Keith Powers on Therapy, Growth & Ryan Destiny

"Okay y'all, you've seen my next guest in the new edition story. You felt his chemistry opposite Gabrielle Union in the perfect find, a performance that earned him an NAACP image award, and now he's stepping into darker territory with the new thriller The Gates. But what makes him stand out isn't just the roles. It's how intentional he is about his life, the clarity, the way he moves with purpose in his love, his craft, and his commitment to stories that resonate beyond the screen. Keith Powers is here y'all, and we're getting into all of it because baby, this is Kiki in the car just chilling, couple MSI music, sit back and listen, like love, sex, science, covering it all, especially the back of money that we've all. Please welcome Keith Powers. Hey, kids, I don't know how to do that, you put your hair. What made you cut your hair a good, though? I got tired of it. Dealing with it, getting it ready, all I remember is, yeah, waking up, and it's all matted down. I'm so glad that you're here, it's like, I'm like this crazy, it took a minute, like every night. I feel like it's the right time to be here, too. Anytime I see a show that I'm like, y'all will let it be on that show, I'm like, it gotta be the right time. Yeah. You got a movie coming out, a lot of good things going on, I can't wait to get into it with you, but first we're going to get into these pre-show pull-up questions. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Excuse my hand right now. I feel like so many people probably say that. It's actually better than you would imagine, like I feel like mine looks like chicken scrap. That's me when I was trying, I'm trying very hard for it not to look crazy right there. So obviously I know your sign because we go way back, like when we've been friends for, like 10, I mean since I was like 21, I feel like I met you when I was like 21. So many, yes, ever, I already knew you were on the Leo Virgo class, yes, yes. But you're big three, Leo, Saj, Jim and I, so do you feel more defined, like you take the Leo more than the Virgo you think? I don't know, I feel like it go back and forth, like I feel like when I was younger it was more Leo. Yeah, yeah. And I feel like it was Leo on the outside, but at home it was more Virgo. Well, Virgo's our home line. You know what I'm saying? And as I've got an older, I just feel like it's more Virgo. Yeah, because I feel like now you'll be rapping the Virgo low key. Low key. People get mad at me. If I told somebody I was a Leo before, they'd be like, bro, Leo, I'm like, I'm both bro. And then the Saj of it all, your Saj is the moon, uh, my Gemini is in the moon. Your Gemini is the moon and your Saj is a rising, okay, I'm a Saj moon and my rising is a cancer. That's a lot going on with me. That's a lot going on. How do you feel that the Gemini plays out? Do you connect to the Gemini of it all? I feel like I do. I don't know too much about Gemini's though. I just know that a lot of my favorite rappers are Gemini's. Okay. Two bucks a core. Two bucks a core? Yeah. Two bucks a core. Yeah. Two bucks a core. Two bucks a core. I know he's got a rapper. He is a popular Gemini. No facts. What are you most grateful for today? You said my family and life itself. Yeah. I feel like anybody that knows you, that's the vibe. Yeah, all right. You are so close to your family. I remember when I just met your mom and your dad at, was it right? Ryan Berthe. Yeah. And you was like, it was very church. Like I was living. I'm like, that is so key. You're so like family. Family, community. I love that. Yeah. No, for sure. Um, a relationship or friendship non-negotiable for you to be yourself. Some people do be out here not being yourself. Yeah. I just feel like it's easier when you just you unapologetically and we ain't got to worry about that. Yeah. You ain't got to show off. Yeah. I just used this song on my last post that Kendrick Moore, you ain't got a lot to kick it. Yeah. You feel me that just be you. It's like, and it's a hard thing to approach because sometimes I have, you know, relationships with people where it's like, I really do think you don't, but you do this thing where you don't think you're dope. Yeah. And so now how am I supposed to tell you that? Yeah. And it's awkward too. Like, just be you. Like, you good. Like, you good around me. Please just be you. Because that just, it makes it more fun, honestly. Yeah. I feel like, especially now at our age now, we're seeing a lot of that like in our early 20s. It was like, we playing. We kicking it. And then now we getting in our thirties. It's like, it's time to be serious. Like, whatever avatar you were using before, we have to change it. Like, I feel that approaching me. That's a question you wish you were asked more interviews, asked more interviews. I don't have one that stands out. Yeah, a lot of people say that. That's a tough one because I'm always more so I never just leave an interview like, man, I wish they would ask this is more like, damn, that's the dope question. I was not expecting that. Right. So you're here for the vibes of it all. Yeah, I'm here for the vibes. Okay. Who is someone you've met that made you feel star struck? You met Frank. Oh, yeah, I met Frank Ocean once and I also gagged. He's really tacky. I didn't meet him. I seen him. I didn't know what Ryan, we was at Coachella. We had just got done seeing it. We was on our way to see Sizzle and everybody, he had on the mask. This before, you know, COVID, he had on the mask and I knew it was him. I said, yo, Ryan, it's Frank. She was like, keep her alive. I'm like, no. That's Frank. Yeah, hold on. That's me. No, because what? Because this is the thing about Frank is that his music is so global. Yeah. Like, it has the R&B, but then it also has the alternative. Then it also has like the funk. He just hits it on every accord and you feel like you're never going to see him out? I know. I'm like, yo, that's Frank. She's like, Ryan was embarrassed. I really wonder like what he's doing right now and if he cares that we miss him so much, you know? I know, right? He's just living his life. And then I'll put Beyonce and Denzel and Will too. Wait a minute. So tell me the story of meeting Beyonce, Denzel and Will. I met Beyonce for the first time at Michael B. Jordan's party, birthday party in January. Okay. I love that Michael just had her casually showing. Yeah, right? Oh, Michael B. That was crazy. He was Beyonce and Jay-Z. I met her that night. I tried to play a kumi and Ryan actually met her for the first time and then I never met Denzel, but I've seen him at the ABFF honors and he just walked through. I love the ABFF honors. That is a wonderful event. No fair. It is always slamming. Everybody looks so nice. You know? And then they have that moment where everybody walk around and get real church. No fair. You know, thanks. But Denzel walked through there and I was like, bro, that's hell. What? Not hell. You're trying like that. That's how I feel. That's hell. That's hell. I love for sale. He don't even know. He don't even know. Oh, day. And then I met Will Smith in a table read actually randomly. I know. That's right. No, the table read with Will Smith. Okay. No, that was dope. And I met him. I was just like, yo, that's will. So yeah, those are the, those are the four that stick out. I feel like Will Smith is so Will Smith. Yeah. I know. I know. I know. Yeah. I feel like Will Smith is so Will Smithy. It's like the same thing I think about Tom Hanks where it's like, y'all are just y'all. No, that's bad. It's real. It's real. It's so real. What's the mantra you live by and why? Stay ready. You ain't gotta be ready. That's also me. For real? Because honey, I'm staying ready at all times. Yeah. No, you really do. So you ain't never got to get ready. Do you feel like that's something you grew up learning? I know you play football. I feel like that is also very athletic. It really is. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Stay ready. Yeah. Stay ready. You ain't got to get ready. Period. And I needed that for my, you know, I was cereal procrastinator and I never really would intention like growing up and I just feel like looking now I'm like, I see what pops up saying you stay ready. You seem like such an intentional person in my mind too. So it's crazy here. You say that? I just really got there like around my 30s. Yeah. Like to really understand what it means to be intentional. Yeah. Like now I feel like I move with intention for show. Okay. We're going to get into that. But I want to start at the beginning because you were born in Sacramento. Yep. And you're the oldest of four. Yes. Yes. I've not seen all of your four boys. It's no, no, it's the old. Yeah. Well, yeah. No, so okay. Let's get into it. See, there's a story here. I have two sisters and two brothers. Okay. So five of us total. All right. My older brother, I just found out about in 2017. The older brother. Yes. The older brother, that's fine. Would you all the time that I see with the locks? Good. That's Kevin. Woo! He knows I believe this. We are the brother. Your brother is fine. You're not. Your brother is small. Yes. Very handsome young man. Yes. That's my little brother. And then I have a little sister who is 26. Okay. My name is Kaylyn. And then I have a 13 year old sister who is Skyler. Okay. Parents kept going. Yes. They did. No, they still in Sacramento. Yeah. I don't have Kevin's here. Yeah. My sisters and my older brother are still in Sacramento. Okay. So growing up. What was it like? You were in sports. You know, y'all was always kicking it. Family. Very close. Yeah. Yeah. Like very. It was really community based. Yeah. I play sports growing up. I feel like I play sports because that's what I've seen around me. Sure. Like, I mean, I've seen the streets. But then I've seen sports and sports more glamorous. Of course. I play sports and like just growing up with a lot of kids. Like a lot of cousins. Everybody had a lot of siblings. Yeah. I had a lot of. I'm blessed to have all my grandparents. Oh that's suffocating. Great grandparents. Yeah. It's crazy to think about. So like, it was just always going house to house. Yeah. So that was just my upbringing. I think that's why family matters so much to me like that. It's very important. Like, it stresses me out if I feel like I'm having a good time in my life where I'm doing something successful and my family, like my family got to be good in order for me to truly feel good. Yeah. It's just the upbringing which is all about community. Yeah. And it seems like your family is very much so a part of everything that you do. Oh for sure. And I can see that you. I'm this same way where I'm thinking about them with every move I make. Because I can't embarrass you. Yeah, no. Like I cannot do the wrong. Yeah. How to entertain and find this way to you. Because I know you said you, you know, entertainment was always the dream. But doing sports. even though I do think sports is entertainment. - It is, it is. - It's a sport, but it's also entertainment. We show up, you know, all that type of stuff. When did you know that maybe you wanted to take it a step further? - I would, honestly, after high school football didn't work out, and I was lost to be real. - Yeah. - And I got recruited by a model in HC in San Francisco. - Yeah. - It was called a look agency at the time. And they recruited me, they said they liked my look at the time. I'm like, what am I going to do in North Carolina? Like it didn't sound, it was too close to home to feel like it was going to do anything. - Yeah. - So then I was like, I just got to leave. I ended up leaving just to, just leaving the LA. My guy, my mom stayed out here. My dad said he was going to be trucking from Northern California to Southern California. I was like, I'm going with you. And I went with him. And in my agency out here with, I mean, in San Francisco, they were just like, it was J.E. model, actually. It was look agency when I was nine. 'Cause I'm out of when I was nine. This is crazy. - That's a whole set of photos from them, nine-year-old people. - I know, I got to find them. And then I stopped because my mom was like, you either doing this or playing sports. I was like, I'm playing sports. - Right. - So then it was J.E. model later. I left. J.E. model was like, why did you leave without telling us? Because they were like, we could recommend you to other people. - People, you know what I'm saying? - And I'm like, yes. - And then I end up, they end up recommending me to Wilhelmina. And that's how I got into the industry. - Really? That seems, I don't know a lot about the modeling world. Like I feel like many of us, we look on, I mean, I'm in entertainment, and I've had friends of mine be like, hey, do you know anybody helped with the model? It's a totally different world. - It is very different. - So what was it like being a model? - The being a model, at first it was just like, it was a culture shock for me at first. - Yeah. - 'Cause I felt like I couldn't really be myself when I would pull up to like, like, auditions and stuff. And I always stay with my face shaved, my hair low. That was my look. I didn't have no tattoos at the time. And I just felt like, I need to stay like this to talk about work. - I'm not mad. - I can't grow up my hair, and I wanted to, but I was just like, I don't know how, I don't know how I'll be accepted. And it sucks that you kind of got to like, do that, and I wasn't like acting different or anything, but I feel like I took a step back into like, the corner when I walked into those spaces. I didn't really like, own a room. You feel what I'm saying? I was just like, middle of the pack. Let me make sure I do what I got to do so I could make my money, go back home, chill. - Yeah. - Be comfortable. So that's how I was. But it was actually really cool, like I met a lot of people. Being a model really opened like my mind to more people in the, like different people in the world. Variety of people. - Probably because you had to do so much traveling too out of it. - Yeah. - Exposed to a lot. - A lot, and I just met really beautiful people where I was like, it like helped with my empathy, I would say. - Wow. - I really would say, because I feel like I was meeting people that I wasn't meeting back home, and they were telling me stories, and I was just like, oh, that's crazy. Like, I grew up in a very closed mind environment. So to meet certain people, I would just like, dang, I really, I really love your story, and I can relate to it. - Yeah. - Which is crazy. Like, I feel that, even where I'm coming from, and I think that's what I really loved about the model in industry. And then on top of that, you got the castings and stuff, and how the industry goes, and booking campaigns, and you got commercial model inversions. High fashion models. - Wow. - Did you ever have a preference? I feel like when you're on the carpet, now it's giving high fashion all the way. - Giving high fashion? - Yeah, like it's giving you, I don't know if you were mostly commercial. - I think for the look fashion, but commercial used to pay. - Yeah, I would imagine stuff. - Commercial used to pay. Yeah, like I do commercial any day, but I felt like fashion for your portfolio, I was like, yeah, you see, I just did that right there. I didn't really get paid, nothing but, you know? It just looked cooler. - Yeah, that's how the fashion magazines is. - Yeah, yeah. - Speaking of empathy, you've called your dad the most significant man in my life, and I feel the same way about my dad. But what do you feel like you really protect you from growing up, you know, and how he's impacted the man you've become today? - Yeah, my dad is, I love my dad so much. My dad is so flawed, I mean, we're all flawed. - Exactly. - But my dad is flawed and he lays it out on the table for you. I could really respect that about my dad, and we might bump heads about how we think about things, but he's gonna listen to what you have to say. Like my dad was always the one that just was say certain things to me young to make sure I stay grounded. Like always, he's just be like, it was a stay ready, you ain't got to get ready thing. But then he used to be, he used to always tell me this one I was younger, he used to be like, you need to slow your life down. I'm like, what are you talking about? You at like 16, 17, like what are you talking about? He's like, some days, just get on the bus. He used to tell me this when I first moved to LA, just get on the bus and just sit and just watch people. I didn't know what he was talking about until now. I'm like, yo, Pops, that was real. Like he used to always be like, you just got to slow your life down to just enjoy it. He was like, because it's gonna go and you're gonna look back and be like, dang, I really wish I just would have called. And my dad was so funny about him saying that he lived a fast life. Right, well that's probably, he must have been speaking from the experience 'cause then he was like, I don't want my son to have to. That's one thing my dad would do. He would preach the opposite of what he was living to protect us. So even if I didn't feel like he was practicing what he preached all the way, I knew it was coming from a place of like, I'm figuring this out and I need you to know it when you get to this age. 