← The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club
INTERVIEW: Taye Diggs, J Carter & Troy Brookins Talk Production Partnership, Hollywood Vs. Influencers +More
00:45:54
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This is an I heart podcast. I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. Stories like Erica Hunt, a young mother vanished without a trace after a family gathering on 4th of July weekend 2016. No goodbyes, no clues, just gone. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Get fired up, y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people, an incomparable soccer icon Megan Rapinoe, to the show and we had a blast. Take a listen. Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're like, whee. People ride bikes because it's fun. We got more incredible guests like Megan in store, plus news of the day and more. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network. I just think the process and the journey is so delicious. That's where all the good stuff is. You just can't live and die by the end result. That's comedian Phoebe Robinson. And yeah, those are the kinds of gems you'll only hear on my podcast, the Bright side. I'm your host, Simone Boyce. I'm talking to the brightest minds in entertainment, health, wellness and pop culture. And every week we're going places in our communities, our careers, and ourselves. So join me every Monday and let's find the bright side together. Listen to the Bright side on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When your car is making a strange noise, no matter what it is, you can't just pretend it's not happening. That's an interesting sound. It's like your mental health. If you're struggling and feeling overwhelmed, it's important to do something about it. It can be as simple as talking to someone or just taking a deep, calming breath to ground yourself. Because once you start to address the problem, you can go so much further. The Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council have resources available for you at loveyourmindtoday.org Football fans, what's up? It's go time. The NFL season has finally arrived and there's no better time to get in on all the action. With my partners at DraftKings Sportsbook. New customers bet $5 to get $300 instantly in bonus bets and $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. So what are you waiting for? Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app right now. Sign up with code TBC and own your Saturdays. The crown is yours. Hold up. Every day, I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. Y' all finished or y' all done? Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlemagne, the guy. We are the breakfast club. Lauren LaRosa is here as well, and we got some special guests in the building. Yes, indeed. We got the brother, Tay Diggs. Yes. Is this your first time here? No. Now, I've been here. You haven't been here a minute. It's long. It's been a long time, right? I've been here before. I'm a black man. Okay, There you go. You've been here a couple times. Yes. Yeah. Okay. Last time you hit, like, 2018. It was a long time ago. All right. Jay Carter and Troy Brookins. Welcome, fellas. Thank you. How y' all doing this morning? How y' all feeling? Sure. Yeah. Feeling good? Feeling good. Yeah. Happy to be here. What to what do do we owe this threesome? That's why I think I'm in here. Hilarious. We're promoting this new lube, Chocolate Glide. Chocolate Glide. He said some new lube boy. That's right. Yeah. It goes in easy, comes out smooth. That actually might work. So it's a production team. We're a producer team, newly formed, and, you know, kind of happened organically, where we started to produce content as we cast, Tay, Troy, and I. And then, you know, the natural kind of progression of it. Like, you know what? Let's three black men. Let's go and own this ourselves. Let's build a table. Let's build a couple seats. So, yeah, that's what we owe this occasion. Also to promote a new movie. Nice. That we just wrapped. I feel like that's the only way in Hollywood now, like, to form your own production company and shoot your own stuff. I mean, Tay, you probably know better than most. I mean, it's like. I mean, obviously, there's the way things have been done, but if you want to guarantee anything at this point, you've got to do it yourself, because there's no shame these days. People will lie right to your face, and there's no code. And for someone like me, I just got frustrated because I like to play by the rules. But when the people on my own team are not playing by the rules, but then breaking. And I'm watching them break them. Let's do this ourselves. And right now, with social media and every. It's proof that, like, people are taking control. And I love that. How did you three come together? How did this happen? Yeah, I can. I can take that if you want. Sure, yeah. So we had a movie. So I'm a part of Freely Films. So it's me, Tania Wright, my wife lashawn. She's a partner in business and in life. We have a production company, and so we were producing this movie called the Comeback a couple years ago, and actually we cast the lead female in the role. And this is how, you know, things just happen. And you gotta embrace that opportunity. Right? The universe, right? Yeah, the universe just happened. So the agent for the female called me. The female lead called me and said, hey, have you cast the male lead yet? And I'm just bopping around. I'm like, nah, we haven't cast it. We've got a few people we're talking to. Right. And she was like, well, Taye Diggs has seen the script. Would you be interested in Taye Diggs? Now, that was the most obvious. But here's the thing about it, like. And this is how you can block your blessings. I tried to talk her out of it because I wasn't ready. I didn't think I was ready. It's the same thing. And we think we're doing the right thing because we think it's humility, but we're getting in our own way. Getting in our own way. And so she talked me into it. She was like, jay, no, this is happening. Embrace it. Run with it. And so that was a couple years ago. He came into Atlanta, where I'm based on, shot it, hugely successful on Peacock as well, and the rest is history. So we've been collaborating ever since. I'm interested in that because if you write a script, you know, it's great. At least