← The Latest with Loren LoRosa
The Latest with Loren LoRosa
From Black-ish to Boss Status: Marsai Martin on Leadership, Legacy & Owning Your Story Live at Howard University
00:40:47
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- [00:00]
Lauren LaRosa
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:06]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
What a matchup we got y'.
- [00:07]
Narrator
All.
- [00:07]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride. Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and in ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
- [00:52]
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- [01:53]
Marsai Martin
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- [01:56]
Lauren LaRosa
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- [01:58]
Marsai Martin
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- [02:00]
Lauren LaRosa
Over $390 this holiday season.
- [02:02]
Marsai Martin
Book your next vacation rental home on VRBO. Average savings $396.
- [02:07]
Josh Zieman
Select homes only a decade ago I was on the trail of one of the country's most elusive serial killers. But it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught. The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him? Josh I'm Josh Zieman and this is Monster Hunting the Long Island Serial Killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York since the Son of Sam. Available now listen for free on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:38]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
This episode is supported by Brex. Brex helps finance teams unlock their Peak performance with the world's smartest corporate card banking, expense management, and travel all on one AI powered platform. See why 30,000 companies across every stage of growth use Brex@brex.com grow.
- [02:53]
Marsai Martin
Let's get to it.
- [02:54]
Big Lone
Time to do it.
- [02:55]
Lauren LaRosa
I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and every Bond exclusive.
- [02:59]
Josh Zieman
You know she don't lie about that, right?
- [03:01]
Marsai Martin
Lauren came in hot.
- [03:04]
Lauren LaRosa
Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. So today I am bringing you guys live and direct into a conversation that I'm pretty sure will shake the room in a very positive motivational way. I got to sit down with Marci Martin at Howard University during the HBCU First Look Film Festival. I was honored to be in conversation with her and also literally got honored as one of their, like, you know, nominated innovators in the content creator space, which was an award that's voted on by the students that are involved in the program. So that meant a lot to me, but it also just meant a lot to me to be in conversation with Marsay because I feel like even though Marseille Martin is so much younger than me, watching her career has literally shown me what happened. Like what happens when you're a multi hyphenate who is, you know, very secure in what it is that you do, or maybe some days you're not, but you're secure in the fact that you do good work. And we had a very in depth conversation just about what her journey has been like, just trying to make sure she get all her props and all her just do, but doing really good work in the film space, creating, you know, hits, blockbuster hits like Little, the movie Little, which stars Regina King and herself, Marseille Martin. Yeah, and just what that looks like and doing it with family. Y' all know how I feel about stuff like that. So I want to, you know, kick off the conversation right here. A little background. The HBCU First Look Film Festival is an innovative annual HBCU initiative that focuses on diversity and inclusion and opportunities. And they bring together HBCU students with HBCU graduates who are creators and leaders in film, television and various broadcast industries. So this, you know, film festival is a part of a larger organization that is making sure HBCU students have all of the opportunities that they deserve, the outlets to, you know, put their reps in and do them. But also the people and the real conversations to understand what they are walking into. So let's take a listen to the conversation right now.
- [05:30]
Event Host
All right, so we're going to get ready to have this amazing Fireside Chat. And and I'm excited because the moderator of the Fireside Chat is somebody who I like in real life because she's just a dope human being. We got to know her during her time on tmz, but now she is a bonafide household name in her own right with a podcast and she is the heartbeat of the Breakfast Club. Can y' all show some love to my girl Lauren Luosa? And she stay fly. And she went to Delaware Estate. What's up? You got your Mary J. Blige boots on today. I see, I see you. Come on, y'.
- [06:09]
Lauren LaRosa
All.
- [06:09]
Event Host
Sherlock. A little love. And joining her is our ambassador for the HBCU First Look Film festival this year. She is a multi hyphenate creative Hollywood's youngest executive producer. Y' all fell in love with her on Black Ish and you liked her in Little and G20 and she's just doing the thing. A ball of happiness. She is a wonderful person. Come on, show us a lot from us. Say Martin.
- [06:38]
Marsai Martin
Hey.
- [06:41]
Event Host
Lord, it's all yours, baby. You got it from here.
- [06:43]
Narrator
Say Martin has spent a lifetime navigating worlds that are well beyond her age. We met her in the milestone TV series Blackish. This Plano, Texas native held her own as the whip smart elementary school age Diane Johnson in a TV family opposite seasoned masters Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Lewis and Laurence fishburne. At only 14 in 2019, she set the Guinness World record as the youngest Hollywood executive producer for the movie Little signed a first look deal with Universal Pictures and became the youngest person to achieve this with any studio. Still in her teens, Forbes 30 for 30 named her to the list. She's been celebrated with Time 100 Next and Refinery 29's 29 Powerhouse honors. She is an 11 time NAACP Image Award winner who executive produced via her Genius productions, the skating themed Saturdays, a TV series for Disney. As an actress, she portrayed first daughter to Viola Davis's black female POTUS in the action packed G20 and has voiced multiple projects including the popular Paw Patrol for paving the way for the next generation of storytellers, producers and entrepreneurs. And leading with purpose is why Marce Martin is Cafe Mocha's 2025 Salute Them Awards. Bridging the Gap honoree.