'Cause my dad was 20 years old when he had me. And my mom was like 17, 18, you know what I'm saying? So I'm like, dang, like I watch my parents grow and I watch my dad grow and go through things and he'll come back to me like, you need to do this, this, this. And that's so important to me because I can see him and tell you what my dad needed to work on. But at the same time, he did a lot. Like, and I really appreciate that. Because it's tough. I'm looking now like, you know growing up, we be like, we're gonna have like five keys. Oh my gosh, that has changed because it's really a lot of these kids. When we think my parents, I'm one of four. Okay, yeah. And my parents still young, got married, you know, same family, similar vibe as your family, honestly. When I think about them at my age already having all these damn kids, what were they doing? It's no way. I applaud you parents, Keke. I applaud the powers, powers parents too. How do you feel like having that relationship helped you with vulnerability? And I ask because I feel like you're somebody as a young like man out there that speaks on a lot of stuff that I think, you know, a lot of people don't. And I've always thought to myself that like, the relationship with a father and son, especially when the son is able to see how his father expresses vulnerability. I think it's just a really powerful thing for young men to see. How do you feel that that has, you know, helped you in that regard? To be honest, what you, my dad is not the most vulnerable person. He's not. He like, he, he don't, he won't let you see him cry. He keep a lot of stuff in to be real. I think what helped me, and this is crazy to, I think what helped me mostly understand and become more vulnerable and be able to talk about things and be more transparent is online, is the internet. Is he hearing other people's stories? I'm gonna be real 'cause I, I grew up really with the idea like I can't, my dad used to always say, don't let nobody see you sweat. Yeah. And I will confuse that with like, I can't cry in front of people. And I was a crybaby growing up. And I feel like I put up a wall because my parents used to always be like, you cry too much. So I ended up putting up a wall. And I realized how heavy that wall was once I started going to therapy. And I'm like, dang, I was really like, I was told to put, I was not told to put this wall up, but basically I was told to put this wall up. And now I was like, how do I get, how do I break this down and be more open as a person and be able to speak on my emotions and stuff. And I think like, my dad is not the best at that. But I'm better at that. And I'll just, I like, when we talk now, it feels like he could be vulnerable. Like without even second guessing a film like, I shouldn't probably say this to my son. And I think that's because I'm so open to that now. I love what you say because I do feel like our generation, like we are such digital kids. I mean, I'm sure you feel like my space, like Facebook. I had a my space page at 12, 13. And I feel like it really helped me. It really didn't help me to learn how to talk. And also just build my space, build my world where I could actually like, try stuff out and figure out who I am. And so I really love that. Like when you decided to start doing therapy, was that something that the people around you were speaking of or were you seeing it online and say, well, let me give it a little try. How did you, you know, make your way there? I was seeing it online, seeing my friend, hearing my friends go, was feeling like, I went through a little depression at one point and I didn't know it was depression. So I started doing, when I went through, I think I was like 24. 25. And I think when I went through that, I didn't know what it was. And I didn't know my whole life had anxiety. So I started learning, I started learning about this, this stuff and then I was like, I need to go to therapy. I need to talk to somebody about it. I feel like we in the movie country. No, for sure. I mean, the demon in our lives, anxiety, depression. (laughing) No, PTSD, all that for real, like it's real. So I was like, I was just, that's why stories are so important. Yes. 'Cause I'm hearing other people's story and I'm like, that's me. Yes. Like, yo, I'm going through that same thing. Now I'm looking online like, they're a person near you. Yeah. They're a person, you know. That's the same way it was for me. Like literally just putting in words, I remember I used to love this website called ThinkExist.com and I would put in like a vibe or something I was feeling. And I would get all these philosopher quotes and I'm like, oh, wait a minute. So this is a way that people in humanity feels and has dealt with over the course of time. Yes. And it really minimizes what we're worried about because we realize we're not alone. Yeah, that's the best feeling. So no like, oh, okay. So all these people, I look up to going through the same thing. Yeah. So, okay, okay. So I just got to find a way to cope with it and just understand it really because it's just life. It is some fun. You just got to know that you're going to run into this is like, how do you, how do you find peace within it and get better and, you know, and deal with it in a healthy way? Yeah, yeah. I could agree with you more. Going back to Wilhelmina, that agency, they're the ones who first mentioned it, and they may not first mentioned it, but said, hey, do you want to branch off into acting? Is that correct? - Yeah, I had an agent at Wilhelmina that I was just like, you ever thought about acting? I was like, yeah, but I didn't think I was actually acting. I was in Sacramento. I really used to do these Disney, I don't know if you remember, they used to have these Disney commercials where it would show you somebody who booked. - Yes. - And it would show the audition process. - Yeah. - I don't know how real that was. They could have shot that after, maybe. - I think it would always be like a once in a lifetime thing. And that company would keep on getting more money to be like, we found-- - Yeah, exactly. - Hillary Duff. And it's like, no the hell y'all didn't. - No, back, so I would see like kids doing, like, little front flips on the ground and stuff for roles. And I'm like, man, I don't want to do that. Like, but in my head, I'm like, it's no way. I could, who can I, like, how can I do that when I'm at? - Yeah. - But yeah, she was just like, she asked me. And I was like, yeah. Like, I'll hate you, like, what? And then I said, she introduced me to my first boutique agency, who was a commercial agent at the time. - So I just started off doing like commercial auditions. - Yeah. - And they were so awkward and crazy. And I was like, what is this? - What was you doing up in them? - Man, it was one audition. It was one audition, but we had, like, we was diving into water. But we were in a room-- - I can be right here like this. - It was crazy. So we had to act like we was in line waiting to jump off the diving board. (laughing) And he's like, y'all ready? Yeah, we ready. It was good. And we were just jut. And literally just like squatted the floor and get up. But then you can't get too high so the camera's see, you gotta squatted. - Why do they have us do all these crazy stuff? It's like, why are we up in this room doing this? - No, for sure. - For a job. - For a job. - We was gonna make a happy for a job. - When did it become something where it's like, "Hey, now I got lines." And now there's a script I gotta read. - Yeah, that was like, that was once, I was blessed enough from my boutique agency to become a TV and film agency as well. - Okay. - So they just moved me right over. And then I was going out for auditions. And that was like, oh man, I got a lot of auditions from back then, like the early self-tapes, 'cause we wasn't doing self-tapes like that. I got 'em still. - I got 'em still. - I look at 'em and just laugh because the stakes are so high when you first start. - They're so high. - You gotta learn to like do it and move on. But then like, no, like that was like the month highlight. Like, yo, I got this audition. - Yeah. - Did you prefer the tapes or the in-person's? I remember going to so many when I was a kid and then as I got it to be a young adult, it was very little in-person. Everything was. - Yeah, and I feel like when you started too, it was like prime too of like. - It was like so old. - 'Cause I feel like when I started, I feel like when I started, it was a lot of in-person. And I hated in-person during that time. - Yeah. - And unless I felt like I really had a chance to get it. - Yeah. - But I would say now I miss in-person. - Yeah. - Like I took that for granted. I miss walking in and seeing 20 people look like you. - Yeah, they were like, "Hey, I know you was going out for this." - Yeah. - That is very Hollywood shuffle. - No, for sure. - You know what I'm saying? "Hey, what's up, bro?" You know what I mean? Okay, yeah, me too. Like that. - You gonna say the next one? And then everybody trying to figure each other out. - Yeah. - They sized each other up. Like, so what you just came from on, which one was that one? - Oh my god. - I didn't have that one. - That was the moment in the vibe. It was very much community building, especially for us young black actors. I remember like, you know, Chelsea DeVars. So Robin DeVars, her mom and we were kids. My mom, we would go on auditions and we would start seeing the same people all the time. That's literally Robin DeVars is how we got our whole like child actor of young black actors community because she was host parties. And she would say, "Hey y'all, did y'all hear about this movie?" Like make sure your daughter auditions. Like it- - That is so fire. - Shout out to Chelsea DeVars. - Shout out to Robin DeVars. They literally, we just celebrated my son's birthday. But it's like that community stuff is everything. - Yeah, no, I've met a lot of friends in those auditions. That's how I met Mel. - Oh my gosh. - I met Melvin in a commercial audition. - That's crazy. - Yeah, I remember he had like a shirt on. That's when we all used to wear like the same thing, tools like the color shirt, the skinny jeans with the boots. - No. - And the sickle wet of that was also insane. - Yeah, it was. - Because why a boot would a skinny? - Why a boot? - I mean, I guess it was kind of punk. - No fact. - You guys are kind of giving like one, you know? (laughing) - 'Cause tonight will be the night. - Yes. - No fact. - No, no. That's so funny. - That is hilarious. Like we all had the same silhouette. So I remember meeting Mel at one of those. But yeah, we met friends. - And all y'all used to always go to this one barber that was right up in Fairfix. I don't know who this barber, I would see so many, you know, 'cause I would be dating some people. I mean, we'd be at the barber shop. And I'd be like, oh, that's the dude. Oh, and I was like, this is the after barber shop. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. - Why are there so many companies? - Whoa, I think you just unlocked a memory. - Yeah. - I forgot about that barber shop. I didn't even go, but I just heard about a lot of people going in. - Everybody went to this barber shop. It was a hit, yeah. - Oh, in the world. - Barbershops be like that though. - No, dude. - Okay, so when was the point that you were like, oh, I modeled, but like now I'm really an actor. Where it became the main, the front rudder in terms of the career. - I feel like I used to, I mean, I feel like, always battle with a little imposter syndrome. Like, that's just what I battle with. But I feel like at that time, when I was a model getting into acting and going into those, it was acting classes that made me feel like that. I was just saying that. - Okay. - It was acting classes where I was like, okay, I could say I'm an actor. But it would be times where I would be in those acting classes and I would see these inspiring actors who really live, sleep, drink, breathe, acting. So I never felt comfortable calling myself an actor first. 'Cause I was like, I need to get like that. 'Cause they really respect the craft. And they don't just, of course they want to get in the business. Like, of course we want to do this on a higher level. But they really, they act in wherever. - Yes. - Like that. Like how you would play Pick a Basketball? If you threw some dialogue down on the paper, some size, like getting after it. Like, I'll really. - Seriously. That was definitely like, I feel like that's, even though I didn't go to like, you know, school for acting or anything like that, I was using every opportunity to act. And that's why I fell in love with digital. Like the whole vine, the whole Instagram. Like I was like, I'm acting on there. - Yeah. - You know what I mean? What do I love about what you do, Kiki? Because you've done stuff on a higher level, but you're gonna always take like the chance to act wherever, whatever platform that is. And I can respect that. That's like, that's like on some athlete stuff. That's really like, yo, we going to the park and we just gonna get in. I respect that, like that's fire. And I feel like I would see like, aspiring actors like that, like I said in classes like that. And I would, I would have empathy for that because I'm like, man, I'm blessed enough to even have auditions weekly. They can't see an audition. So I didn't call myself an actor for many. It wasn't until like my third class, like I'm talking not like class within a class. - Yes. - My third acting class, I switched to where I was like, okay, now I'm an actor. - Yeah, yeah. And the acting class is like, what do they be, what do they have you all doing up in there? - Man, when you doing a Myzner, is there repetition? - So what they do. - Like if I, if you say something to me, like if I say your shirt is white, and you'd be like, my shirt, my shirt is white. I'd be like, your shirt is white. - Okay, and then you try different ways to say it. Okay, when you say it, I'll let's do it. - My shirt is white. - Your shirt is white. - My shirt is white. - Yes! I'm (beep) with the Myzner of it all. So that's when his main gig. - Yes, that was what repetition was something like, we would do that in class, and it would get super awkward sometimes. - 'Cause yeah. - Like somebody that started off a question that was just crazy. Like I remember I had on the Nike Tech sweatsuit, and this one girl was like, why are you dressed like an assassin? I wanted to say, I didn't want to. (laughs) Then I had to respond. I was like, oh, snap. What'd you mean? It's a Nike Tech, like what you're talking about. It just got really awkward as classes, but. - Oh my gosh. Yeah, I always would think about what's going on, 'cause in my mind, I know sometimes the classes, they'll have y'all going so deep, and now you're crying, and you dammit, and he's gonna kick you up. - No, it used to be therapy for real. I remember like, that was one, I remember crying in one of my classes for the first time, and I was just sitting there embarrassed after. But they loved it and everything, but it was like, no, that's beautiful that you felt vulnerable enough to get to that place, but I was like, nah, I need to go see it there, 'cause that was crazy. - And was it in the scene or was it an improv session? - It was like an improv session. - It was like, it was like getting to that place. - Yeah, yeah, find that place. - Yeah. - You're thinking about a lot of different things. - You just think about a lot. - The crying thing is really, it's really a thing, right? Because when I was younger, I would honestly be thinking about the word (beep) possible. You know, my mom was a kid, so I didn't have a lot of tools of experience to know how to cry from. You know what I mean? What would make me sad, and so it would be like, something happened to your father. - Yeah, like you had to take it there. - Poor, poor young, cheeky. - I used to my grandma so many times when she passed, I was like, she's gone, because it was so many times that I had to think about her being gone. It's actually kind of weird (beep) like damn, but that was like the early years of me finding the ways of knowing how to cry. It wasn't until I became like, I remember Angela Bassett taught me a really good form that I didn't really settle in until my older years, where she really just helped me to connect to what my character was going through, to my own situation. So, okay, Dr. Larby can't be for the be. Dr. Larby, in your life is your mom. If your mom can't take you to your auditions, how would that make you feel? Then it's like, it's more real as opposed to having to catastrophize everything. - And you already have impact too, so it's really just about finding what that feeling is, and just, you know what I'm saying? - Yes. - Go ahead and ahead and yeah. And I feel like that's more healthier way. - Way too much. - You just, I was like emotionally self-comment nine like somebody died. - Yeah, exactly, that's crazy. That's crazy nine, it's so young. - That was so much, I was literally on that. - Okay, you were in straight out of Compton. That must have been crazy getting the call that you made into that movie. I mean, cultural impact, this is black history, this is American history. What do you think? ♪ Baby, this is, can you call a yeah ♪ - You know your girl loves to travel. Some of my favorite trips have been with my fam to far off places like Rome. 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That piece of mine, it's a non-negotiable. Ready to connect with people who bring the same energy as you? Download Bumble. Now. It was actually my old acting coach who passed away, Dustin Felder. Oh, shout out to Dustin Felder. Dustin Felder was the one who told me I booked the job before he was supposed to tell me. Oh, yes. 'Cause he just knew he was the inside. He knew, and like, 'cause he was the acting coach. No, well, he knew, he was the inside because he was the acting coach on set, too. Okay. And so he told me, he wasn't supposed to tell me. And I was like, it's no way I just booked this. But what's so funny is when I auditioned for Straight Out of Compton, it was a self-tape that I did in Milan after a Calvin Klein show. Come on. Yes, Keith. I had my. (laughs) You know that? They used to put us, they used to put us, I'm looking at the camera. They used to put models in one room. Like four models with the rolling beds. Oh my God. One model I became friends with, I said, yo bro, I need you to read this audition for me. Why you do? I forgot what he was from. You have to read the Straight Out of Compton. I audition for me, right? Mind you, you know, the lines get to a part, you gotta say the inward. He said, Keith, I said, yeah, now you ain't got to say all that. Just skip over that and just keep it going. And everything is gonna be good, but we did it. It was great, but that's how I ended up. I got a call to come in to read for "Evigary Grey" after that, but that was, it was just so funny to be on that grind of like doing it in Milan, then reading for "Evigary Grey" and then my acting coach spilling the beans on accident. It was just a crazy process, but it was lovely. I mean, you played Dr. Dre's brother. Your middle name's