I would think you would know it's great. Why wouldn't you expect anybody to read it and want to be a part of it? Well, that. That's the crazy thing about the business. Like, what you said makes sense. Yeah. Business as it is now makes no sense. It makes no sense. Like, if you knew the movies that got turned down and if you saw the stars that were in those movies, and what. You'd be like, what? There's no rhyme or read like egos. I mean, it's. It's really frustrating because you're. You're. You're raised to think that everything happens for a reason. Like, I knew I was talented. I knew I would. I got. Got into school. When I got into school, I was like, okay, black people. The business is gonna need black people. I'm gonna move to New York. I can do stage or screen. That happened, and then I got movie after movie. Then all of a sudden, the rules changed. Wait, who are the influencers? Who is it? I don't know who that is. Wait, he got the part over, but he doesn't have any experience. It doesn't matter. He's got followers. What are followers? Is his videos that videos? Who is anybody paint? No, he just put on videos and. Because he got all. So it's like, you gotta adjust. Yeah, let me do. I can't swear. Let's do this ourselves. Yeah, and we'll. We'll play by their rules, but at least we'll. I won't have the excuse. I can't complain. Now I'm play by your rules, but we're gonna do it our way. Does it bother you when somebody doesn't put in the amount of time that you did, doesn't go to the school, doesn't do the things that you did, and then because of followers or because of social media or because of a funny skit, might get the part over you? Does that bother you at all? I mean, if there's talent there, then it's cool. You know what I mean? For me, I just didn't. It didn't make sense. I didn't care who was doing what. Like, good for you. Whatever they were doing was working. And I was like, good for you. But I don't know what to do right now. Yeah, you know what I mean? Is that why you started showing your ass? He said, yeah, like, Indy would come in here and show me that video, and I'll be like, on Instagram. I'm not. That's why it smells like, how can I make this work for me? All right, well, I'll just be funny and not even. I don't even. I don't even realize that people are watching. I would just, like, express myself and if it worked. Okay, I don't know what's happening, but they say post. I still have to ask him. I don't. Like, how do I double the. Well, how do I take this and copy, you know? Well, we love Tay Diggs on Instagram and things like that. I appreciate it and I apologize, because that's. You never saw if you like the post. What are you talking about? You never Saw when he liked the post. He loves your post. I don't even know how to read the responses. You just post and just go about your day. It's like therapy. Yeah, but you do realize, I mean, that's interesting to see. See to hear somebody like T. Diggs feel like they had to do that. How do you think I feel? How do you think I feel? Right. I totally get it. You. You don't want me in this movie. You want Joe Schlafani, who's never acted in his life. And I can't. It's not even. I can't get an audition. I'm not even a part of the conversation. That's crazy. So I was like, I don't. I don't hate that dude. But somebody tell me what's going on with these rules, because I've worked really hard and I like to buy a lot of nice release. You know what I'm saying? What. How are we going to do this? Somebody just explained it to me. Yeah. But for a minute I was like, I was. I will. It was pushback. People like to argue. Well, I did this. Well, it doesn't matter. Nobody cares. It seems like the formula is now that a lot of influencers are being casted because they can push the movie easier. Right. But what, but what happened? Because at first, we didn't need that. Nobody needed that. So budgets are smaller. Right? Budgets are smaller. And so when you have an influencer who has 5 million followers, that is free marketing. Yeah. And so the studio doesn't have to come up with a, you know, one million dollar marketing budget because they have Jess post it right now. We'll use Jess as a case study. Right. Because I cast just in a movie I hate. I love you. Yeah. Super, super successful. Now it's on to be the number one drama on Tubi. I love that right now. Yes. Yes, Excellent. But, you know, we, we, we saw obviously Jess's followers and we said, you know, built in marketing, right. She could post. It's going to be great. But then I watched her actual acting work. She's great. She can really act. Oh, that's. That was the, that was the clincher, you know, seeing her. And I got a story to tell. That's my. When she cut the woman head off for us. It worked, right? It worked. Yeah, it worked. So, like, okay, cool. Well, let me get on this boat. So in Tase, in Tay's example, if you can marry the social media prowess and the following with the talent. Yeah. Like, Jess is married to those two Things. You got a winner. You have today. Today we try to figure out how to make it work. Yeah. Yeah. I never knew that. So Hollywood hasn't evolved in terms of the opportunities available a black actors since you. Since you first started. It feel. It feels like the. At first I was thinking the barriers are just dressed differently, but now it feel like they don't even want you. Damn. I'm talking about blackness in general until we prove it. You know what I'm saying? Like right now, we're at a time where they don't have control. Like all that stuff that you said. Soon everybody's going to be talking like that. And that's not a student. A studio can't take credit. Yeah. And that's what I love. Mm. We're doing it ourselves and no one can stop us. And it's succeeding. I still don't get it. Yeah. It feels too good to be true. Because I was raised. You gotta be let in. You gotta apologize, you know, be really grateful and talk to this meeting. Go to this, you know, crazy restaurant and meet with these studio. Ha. That's not how it goes down. A bunch of not people that I've never heard of doing funny stuff, hosting it, and then get it. Hey. Yeah. So it's the positives and the negatives of it. So you. You. So it's bittersweet for you, huh? Well, it's. Now it's sweet now. It's because we're taking control. Yes. So I have no. I can complain. But we now. There's no excuse. That's