- [08:07]
Lauren LaRosa
I know that's right.
- [08:11]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Marce.
- [08:12]
Lauren LaRosa
When do you sleep? I'm sorry that was like 30 things. And I know you got like a thousand more accomplishments. When do you sleep?
- [08:18]
Marsai Martin
When do I sleep?
- [08:19]
Narrator
Yes.
- [08:20]
Marsai Martin
When I'm done with this, you know, quick little 30 minute power nap.
- [08:25]
Lauren LaRosa
Got you. Well, I mean, I'm honored to be here in conversation with you. We met some time ago at the Breakfast Club and even before that. I've always been a fan of your work ethic, but just how you understood the business so early, so young. And I know that, that, you know, I met mom backstage. I know that has a lot to do with you have great people around you. So let's get right on into it. Right. So you embarked on your career at a really young age. And we talk about you knowing the business and being able to do all these things, but what were some of the opportunities or challenges that came with the opportunities of being in the spotlight so young?
- [08:59]
Marsai Martin
Oh, my goodness. I mean, I, I will put it in perspective that I started when I was five. So the, the complications that we, we had going from, I mean, Dallas to LA and then going from Huntington beach to like Burbank, which is a two hour drive going back and forth from the studio. I mean, it was just a lot of sacrifice that came into it as it is for anybody who. And I believe, I mean, there's, there's things in the little details that like, a lot of people don't even think of, such as, like, you know, who's doing your hair? You know, how's your, how's your hair gonna look? A lot of people don't know how to do black people's hair. And then when, you know, we're able to fix that with the amazing Roxy Lindsey, who is such a, like per, like a perfectionist when it comes to black women hair, of course. But I mean, there's just, there's so many things that you could talk about and, you know, relate to when it comes to just what it was like growing up in that space. But I feel like just as a whole, the things that you don't even think about, such as just your childhood just switching, you know, just shifting from, with me being a little girl from Dallas, Texas, going from a public school that I was at for many years and then going to homeschool, you know. Yeah. Such as that and just like the different shifts that puts on a perfect person and what it takes on. So I feel like it was a lot of changes that happened, but I think with me being an old soul and always around, I'm not going to say old grown people, all the Time I used to be around my aunties, and I was, like, 8 years old, and they was telling me about their divorce stories and stuff, and I'm like, exactly, girl. Like, this is what you have to do. So going from that to then going on a set that, you know, it's. It's legend that I also saw as, like, my aunties, like, Jennifer Lewis, it was basically the same thing, you know? So I think it. Just being able to kind of change my mindset at such a young age and not really thinking about how crazy the shift is from someone else who meets the eye, but just, you know, having fun, trying to find the fun in everything that I do, I think that was the most important thing.
- [11:15]
Lauren LaRosa
You talk about the shift. I can't imagine at such a young age what that feeling was like. But do you remember when you were like, oh, things are different for me than the kids that I started going to school with? Like, when you kind of realize, like, okay, I'm a celebrity, these things are happening.
- [11:30]
Marsai Martin
Okay, I will say when I went from my public school in Dallas, Texas, where I was with the same people for many, many years, and then moved to Huntington beach, where it was just a bunch of white kids, I went to, like, a ymca, and I had, like, this, like, white teacher, very, like, out there.
- [11:56]
Lauren LaRosa
Jolly.
- [11:57]
Marsai Martin
Yes, baby happy. And most of. And sometimes. Sometimes I would be, you know, absent because I would have to work. So when I come back, I was like, I was working, and, you know, I was a middle school kid talking about I had to work. Like, you know, I was at work. So that's when I kind of realized the shift and. And how different I was from just other kids. And, you know, it was different at the time, but I was. There was something in me that was very vocal about being, like, talking to my parents and being like, listen, y', all, this ain't gonna work. I was like, this is not gonna work. I need to find something else. And that's when I moved into homeschool, and then my mom became my teacher. And then we had some amazing, amazing tutors on the Blackish set that helped me out so much. And I then eventually, I had the same tutor up until I was finished with school. So at the end, it was very helpful, you know, but that was definitely the shift of, like, wow, this is. This is different.
- [12:58]
Lauren LaRosa
So growing up in the industry and growing up around the arts, you said something important. Like, you said you were able to go to your parents and say, this is not working for me. Like, I need to change schools. Because whatever just wasn't on point for you to do what you needed to do. Right.
- [13:10]
Audience Member Tamia Anderson
Yeah.
- [13:11]
Lauren LaRosa
As a creative. And a lot of, you know, the students and the people here are probably creators of businesses, and they're young and are figuring things out. What would be your. Be your message to them about being able to say, hey, this is not working for me, so that they're their best selves when they're showing up and trying to create their projects and. And do different things? Because you did that at a very young age.
- [13:30]
Marsai Martin
Yeah. I think it starts with understanding the question behind the question of, like, okay, this isn't working. Why isn't it working? What are you feeling like? Tell me what the perfect scenario is? How do we get to that point? And I think even at that age, it was trying to understand myself before saying what I had to say to everybody else outside of that.
- [13:55]
Narrator
Right.
