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- [00:00]
A
Now I look at. I look in the mirror. First of all, when Mary came out with that song good morning, gorgeous, that became our mantra. Like, every morning, like, even when we say hi to each other, it's good morning, gorgeous. And I feel like a lot of times sometimes we are always, like, filling our minds up with the negative, you know what I mean? Instead of making a choice to see the positive. You know, it's like people seeing the glass half empty. Empty instead of half full. A lot of times you could experience, you know, an obstacle and you look at it as it's the worst thing in the world instead of celebrating what you learned from it. The lesson, the growth, the inspiration, the motivation. The tour ratio, okay, though. The tour ratio, okay, though.
- [00:55]
B
That might be the best question I've ever been asked.
- [00:58]
A
You's a phenomenal person. I mean, you. Legendary. I am a fan of you, my brother.
- [01:09]
B
Tasha Smith is an amazing character actress who's been in Hollywood forever. After escaping a wild childhood in Camden, New Jersey. She was on the pole when she was a teenager. Now she's teaching acting. She's starring in Survival of the thickest. She is a director. She's doing it big in Hollywood. We talk about holy all things Hollywood and her dating life. Let's get into it. It's Tasha Smith on toure show. Tasha.
- [01:43]
A
Yes. How are you? Hi, T. Last time I saw you was outside of a hotel at night when I was directing. I think I was directing Harlem at the time.
- [01:54]
B
Yeah.
- [01:55]
A
When I saw you, isn't that something? And I was directing. I'm bro, I am so happy you.
- [02:03]
B
Have as an actor, you have an amazing instrument.
- [02:08]
A
Thank you.
- [02:08]
B
Cause you're gorgeous, bro.
- [02:10]
A
Thank you. Thank you. I feel like I'm just, like, allowing myself to accept you're not too bad looking, Tash. Okay?
- [02:22]
B
No, not at all.
- [02:23]
A
You know how when we're younger, we have all these insecurities, self doubts, you know what I'm saying? And all of that stuff, you know, based on, like, previous relationships and all that, you know?
- [02:37]
B
So do you look in the mirror and go, okay, yeah, I'm beautiful.
- [02:40]
A
Now I do.
- [02:41]
B
You do?
- [02:42]
A
Now I.
- [02:42]
B
What do you say?
- [02:43]
A
What do you say? Now I look at. I look in the mirror. First of all, when Mary came out with that song good morning, gorgeous, that became our mantra. Like, every morning, like, even when we say hi to each other, it's good morning, gorgeous. And I feel like a lot of times sometimes we are always, like, filling our minds up with the negative, you know what I mean? Instead of making A choice to see the positive. You know, it's like people seeing the glass half empty instead of half full. A lot of times you could experience, you know, an obstacle and you look at it as it's the worst thing in the world instead of celebrating what you learned from it. The lesson, the growth, the inspiration, the motivation from even being resilient to get over, you know what I'm saying? And so I feel like as a young, my younger self spent a lot of times looking at more of the pain and the trauma which made me not feel that beautiful. But now my older self is like, I can't believe you didn't think that girl right there back then was gorgeous. You know what I'm saying? I wish that I, you know, had the body I had at 25 or 30, but at the space that I'm in now in my life, I'm really owning, like, self. Love is really something that's, you know, resonates with me and how essential it is. It's not selfish, but it's essential. You know, it helps me to be a better person. It helps me to be a happier person. It helps me to accept my beauty. It helps me to allow my friends around me to be who they are and to be more honest, you know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not. I don't feel like I'm hiding in the dark.
- [04:34]
B
You could be more accepting of yourself because you're older, right? Because we're grown and some of the insecurities of youth fade away.
- [04:42]
A
Yes. That's why when Bev Smith says it gets greater later, we get more wisdom, we get more fearlessness. Our resilience has blessed our souls, you know what I'm saying? I feel really good. And that's why, like, I remember I ran into D. Nice one day and I was like, how you doing? He, like, he was looking around, he was like, yo, Tosh, I'm fantastic. I said, isn't that a shame how we have to whisper that? Because a lot of times people can't.