why we're here. All right. Let's get on board. Let's get it. They're doing it. That's gonna be the most interesting thing when you as a production company, y' all take all the risk, put up the money, shoot it. You know, it's good. But then the studio's still like, eh. Well, now, you know, it's something else. But that's what he said earlier. He said all these black stars in these movies and nobody's picking them up. And what we were talking about, there was no risk. Yeah. It's never. I mean, because here's the cost. A little bit of money. You got. Get somebody with a huge mansion. Get actors that just want to be seen. That's why it's so. It's almost too good to be true. If it's a story that people like, people are gonna show up. And that's when I can give my finger to the studios, period. And be like, you don't need Brad Pitt, you don't need to. You know, we made up our own story. Yeah. Our own people that you don't know. But our people are gonna show up and watch them, which isn't supposed to happen. Absolutely. Absolutely. So let's hear it for black people. That's right. Let me ask you a question. Does it ever bother, you know, you have major releases that instead of the major releases, now a Tubi or a Peacock or something that, you know, the masses might not have seen, like, they've seen one of your other movies where it's theater, it's global, it's national, it's this. Does that bother you at all? No. Because you like to stay positive, don't you? Challenging questions. I totally believe in you. Meet your audience where they are, you know, and so if they're on Peacock, we'll meet you there. If they're on tv, we'll meet you there. If they're in theaters, we'll meet you there. But we're going to meet you where you are as opposed to expect. Expecting you to come to where we are. Like, yeah, we're going to. And, you know, the magic about what we're doing is, you know, tay, obviously, international superstar, right. Humility speaking. Humbly speaking, Right. International superstar walks in the door, commands a certain level of, you know, respect and people. Okay, we're going to listen, right? Absolutely. I've got the funding, I've got the distribution on projects. Right. I don't know if you've heard of who Clarence Avon is. Come on. Clarence Avon. This is the young Clarence Avon right here. He is the Grand Connector. I appreciate it. If he showed you who he has in his contact list, your mind would be blown, you know, and so if we ever get a game of whoever's in your contact list and. Yeah. Plus the hoax. What's wrong with you? So we make this combination of, you know, the business side is taken care of, the content and talent side is taken care of, the connection and being able to reach certain talent and Troy is taken care of. Why are you so mad? This is another example. Like, Troy started out as, like, my assistant, right? So he's like the last person that people want to include in all these meetings. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. I'm like, I need to meet with such. Oh, nobody told me. Nobody cc'd me. No. But cut to a few years discussions and him being working with me. He sees. He knows how people are moving. Yeah. So he's like, oh, this person said that they were here, but they never they never really committed, and they blame me. This person said that you were supposed to get. And I saw the. I saw the. You. You. You didn't get paid that much. So now he is, like, working for us. Who would have known? Now he's a major producer. You know what I mean? And now, like, I can't. I can't move without him. Yep. But they're not that. They're not a part of that business plan. He's the assistant. Watch. Give him two years. Yeah, I love. I love that. Yeah. What's that experience been like for you now? Because, I mean, it's a. You're pulling up differently. Yeah, it's been. It's been a. For real. I mean, we. I used to play football. I used to play professional football. That was, like, my first goal. My dream was all about football. That's all I knew. And God humbly blessed me with the opportunity to play in All American. And that's where me and him met. And so when we met, you know, everybody, you know, low key, gravitated towards me because I would train them and teach them how to run a route or, you know, do everything that I used to do. So y' all play football again? Who? No, no, I'm about to answer you right away. I'm an actor. I can pretend. You got to run it back. I'll run it, but that's about it. But, yeah, no, we met there, and then, you know, one day we just. We kicked it. We grabbed some lunch at Soho, and he was like, yo, you wanna be my assistant? And I'm like, bro, I ain't never was. His energy, it's real. Yeah. I never done it. And then, you know, we just took the ball rolling. We started at two days, and I'm like, dog, these emails is crazy. I can't work just two days. Like, knowing me, how I, you know, put my time in, I'm like, I can't do two days. We gotta lock in all the way. And, you know, seven years now, we've been rolling. Wow. And it was always, yo, Troy's great. Like, from the cool people. Yeah. What's your. Oh, he's great. He's. And I kept on hearing that, now we're making business deals with those people with him. And the people that didn't CC him are now like, where are you? Hey, what's going on? We're good. I love that. Me too. You know, I've heard you speak Tay about issues of identity and acceptance. Right. And it feels like this is another layer of that, like, in regards to Hollywood, like, you maybe questioning who. Did you have a question who you were? Well, they want you to. Like, I never. That's what didn't make sense. I've always known who I am, but why don't you know? How come it's not. So then I had to move to a place where we were all on the same page, which is, like, you know, a good lesson in identity. You can't let anybody else dictate that. I know who I am. You know who I am. And now we're all in business. Why? Because we know each other. They don't know us. Yeah. Like, somebody can't come to me and be like, yo, Tay said this? And I'd be like, no, I already know. I already know what's up? You know what I mean? But people would try that. They try that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So in Hollywood, what is it? Is it. Is it ability? Is it your. Your box office number? Like, what is it? Oh, right now, nobody. Like, we're