- [13:56]
Marsai Martin
Which I definitely had to learn, you know, just growing up, because I was a person that would say something, and then someone would ask me why, and I was like, I don't know. So I think to be able to understand where it's coming from, the feelings that are rooted into it, it's helped me so, so much. Whether I'm. I'm learning with journaling or even, like, I'll do these voice memo diaries of just me talking. Just. It can be like the most crazy ramble or whatever.
- [14:27]
Lauren LaRosa
Is it like a diary? Or, like, what. Talk us through the.
- [14:29]
Marsai Martin
It's like a voice memo. I would. I mean, I guess you can call it a diary, but it's just a brain dump of things that I have on my mind because, I mean, it could be very overwhelming at times, so. And then you'll have all these questions. I'm like, okay, how do we. How do we come to the solution?
- [14:44]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
- [14:44]
Marsai Martin
And. And just go from layer to layer to later to layer, because it's truly like an onion, you know, just trying to figure out what is the core. The core situation.
- [14:55]
Lauren LaRosa
Right.
- [14:55]
Marsai Martin
Which has helped me. Which has helped me so much. So I think that would be my advice to people, is to learn yourself. Constantly learn yourself. Don't rush your process. Don't rush into making a decision. I think it just. It definitely helps in the long run and just your growth as a whole.
- [15:19]
Big Lone
What's up, y'? All? This is big long from It's Up There podcast. In this powerful episode, we're breaking down the danger of silence and how way too many of us are taught to protect the vibe instead of protecting ourselves. We spend more time researching cause microphones, sneakers. Then we will researching on how to protect our bodies and our partners. If you have an honest conversation, one uncomfortable minute can save you a lifetime of regret. The CDC says nearly one in five people carry an STI and most don't even know it. Real intimate isn't built in the dark, it's built in the disclosure. Condoms testing transparency. Those aren't passion killers. They're peace builders. It's too much risk in our silence. Speak up. You can listen to this special episode of It's Up There podcast with Lone brought to you by Healthy Sexual from Gilead sciences on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.
- [16:22]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
What a matchup we got y'.
- [16:23]
Lauren LaRosa
All.
- [16:24]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit chant. Echo drum beat everybody. Showing that school pride. A game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola.
- [16:39]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Ah.
- [16:39]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.
- [16:43]
Big Lone
Mmm.
- [16:44]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Ashington fans, school colors everywhere and in ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
- [17:09]
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- [18:09]
Marsai Martin
Dude, this new bacon, egg and chicken.
- [18:10]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Biscuit from AM pm Total winner, winner, chicken breakfast. Chicken breakfast? Come on.
- [18:15]
Marsai Martin
I think you mean chicken dinner, bro N. Crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, juicy chicken.
- [18:20]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
And a buttery biscuit.
- [18:22]
Marsai Martin
That's the perfect breakfast.
- [18:23]
Audience Member Tamia Anderson
All right, let me try it.
- [18:24]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Mmm.
- [18:25]
Marsai Martin
Okay.
- [18:25]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Yeah, totally. Winner, winner, chicken breakfast. I'm gonna have to keep this right here. Make sure every breakfast is a winner with the delicious new bacon, egg and chicken biscuit from AM pm. Am pm. Too much Good stuff.
- [18:39]
Josh Zieman
A decade ago, I was on the trail of one of the country's most elusive serial killers. But it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught. The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him? I'm Josh Zieman, and this is Monster Hunting the Long Island Serial Killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York since the Son of Sam. Available now listen for free on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [19:14]
Lauren LaRosa
Deciding to get behind the camera for you and, you know, creating projects and producing, was that something that you were always doing, or was that something that, you know, one day you were like, hmm, what is this? I want to try it. Like, how did that come about?
- [19:27]
Marsai Martin
When I created little with my family, that was honestly the peak of everything, was being able to actually see something that me and my parents created in our living room turned into something that. We go to Atlanta and we're filming for three months, and you are just really seeing your dreams come to reality, which was very surreal for me. And if you've watched little before, there's one scene in particular where I. It's literally when Jordyn wakes up and she has these big old clothes on. She got this huge hair, and she's just now waking up. She's trying to look for her glasses, and then she tries to see herself in the mirror, and she's just shook.
- [20:11]
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah.
- [20:12]
Marsai Martin
And even I think that was one of the first scenes that we shot, and I was like, wow, I cannot believe. I. I just. I just remember me and my mom going band for band on. Like, what she was gonna wear, what she's looking, like, what is she saying? And then me actually doing that with a whole production, everybody saying, like, doing it for takes on takes, and.
- [20:32]
Lauren LaRosa
Right.
- [20:32]
Marsai Martin
It just was so special. And then to have that and then to realize, like, oh, I could do this over and over and over again, like, this is fun. That's how genius productions came about. And I could do it for other people, not just for me to feel this, but for other young black girls who want to be in front and behind the camera, other black boys who want to pursue anything, anything that they want. It's like I. I understood what that energy was.
- [21:04]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
- [21:04]
Marsai Martin
And how much I wanted to share that with other people.