- [05:16]
B
But if we say it too loud.
- [05:18]
A
We'Re worried, you know what I mean? And I said to him, I said, I think we're gonna do this. I said, let's have a party. And it's a party where we can brag and celebrate ourselves. Where we have full on permission, like no haters allowed. Where we get literally brag about the blessings that we have.
- [05:42]
B
Even as you, even as you lay it out as a space with permission to do that. I still feel myself entering that space. And be like, you gotta be humble.
- [05:53]
A
If you know, you know, if you.
- [05:55]
B
Know, you know, I'm not gonna tell you. Yeah, but about me, Like, I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna brag.
- [05:59]
A
Yeah, but see, because we feel like that's not being humble. Right. But I don't feel like. I feel like it's a testimony. I feel like it's literally a testimony. Okay. Like, the words of our testimony can inspire someone else. So if we even t. If we change it around and look at it as. This is not a bad thing. Like, if I talked about, like, from where I came from to where I am now, that is my testimony. I should be able to brag about that. I should be able to brag about the fact that I came from Camden, New Jersey, was probably coined as the one most likely not to succeed and to drop out of high school at 14 years old. Mom was dealing with her struggles. You know what I mean? Bartending at a strip club, stripping at a strip club, doing drugs from the age of 14 to 25. And now at 54 years old, I look this good. I'm directing, I'm acting, I'm producing, I'm teaching. I'm empowering other people to pursue their purpose in the arts. That is a testimony that I should happily brag about from the top of every mountain. I get a chance to be on. True, true, true. Because there are other kids that are growing up with trials, tribulations, pain experiences, and guess what? They need to know it gets greater later. And they're going to see and discover their resilience through that very trial that they're experiencing, that they're going through.
- [07:34]
B
I feel like when I see you on screen, you're real. I don't feel acting. I don't feel stuff. I feel this is real. This is who she really is in this moment.
- [07:50]
A
I feel like the process that I've been taught as an actor, my teacher, Ivana Chubbuck, that has an incredible book called the Power of the Actor. When I came to her, I felt like I had to hide my pain, my anger, my sadness, my joy. I literally was walking around, like, with a mask on. And she really helped me to allow myself to use all of what I experienced and put it in the art and put it in the character, release it into the character. And so for me, it is real. Like. But I feel like the moment is real for me. Yes.
- [08:42]
B
When you're acting, it's real.
- [08:44]
A
Yes, it's real. And I feel like I'm more comfortable at 55. Exposing a lot of things that I may have been afraid to expose. I just. I feel like I'm forever learning ture. I feel like I'm forever growing. I feel like I'm forever discovering new aspects of myself that I get to. You know, some people are a little.
- [09:10]
B
Extra sometimes, and I'm like, they're acting or they're performing, and I'm like, you're being.
- [09:17]
A
That's a compliment, I promise you. Like, I really appreciate it because, like, I'm hard on myself a lot. You know what I mean? And I feel like. I still feel like I'm growing. And with every opportunity I have as an actor, I'm discovering more parts of myself that I can give to the character, you know? And so I think, like, coming from you to say that to me, honestly, I really appreciate it.
- [09:49]
B
For me, one of our great moments was you in Empire and your Cookie's sister.
- [09:57]
A
Yes.
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B
And Cookie Lyons was this force of nature.
- [10:01]
A
Yes.
- [10:02]
B
Taraji took over the show.
- [10:04]
A
Yes. She was a beast.
- [10:05]
B
Right. And Cookie was the one that she watched for who made shit happen. And when her sister showed up and is like, oh, Cookie got a problem. And not, you know, it wasn't extra. It was being. And just, you could be in the moment with her, not extra. But I'm like, oh, she met her match here. Her sister can stand toe to toe with her. And that's crazy.