Tyree, character name, Tyree. My older brother's name is Tyree too, actually. That's crazy. Tyree's up in here. Tyree is crazy. Tyree is so specific. It's so black. It's like, it's very. It's almost like Tyree, since then since then? No. Um, so why did I go there? You all just stole my mind. That's what mine be doing. It's crazy. We love it. So what was it like on the set? Like, was y'all laughing? Was y'all serious as hell? I was serious 'cause I didn't want to get fired. But everybody else was laughing and joking and like, everybody was really cool to like Cory Hawkins. Oh my God. That's being like locked in. But he also had a lot of fun. Jason had a lot of fun. O'Shea had, it was O'Shea's first job. Can you imagine, O'Shea, I'm doing my dad. I'm being my dad. Oh no, that's crazy. And he was killing it like, he was super cool. I feel like O'Shea, he was the most relatable for me because I mean, he just played video games, love sports and then out is hard. I love out is. I love out is. Shout out to him, he's got great show out on him. That's where I met out is Nate. It was just, it was a great set. And then like, but people would visit that set where it was like, yo, this is a regular day on set and people just pulling up. I remember like Steve Nash pulled up one time. I'm like, what? I don't even know him. I'm like, yo, it was just hip hop. Yeah, hip hop, snoop would pull up. Everyone would just pull up. And I was just, I was like, this is crazy. But at the same time, I was like, okay, this is real. Like, this movie is like, it's a lot being put into this film and I can't get fired. And being so close to the people and the history of it, I think one thing we think we, like when I think about hip hop, I think about like rock and roll. Like this might as well have been like a movie about guns and roses. Like this is like literally the beginning of what became one of the biggest things in pop culture. So see, like did he click, like did you was you pinch yourself like, damn, like I'm really, you know, like this is like history. Yeah, I think it was the premiere. Yeah, even though I hadn't come out yet, I think the premieres with, first of all, that theater was huge. I forgot exactly what theater we were at. Honey, man. Was it, I can't remember. I can't remember, but it was a lot of people there. It was a lot of people. And I remember just like my part coming up and the theater was laughing. And I was like, yo, but I just felt like the whole time people were loving the film. And in my head, I'm like, whoa, this is, I think I, I'm a part of history with this one. This little small part, like just to be in it. 'Cause I'm gonna watch it anyway. So the fact you get to watch yourself. See, oh there. Yeah, like what? I was juice, so. And you've done it like twite, I mean like the new edition movie. That was crazy. Big moment in culture. I mean, you play Ronnie DeVoe. Like tell me what that experience was like and the process of getting that role. That process was crazy. I'm not gonna lie. I was the last person to be cast. And I had to learn how to, I don't, I don't dance. Like, I really don't dance. So I had to do, I had to learn like six routines. That's all they, they was doing was dancing. That's all I had to, I had to run that in two weeks. Wow. Everyone's already cast, like everyone was set. I was the last person. So, I was going into these rehearsals really stressed out. I remember like having dreams about the dance moves. I will wake up, like kind of like moving my arms. Like they just. This feels very, very good. No. I know that you're liable, but like this is like me. I'm doing one of my hate. Yes, I was like going through it. And would he help me? Would he McLean help me? Yeah, shout out would he, would he came over? He showed me some moves. He really helped me. And then like we went to do the audition. And I was like, bro, I'm not about to book this. Like I was like, this is, I can't, these moves are crazy, but I got through it. They ended up telling me last that I booked it. Everybody from B.E.T., my cast made it came out, clapped and everything. But that process was like really stressful for me because I do not do choreography. Yeah. And I was just like, I was like, I couldn't even think about the act in it for I was like, how am I going to get through these dance moves? Why? It was one of those things where it was like, you know, you go through that for a reason. If you look back and now I'm proud of it, like, you know what I just thought about? But she was in there. Yes. How'd you ever spoke to him again? I know he'd go on through a lot. Did you guys ever speak again? I've been saying him in eight years. I haven't spoken to Brian Schrinner, but I'm not going to lie. But I, I mean, yeah, the last time was really doing that time. Yeah. And that was, that was crazy. Yeah, it was all of it. But even like, even a younger, like Caleb and everybody in my house, true. Oh my gosh. Yes. Yeah. It was just like, we had such a thing. Jackie Winston. That's a lot. Jackie. I guess it's insane, like, it's so good. I mean, doing those films, what did you take away on making sure that you're telling black story with honesty and then obviously the integrity? I learned that it's important, obviously, and it's like, but also learn that it could be like kind of difficult because everyone also has their own point of view about what happened at that time. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You got all the members who are alive today, who I love so much, Bobby, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, everybody like, Ricky, Mike, yes, I love him so much. And they were so like cooperative of like making sure the story was right. And even if they disagreed on some things, they figured out that's why that's why they still able to tour today. Everything that they've been through is crazy how they could go do solo projects and then come back together, still do a new addition project and go back. Well, it's like they have family, though, broke pain and still that. And I feel like doing a biopic about them, it's easy for them to come in and be like, oh, no, that's what I remember. And that's their truth. You can't say that, but then how do we, how do you put that in TV form, film form? You know what I'm saying in the script and still keep the integrity and stuff. And it's tough, but I mean, Kudos to new addition for just like being there and making sure it was on point and not. bumping heads to the point where we couldn't get stuff in the film that makes the series that makes the series what it is today, you know what I'm saying? - Yeah, I mean, you guys did an incredible job, but it can be a lot playing iconic people. Like even when I remember when I did TLC, when we got casted, everybody on Twitter was like, and why would you, but then when the movie came out, they were like, we love, you know, we love the movie and I have people to say, but it can be, you know, when you're playing somebody that everybody loves, it's like, you gotta really-- - When I first casted in Picture Drop, people was roasting. - I remember I was like, dang, I don't think we-- - Not even-- - Give us a chance. Like, but that was when I was younger too. So I'm like, hey, we showed you nothing yet. Y'all ain't get to see the wigs at night, you see? - Not the wigs. - Then before they seen the wigs, they was all-- - 'Cause it'd be like that, but it always ends up turning out and you guys did a great job with that. Now, when you did your Teen Vogue, New Hollywood cover, you said, I'm built for this now, I'm ready for it. I'm curious of what clicked for you, where you said, you know what I'm ready for success? Because success is a lot. You know, whether it's fame, more visibility, more money, access, it can be a lot for somebody to handle. - I think it just me just understanding. I like to say this thing of, I'm confident who I'm not. - Okay. I'm confident knowing that I don't have to be something. I know exactly who I am. So coming into the industry was always about finding validation in any way possible. Just to feel accepted and keep working. It was just like, I'm not gonna do nothing to like, you know, go against my integrity and then like that. But it was just still like, I just wasn't confident anything that I was doing, you know? And it took time for me to, you know what you gotta go? You gotta go through like booking something and thinking it's gonna be like the marvel of everything, right? And it's just gonna change your life forever. And you gotta go through hitting that wall and then feeling like, dang, what happened? But then realizing like the gift was in doing it and meeting the people. - And what you just said is I really hope people really take that in because nobody remembers Oprah Winfrey and says that one episode. - Yes, no fact. - We don't even think of, 'cause you know what? It was a collection of moments. - Yes. - It was so many episodes. It was so many critical moments in anybody's career that we can imagine. And when Fresh Prince of Bel Air came out, people loved the shows of Pablo Show, but that ain't the only thing you think about when we think about why