- [21:06]
Lauren LaRosa
What are things that you. So when you're Doing little. You, mom, your family, your home, y' all figuring it out, and then you're on set, right? What were some things that you were realizing that you had been learning all along the way that helped you a lot at that time? That somebody right here, right now could be, like, hyper focusing on because it'll get them to a point where they could go out and do a production with friends next month, next week. What are some of those, like, core things that you were like, I see what you did there. God, I didn't even know that this was preparing me.
- [21:33]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Ooh.
- [21:35]
Marsai Martin
Oh, that's a tough one.
- [21:38]
Lauren LaRosa
Mom said, use your resources.
- [21:40]
Marsai Martin
Oh, look, my mom is right here.
- [21:41]
Lauren LaRosa
She's like, yeah, mom's right here in the front, y'.
- [21:43]
Narrator
All.
- [21:43]
Lauren LaRosa
Mom. Mom is right here in the front.
- [21:47]
Marsai Martin
The fan is killing me.
- [21:49]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Absolutely.
- [21:50]
Marsai Martin
Yeah. I mean, like, my mom was saying, definitely using your resources. I think connection is everything. The reason, even why Little came about is because of Kenya Barris and Will Packard. And, of course, Kenya created Black Ish.
- [22:04]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
- [22:05]
Marsai Martin
So we had the idea, but it wouldn't have been able to come to fruition the way it did without the team behind it. And it's genuine. People who want to see you win, you know, it's not just. There were in it for the money or they were in it because I'm a prodigy or, you know, or whatever they. Whatever story you make in your head. Yes, but it's better claim that. Wow. Y' all heard that? I mean, I was nine. I was nine when that. That conversation started, you know, So a lot of people can see that in different ways. You know, they can see it and, you know, go with some kind of story that it's not true, or I'm just the face or whatever, but they saw a girl with a passion, with an idea and. And wanted to follow suit with it, you know, And I think that is the most important thing, is just following your heart with people who want to protect it, you know, because that's not. I mean, that's not around a lot.
- [23:05]
Lauren LaRosa
You know, we were just talking about that.
- [23:07]
Marsai Martin
Yeah, people. Absolutely. Just genuine, good people who you just want to be around. You know, you never want to be around. No fake people, of course. But I think it's just important to just curate your team. Find your team, find your energy that you want to be around, and just create your plans and go from there. We had a plan.
- [23:27]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
- [23:27]
Marsai Martin
And I think that was important. So I think that was. One thing is using your resources. Another thing my mom says a lot is what's for you is what's for you, and what's for you won't miss you. I say it every time, and I say it here because there was a minute where, I mean, I was just on Black ish for, like, it was, what, nine years of my life? I'm almost dead, and I feel like I was starting to, as an actor, become stagnant or, like, you know, as a whole, I'm growing up in front of everybody's eyes as Diane, not as Marseille, you know, So I think as a whole, I had to sit back and it was more of a complicated experience to find myself because of it and little in creating my production company and also turning into the person I truly want to be.
- [24:17]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
- [24:18]
Marsai Martin
Which is an overall creator. I'm just a creator at heart. I just like having fun building businesses and stuff. That's just really just what I want to do, you know, And I just. I think as a whole, that's what I wanted to be and what I was destined to be. And I. I realized, like, you know, as long as I follow my path, as long as I trust in God, as long as I don't stress about it, no pressure, just do what is at hand. And then if I. I know that God is not going to put anything in my heart, in my mind, in my gut, that it's not supposed to be amen, it's not supposed to be there. You know, it's everything that I think, everything that I feel, it's like, okay, this is. This is here for a reason. I'm feeling this way for a reason. So when everything came about, I was just like, wow, this is just really God's journey. And even though I created little at nine, I didn't film it until I was 13. I didn't get the record until I was 14. You know, I didn't create my production company until I was 14, 15. I didn't start actually selling stuff until I was 16, 17, you know, I didn't start getting the recognition for it until I was 18, 19, you know, so I think to be able to trust the plan.
- [25:32]
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah.
- [25:33]
Marsai Martin
Trust the process. Find joy in the process is what's the. What's the most important thing? Because then you realize, like, wow, this is perfect timing and what's the rush?
- [25:43]
Lauren LaRosa
You know, I think that when you say it, it's. Sometimes it's easier to say it than to live it or feel it when you're in it. And I know, like, how many of you guys are creators here? Raise your hand. Creators. College.
- [25:56]
Marsai Martin
Everybody.
- [25:56]
Lauren LaRosa
Everybody, Right?
- [25:57]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Yeah.
- [25:57]
Lauren LaRosa
Thank you for raising your hands, everybody. Yes. So I think a lot of times, especially when you're creative and you live with what you love so much, right? Like, it's like your passion, the journey, it has its twists and turns, and it may feel like, oh, when does the light hit? But what she is talking about is kind of being so committed to, like, what you're experiencing that you're not worried about the end. And I know that's hard for us, but there's a message in what she just said, so I hope you guys felt that message as well, too. And in the resources thing, a lot of you guys are here, your creators are in college. This is the best place for you to find your director, your head of photography, your publicist, your social media person. Like, link up with your people. Not just for homecoming, all the fun things, but link up with them for real. And I know Howard is the home of that, so I know y' all doing that, but, yeah, she dropping some gems up here. You talked about black ish, right? And having to find yourself outside of your character because that show was so impactful. Did you know going into. And people probably ask you this all the time, the impact that it would have culturally, and did you understand it while it was happening?