- [10:34]
A
You know what was beautiful about that experience with Taraji? Like, Taraji is such a powerful actress, and she's such a force. She is a force of nature. Like, I can't even begin. Like, her instrument is beyond. Like, she is fantastic. She is funny. She is emotional. Like, she can do so many things, but one of the most beautiful aspects of her is that she is not intimidated by anybody else's talent. Like, she will allow everyone to shine within the space that. Yeah, she's number one. Yeah, it's her right. But she does not have, like, jealousy or insecurities and all of those things. And as an actor, to be able to go onto a show where I'm. What. I don't know what number I was, but I wasn't close to number one, I tell you that. But to have, like, her and Terrence and, you know, Vivica and all of them, to work within a space with them, but still feel like when they pass me the ball, I could take it. I can make my shot. You follow what I'm saying? It's like an all star team. It's like an all star team of Players.
- [11:52]
B
I mean, you've been around for a long time. She's been. You know her before.
- [11:57]
A
Yeah, we've known each other for many, many, many years.
- [11:59]
B
So she. So she. So when they're like, hey, we hired Tasha to be your sister, she's like, okay, yeah, that could be.
- [12:05]
A
She, like, oh, absolutely. You know what I mean? Like, 100%.
- [12:08]
B
Do y'all, like, meet and start to work out, like a vibe in a relationship?
- [12:13]
A
No, you know, we haven't done that. We didn't do that on Empire. We're actually closer now. I mean, we were very close on Empire, but it was like, we didn't really have time to really cultivate our relationship because of the schedule working. She had a lot of demand on her. You know what I mean? But since the show was over and we got home, back to la.
- [12:33]
B
But you got to figure out the vibe on set because we don't have prep time.
- [12:37]
A
You know, everyone. What was deep is that it wasn't about. We would run lines, like, before we got to set. But it wasn't the kind of environment where, you know, we were getting together and doing that like that. But everybody was okay when another person had the ball. Like, it wasn't this fight for competition. It was a real community. It wasn't competitive there. Like, it wasn't about competition. It was about community. We're all a part of this community called Empire, and. And everyone gets a chance to play their part. And when you got it, everybody fall back. You get it.
- [13:17]
B
That's a good day for you when Empire calls. Cause that show was a phenomenon when they pulled you into the mix. Right. So you're like, oh, we just got drafted by the number one team. Right. That's exactly.
- [13:29]
A
It was a blessing. I'm not gonna lie. Thanks to Lee Daniels. Like, honestly, it was a blessing. And I auditioned for Cookie, and I didn't get it. Taraji got. And I was like, yes, of course she did. And then he's like, I could get Carol the sister. I said, I'll take anything.
- [13:44]
B
Yeah.
- [13:45]
A
I was so obsessed with the show and so obsessed with their writing and everything.
- [13:51]
B
You were on another legendary show, Nip Tuck.
- [13:55]
A
That was so long ago.
- [13:56]
B
I know. I love Nip Tuck.
- [13:57]
A
Like, I mean, I played a trans woman. Yes. On that show. A therapist. Years ago. That was a long time ago.
- [14:05]
B
Because trans people were less visible.
- [14:09]
A
Absolutely.
- [14:10]
B
In society 20, 30 years ago. Existed. But they weren't in media constantly. And you.
- [14:17]
A
I know. It was amazing. Honestly, it was, like, so deep, like, and I was a Therapist. And we would do, like, group session, group therapy with all the, you know, trans men and women that would come.
- [14:32]
B
So you were a trans woman?
- [14:33]
A
Yeah.
- [14:33]
B
How did you prepare for that?
- [14:35]
A
Wow. You know, I don't even know at the time that it was about playing a trans woman. For me, it was about the therapy aspect of it and how important it was to help the people that were there, you know what I mean, to deal with their transitioning and all of that stuff. And so it was probably. I was probably more focused on. It was so long ago, but it was. I was more focused. The essence of what my. My role was as a therapist, any.
- [15:11]
B
Any script I give you that you're going to do as a job, what do you do between here's a script and when you're going to hit the set so you're ready to go?