we love Will Smith, that's one of the moments where we fell in love with him. And I do think as young entertainers, like we've gotta remember that and we've gotta tell each other that and that's gotta be the thing that people understand because there is not gonna be one job that changes your life. - Yeah, it's not. - There's gonna be continuity and what you do and what you bring to every project that people are gonna start identifying you as. And so what I'm hearing you say too is just like the process of finding what my brand is. - Yes. - You came into the game, you're a model number one. So it's like that was not a training ground for this. And then now I'm playing these different people where I'm not jumping into being performing this person. And so now you feel like you know what your voice is. - Yeah, and I feel confident in it now is just like, okay, if that's not where I'm at right now, that's fine. It might come back around later. I know who I am right now, how do I service myself? How do I become serviceable now rather than trying to be something I'm not in stressing out that I can't get, you know what I'm saying? It's like, and then I just enjoy it more. - Yeah. - Like sitting here talking with you, I enjoy it. I don't feel pressure of like, oh, I gotta say this or anything. It's like not. Kiki, do you home here? We chilling, we talking. Like it's cool, you know what I'm saying? - For sure. - Sometimes I felt like the stakes was too high in the wrong places when I first started. And I'm just like, now I'm able to enjoy it and understand like, I'm always work hard and push myself. But I'm not going like, it's gonna be what it is and I'm gonna keep it pushing. Like I'm not about to sit here and like stress over it to the point where it starts me from moving forward and becoming jaded. - Yeah. - It's like the scariest thing in this industry and it's easy to become jaded in this industry. - It's so high. - It's also faith too that I'm being interested in. - Yeah. - I'm in faith. What's mine is mine. - No fact. - Can't nobody take it away. I believe that God has a spot for me. Period, full stop. And that's save us from a lot of stress. - Yeah. - During the strike a couple of years back, you said it was a challenging time, but it opened my eyes and changed my whole perspective of the industry for good and bad. What did you take away? - 'Cause I mean it was a tough time. - Yeah, it was a tough time, but it also showed me like you do have to like prioritize things outside the industry as well, which are loved ones, but then it's also like hobbies and stuff too. That's why I love that you do so much and that's fire, but it's also too because you're an artist. And it's you an artist in every aspect and you gotta find out within yourself. Like I would just be like I'm an actor and that's it. - Yes. - And I would also be scared to be anything outside of that. But the strike taught me like, you know if they could just, if they take the business away, what do you have? And then it's also like you gotta remember that this is an art form and it's different from the business. - Yes. - How do you still find the art within your community and still be able to express yourself as an actor while this is going on? But then it also showed like my mom and dad, you always be like you need to have a plan B. I was like no I don't like what plan A. Like why would you tell me to have a plan B? But now I see why stuff like this happen, you do need to have a plan B. - You really do or just some other ways and some other ways that you could diversify your portfolio. - Exactly. - Exactly, it could be part of your plan A. It's like plan A, B, you know what I'm saying? Like don't, you don't have to plan for failure but you do have to plan for these pivots. And I feel like that's what it taught me, you know? And it also showed me just how like, it made me really grateful for like crew members and stuff. - Come on. Around your crew, your craft person. - The crew is my favorite folks. I love the actors, y'all. - Yeah, yeah, but the crew, the crews will get you to say it. - What up, my whole boy K-Griff, what's up, Elatrix? What up, Patrick, can I get a sandwich? - Patrick is always my favorite. - Patrick is, we be too much of him. - By week too, I got the usual. - And baby in Atlanta. - Oh yeah. - The Atlanta craft team. - I don't want to talk about it. - They be playing with me. - Not a fact. It's crazy, it's crazy. - I used to love being on star, they food was good. - Oh yeah, the star was, no star has so. I used to visit literally a hit lunch during my visit 'cause I knew the food was gonna be crazy. - Yes, the food is crazy. Okay, this gagged me, you and Gabrielle, you. You must have been, I mean, we grew up Gabrielle, you used to be like the quidditch-ish-it girl. You're playing her love interest in perfect fine. I remember when I saw that, I was like, "Kate, did you read it in my mind?" - No, no, I said, "I ate the same thing in my mind." - Oh my god. So what was it like? I mean, you get this movie, you're doing this thing. And this is like a romance. Like, are you comfortable in Rome? - I'm very awkward with romance. I've never really done many of 'em, you know? So it's really like, so how did you feel going into this romance? - I feel like I was like, I mean, I'm opposite of Gabrielle Union. - Yeah. - So, and I feel like I got like a real boyish look. I'm gonna be real. I was like, "Yo." - It's not the wrong with that. - Yeah, I was just like, "Yo, this is gonna be tough." Like, I got to match her energy, you know what I'm saying? And it was just about like me understanding that I was there for a reason. That's when I was running into that imposter syndrome a lot too. Gabby always made me feel like I was, where I was supposed to be too. She never like, look down on me or anything. Gabby is so fun. - She's so fun. - She's so chill. And I'm like, man, I love, I really love them. And she like, she made it fun and I didn't stress too much about like how I looked across from her on screen. You know, it was just really about being truthful in the moments. - Yes. - And I made it easy to Numa, our director, Numa Perry, as she really made it very easy for us to just live in the space and have fun and play. And I think that that really helped me, you know what I'm saying? And I was one of the first sets where I really felt like I just let go and just didn't think too much, you know? And that's the beauty about doing a rom-com. And it's like, you really get to play and have fun. - Yeah, 'cause I need that funny. I need that funny. I'm not about to give you the Titanic hand on a window steaming. - You really both though. - That would piss me off, Keith. I don't know why I'm like, you know, maybe it's like, I gotta, you know, I don't know. Look, if, if, if, if, Gene and Prince Blythe were to say, we're doing something like loving basketball and it's lovers in the city. And then I'm gonna pull up. You know what I mean, I'm gonna do the takes, but I'm going to be nervous. I'm gonna have to go to that guy and be like, look dude, we got to make out today. (laughing) 'Cause I'm gonna break that ice. - We got to break that ice. - You don't want to go first date and it isn't. - It looks stupid. - No tongue, tongue, how far are we going? I gotta get into it. - No facts. - Because that's so you don't want to offend anyone. - Yeah. - It's just so much to think about. - Shout out to intimacy coordinators for real. That's like one of the best things a SECA ever have. Like you really create like a routine out of the kissing, sex scenes, all that. Like the intimate scenes in general. You just really create like a routine. You understand where everybody comfortable with. That mediator is like, nah that's really like that. - You know I'm not having to get that. - That's not about a choreographed moan. - No. - You know facts. No, but that's how I go. Like shit, literally let you know like, you know, in this moment if you want to do a little something near, you can. Everything. - Are you cool with that? - I love that you can. - Yeah, it is like, okay, okay, cool. That really helps because, ain't no worse than getting on set. You just kind of like. - That first take, like what we do it, you know what I'm saying? - It's so weird. ♪ Baby, it's this, we keep home, yeah ♪ - Y'all, I have questions about everything. What should I cook tonight? Is a jacket weather, am I overthinking this? Should I take that opportunity? And I've been using Claude. It's changed how I make decisions because here's the thing. Most AI just gives you information and that's it. Claude actually helps you decide. Think things through fully. take action. Like, when I'm prepping for guests or trying to figure out whether something I read is legit, I'll go back and forth with Claude and it won't just hand me some surface level answer. It pushes back and asks me what I mean. It treats the question like it deserves more than 30 seconds. I also love that you can now connect your health data to Claude through Apple Health. And when I'm trying to figure out if my sleep is off, Claude helps me see the batters. Try Claude for free at