about to make what it is. Yeah, nobody knows what it is right now. Yeah, that's why it's a great time. So this is why it's. Yes. Yeah. Nobody knows. You see a movie coming out in the theaters, then you're watching it on the. Nobody knows what's. And they're always pretending like they do. This is a sure thing, and we're on it. You know what I mean? So Another Man's Wife. That is the name of the film. Okay. Who had what to do? Because that already. That I already want to know. Another Man's Wife. Yeah. Who? You. Who wrote that? Whose idea was it? What's happening? Yeah. So shout out to Maverick Entertainment. And you gotta have allies, right? Like, we. Entertainment. We. We can do what we can do, but, you know, we know who's still running Hollywood, right? So. And you have to have those allies. And so Maverick Entertainment, Doug, Kelsey, Erica, huge allies. You know, they. They finance our work, they distribute our work. So they said, you know what, Jay Carter, why don't you come up with an idea based on this premise? And so I brought in a writer by the name of Brianna Cole who said, yeah, I think I can tackle that. And, you know, it was a. Like, the story, it just. It just puts you in a chokehold, you know? And it's. It's about a. A young couple who are struggling, backs up against the wall, losing. Losing their house, losing their car, husband lost his job. And then to make matters. Words, truly in love with each other. Like, they're yeah, yeah, yeah. But you know, the world is just banging on, right? Then the husband finds out his mom has a serious illness and she could die. The, the, the, the medical treatment that she needs isn't covered by insurance. So they're drowning in debt and just financial issues. Right? So Tay's character comes along and he throws them a life raft. And he said, For $2 million, I can change your life. But he looks at the wife and he says, the only thing I want in return is one weekend with you. Now this one weekend that this husband is going to give up his wife for, could save his mother, could save his job, could save his car, could save his house, could save his marriage, but at what cost? So the question that we always ask people, and I'll ask you, just envy Charlamagne Lauren, what would you do? $2 million to save your mom, to save your house, to save your car. Jesus. All you gotta give up is one weekend. Your wife. Yeah, I ain't giving up my wife, though. But that's a chance. Listen, there's a chance that nothing happens. Yeah. They can play Monopoly because they can watch Jamie because your wife. So she. All she has to do is go. I know. Looking at my wife, I know nothing will happen. But it's just the fact of pain guy, though, don't say nothing happen. What if it's Maxwell? Don't your wife love Maxwell? Definitely not. Definitely not. But. But it's the premise of pain. Yeah, yeah. It just, it, it seems like belittling and the therapy that you would need after it. That's right. You know what I mean? Cuz your mind, that's a mental thing. After. After. There's something special about folks who come through without being asked. Like your coworker surprising you with your favorite coffee just because. Or your friend handing you the aux cord the moment you get into the car. No debate, no fight, just positive vibes. That kind of love, it just hits different. And that's exactly the energy. AT&T is on with their new guarantee. If there's ever a network interruption, AT&T will proactively credit you for a full day of service. No calls, no emails, no jumping through hoops. It's just handled. It's like the universe saying, I got you. Except this time it's not the stars aligning, it's your network. And let's be real, that connection is everything. 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We've got some of the biggest actors, musicians, content creators and culture shifters sharing their real stories of failure and success. You were destined to be a star. We talk all about what's viral and trending with a little bit of cheeseme, a lot of laughs, and those amazing vivas you've come to expect. And of course, we'll explore explore deeper topics dealing with identity struggles and all the issues affecting our Latin community. You feel like you get a little whitewashed because you have to do the code switching. I won't say whitewashed because at the end of the day, you know, I'm me. Yeah, but the whole pretending and co, you know, it takes a toll on you. Listen to the new season of Grass has come again as part of Michael Tura Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness, the way it has echoed and reverberated throughout your life, impacting your very legacy. Hi, I'm Dani Shapiro, and these are just a few of the profound and powerful stories I'll be mining on our 12th season of Family Secrets. With over 37 million downloads, we continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. I can't wait to share 10 powerful new episodes with you. Stories of tangled up identities, concealed truths, and the way in which family secrets almost always need to be told. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Jenica Lopez, and in the new season of the Overcomer podcast, I'm taking you on an exciting journey of self reflection. Am I ready to enter this new part of my life? Like, am I ready to be in a relationship? Am I ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time? I wanted to be successful on my own, not just because of who my mom is. Like, I felt like I needed to be better or work twice as hard hard as she did. Join me for conversations about healing and growth. Life is freaking hard, and growth doesn't happen in comfort. It happens in motion, even when you're hurting. All from one of my favorite spaces, the kitchen. Honestly, these are going to come out so freaking amazing. Be a part of my new chapter and listen to the new season of the Overcome for podcast as part of the Michael Tura Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Cause she may. You know, even though you feel like nothing happened, you'll never know. You'll never know. But if your significant other doesn't go though, and all this stuff does happen, you lose a lot of stuff on the back end. So then you still need the mental to really. What press are you? So, Lauren, you going here? I mean, I got you talking about my mom here. Like, you're saying that like I would lose