- [15:23]
A
Well, I mean, I love one. I always work with a coach. I enjoy the process of coaching. And based on my background, as far as, like, the way I was taught as an actor, I break the script down, I investigate the sc. I become, like, the biggest investigator that I can be. I want to understand, like, what my character's overall objective is. Like, where am I headed? What do I need? How does this scene help me accomplish what my need is? You know, So I try to break it down from a very technical space, and then I try to, like, fill in the blanks because there's always a lot of subtext. And then aside from the subtext, you might want to research things about therapists and whatever that is. Like, if a person's playing a cop, it's not just about, you're a human being, so you want to look at the humanity of the character. And then you may add in other aspects, the physicalities, you know, the sense memory, you know, it's all. It's according to what the character is, but there are many. I feel like when you're breaking down a character, you go in your toolbox, you know, it's no different than building a house, right? It's no different than renovating a house. You need tools in order to renovate, right? You may need a saw, you may need a hammer. You may need nails, you may need, you know, wood. You may need metal. You may need certain things in order to build the foundation of that house. So I'm just trying to always keep my toolbox filled and see what tool do I need for this character.
- [16:59]
B
What are those two? What is nails and wood? As far as an actor.
- [17:03]
A
As an actor, you know, I mean, it could be, you know, your joy. It could be your pain. It could be, you know, your sense memory. It could be your substitution. It could be your inner monologues. It could be your place in fourth wall. It could be your moment before. It could be your, you know, go. I remember I was on the show a long time ago and I was playing a neurosurgeon. I remember I also played an addicted. I played a hypnotherapist. I had never gone through hypnotherapy before, so I took myself through hypnotherapy. I met with a hypnotherapist to really understand hypnotherapy, you know what I mean? So it's so many that could be the tool, could be the hammer or the nail. And for me, it's based on the character.
- [17:52]
B
Okay, so you're on Survival the Thickest now. Michelle buteau Netflix. It's a fun show. We have been talking about your more serious shows.
- [18:02]
A
Yes.
- [18:02]
B
Is the preparation for something that's a little lighter the same?
- [18:07]
A
No. I mean, yes, it is.
- [18:09]
B
I mean, you take it seriously, but it's different.
- [18:11]
A
It's lighter, but it still takes a lot of work. Like, I worked with Carl, who is Susan's son, you know, Susan Batson's son. And I just enjoy the collaboration of, like, investigating a character. You know what I mean? So what we dealt with was more of the emotional space that and the self discovery that Marlee was going through. And how will that service Mavis character? Like, it's about friendship and community. Right. But my character has gone through some self discovery, has accepted kind of where she was first. She was a lot more vulnerable, a lot more timid, a lot more trying to figure out her life. And you saw her going through her therapy process. But then in the second season, you see her owning exactly who she is, owning the fact that she wants to really explore relationship, you know what I mean? With women without a man being there. Because even in the first season, you see my character talking about, you know, how she's had threesomes before, but when she was with that woman alone in that locker room without the guy in the room, then she discovered, well, maybe this is something I might enjoy without doing it just to please a man. Because even me talking to some of my friends about their threesome experiences, because I almost feel like I'm not cool because I haven't had a threesome before.
- [19:43]
B
I've never had one.
- [19:45]
A
Why is that possible? Sometimes I'd be like, am I not cool? Am I Kind of corny.
- [19:49]
B
Why did the streets all your teens you was in the clubs?
- [19:54]
A
You know, I just never had a three, you know, it was like I went through this. I'm digressing a little bit, but I don't know if you know this, but I went through this time where I was celibate from like the age 25 to like 33, 34 years old. And I'm a little old fashioned, you know what I mean? And sexually, you know what I'm saying? And so I'm very hetero and I am very attracted to men. If anything, I'd want two men. Let me stop. I was laughing, telling my. I think I was on the Breakfast Club. I was like, I'm like a gay ass man. You know what I'm saying? I want what gay men want. You know what I mean?