Claude.ai/kiki-pomer and see why problem solvers choose Claude as their thinking partner. You've mentioned mentorship being a big part of your life. Who are some people behind the scenes that have supported you in your career? And even if you don't know the name of your family celebrities. It's really like my, it's Dustin Felder for sure. My first acting coach, Dustin Felder was super mentor. I mean, he the one, I think he the reason that I kept acting. Because I was like, it was just tough at first. And he had a class that was majority people of color, black people, a lot of people of color, a lot of black and brown people. And we really just would bring a scene to set and just play. And it was a lot of us in those classes. Like, it was a lot of us. And I think he was like my first mentor, because he used to just tell me like, he was like, it's going to click for you Keith, when you bring whatever you have, obviously bring that on set. He was like, you need to bring that to your character. Once you do that, it's going to click. And he just really always helped me when I had questions about just different roles and what I should be doing. He always just, just tell me to live in a moment and not really stress about like what to do next and just like, bro, just work and get that experience being on set and stuff. And I think that was very important. Because you want to get, you want to start off in this time, being like picky about moves when you first start off. If you, if you're able to start off and your first thing hit like that and you're able to play that type of game, that's beautiful. Sometimes you just got to get out there. You got to get in the field and just, you know, I'm saying those reps in. I would say he was my closest thing to a mentor in this industry for sure. Besides like my family, my manager, my team, you know what I'm saying? It was like Dustin felt or he, he was resting piece of dust in. I miss him so much. He, was like my true mentor, for sure. I really love that. Shout out to him, you know, and the impact he made on your life. I mean, you are a leading man. You know, how does it feel settling into, you know, that vibe and how does it also help because it's the thing. Once we've been labeled as something, it can sometimes make us overthink the roles we take or the roles we do. So how are you taking on being, you know, being seen as that without letting it stop your creativity? Yeah, I think, I think like lead man, I think now we live in such a time that's like, we see so many different type of people. It's a progressive time. It's an inclusive time, even though they're trying to, you know, stop that and like, and like, take away, you know, just seeing that diversity. I think that's what helps me understand that I'm able to be a leading man is seeing the different types of lead man. I think that really helps for me because I just feel like I've always like dealt with like confidence issues and stuff growing up. And even though people, I feel like we're gravitate towards me just on some natural, like, yo, you cool. I just always felt like for some reason, I'm like, you think so, like, but like, like I always felt that about you everywhere. They're like, Keith is awesome. He's so cool. I lily every friend. They be like, you're the guy's guy. You know, like, I love that. I love that too. Like, that's, and I'm like, okay, would it, do I have naturally that people gravitate towards that can be leading man, whatever that is? And that's why even sometimes I wear glasses, like I got my context on, I'll be like, man, I need to wear my glasses more like something. Come on. I love glasses. Get you a glass of beer. No facts. No facts. And I'm like, I need that to be part of my leading man vibe is because that's me. And it's really the times of like seeing different types of leading men help me even more. Even if someone may look at me as like a prototype lead man, I feel like because sometimes my confidence wasn't always there. I would feel like, or sometimes I feel like I wouldn't bring my goofiness to my role. Come on. You need that. And I don't know how, I don't know how I wouldn't bring no one will smith and growing up is seeing freshmen. Like, why? Because I think that the world tries to tell you guys about you guys. I mean male actors that want to be leading men and then black guys that, that, that's silly. That, you know what I'm saying? But it's like, it's opposite. Women love men with sense of humor. Of course. That's why we love the wheel smiths. That's why we love the wine loads. That's why we love the Jamie Foxes because they're funny. And so when, when you guys do let that off, it's, it's really, it's what we're missing. Kind of, so we don't see a lot of it. It's always very serious, very buttoned up, very, I'm saving the world. No, for sure. And it's like, I would love to for you to save the world with joy. Yeah. No face. Yeah. I think, I think like just the different, the times that we're in also helps too because I'm just like, okay, nah, I could live in this space and be my own version of a lead man. And like, make a stand. I like the, um, it was kind of common, you know, but commentary, the one you did with Evan, Evan, Joe, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, doormouth. Yeah. Doormouth. That was a very cool, interesting tone. And it showed a little bit quirkiness. Yeah. That was, that was fun. Yeah. That was, I played, I really like, I really enjoyed doing that. And Evan, I haven't really set the stage. Yeah. Shout out to Evan. Um, he really set the stage and just allowed me to like, live in it and like play with my body more in ways that I, you know, I'm saying the way I stand. It was very cool. I watched the whole thing. I was like, what is this? This isn't his usual shirt. I had the locks and everything. I loved it. Very good. Yeah, nah, that was fun. Yeah. Um, you celebrated one year alcohol free this January. And this has been a big thing that you've been talking about. And then as somebody, I mean, I know I'm not your best friend, but I've known you for years. I, I, I never saw you really drinking crazy or anything like that. And so I thought it was very interesting. You take in this stance and really make it a big thing, especially because it doesn't come from you having had a problem in particular. Um, so yeah. So what made you want to be vocal about that? And congratulations. Thank you so much. Now, I think really it was just like the feeling of like, I have a lot of social anxiety in certain places within the industry going to certain parties and knowing that you have to talk to a lot of people and inhabit and having those moments. I don't know if you have this moment. And you probably do where it's like, what if I run out of things to talk about? We just sitting there. Yeah, that's why my ass is being mean because I'm like, yeah, it's because I'm anxious. Like people think I'm just being. Yeah. She knows what to say. No, I'm, I'm a hard family. No. And that's this is so weird. Yes. And I think in spaces, what happens is you become a social drinker. Yeah. And then I started depending on it. It's like, I started like, I would like take to be full of transparent. I would like take a shot before going on a car. Yeah. Yeah. And that's when I knew I was like, wait, what am I doing? Right. Like to take like, that's kind of crazy. And then it just led from that. And then hearing other people's stories, I didn't realize a lot of actors are so like 100% and I would just see a lot of interviews. I think one of the latest ones was Tom Holland. He was talking about his sobriety, like, journey. And just because it was just so normal to have a beer, especially me from England. Yeah, you know what I'm saying. Yeah, exactly. And he was like, he was like, man, like, you know, he had to take a break from that. And I was just listening. I'm like, man, I kind of, I kind of like relate to that in a way where I just feel like it's easy for me to be like, yo, let me just pour up real quick. Let me, let me, you know, and that's cool. You know, and if you drink a moderation, whatever, I'm not trying to tell nobody how to live a life or nothing like that. But I know for me, it was like, man, I don't like the idea that I'm dependent on this. Yeah. So I was like, I'm going to do 30 dry January dry January turned into all right. I'm going to move that dry January to February didn't turn it like, okay, 75 days I could do. It was like, I got to go for the 100. And I felt so, I've been feeling so good, like, mentally, physically. When I got to that day 100, I was like, I'm going to rest of the year. I feel way too good. And it's crazy. It kind of feels like I got like myself back when I stopped drinking completely. Like, I feel like I could just, I could live in a space and then like, be me and not worry like what people thinking. I'm going to run to the, let's get a drink at the bar. So then like to loosen up of it and none of that. I'm just like, no, I'm chilling. Like, sometimes we have to listen to our bodies when it's like something's just not working for us. You know, we feel like it's keeping us from ourselves. And that