Go ahead, Tyler.

[Deval Ellis]

That's right.

[Crystal]

Very full circle moment. And I think being coming from a PA and working my way through the system, I just have a different lens as an actor, a different appreciation for every single person in the room on the set that a lot of actors may not have because they didn't come all the way through. So I love my journey. Everybody's journey is different, but I'm very appreciative of the journey that God took me on.

[Regina Hall]

Okay, so what's up with this music then? What's up?

[Crystal]

I'm working. It's my schedule. Jess has been so crazy. And you know what studio time is like, 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.

[Regina Hall]

So is music something that you've always wanted to do?

[Crystal]

Oh, yeah. Since a kid. Like, I've been into music.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

Yeah, for sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I do want to ask a question. When you walked in, you were telling me that your sons are playing football.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now, you've been up here many times.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You talked about football has beat up your body.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Put you on strenuous programs, up early in the morning, you miss so much. Why do you want your sons to play football?

[Deval Ellis]

Well, here's the funny part. I don't want them to play football. They want to play football because their dad played football and it's popular. I would prefer them to run track because track is all about discipline. You got to eat different. It's a skill set that people don't understand. Learning how to run properly, it takes the proper force, production. It takes everything. I just want them to Understand discipline so that they can apply that discipline to anything in life. Right. 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 and challenge them without having to deal with the BS that goes on out in the world.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Dance for girls dances. What? That discipline is a different discipline, so.

[Regina Hall]

That's right.

[Deval Ellis]

How many girls you got?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I got four girls, two boys.

[Deval Ellis]

Oh, so you've been to a lot of dance recitals? What?

[Regina Hall]

I put on a lot of.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I got one this weekend, 7:00am to 7:00pm okay, continue on.

[Deval Ellis]

Sorry.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I have fast paced.

[Deval Ellis]

I don't miss going to dance recitals with my sister. But that discipline is exactly why I want them to play sports. I just want them to be great humans, great people. Be good men. And just know that, okay, when the adversity comes, I can work through.

[Crystal]

Definitely builds character. I feel like us both being former athletes has like, that discipline carries your entire life. It really does. Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

What did you play?

[Crystal]

I was a competition cheerleader.

[Deval Ellis]

Oh, cool. Yeah.

[Crystal]

Which is like equivalent to dancing. But that schedule is like rigorous. I know. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

People don't understand it. I don't know if it's a sport. It's considered sport. But cheerleading and dance, as much as they practice.

[Crystal]

Oh, my goodness.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

As much as they effort, they put.

[Podcast Host]

Into it, especially the competition, the competition.

[Crystal]

Level, like, we would get hurt worse than football. We don't have helmets.

[Deval Ellis]

You tore an Achilles.

[Crystal]

I tore my Achilles. Broken nose, Concussion, broken nose.

[Deval Ellis]

That's falling from the.

[Crystal]

Like, I was a babe. I flew in college. I was a base in middle school through high school. And a girl came down. Twist. Straight to the elbow, straight to my nose. And you keep going, don't stop. Finish the routine.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Bloody nose going.

[Crystal]

Keep going. I don't care if the bone is out your arm, you finish the routine. Our coach was shout out Fran Spears.

[Regina Hall]

She was.

[Deval Ellis]

That standard is what I think is missing from us. Right. Like, everything is very, very soft. One thing I will say about my sons playing football, I like the fact that they get to be rugged. And it's like, yo, you gotta push through that guy. But he's standing there. Dad can't give me no excuses. Either you push through him or you don't. You know, like, I think sports back in the 90s, 2000 was, you know, coaches would curse at kids, scream at kids. Challenging.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Can't do that now.

[Crystal]

You can't do anything.

[Deval Ellis]

My brother used to coach at canarsie High school. He doesn't anymore, but I think he got written up for quote unquote, speaking violently to a kid, which was raising his voice. And I said, how do you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He ain't know none of my coaches then.