- [20:39]
B
I'm sure you could make that happen.
- [20:41]
A
But it's just what I had never experienced.
- [20:45]
B
You mean you want like gorgeous muscle bounds?
- [20:48]
A
I mean, I'm just saying. But just. I just like men, you know what I mean? But it was something I was gonna tell you about that. Oh. When I was talking to some of my friends about their experiences with threesomes, I realized a lot of my friends did it more so to please their partners more than them wanting to do it themselves. And I think that that's what like not think, but that's what Marlee was going through in the first season. But what she end discovering is that I like doing this for me. I don't want to have to do this in order to save a relationship or keep a relationship. This is what I want.
- [21:31]
B
Okay, that makes sense. Wait, the other thing you were saying about how much you like men. Yes, and there's a spark in your eye when I like, talk about I do. What does a man have to do to get Tasha's attention to, like, get a date, get a second date, get.
- [21:51]
A
A third date, be kind, be a gentleman, be comfortable in his skin, you know, not being intimidated by the essence of who I am, because I just am who I am. But at the same time, I still have a lot of vulnerability. Like, although I might feel very alpha female, which I am, but that alpha female still needs a chest to rest on and being willing to be a chest for me to rest on. You know what I'm saying? Like, just because I'm strong doesn't mean that I am not in need.
- [22:30]
B
Do you feel like you sometimes need to turn down the alpha female to get or to make the man feel comfortable?
- [22:41]
A
If. If A guy is confident enough to approach me, he'll discover, outside of what we are, what I am. You know, I'm very quiet at home. T. Like, I am. Like, sometimes I'm like, I'm sitting in silence, like. Or I'm playing, like, jazz, or I'm reading something, or I'm meditating, or I'm cooking with music with Terrace Martin in the background. Like, literally, like, I. As loud as I may be when I'm out, it's almost a little bit of Persona, because once I'm home, I decompress completely. I literally will sit in silence or I will cook in silence.
- [23:30]
B
Are you internally silent in those moments?
- [23:33]
A
Yes, you are. I want to hear. I want to hear what my inner self is saying.
- [23:39]
B
Yeah, so you. Yes, but your inner voice is talking.
- [23:43]
A
But, like, I try to be as quiet as I. I can be so I can hear. Yeah, but I try.
- [23:50]
B
So there's an internal conversation going on.
- [23:52]
A
Like, it's not. Not always, because sometimes, like, when I sit in silence, I try to stop the voice here.
- [24:00]
B
Okay.
- [24:01]
A
You follow what I'm saying?
- [24:02]
B
Because you're a meditator.
- [24:03]
A
Yeah, I try to stop that. I try to quiet myself, to hear my inner self.
- [24:10]
B
A deeper voice.
- [24:11]
A
Exactly. And I can't hear that all the times with the noise. So that's why. Because when we're out, especially during this press run and everything, like, it's so much talking. It's so much noise. There's so much stuff. It's blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But I really do try to be quiet more than most people know or would understand about me unless they were intimate.
- [24:36]
B
So I got to be willing to be quiet. To be.
- [24:40]
A
You could probably talk more than I would talk, but when I have something to say, you could best believe it's probably going to be kind of good.
- [24:48]
B
Yeah. Yeah.
- [24:50]
A
Because I feel like I want to hear that.
- [24:53]
B
What's he probably going to look like, the guy who has a real shot with you? It's not a type, but there's probably certain things that will give him a big advantage.
- [25:09]
A
That is a very interesting question, because I can't necessarily say that I have, like, this certain type, right? Like, where he's got to be this or he's gotta be that. You know what I mean?
- [25:24]
B
He's gotta be taller than you.
- [25:25]
A
I prefer someone at least my height or taller. I prefer that.
- [25:29]
B
It's gotta be athlete.
- [25:30]
A
Although I've dated guys that were not as taller.
- [25:32]
B
Gotta be athletic.