- [26:52]
Marsai Martin
Absolutely not. I didn't know what was going on. I was just having fun. I was being Diane. It was just fun and ad libbing. Even the Juneteenth episode where we was talking about, we built this and all this stuff. I just liked the music. I didn't really.
- [27:05]
Lauren LaRosa
I didn't know.
- [27:06]
Marsai Martin
I really didn't know. I was learning what Juneteenth meant and the story behind it while we were filming. And I think that was such a special moment as a whole for not even just the audience, but as us. I mean, we grew up on the show, right? And there's so many stories and concepts that even at home, we would just talk about. We would look at the script before the table read and be like, what does this mean? Like, you know, how does this reflect, you know, my family? Is this something that we're gonna go through eventually? And it was just so important. And it felt like. It felt like school. It felt like school as a whole. You were learning something new. I think that. Yeah, I think Blackish was just such a pivotal moment for us as. As just young adults just trying to figure out our way.
- [27:52]
Lauren LaRosa
Right.
- [27:53]
Marsai Martin
Even when Diane had so many things happen to her during these seasons, I was. I was doing the same thing when Diane got Got her cycle. It was like a month or two. I got my first one and I was telling everybody, guys, like, it was like, true, true family dynamics on that show.
- [28:12]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
- [28:12]
Marsai Martin
And it was just so important, so special. Even the Hair episode, I would talk to Tracee about it in the trailer before getting into it. It was truly like an educational experience for me and something that I just truly will never forget.
- [28:27]
Lauren LaRosa
Do you feel like, as a creator, the responsibility that is put on black creators? Right. So, like, with that show, for every young person, you guys taught them something. But to see a young black woman going through getting her cycle, learning about Juneteenth, there's another black girl here that watched that and she learned with you and she felt seen. Right?
- [28:44]
Marsai Martin
Yeah.
- [28:44]
Lauren LaRosa
That responsibility, do you take that into everything you do because of black ish, or was that something that you were doing head on? Like, you knew early on? Like, I want to make sure that, like, the girls who see me understand this at a young age. Did you.
- [28:56]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Without your.
- [28:57]
Marsai Martin
Absolutely, absolutely. I think now it's deeper. It's deeper than that. You know, I think now being behind the camera, I want people to. Not just as an actress, like, there might be, you know, an amazing actress that happens to be, like, an amazing black woman that see that and are excited about it, but now I'm like, okay, where are the black writers? Where are the black DPs? Where are the black. I mean, anything black wardrobe, you know, where are the props? You know, so anything that I do at this point forward, I want every detail to reflect who we are.
- [29:32]
Lauren LaRosa
Right.
- [29:33]
Marsai Martin
You know, so anybody who, from any position, any role, can see that and be like, that's what I want to do. That's where I want to be. That's the caliber that I want to. That I want to hit, you know, And I think that is the most important thing is paying attention to the little details. And not just with acting, but even with the festival work that I do with, say, Summer Cookout or the other businesses that we're trying to build, it's always. It's always learning. I'm constantly learning, and I want to learn with other people who are genuine, like we said, just good people who just want to make good content, like, good, real stuff that we want to put out there. I think that's just the most important thing. Me and my family will go still band for band about, like, this is what needs to be out there. How do we make it? How do we build it? How do we start it? And I think that's just the start of it. That's step one.
- [30:24]
Lauren LaRosa
We got any people here that want to make some good content?
- [30:27]
Marsai Martin
Yes. I will say something about. I will say something about the resources part. This is the best place truly to connect, not just with your fellow students, but we just had Ryan Coogler last night. You know what I'm saying?
- [30:41]
Narrator
Yeah.
- [30:41]
Marsai Martin
You have your legends here that are willing to talk to you, willing to have the conversation. Don't be afraid to have the conversation. We do not bite. We can have the conversation as well. Like the team that is that we want to curate and want to build. It starts here. That's what it is. It starts here. And I want to see you guys work. I want to see it out there. Any part of social media, any, like in real life, like, promote your stuff. Yes, Promote your stuff. You know, don't be embarrassed. Yes. Sometimes it does come with embarrassment to get your stuff done. You know what I mean? You can't be. You got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And that's just it, you know, don't be afraid because it's already going to be a no if you don't. If you don't do it. It's our. It's already a no. So go for it. Strive to be your best and then I'll see you on set. Hopefully you want meetings.
- [31:43]
Big Lone
What's up, y'?
- [31:44]
Narrator
All?
- [31:44]
Big Lone
This is Big Lone from It's Up There podcast. In this powerful episode, we're breaking down the danger of silence and how way too many of us are taught to protect a vibe instead of protecting ourselves. We spend more time researching cars, microphones, sneakers than we will researching on how to protect our bodies and our partners. If you have an honest conversation, one uncomfortable minute can save you a lifetime of regret. The CDC says nearly one in five people carry an STI and most don't even know it. Real intimate isn't built in the dark, it's built in the disclosure. Condoms, testing transparency. Those aren't passion killers. They're peace builders. It's too much risk in our silence. Speak up. You can listen to this special episode of It's Up There podcast with Lone, brought to you by Healthy Sexual from Gilead sciences on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.