[Deval Ellis]

Back then, right, My coach used to say the wildest things. Shout out to Jeffrey Ishmael. He used to say the wildest stuff to me. I'm not even gonna say it on the radio, but it would get you locked in. Like, let me focus. This man done cursed me out and threatened to kill me, but I know I gotta lock in and I do my job.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you didn't think he was gonna kill you. But he definitely said I killed you.

[Deval Ellis]

I never in my life thought he was gonna kill me. I always knew that man loved me more than probably his own kids. But if he was cursing me out, then that means I wasn't doing something.

[DJ Envy]

And you knew it was gonna be consequences.

[Deval Ellis]

Absolutely, yeah. There's no consequences for people these days. They can say what they want, they can do what they want. And I think it's hurting us as a community.

[Regina Hall]

It most definitely is. I still with my son ass to this day.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He taller than you.

[Regina Hall]

Yes, to this day. You better stoop down so I can get you one up in there.

[Deval Ellis]

That's my mom.

[Regina Hall]

Yes. So, Crystal, now going back to what you said about the role, right? You said, looking at it as Crystal, you would not take this shit that's happening. You would look out for yourself. You would be the total opposite. How does that affect dating in your real life?

[Crystal]

Yeah, you know, I think it's made me more aware of my boundaries and my nos. You know, you have to have your nose. What you're not willing to deal with, what are your deal breakers. And I feel like this character has also helped me identify. Yo, I don't want that, you know, I don't want a guy with a bunch of kids, you know, and it's crazy I say that, but my father has. It's four kids by four different women and is one of the most amazing men I know, you know, loves us all. He's just a good stand up guy. So I know it's possible, but for me, and I think it's also the temperature of the culture right now and like the toxicity when it comes to baby mamas and the drama. I'm good, I'm cool.

[Regina Hall]

So it scares you from dating or.

[Crystal]

Just like not scares me from dating, but I just know, like, I don't want a guy that's got a bunch of kids all over the world place. You know, maybe not an ex convict. You know, just not exactly.

[Regina Hall]

Have y'. All. Have you and Kadeen ever tried to set her up?

[Deval Ellis]

I. I try to stay away from that. I don't want to have no parts and sending people just in case it don't work. I tried to set up one friend.

[Regina Hall]

Okay.

[Deval Ellis]

It didn't work out. They was both mad at me. You. And I was like, I thought y' all would work well together.

[Crystal]

Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

Because I saw some synergy, and then, you know, what you think your friend is in daytime, they don't act that way. And what K's friend was acting. I found out she don't act that way. So I said, you know what? I let all of the matchmaking go to Cupid. I don't want no parts of it. I love you, my friend. Whoever you find, I will embrace them as my brother, but I don't want no parts of that.

[Regina Hall]

Just don't be a Zach. You said, don't be a Zach.

[Crystal]

Yeah, okay. But Zach, not saying all of Zach is good. There are some guys who have had a past that have changed. Like, we've all. Like, we all have our things that we've done. And not saying people can't be redeemed, it's just what I've seen and the drama that people deal with, I don't want to welcome that. You know what I'm saying? But if I meet somebody and he's just a great. Because Zach is a great guy. He's honest to his core. He's a really good guy, and I can't. I cannot say that he's not.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah.

[Crystal]

He's flawed. We all are. Yeah. For sure.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Devoir, have you given Crystal any. Any tips on her new podcast? Because she's launching a podcast called Keep It Positive, Sweetie on the Black Effect Period Podcast network.

[Deval Ellis]

I will say I was one of the people that told her she should have a podcast. I know.

[Regina Hall]

That's right.

[Crystal]

Yes.