- [25:33]
A
You know, it's fun to have someone athletic because I do like to work and I do enjoy having a partner to work out with. So to have someone with a little height and that's somewhat athletic, I want to be motivated. I don't want somebody that's not athletic because I like to cook a lot. You know what I'm saying? So I want somebody that I can hike with, that I could walk the beach with, that I could bike ride with, that I could go to the gym with and do things like that because I need to stay. Fine.
- [26:03]
B
Yes, yes, yes. The plan is working.
- [26:08]
A
I'm sorry.
- [26:08]
B
Does he have to be black?
- [26:10]
A
I am attracted to black men and I've been mainly attracted to black men. And have I dated white guys? Yes. Have I dated other than white? Yes. And other than black? Yes. But I feel, you know, I'm such a black girl, I just, you know what I mean? I might say nigga one day. I can't say that in front of the white guy and his family. I mean, that's just me. I mean, like, I'm blackly black. I'm black black. I just am, like, I probably. I've just been more attracted and I know some of my friends say to stay open, but I'm more attracted to. I mean, it's just what I'm light or dark, you know? Why are you asking me this, T? What the hell? Why are you doing this? What are you doing, T? What are you doing? What is happening right now?
- [27:02]
B
Okay, we can talk about directing after this. God, you start.
- [27:06]
A
I like all. I like. I like all. I'm not looking for a light skinned black man. A dark skinned black man. And I want a nice black man that is strong enough to allow me to be who I am and also allow me to rest on his chest.
- [27:29]
B
Could he be an actor?
- [27:31]
A
He could be anything.
- [27:33]
B
Cause some actors are like, I would never date an actor.
- [27:35]
A
I mean, I love our industry. He could be anything. I'm not opposed to any of it.
- [27:42]
B
Tell me about kicking you directing. Oh, that'd be fine.
- [27:47]
A
I love you.
- [27:48]
B
That'd be fine.
- [27:50]
A
Oh, my God. Why you trying to set me up with somebody? No, let me stop. I'm joking. Are you kidding?
- [27:56]
B
Are you kidding? Are you kidding?
- [27:57]
A
I'm actually good though.
- [27:59]
B
If I knew a man.
- [28:01]
A
No, but I'm good. I'm good. Good. Okay, let's talk about directing. What was your question?
- [28:11]
B
Well, you're good.
- [28:12]
A
Good.
- [28:12]
B
Good. Okay, I'm good.
- [28:14]
A
Good.
- [28:15]
B
Okay.
- [28:15]
A
I am very content and very happy and I am attracting exactly what I'm supposed to attract. What does that Mean, it means exactly what I said. But in order to do that space, like, seriously, like, I was, like, dating a lot, but it was situations that I knew. Nah, nah, nah. And then once I cleared space, I've been attracting what I'm supposed to attract, and I'mma leave it there, T. Okay. I'mma leave it there. Okay.
- [28:59]
B
I think that's a beautiful way of. Of putting it. Directing has been a really important thing for you, really valuable thing for you. What makes you different than other than other directors? Because, you know, what they want to hear, you know, what the actors need to hear and how they need to be dealt with, you know?
- [29:26]
A
Well, one, teaching acting. For over 20 years, I did not know that that was, like, my training to become a director. Like, I didn't know that. I thought that I was just there to give to everyone else, but I didn't realize that those experiences that I would have in class three times a week in my studio, teaching acting, putting up scenes, blocking scenes, you know, working on characters, and that I was literally exercising my instrument to direct. And. And I am myself. Like, I am not trying to be, you know, anyone else out there. I feel like we have to be authentic to our own voices. Right. I'm not trying to be, like, this person or that person or that person. I am trusting Tasha, and I'm trusting my vision. I'm trusting my voice, and I'm trusting the fact that my super. I feel like one of my superpowers as a director. Director is my ability to be able to communicate with actors, and that came from teaching acting.