- [32:46]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
What a matchup we got, y'.
- [32:48]
Big Lone
All.
- [32:48]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echoing drum beat everybody showing that school pride. A game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola.
- [33:03]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Ah.
- [33:04]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Crisp and refreshing. That's A game changer right there. Yeah, that taste.
- [33:10]
Event Host
Oh.
- [33:10]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere. And in ice cold Coca Cola, that's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
- [33:33]
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- [34:33]
Marsai Martin
Dude, this new bacon, egg and chicken biscuit from AM PM Total winner.
- [34:37]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Winner chicken breakfast. Chicken breakfast? Come on.
- [34:40]
Marsai Martin
I think you mean chicken dinner, bro. Nah, brother. Crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, juicy chicken and a buttery biscuit. That's the perfect breakfast.
- [34:47]
Audience Member Tamia Anderson
All right, let me try it.
- [34:49]
Marsai Martin
Okay.
- [34:50]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Yeah, totally. Winner, winner, chicken breakfast. I'm gonna have to keep this right here. Make sure every breakfast is a winner with the delicious new bacon, egg and chicken biscuit from AM PM AM PM Too much good stuff.
- [35:03]
Josh Zieman
A dog's love letter to his squeaky avocado.
- [35:06]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Dearest squeaky avocado, my heart yearns to chew thee. Alas, I've devoured a small action figure and have taken ill. Unable to partake in our jubilant squeakings. Worry not, as I am on the mend. And Lemonade pet insurance covered 90% of the veterinarian's cost. I recommend all the cats and dogs of the land. Get a'@lemonade.com pet soon my tummy will be unburdened and we shall frolic once more. Yours, Jerry.
- [35:38]
Lauren LaRosa
Well, we want to take some questions from the audience, so yes, hands in there. Any questions firsthand I saw was over here. So when you ask your question, you got to introduce yourself. Your major what you do and then your question.
- [35:50]
Marsai Martin
All the above.
- [35:51]
Lauren LaRosa
I'm going to go to this side in the white with the headphones right here.
- [35:56]
Audience Member Tamia Anderson
Hi, my name is Tamia Anderson. I'm a sophomore, film and TV major, criminology minor from Memphis, Tennessee. I attend Howard. And my question for you would be, what do you, like, say to keep yourself going when you're not getting the results you want? Like, maybe, like, you know, work is moving slow, you just start getting what you want or you feel like you're not doing enough? For example, I do photography around campus, and I have, like. I do it every so often, but I also feel like I could be doing more than I am. And I'm not really sure if it's just like, me or if it's just like. Just myself or if it's something more I could be doing. So what would you say, you say to yourself, like, to keep yourself, like, stable?
- [36:34]
Marsai Martin
Yeah, I would say. I say trust the timing a lot of the time. That goes for what I was saying in the beginning of. What's the question behind the question? Like, why are you feeling this way? Why do you feel like you should be doing more if you're already giving your 100%? Like, is it comparing? Is it, you know, overthinking? Is it stress? Is it pressure? Is it the pressure of school but also wanting to do something different?
- [37:06]
Narrator
It's.
- [37:06]
Marsai Martin
It's those questions that you only yourself can ask, you know, and then you go from there. But I think that, you know, emotions are emotions. Sometimes I be crying. It's true, I cry. I'd be like, damn. You know, sometimes it just be like that, but not for long. I don't let it do that. I don't sit in no sadness for long. No sadness. I'm like, all right, I feel this way. Let me go get my ass back up and do what I have to do. And that's just it, you know, Sometimes you just have to find a new plan. Sometimes you have to pivot. Sometimes you have to lean on your connections. And being like, this is how I feel. How do we figure this out together? Because nine times out of 10, you're never alone in how you're feeling. You know, like, how do I get out of this funk? You know? Most of the time, it's just the person on your left that you're like, hey, this is what I need help with? Or, hey, help me find this person so I can learn how to be a better whatever, a better photographer, a better whatever. Like, as, like, knowledge is Key, you know? So I say it's. It's so many different things, but what do I tell myself? I let. I let myself feel what I have to feel in the moment, whatever that is. If it's anger, I'll go on my voicemail and be like this. Stop it. Be like, all right, we're cool. You know what I gotta write. What's the plan? What's the vibes? How do I get out of this? Let you feel what you have to feel. That's step one. And then you go from there. Then you. Then you find what that next thing is, you know, because the good comes with the bad. That's just. That's just what it is. You're going to have those stagnant moments, and that's okay, but trust the timing. Absolutely. Yeah.
- [38:59]
Lauren LaRosa
We're going to take some more questions. I'll go straight to the back with the green and the white with the. Yes. She like, do I got on green and white? Yeah. Girl, you put that outfit on today.
- [39:10]
Marsai Martin
Hi, my name is Brashey. I am a junior. I'm a film major at Bowie State University.
- [39:19]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes.
- [39:19]
Marsai Martin
Oh, my goodness. Okay. And my question to you is, when.
- [39:23]
Lauren LaRosa
You think about your legacy, do you see yourself as part of a movement.