[Deval Ellis]

One thing I want to do is see all my friends win. I want to come. I want to call all my friends one day and be like, yo, we all going here on this island? So love that. When she started talking to me about her story and her journey and everything that she believes, and I was like, you should, like, talk about this. She's like, deval, I don't know. I said, I don't care if you don't know. You got to just do it. And then that's all I had to say. And she took it up and ran with it, and now it's like she's a beast with it. I went to the last live show she had in Atlanta. It was crazy. She came out like Beyonce. It was funny because the lights was down and they didn't know that she was in the arena. So the lights come down and everyone screams, where's Crystal? Then the lights come up, and she's there with her background dancers and all these women going, ah. And it just felt good to watch my friend have that moment. Like, she out there doing her thing and people are adoring her. It felt good. And I'm telling you, make sure y' all tune in and keep it positive, sweetie. I know I do. Make sure y' all tune in. It's gonna be. I can't make the announcement, right?

[Crystal]

Well, he just did.

[Podcast Host]

Yes. Coming to Black.

[DJ Envy]

September 2020.

[Deval Ellis]

Make sure y' all tune in to keep it positive, sweetie.

[Crystal]

Back, baby.

[DJ Envy]

What can they expect, Crystal?

[Crystal]

Same, you know. Right. I mean, this is our. We're in two years in. More of just showing people that we're more alike than we're not.

[Deval Ellis]

Yes.

[Crystal]

More of bringing people closer to Christ. More of welcoming people. Cause I feel like the Christian community has done such a great job at pushing people away. I wanted people to feel seen and feel loved and know that, hey, you're good here, you know, So I just.

[Deval Ellis]

Got some pushback on that. On Instagram, I posted. I talked about church hurt. You know, I talked about how, like I said, I'm not anti church, I'm not anti God, because I'm not. But I just don't believe in going to the same church family that I felt like, did me so dirty every Sunday to save face. So I haven't found a church home yet. And I guess people got upset because I said I wasn't in church every Sunday. But that's just my story.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

I can't sit out here and just say, I believe in God and praise God. But then people like, well, I don't see you in church. Well, this is why I got my feelings hurt. I felt judged, and I'm looking for the right place.

[DJ Envy]

You know, we have a. You know, I do my mental wealth expo every year, and we have a panel about that specific topic. Yeah. Salute to my good sister, Debbie Brown. Like, that was her idea. She. We have a topic about that.

[Crystal]

In particular, remember the episode we did with Brenda? I had a bunch of different people from all different walks, backgrounds, sexual preferences, everything showing that we're not as far from God as we think. We are, because a lot of us feel, like, shame and certain things. We're like, I can't even talk to him. And when we all sat down, we were like, dang.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

I ain't gonna lie. That's how I felt with church shame. Because I'm like, I don't always live perfectly.

[Crystal]

So if I go on Sundays, they.

[Deval Ellis]

Gonna just be talking about me. So I don't want to go. I literally felt shame and shout out to Brenda. Cause Brenda.

[Crystal]

Brenda Palmer.

[Deval Ellis]

Yeah. Brenda Palmer made me feel so welcome. And she's not a judgmental person at all. She's the one that made me feel like. Like, yo, if everybody was more Christ, like. Like this, I would go every Sunday.

[Crystal]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Deval Ellis]

But it's hard because I know that I'm not living right. I'm trying. You know what I'm saying? But I'm not perfect. And I just.

[Regina Hall]

All the deacons and the ushers and all that.

[Crystal]

Hello.

[Deval Ellis]

Well, go ahead.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah, nothing.

[Crystal]

Just go ahead.

[Regina Hall]

Yeah, so a little bit. And you know, when they do do the communion, it was liquor with some of them. You all got to know that the.

[DJ Envy]

New season is A Team is on BET plus right now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you for joining us so much. Appreciate you guys.

[Deval Ellis]

Appreciate y', all. Man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[Regina Hall]

Love y'.

[Crystal]

All.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes.

[Deval Ellis]

Hold up. Every day I wake up.

[DJ Envy]

Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club.

[Deval Ellis]

Finish or y' all done?

[DJ Envy]

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[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.