- [30:41]
B
You worked on Bel Air, which is a really, really interesting show on Peacock. I mean, like, we grew up watching. Yes, the original. So to see the turn and, you know, more dramatic and more visual, more cinematic, and, you know, it's. It's been really interesting. So what did you got? What did you do with your. Your turn there?
- [31:00]
A
Well, I directed two episodes, I think the first and second season. And I remember I had a very emotional episode, which was when Will's best friend came to visit from Philly, and they ended up getting into an argument because remember that? You know? Remember that? And he came and he's feeling like you're not the same person I knew. You know what I mean? And we've all experienced that. I've experienced that as an actor leaving Camden, New Jersey, moving to la, becoming successful, and my friends feeling like I've changed. But that was a very powerful episode for those two actors, for Jabari and for the other young man that played you. Know, his best friend. It was a very powerful moment. But inspiring them to allow themselves to be vulnerable within their brotherhood, you know what I'm saying, was really important. The intimacy of their frustration, their anger, their insecurities, their fears, you know, all of that stuff. Like, we really worked hard on those scenes. And I just try to help inspire actors to tap into whatever their truth is and understanding exactly what the text is and how we can deepen the text and create more substance within the text.
- [32:28]
B
You know, you say that so deeply. And I'm thinking about how a lot of Hollywood now is about intellectual property and making a movie around Barbie or Jenga or Kool Aid or Minecraft or. And these are not really going to lead to the compelling stories that we grew up on. Right, right. The original stories about real people. These are. Are essentially two hour ads for Spider man or whatever. I mean, even Black Panther, which we love, is like, that's an ad. It's an ad for a character. So how do you feel about that? Like, you're like one of these people who are all about acting and truth and like art and the direction is AI and intellectual property and movies based around products.
- [33:24]
A
I mean, look, I am not like a geeky person. Like, you know what I mean? I feel like that is a form of art as well. You know what I mean? And there are some people that's really mastered how to visually tell those stories. Right. But I'm more attracted to different kinds of stories, really character driven stories, because I get excited about that. I get excited about bold, you know, stories, resilient stories, redemptive stories, like real character stuff, like where I want to be able to direct stuff that's going to help people win Oscars and get awards and touch people's hearts and minds and souls. And I'm just attracted to other stuff. Although we know what's coming and I feel like we have to learn. I know a lot of friends that's into all the Marvel stuff and this and that. I like that stuff, but I'm just attracted to different kinds of stories. And we all have our voice and the purpose of our voice, and I feel like we have to own whatever our truth is. Like, I'm not, you know, into sci fi.
- [34:40]
B
Right, so you're not doing that? No, it wouldn't feel authentic.
- [34:46]
A
No, it just wouldn't. And I probably. And it probably. You could probably see it.
- [34:50]
B
I mean, your reputation with the audience is important. Like, I know whenever I see Tasha show up, she's great. Right. And it's not like, well, she was great here, but over there she wasn't. Right. I have a different relationship with that actor. Right. So you are like, I gotta make sure every time they see me I am living in my purpose. Right. I set myself up to succeed. This is not my thing, so I'm not gonna do it.
- [35:16]
A
Yeah. I think that, like, people expect me to be honest.
- [35:20]
B
Yeah.
- [35:21]
A
You know what I'm saying? Like, to be honest. Like, I feel like over the years, the only way I've known to really present myself is in an honest way, you know? And I expose a lot of myself, you know, I'm not one that's like, got a lot of skeletons in the closet. I remember one friend was like, are you hiding anything? Like, there isn't anything that I've hidden. Like, I remember I was very ashamed of the fact that I used to be a stripper. I used to do drugs. I dropped out of high school, all of those things. And I remember as I started becoming successful, I was fearful. I used to think that somebody was going to have a Polaroid of me with a G string on. You know what I mean? On a pole. Okay. I was like, let me hurry up and tell it before someone else tries to shame me. You know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not going to let. Which I feel is the devil, you know, get any room to try to shame me from something I have done or from who my. Like, who I honestly am. You have a lot of people that are hiding, hiding. I don't hide. This is who I am, period. I used to be a hoe. I went on a sabbatical. I was celibate eight years. No, let me stop a serious, like, can't nobody be like, oh, Tasha used to be in them streets. Tasha told you she was in them streets. Tasha used to do so much cocaine. Tasha told you she used to do a whole lot of cocaine. And I'm honest. Glad I've been there, done that, did it. Now I can focus on other things. Okay.