my mom, so you going to the house? That's what I'm saying. Think about this. Fifteen years of Runway. Oh, my Lord. She's 60. Oh, that's too. That's young now. She's 60. Sixty is not old. Oh, yeah. Hey, 2 million. There you go. You going? Yeah. What are you talking about? Charlemagne? What happened at what's the Prince. I'm going. No. What's up? What do we lose now? We lose our mom. We bomb your house, lose mom, your house. What else? Your marriage. Everything crumbles. Not necessarily. Not. It depends on you. If you lose the marriage, I need to see the nuance. Like, do I know who the guy is? Do we have a background on him? Do we know, you know, if he's mentally well, you know what I mean? He's all above level. It's like, this is me. This is what's going on. I want you to meet me. And there's no manipulation. Everything's right. There's a contract. Tomorrow's chestnut. Why can't I speak? Why can't I. Whoa, whoa. That's why. That's a sequel. That's a sequel. I'm going. What you going doing? I'm just kidding. Wow. I do nothing. I'm just saying, why can't I. Why can't I go? Like, why does it have to be on the guy? Not gay. That's the whole point is this. It's not that. It's not that situation. Say I was gay. I just said, why can't I go? That's what a man does, right? When you. When you. When it's a job that you don't want your woman to do, you will do it, right? But the guy is like, I don't like. I don't like dudes. I want your wife, bro. I'm asking for your wife. That type of arrangement. He said, why can't I go? Like, let me do what you want me to do, right? You see, the guy's not diddy. I don't even like how Jay looked at me and said that just now, I want your wife one weekend. What? Save your mom. But you see the conversation that it sparks, right? And so that's what we're banking on is, you know, people sitting on their couch, you know, the wife cutting her eyes at her husband, the husband cutting his eyes at his wife. Like, you know, Dan, what would you do? Would you do it? Is it a million? What's your number? 2 million, 3 million, 4 million? You know, what will it cost you in the short term and what's gonna cost you in the long term once there's a ripple effect and the fallout. So it just sparks up this really cool dialogue. And then all of the relatable issues like that, they're going through even before they get to the point of Tay's character, right? A lot of people are going through it. The economy that we're in, people's moms are people's parents, period, are getting sick. Insurance is not covering things that they need. Some people don't even have insurance because of government issues and all that type of thing. So it's very relatable until you get to the saving grace here, because literally, insurance, an insurance company, they are. They are here to make money. They are. They're not nonprofit. They are a for profit company. So they will say, this procedure, this treatment costs too much. Sorry. You had this fire script and you were surprised or felt like you weren't ready when Taye Diggs is like, I want to be a part of it. Like, I'm listening to the conversation. Well, no, that. That was. That was the comeback. That was the wrong comeback. Yeah, this one I knew. Yeah, this one. This one I was like, hey, Tay, he called. He called me and was like, yo, let's go. What's Tay's availability this go around. He was definitely with it because he. I mean, he fits that. You know, mysterious, brooding. You can look at him and tell he's success. He fits it so well. I'm tremendously talented. Absolutely. We, as actors, we forget. Like, I'm doing a show with Wayne Brady. Oh, right. Moulin Rouge. Yes. And he was like, hey, man, would you. We were thinking about you, and I was like, oh, I was on your mind. Like, you get caught up in your own world, and if you're in any way grounded, you forget that other people see you in a certain way. I love that. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Did you ever forget who you were? Constantly. Wow. Constantly. And I got to be reminded, like, that's something I got to work on because sometimes I'll be ashamed to. And people. Big. No, you go. They know who you are. I don't want to bother. Yeah, yeah. We all suffer from. Would you call it imposter syndrome? No, because I know that's the thing. It's. It's. It has to do with, like, being raised in the church and, you know, being taught you need to be humble, you know, think about other. Like, it's like, what they teach you. If you really want to succeed, you have to do the exact opposite. It. You got to be like a Kanye West. I'm not going to apologize. I belong here. Boom. Don't. Don't knock. Open the door. Those are the people that really. And that's not how I was raised. And I took a lot of pride in, like, following the rules, and I still made it through, but I'm like, oh, I could have been so much more if I, like. I. I remember going on auditions and being like, you know what? This isn't. I think I know somebody else who's better for this part, literally. And then feeling proud, giving a part away. Wow. No, I had to be like, if it was a hood thing, I don't know. Yeah, Lawrence, she's gonna peel back the layers. They see you in the hood, Tay. Like the one you told me about. What was it? Know what? No, the one that was. Was you were going to do. You did in Matrix. Was it Matrix or. I don't know. This is really great for radio, though. Really great. Talking about movies we would have recognized that were, like, big successes. And you gave. I don't know if. I don't know if it went, but I just remember. Think I, you know, I wanted to, like, do the right thing instead of, like, promote myself and. And. And and sometimes, you know, you. That. That can be. It can lead in the wrong direction. And I'm still learning. I don't think you can have an actor. Kanye west, though, because in order to promote yourself, people got to be giving you work because your work is your calling card. Like, we. We rate Denzel because all of the times we've seen Denzel in these fantastic roles. You rate Tom Hanks because all the times you've seen him in these fantastic roles. I mean, it's the same reason we rank you, but that would be the only thing you could actually use to stick your chest out. But I forget you got classics, though. I forget. Come on, man. Hell no. Got a groove back. Best man, Brown sugar. My. You don't forget, man, when