- [39:26]
Marsai Martin
Of young black creatives or as someone building her own lane entirely?
- [39:33]
Lauren LaRosa
Girl, she came with the outfit, the questions.
- [39:35]
Marsai Martin
She said, this is what I gotta say. I feel.
- [39:43]
Lauren LaRosa
Let him lead you. Won't he do it?
- [39:44]
Marsai Martin
Won't he do it? I know I have my peers. I know I have my people around me. But ever since I was little, I knew that I was creating a lane for myself that is just outside of what other people are doing, and that's okay. When I learned that was when I realized there was nobody next to me that I can. That I can completely relate to because I was doing things, are still doing things at an age where nobody could even fathom where to start. So I see my legacy being my own path, and I take that head on. Like, I, I'm. And I think this comes from me being. I don't know who into astrology, but I'm. I'm a triple Leo. I, I'm. I stand on, like, you know, I stand on business. I, I, I put my all into myself. I'm confident in myself. I know what I have to do as well as I know it's only me that can get myself there, and I know what I'm capable of that is different from all these other people out here. You can see it in my resume. You can see it in my work. You can see it in the conversations I have with people. You can see me in business because I don't play about that. I come from a family that doesn't play about that. And that's just that I stay out the way and I do my work, which is different, and that's it. So I think as a whole, I'm just. I'm just in a path of my own. And that comes from. With a whole different responsibility than anything else that I've seen. But I take it head on. And that's just. That's just that.
- [41:34]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes, girl. Well, last one. Okay, last one. Oh, well, I say you gotta pick the last one. I feel so much pressure. It's like I got the aux right now and y' all wasn't really feeling my music, so. Giving it to you.
- [41:47]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
What?
- [41:48]
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah, it's stressful, ain't it?
- [41:49]
Marsai Martin
Oh, no.
- [41:51]
Lauren LaRosa
Do we got. Oh, what if this is the last question? What if we just go.
- [41:59]
Marsai Martin
Okay, let's do Miss girl in the white. I'm sorry, y'.
- [42:07]
Lauren LaRosa
All. I can order for you.
- [42:08]
Marsai Martin
Queen helps me be like, better dance move.
- [42:10]
Lauren LaRosa
You see, I did that.
- [42:11]
Event Host
Boom.
- [42:11]
Marsai Martin
Everybody, handshake now.
- [42:14]
Lauren LaRosa
Hi. First of all, thank y' all both for being here. Thank you for picking me to the question. My name is Selma Asante Waapara. I'm a fourth year computer science major, theater arts minor, from Oakland, California.
- [42:26]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Yes, sir.
- [42:28]
Marsai Martin
Yes, I felt. Yes, yes, yes. West coast, baby. Continue.
- [42:34]
Lauren LaRosa
Yes, and my question is kind of about being like a multi hyphenated creative. I'm an actress, dancer, model, singer, creative director, et cetera, et cetera. And I find it hard sometimes to market myself when it's like there's so many different things I'm interested in, so many different things I do so many different. Just lanes I want to go to. So my question is for the multi hyphenate creatives.
- [43:00]
Audience Member Tamia Anderson
How can we figure out ways to.
- [43:04]
Lauren LaRosa
Put it together as like a full package that can be like, presented and marketed?
- [43:09]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Mm.
- [43:11]
Marsai Martin
Well, I mean, it starts with you. I mean, you're the only person who can market yourself truthfully. You know, your brand, what is your brand? That is something that is a full day of just sitting with yourself and thinking about, you know, that's. That's where the little details come in. Like when are you going to pull out your dancing skills? When you go and pull out your singing, when are you going to do that? Is all you. No one can actually do that for you. You know, that is something that every Person that you see has kind of curated that for themselves. I think one of my favorite multi hyphenate stars is Teyana Taylor, you know, which is someone who styles herself, creates her own content. Yeah. Has her own production company. The conversations that she has with people are conversations that she has on her own, you know, so those are things that you have to do to just market yourself. You're the only person who can do that. And that is a beautiful thing to do, all of it. So my, my, my advice would be to have fun. Don't think too hard on it. Just have fun with it. Because that's one of the best things to do, is just put yourself out there and have fun. I mean, Halloween just passed. What, like, what's a unique thing that you could do for Halloween? I mean, Thanksgiving is coming up. What's a unique thing you can do with your family? Like, who are the fan of the friends, the connections that you have. They can go on campus and start your own series or start your own whatever as a creative director to where you're able to sprout all of that. But have fun with it. That's one of the best things I could say is don't think too hard on it. It might be something to even have fun with just for a day, you know. And that's what I would say, you know, just find ways to market yourself and start, and start there, you know, I can't tell you how to market yourself because only you know, you. Yeah, you. There's only one you. Show us why there's only one you, period.
- [45:15]
Lauren LaRosa
That's your asset in the room, girl. You're welcome. I'll tell you too, real quick before you go. Sometimes too, like when you can do a bunch of things, there's like one thing that is like super prevalent that people just like run to you naturally about. Don't fight that either. Lean into that and then allow yourself to like bring everything else into as it makes sense. Like think about your favorite, like store that you go to for, I don't know, your favorite makeup product. Once you go get that product, you just happen to find everything else. So if you are strong there and that's out there, the people gonna find the rest of the stuff. Just be ready, have it all together, have your looks, all the things.