- [37:00]
B
Yes, for sure. You're hysterical. You're hysterical. Who are some of the actors you watched or watch now to say, you know, that's how it's done. That's who I need to learn from.
- [37:18]
A
Honestly. I mean, I started looking at Diana Ross in Lady Sings of Blues, Angela Bassett in what's Love Got to Do With It? Tyra Farrell. Who? I don't know if you remember Tyra Farrell from Boyz N the Hood. She played Ice Cube's mom.
- [37:34]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [37:35]
A
You know, and she was in A bunch of movies. Tyra Farrell. Oh, my gosh, she's like a sister to me. As well as Angela and Marianne. Jean Baptiste, who is a brilliant English actress that's in a film called Hardship Troops that was nominated for an Oscar of Michael Lee's movie called Secrets and Lies. Charles S. Dutton. I was his assistant, you know what I'm saying? And I got a chance to watch him, work with him, assist him during his. You know, on Broadway, you know, on rock, in films, as a director, you know what I'm saying? Like, I've gotten a chance. I feel like I've been raised by wolves just from my friends, you know what I mean? Like, it was always important for me to have mentors in my life, to have people in my life that I could look up to. You know, Angela, Courtney B. Vance. I mean, you know, when you have people of substance in your life, it makes you want to do better, make them proud of you, make the right choices, behave a certain way on set, be responsible, be accountable. You know what I mean? So I was always surrounded by a lot of older people that I felt like, helped guide me, laid out a path for me, gave me a path, you know, said, this is a path. Hard work, dedication, respect, show up on time, be respectful, be loving, be kind to your crew, to everyone on set. Like, love people, respect people, give people grace, mercy. Like, I've just been. I'm telling you, I have some incredible people in my life.
- [39:17]
B
Yes. All those professionals, things stipulated. But what is the best advice you've gotten from those folks on, okay, when they say action and you're doing the thing, like, how to best be great.
- [39:33]
A
Then tell the truth. Tell the truth and do your work and prepare. You know, the work. And Marianne would always say this. The work doesn't start when you get set. That's not when the job starts. The job does not start in your trailer. Learning your lines starts at home. It starts weeks before it starts, the second you get the material and it's not done. The work isn't done until the director says, check the gate. We got it now, we're moving on. It doesn't stop until it's in the can. So being as disciplined to the work, to the process, to the preparation, you know, as possible, and also being respectful of other people's time. Like, as an actor showing up on time, you know, respecting the time that the director has been given, and even me becoming a director, I understand that even more. Like, it's become a big part of what I teach. Even more to actors because. Because there have been times I may have had the most incredible plans but could not do it because an actor didn't know their lines, didn't know, wasn't on time. You know, things like that. It's like just understanding that making a movie or TV show is a collaboration and everyone has a job to do and you only get but a certain amount of time in the day to accomplish that goal. And it becomes a race against time. Like, literally, you're like, I only got one hour, I gotta get this. I got two scenes. And it becomes that. But when everyone comes in prepared and on time, you could actually make some great tv.
- [41:20]
B
Thanks so much to Tasha for a great interview. And thanks to you for listening. Tool Ratio gives you fuel to power your dreams. Because you can use your dreams like a rocket ship to blast you into a life you never imagined. You can make your dreams a reality. And this show can help. You can find me on Instagram at TorreShow and on TikTok TorreShow Torre shows written by me, Torre, and produced by Ashley Hobbs. Our editor is Ryan Woodhull. Our booker is Ray Holiday. We're distributed by DCP Entertainment and we will be back next Wednesday with more amazing guests because the man can't shut us down. It.