you did them. But now, you know, I don't know until somebody comes up to me. And then the industry, like, oh, that's just a fan. Like, the whole. All this time, everyone's telling you to stay grounded. Do you know what I mean? And then you take a person that's, like, raised in the. In. In the church, and I'm trying to be humble, and don't you know what I'm saying? I don't want to be like this actor. I don't want to be like that actor. He. This person stepped too far over the line, and they. So then you just, like, all of a sudden, you. You kind of forget who. What you're worth trying to, like, follow the rules. I'm being a good person. I'm being humble. Don't, you know, make sure you look after the other per. No, that's. That doesn't work. But it took a minute and it took a bunch of people to be like, don't you know who you are? Yeah. And at first I'm like, oh, this person. He doesn't get it. And then you're like, wait, Will Smith? Who? And you look at all the people that are doing it. Yeah. Kevin Hart, where I was like, oh, these guys are too. They're. They're too full of themselves. Look at where they are. And it's like, you have to be in order to. I believe that humility, though. Like, you save it for the people who deserve it. Yes. Right. Like, you save that humility and that approach for the people who deserve it, who will nurture it. Works for you. Yeah. You know, 30 years later, I thought it was humility. It wasn't that. What about other people that you had like. Like you got close to that you did projects with, like, a Morris Chestnut or, like, Friends, like, do you have. Like, do they. Do you have these conversations with them? Do they pour into you? Like, bro, what's wrong? Like, I know Morris so well. Yes. All of a sudden, I started seeing him, like, oh, look at him on Instagram. That's not. He's funny. He beat Instagram up. He took charge. And I'm like, well, if Morris is doing. Because we're both Capricorns. Yeah. We both play by the rules. We like to work hard. I was like, oh. I said, okay, well, then let me do it. If Boris is doing it, Mars ain't. Show his ass now. Come on. Why do you want this, man? Show his ass. Like, he just be dancing. He never showed his ass online. His whole bear ass. That's the only one you remember. Talk about my ass. N.B. kept bringing. No, I did not. I did not say nothing about that man's ass. He said, you should be on. But no, I tell you, I'm serious, man. Brown Sugar is one of my favorite movies ever. Like, that was the first and last hip hop rom com. I don't know why that didn't open up a whole new genre. And I always wondered, how did working on that film change the way you think about, like, the connection between music and relationships and just culture, period? Oh, it taught me. It taught me. You know what I mean? I didn't know that, and I was very proud because that was, like, something new and. And innovative, and it worked. And I was like, oh, we. Wow. We are good. This is with the music and this. Okay, all right, black people. Like, that's when it started to really connect. Like, we can do anything. We can't. We can do more than just catch up. We can create this thing with music that we created and. And take all the elements of some of the white movies. But then, yes, it's our story, and it's evergreen. It's awesome. What was it about you and I that made that love story feel so authentic? Oh, that's just some kind of. I. I don't know. It's a chemistry. Like, I've been in this business long enough to know I have. I have no idea. But it just worked. It just worked. And some things you just. I'm very. I feel very blessed because for a while, I. I would hear stories of other. Just horror stories of people that were playing couples and they hated each other, and I did not. I had no idea what that was like, you know? I mean, I didn't know how lucky. That's what I'm. I didn't know how lucky I was. Yeah. You know. So did you hate Neil Long when she slapped your ass in Best man at that moment? I did at that. But it was the right choice, and it was good acting, Yo. You did not break, though. It was the right choice. You didn't know it was coming, but that's the right choice. Phenomenal actor. He did not break character. Like, did you just slap me? Oh, that wasn't supposed to happen. It was written in the script. But in a situation like that, you need to have a stuntman come, and it's supposed to be a fake slap, and it's a whole thing. And the stuntman didn't come, and she just slept. Yeah. And she. Hey, she should have. But I had just come out of, you know, drama school, and I was like, why didn't we rehearse? And how dare you. The director didn't have my back. Right. How many takes? Oh, that was just that one. That was it. Do you feel like the Best man, Unfinished Business, the book that Malcolm D. Lee just did, do you feel like that should be on TV or like a series versus the book? So, you know the book that he wrote. Yes. The recent book he just did. That's supposed to continue the conversation. I mean, as an actor, I'll say yes just because I want to be in it. But as. As I love what he's doing, and that makes perfect sense. And. And I love that it's happening, because I love that you can take the idea that a book about a book. You know what I mean? I'm. I'm very impressed with him. We had him up here. The thing that don't make no sense to me about the Best man, and I guess it goes into what we're talking about today. It broke records on Peacock. Yeah, right. It was like the most viewed series ever on Peacock. Wouldn't common sense say, hey, let's do more of this? You said common sense. Yes. That's the key. Exactly. That's the key. Because you think about who's at the table making these decisions. A lot of those folks at the table, they don't care about us. They don't. You know, we can do numbers, but we constantly have to prove ourselves over. So I had to get out and over again. It doesn't make sense. You have agents that are turning down jobs that will make them money. Yeah. But because of their ego. Yep. So it's like, well, what? This? You know what? Yeah. I don't get it. And I'm spending too much time trying to figure it out. So let's just thank God there are other people that I can look at. Oh, it's working. All right, well, then let's go. Yeah. This feels very Dre leaving Millennium Records, man. That's how I feel. That's what I feel