Podcast Summary: Unhinged & Immoral

Hosts: Jameela Bell & Mecca Evans
Guest: Ricco Ross (Horace in Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black)
Episode Date: December 11, 2025
Production: Diamond MPrint Productions

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the acting journey of Ricco Ross—best known as Horace from Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black. Jameela and Mecca, with their trademark humor and flair, take listeners through Ricco’s career, his theatrical roots, method acting insights, industry advice, personal life, and upcoming projects. The conversation explores Black Hollywood, the complexity of Horace, the influence of social media, and the importance of representation—delivered with plenty of laughter, candid stories, and a few unfiltered takes.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ricco Ross on Playing Horace in Beauty In Black

• Character Complexity:
  • Ricco discusses becoming Horace, a character he calls "a hot mess... confusing. He’s complicated."
    • "When I got the cane, I was like, I got you now, Horace." (02:41)
• Preparing for the Role:
  • Ricco drew on his extensive training: UCLA, Shakespeare in London, and method acting. Physicality (shoes, cane, cigar) helped shape the Horace persona.

2. The Art of Cursing & Characterization

• On-screen versus Real Life:
  • Ricco hardly curses in real life and chose to remove extra curse words and racial slurs from the script for greater impact.
    • "He was so powerful that he didn’t need them." (04:16)
• Cast Dynamics:
  • Other actors, like Mallory, also diverge from their characters’ language offscreen.

3. Acting Abroad & Black Identity

• Acting in the UK:
  • Ricco recounts how being American, particularly Black American, elevated his status in the UK acting scene.
    • "Often the best place to be a Black American is outside of America." (08:44)
• Cultural Contribution:
  • Abroad, Black Americans are celebrated as culture carriers—musically, athletically, artistically.

4. Training: Theater vs. Film/TV

• Denzel’s Advice:
  • Admits theater training creates versatile actors; film can be more forgiving and accessible.
    • "On stage, you show. In front of the camera, you be." (13:02)
• Learning from Peers:
  • Cites working with Ken Wahl (The Dirty Dozen 2) as proof that on-camera acting can come naturally for some.

5. Tyler Perry’s Production Style & Soap Opera Speed

• Unique Filming Pace:
  • Tyler Perry shoots fast and allows actors creative control, especially veterans.
    • "Sometimes I'll have three different ways I want to deliver this last line... they can choose in the editing room." (25:25)
• Soap Opera Roots:
  • Ricco likens Perry’s pace to his days on Young and the Restless: memorize lines quickly, little rehearsal, constant churn.

6. Craft, Mentorship & Set Culture

• Veterans & Mentorship:
  • Veteran actors like Ricco, Richard Lawson, Debbie Morgan, and Malik Whitfield model techniques for younger actors.
• Underplaying Power:
  • When everyone’s shouting, Ricco lowers his voice for more effect.
    • "The king doesn't shout." (24:01)

7. Horace’s Surprising Depth & Popularity

• Character Layers:
  • Horace evolves from seemingly weak to formidable, adding intrigue, longevity, and audience fascination.
    • Originally supposed to die in season one; Tyler Perry kept him on after a standout performance. (23:03)
• Audience Reaction:
  • Ricco is surprised by the breadth of his fanbase, crossing age and gender.

8. Social Media & Modern Visibility

• Blessing & Curse:
  • Ricco employs a social media manager but reads comments and relishes audience love.
    • "Social media is a tool... it depends on what you want to use it for." (20:38)

9. Upcoming Projects

• New Movies:
  • An Unexpected Christmas with Lil Rel and Tabitha Brown—a potential classic, with a throwback feel, relatable to all families.
    • "When the film is over and the credits are rolling, the film doesn’t stop there. You’re going to be talking about these issues." (30:08)
• Another Tyler Perry Christmas Movie and a horror movie where he plays a Catholic priest.
• Theater for a Cause:
  • A Christmas Kill for a Cure in California, benefitting children with rare diseases.

10. Personal & Professional Reflection

• Favorite Roles:
  • Ricco’s favorite role is typically his current one, enjoying the diversity—gang member, priest, family man, villain.
• Career Timing:
  • Finds greater appreciation for fame and success later in life; might have squandered it if younger.
    • "I think it’s probably better that it happened later in life, because I think I appreciate it more now." (37:49)
• Balance & Mental Health:
  • Family, basketball, and staying physically active keep him grounded.

11. On Black Love, Marriage, and Blended Families

• Marriage Wisdom:
  • Communication is key; every relationship is unique.
    • "A marriage is like a contract... no two contracts are the same." (44:33)
• Long Courtship:
  • Nico dated his wife for six years before marriage—after a "rotation" of relationships.
• Blended Family Experience:
  • Shared real-life parallels with his new film (An Unexpected Christmas), noting challenges and authenticity in blending children.

12. Black Fame, Representation & Cultural Roots

• Black Famous vs. Mainstream:
  • Ricco discusses being “black famous” in Atlanta via Tyler Perry, and "white famous" at sci-fi conventions.
    • "Every time I step out [in Atlanta]... I really am black famous." (57:42)
• Chicago Roots:
  • Proud Chicago native, especially fond of the city’s culture and winters.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "When I got the cane, I was like, I got you now, Horace."
  — Ricco Ross [02:41]

• "Often the best place to be a Black American is outside of America."
  — Ricco Ross [08:44]

• "On stage, you show. In front of the camera, you be."
  — Ricco Ross [13:02]

• "The king doesn't shout."
  — Ricco Ross [24:01]

• "When the film is over and the credits are rolling, the film doesn’t stop there. You’re going to be talking about these issues."
  — Ricco Ross [30:08]

• "A marriage is like a contract... no two contracts are the same."
  — Ricco Ross [44:33]

• "Enjoy the grind. Enjoy the journey. Fall in love with the journey and you'll be fine."
  — Ricco Ross [59:50]

Memorable Moments & Laughter

• Horace’s iconic cussing combinations:
  "I’ve never seen this combination of cuss words before!" — Mecca [05:14]
• Fans calling Ricco by character roles rather than his name ("Mr. Whitney Houston", "Calvin") [11:21]
• Playful flirting between hosts and Ricco, "You better stop flirting with me, girl!" [25:01]
• Candid discussion of Ricco’s "rotation" of women before marriage—handled with respect and humor [45:39–49:32]
• "He is delicious in this role, isn’t he?" — Ricco on a co-star’s villainous turn [33:09]
• Audience participation and commentary during Black film screenings [29:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Guest Introduction: 01:03–02:25
• Becoming Horace: 02:25–03:52
• Cussing, Character, & Language: 04:00–06:16
• Acting in London & Black American Identity: 06:16–09:59
• Theater vs. Film/TV Training: 12:13–15:27
• On Set with Tyler Perry: 23:03–27:47
• Horace’s Evolution & Audience Love: 21:54–24:46
• Social Media’s Double-Edged Sword: 20:35–21:21
• Upcoming Christmas Movie & Soundtrack: 28:27–31:00, 51:45–52:55
• Blended Family & Art Imitating Life: 49:54–51:22
• Thoughts on Fame, Peak & Valley Careers: 40:20–41:18, 59:19–59:50

Conclusion

This episode spotlights Ricco Ross’s fascinating journey from Shakespearean actor to Black soap opera staple, his mentorship, views on representation, the nuances of Horace in Beauty in Black, and the power of giving back. Jameela and Mecca keep the conversation lively, relatable, and real—digging into relationships, industry grind, and what it means to be Black, visible, and authentically yourself in entertainment.

Listen in for laughs, wisdom, and inspiration from a bona fide “Black famous” legend.