- [45:48]
Marsai Martin
And I will say this for everybody in the room, even with the questions that I got, you don't need to have it all figured out right now. No, I know sometimes people will look at tiktoks of us in our 20 somethings thriving, striving, whatever, and being like, oh, my gosh, I need to be like them. We don't have it all figured out either. We don't. This is just our job. Just like you have your job, girl. That's it. That's just it. So you don't need to have it figured out right now. Just create your path, create the story you want to tell and take it day by day, because your 20s is where you can actually make the most mistakes and come back from it, you know? And that's just it, you know, just like, keep going, keep pushing, keep thriving the best that you can do. Not put any pressure on yourself at all. Y' all are still in school. Y' all are still focusing on other things and other problems. Just take it day by day, and it'll all fall into place later.
- [46:50]
Lauren LaRosa
Yeah.
- [46:51]
Event Host
And ladies, before we button it up, I got a question for mom Carol, because a bunch of the students keep asking me. Come on, stand up, Mama Carol. I put her on the spot. A bunch of the students keep asking.
- [47:02]
Marsai Martin
Me, hey, this Carol, y'.
- [47:03]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
All.
- [47:04]
Marsai Martin
This is my mom Carol.
- [47:05]
Event Host
Say what up, Mom Carol. A bunch of the students have asked me. They're saying, you know, I have parents who don't see arts and entertainment as a viable career, and they want me to become a doctor or a lawyer or one of these things. How did you have the unction to support your daughter through this career path? And what advice would you give the students about talking to their parents about them taking the journey in arts and entertainment?
- [47:30]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Hello, everybody. I come from a family of artists, so it was really easy for me to spot early that that would probably be what her journey was. But if I did have parents that didn't get it, or if I was a parent that didn't get it, you got to understand that the choices that I make for me are my choices. And this is not a carbon copy of myself. And God didn't give me a baby to just pour into what I. What I want her to be. I can desire her to do all sorts of things, but she's a blank piece of paper. And all I can do is try to make sure that I give her all the tools that are necessary. I make sure she's fed and clothed and sane, and God does the rest. I knew from a baby that this is the kid that I had. So I just. It was funny trying to get people to see what I saw, because everybody.
- [48:27]
Lauren LaRosa
They'Re like, everybody thinks their baby is.
- [48:29]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
You know, everybody's baby can do. I was like, no, everybody's baby can't do what this baby can do. But, you know, and then they saw what came to fruition, and then they're like, oh, I knew.
- [48:37]
Lauren LaRosa
Remember when I told you?
- [48:38]
Marsai Martin
I know, girl.
- [48:39]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Yeah. I'm like, yeah, okay. But I mean, just try your best to give your parents grace because that's what was put onto them, you know, like that. That seems like they want stability. You have to hear what's behind that push. Yeah, they may not get it because they were told that same thing, you know, like the only viable way to do anything is, are these four careers, you know, and there's the artist, the starving artist. That's the actual title. So, yeah, most artists are starving, you know, so they, it's, it's coming from a place of concern and love. And if you give them that grace, they may never understand it, but you.
- [49:19]
Lauren LaRosa
Got to do what you got to.
- [49:20]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Do for you and, and, and try to stay in that mindset and know that there's a community of people that support you even if they don't get it. You just got to find your, your folks that do. That'll hold you up.
- [49:32]
Marsai Martin
Yeah.
- [49:32]
Carol (Marsai Martin's Mom)
Help you out.
- [49:33]
Marsai Martin
And I will, I will say that also comes with time. They. Sometimes they just need to see it. Sometimes they just need to see it because, I mean, people just be like that sometimes. But also too, even this past year, I've, I've. The conversations I have with my parents are very different. They look different now because I realize that they're humans too. They don't, like mom said, they don't have it all figured out. This is the first time that they have a 21 year old or a 20 something year old. So like my mom said, to be able to give your parents that grace, but also too, they might be a part of the group that just needs to see it to believe it, and that's okay. So keep moving forward. And it's not saying that you can't do this or whatever, because that can feel like projection at times, but just follow your path and switch your mindset about it. It's all about mindset.
- [50:23]
Event Host
Now we see where you get it from though, right?
- [50:25]
Coca-Cola Ad Voice
Yes.
- [50:26]
Event Host
Yes. Full of love. Can y' all give Lauren and Marseille a round of applause? Come on, get up on your feet and show them some real love.
- [50:33]
Lauren LaRosa
I told y', all, I told you guys that this conversation with Marsay Martin, I mean, come on, let's think about it. Like, Martai Martin is, you know, blackish little. She is literally the girl. She's so great at what she does. And as you guys were able to hear today, there is intention and purpose and hard work and effort behind everything she does. As always, I'm Lauren LaRosa. This is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. And y' all could be anywhere with anybody having these conversations and hearing from some of your favorite celebrities firsthand. But y' all choose to be with me every single episode. And, man, do I appreciate y' all for that, my lowriders. I will see you guys in my next episode. This is an I Heart podcast.