like. That's literally one of my questions here is, like, your character and Brown Sugar is so you in real life, everything you're going through now and then what the music industry is going through right now, too. Except this is like a surefire thing. Yeah. Like, I'm not. I don't feel like I'm taking a risk. The only reason I'm doing it is because it worked. Yeah. I mean, this is our third film with Tay. We had the comeback. Huge hit on Peacock. Both Eyes Open went out to theaters, and it was the number one movie on Starz for four weeks in a row. Amazing. And then coming up with another man's wife. It's. It's. They've all slept on us. The formula. They're not waking up. Yeah. I mean, now I'm gonna be a part of it. They can see you. True. You're on camera. Look, he got quiet. But they do record. I have a question for all of you guys. Because there's so much content out there now, people that are looking to do it their own way, how do they get, like, out of the noise and, like, actually get people to respect what they're doing, get people to want to finance it and not just stay on Social forever or. You know what I mean? Like, build it where it's, like, a business that's elevated. Honestly, nobody knows. I would say content and quality, that's not necessarily the case. It's like, you gotta look and see what's hitting now and jump on that or take a risk and try something new. Right. And, you know, the. The content may vary. Right? I mean, I'm sorry. Quality of content may vary. And obviously, the better the quality, the better opportunity you have for it to get seen and people take you seriously. But at the end of the day, it's about a compelling story. Right? And you have to have a great story. Everything starts with a great story, and then you have to have great actors who can deliver that story. If you have that formula, nothing's still guaranteed. I mean, it's. I mean, to your point, Charlemagne, it's. It's. It's mind boggling how Malcolm can. Doesn't. Cannot get a season two of. It's, like, mind boggling. Right. But that's what happens, you know, Successful. It's. He was very politically correct, you know, he was very, you know, diplomatic. Right. But let me say it was some bullshit that he. That he is not. I mean, he is one of the greatest writers of our time, one of the greatest directors of our time. So. So that's the lesson learned, is we're going to tell our compelling stories, but we're going to. We're going to control the vehicle, and we're going to build our own seats, build our own tables, because if nobody else is willing to tell our stories, well, darn it, we'll tell it. And if I remember correctly, and I could be wrong, Malcolm, so forgive me. I thought he kind of. He kind of put the onus on the actors a little bit because he said, it's just all of y' all are so busy, you know, so many big stars on that, it's hard to get y' all together. I mean, that was true, but we were all, you know, everybody was blessed to be working. That was a part of it. But, I mean, how long. I mean. I mean, Sex in the City, they figured out how to do. Yeah, like that. That's true. And their business friends, they figured. It gets tiring waiting for them to let us in. You know what I mean? Because money makes people figure it out. Absolutely. Not even money sometimes, because we were making money. That's what I didn't get. Why do this with this black movie? You. And they're. They don't have. They don't have any explanation, and they're fine with it. Why do black movies disappear every once in a while? When was the last black romantic comedy you saw? Jesus. Oh, no, not a comedy. Remember when they were like. There was one after another. They were all making money. I guess somebody decided to not do them. I guess the last one I saw was. Was it a comedy, though? No. Forever's not a comedy. No. The Joint with Issa Rae and Lakeith, that wasn't a comedy, was it? No, no, no photograph. No, it wasn't. That wasn't. Wow. I mean, you. You'd have to go back to, like. Yeah, you can play that game, like, bad. Yeah. That's when it was one after another, and it was, like, fun. You know what I mean? Chanel, you bring that up a lot. Because I feel like that time, movies and television, it just. It was you. You didn't have to think about it so hard even. So much. Right. Like, even sick, and they gave you that feeling, and it was different if something happened and I don't know what Happened. And I like to talk to people like you Take. Because y' all were those superstars in the 90s and early 2000s black. Everything that we talk about wanting in black cinema and black film, it was there already, you know, and it's not like it wasn't doing numbers. The movies was doing numbers. Cosby showed Different World. The number one, number two show in this world. It's just like, what happened that made Hollywood just be like, you know what? We don't want to make no money with niggas. You think about the guy. His name escapes me, but Love Jones. Iconic, right? Yeah. I mean, it brings out an emotion when you just hear it. That director never had an opportunity to direct another feature again after Love Jones. After Love Jones. Why? Oh, Theodore Witcher, right? Yeah. Yeah. Never, you know, but other. Other directors can fail 2, 3, 4 times and still get a budget. You know, they felt Love Jones didn't make enough money, so he never got an opportunity. But look at the. Look at the social impact it had on our culture. I never thought about that. Wow. Never directed another feature. Yeah. So what projects allow y' all to scratch versus just what feels safe? Well, for me, this. This one did. You know what I mean? I love playing, like, the quote, unquote, bad, bad guy. I mean, as an actor, it's. It's. It's fun playing outside of what, you know, people know you as and. And how you're perceived. So. So, you know, situations like. Which I might not have been, you know, given that opportunity were it not for us, you know, I mean. Yeah. Yeah. So that was cool. I mean, as a part of the casting process, you know, not to name names, but that was a conversation around Taylor. Should he play this role? Could he play a bad guy? Why not? Like, why can't he have different versions of who he is? To show that diversity within himself. Why not? Right. So. But I mean, what I would say, what would stretch me, is a biopic. Yeah. I would love to do a biopic on Fred Hammond. Like, I would love it. Like, if Fred. If you're watching and listening, call us. Gospel singer. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. I don't know the backstory. Well, he's just. I mean, he's just iconic. And. And it was a. It was an uphill climb. So there's a lot of stories within that story, you know, that. That will bode well for, you know, consumer consumption. Yeah, but, yeah, I mean, he's right up there. Right. So. But a biopic would actually, you know, how do you make it factual? But then also entertaining at the same time, but not. But not straying away to make it too, you know, fictional. Right. Yeah. Well, my last question, Tay, how do you hope your career will be remembered not just in terms of roles, but in terms of, like, your impact on culture and like your. The next generation of actors? I don't. I'm trying to get to the point where I don't care, because that's the easiest for me. And if I come from that standpoint, I don't have to worry about controlling anything. So that's what works for me. I used to hate the idea of getting old, and then people used to say words like, oh, legacy. And then that started to make me feel good. But then I was realizing, okay, I'm still attached to what happens when those movies are out and then people stop talking. No. So let me just try to be in the moment, do good work, be grateful, and remember what I did, but just stay in the moment, because that's all that I can really deal with. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I just want to say this. You don't have any movies that y' all are casting for. I am a. You, ma'. Am. You have a job. I do have a job, but I want another one. And when I tell you, you know, say that. No, she's amazing. Actors come on set, do that, and they'll say line, you know, every. Every third line. Line, you know, never said it. Came on set on time. Yes. On. I don't know if she's on time here, but she's on. She's on time. I'm just happy that she's coming. So I got to be on time. So. So consistently on time. Knew her lines. You know, people, they. They. They take their cues from the names on set. So if she's coming in with a cloud over her head, the whole set will have a cloud. Yeah. Sun constantly shining. And she was pregnant. Yeah. So I know she was going through that first trimester. Right. We didn't know it. She didn't show it. Consummate professional. Yeah. So you don't have to worry about that. You know, you stay on speed. You just get busy, man. Why does your tattoo say Chocolate Me? Question. She not looking at you? It's not about my booty. Chocolate me has nothing. Cuz you talk. Talking about the tattoo. Chocolate Me's. It's a book. I wrote a book like self. Self esteem and young people being proud of. Of. Of how they look if they're chocolate dope. Yeah. I love that it's available now. Not his chocolate. The book. Sort of switched it over now. I thought you had another lane. Forget enough good things, eh? Do you have any other questions about. No. Sure. Chocolate. Is it a children's book? It is. I need to order that for my baby. Yeah, order it. Oh, it makes sense. I remember you having the conversations about your son and people like that whole conversation. I wrote another book. Yeah. For him. Yeah. Oh, I love that. All right. Just embracing ourselves. So when are we releasing? I'm sorry? We. Like I'm a part of y' all team. When are y' all releasing another man's wife? Yeah. So, you know, it'll. It'll either be late Q4, so December or. Or early Q1, 2026. That's ready for. So over the next four months, look out for it. Absolutely. Well, thank you, brothers, for joining us. What's the name of the production team so we don't forget? Yes. Freely. That's a good question. So it's Freely Films. That's what I bring to the table. And then. And it's down deep right now. Down Deep Productions. Yeah. So we partner together and we'll figure it out. We haven't. I don't necessarily catch it. Let's figure it out. All right. Gotcha. Tay's Ass Productions shocked me. Shocked an ass for. That's how crazy. We gotta support y', all, man. You know what I'm saying? None of this matters if, you know, people don't go out there and support. Say it for the people in the back, but also, y' all gotta make your way back up here. When the movie comes out, come back up, talk about the movie so people understand and see it. Thank y'. All. Thank you. Absolutely appreciate you. Troy J. Carter, Tay Diggs, it's the Breakfast Club. Good morning. Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. We are finished or y' all done? I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. Stories like Erica Hunt, a young mother vanished without a trace after a family gathering on 4th of July weekend, 2016. No goodbyes, no clues, just gone. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get fired up, y'. All. Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people, an incomparable soccer icon, Megan Rapinoe, to the show, and we had a blast. Take a listen. Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're like wee like people ride bikes because it's fun. We got more incredible guests like Megan in store, plus news of the day and more. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network. I just think the process and the journey is so delicious. That's where all the good stuff is. You just can't live and die by the end result. That's comedian Phoebe Robinson. And yeah, those are the kinds of gems you'll only hear on my podcast, the Bright side. I'm your host, Simone Boyce. I'm talking to the brightest minds in entertainment, health, wellness and pop culture. And every week we're going places in our communities, our careers, and ourselves. So join me every Monday and let's find the Bright side together. Listen to the Bright side on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. How serious is youth vaping? Irreversible lung damage serious. 1 in 10 kids vape serious, which warrants a serious conversation from a serious parental figure like yourself. Not the seriously know it all sports dad or the seriously smart podcaster. It requires a serious conversation that is best had by you. No, seriously, the best person to talk to your child about vaping is you. To start the conversation, visit talkaboutvaping.org brought to you by the American Lung association and the Ad Council. This is an iHeart podcast.