could be in a number of things, whether it's alcohol or food. I remember I did a movie or TV show in Berlin and, you know, smoking out there is very casual. So then now I'm, now I'm on the nicotine and now my, now my head is aching and now I don't know when I'm hungry. You know, like it's like this isn't working for me. You know, so it happens. And as long as we keep checking in with ourselves, I think it's important. So I love that you shared that something else that really is amazing to me, which it's always been my dream to one day do is run a marathon. And you just ran a marathon. Yeah, well, no, I didn't run a marathon. You did? No, not yet. I signed it for my first half. Oh my god. Yes, but I've been running a lot though. So, so you want to run a marathon? I do too. How has the training been? I mean, I like to run, but as a woman, sometimes my hormones get out of whack from the running. I know that you can't relate. But, you know, that's always been my running and hang up with it. But I wanted to run a marathon. So what do you, you know, what made you want to do it? I don't know. I just one day. I was just like, I think that that started from like being sober and having this sort of energy where I'm like, I want to start. I ran a track in high school. And I was like, I want to run. I'm gonna go run because I've been seeing a lot of people getting into running and joining run clubs. And I was like, let me go run a mile. Yeah. And that first one hurt. I was like, man, why did I just do this? Like, I don't want my winning without thought it would. Then I did it again. I did it again. I just kept doing it. And you know, that's the beauty also about today. You find that community on tiktok Instagram runner. You just look up and you hear all these stories. And I just kept doing it. And I realized how like present I am when I run. And it's like sort of like meditation where like when I'm running, I just feel like I just get this time to just be [BLANK_AUDIO] with myself, breathe, and I'm like, you know what I'm saying? - That's what I'm talking about, polities. And I love how you also talked about the, you know, how taking something out of your life, 'cause this is the thing what I think happens to us sometimes with consumption. We're in such a consumerism and we're always being told that we need something outside of us in order to feel comfortable with ourselves. And look, sometimes, you know, whatever it is, you might get into it every now and then. But a lot of times we think we need that and really what we need is to run. - No facts. - To go join a knitting class. - No, that's real. No real. - To do something that's gonna allow us to be more in community. You know, for me, was Pilates going up every morning. - Pilates is amazing. - Going to my class and seeing my girls and it's like, my girl, like, oh, I just got this coffee. I'm about to go over there. You come with me, like, that's actually what I wanted to feed me, not this thing or this new, whatever. But actually, I want to be engaged with life dealer. And so it's so, I love how you brought that around to that, because, yes, sometimes you just want to be out in the life, running and feeling the air that went beneath your wings. - No, really. And that's running is just for my mental health, honestly. It's really a hobby. Like, I'm gonna do my first, first half marathon and I'm gonna do, you know, full marathon. I gotta get there mentally for the full. I'm not quite there yet. - And you run the whole time, or can you walk a little bit? - You do whatever you want. I run the whole time, but like, I tell people, like, if you want to stop, stop. Like, don't be out there and stress yourself out. Like, do whatever, yeah, yeah. No, it's, you learn, it's crazy. Every run is different. You learn a lot. I've definitely learned, like, running slow and taking my time. It's just like life. There's a great bunch of life. Like, take your time. You're gonna win the race. It's your race to run. It's tunnel vision. You're not racing anyone else in the streets that you buy yourself, you know, spend that time and take your time and breathe. Breathe and just realize you don't have to impress nobody. I've never want something to become a chore. I feel like I gotta get validated from it too. - Yes. - You can also get lost with that with these apps. Like, I love my Strava. - Honey, my O-ring, happy judging my sleep. It's like, girl, you supposed to be at rest. - No, back to the old light. But yeah, no. - Only two hours of RAM. Okay, let's get into the lovin' of it all. Because congratulations to you. - Thank you. - You arrived. - Go to the game. - Yeah, I got a big ol' wire pitch of it. Yeah, I do. - Oh, I love that. - 'Cause we put it into it. They look very hot. - No, they're putin' out as fire. - They're very beautiful couple and no, you can't have a kiss. - Okay. - That's my room. It's for me. - Congratulations. - Thank you so much. - I mean, I know you guys have been together forever. When did y'all meet? Did y'all meet in the industry? - You did. - Okay, okay. - It's very industry to the lady, man. We met at a team vote party. - Okay. - In like 2015, like, but it's crazy. We both did like this, this African awards show. I forgot what it was called. - I love the African awards show. - It was so, it was so fired up. Like, it was so fun and it was downtown. And I remember, you know, I asked when you would do PR and you want to know what type of PR you're doing. You just show up. - They told you to come. - Yeah. And I pulled up and I remember being backstage 'cause I had to present. And she had to present as well. And I remember, this was crazy too. 'Cause I remember sitting next to my cat, one of my casmates, one of my old casmates and I was talkin' to him and I looked to my right and I seen her fixin' her hair. She had like a green dress on it. I was like, yo, and then he called me back to talk and I looked she wasn't there no more. And I was like, who was that? Like, like, you know what I'm sayin'? - And she's so graceful. So I know how she touched that head. - I know, but it's like, you know how she'd be. - And then like, fast forward, I see her at the team vote party and I was just like, yo, who is that? And I was like, wait, that's her from the war. So I, she was across the pool and I just went over there and introduced myself. And then I said, bye to her and her mom. And then we reconnected on socials and we were just friends for like two years. - Oh my God. And then obviously you introduced yourselves to us as a couple, but then there was a brief moment where you guys are like, oh, maybe, I don't know when, I don't remember exactly was even posted. But you guys were still together. So was it kind of like a way of to get people out y'all's business? - Yeah, everybody, yeah, everybody always, I see people make up like narratives around that time. And oh my, talking about it, we just took a break. Honestly. - Yeah, yeah. - We took a break. We was having little issues within our relationship. Just like, neutral stuff. - Yeah, it wasn't nothing crazy. We were just like, let's take a break and we took a break. And during that break, we actually went to counseling as well. - And together. - And together. - Yeah. - And that was really, yeah, that was really, that was really helpful. Like. - I just love this. - This is real. - That was, that was really helpful. I think like, that really opened my eyes to like a lot, just having someone like a mediator to like talk to you about things. And it was just something that I never really talked to to any of my, to any adults in my family about in their marriage or anything. So I'd never, it was very new to me. But it worked out for the best. Like it helped us come back together. Understand each other's side, you know what I'm saying? Understand each other a little more. And yeah, we ended up getting back together after that. But yeah, we took a break and it was needed and it was healthy, it was a healthy break. Like it was a break within intention. - Well, sometimes when you happen, I don't know that this is what happened with you guys. But sometimes what can happen in relationships is now we just a unit. - Yeah. - And it's like, I love the word unit. But it's like, I also miss me. - Yeah, no. - We talk about that a lot. You know, so I think, I don't know that that's what happened with you guys, but I know for me a lot of times, like when I've had moments where it's like, let's take a break or let's try to find it, you know, to configure ourselves from being totally just us. So we can still be ourselves and us when we come back together, you know what I'm saying? - Exactly, and me and Ryan talk about that a lot. We never want to lose our like individual. - Yes, individuality, individuality. - So individuality within our couple. Like we are a couple, but we also have our own dreams and we respect each other's dreams. Like I love the fact, I mean, Ryan is super talented and she'd been wanting to do this way longer than I have. I learned a lot from her, you know what I'm saying? And I never want her to like lose that because of me. You know, I don't ever want to lose that fire. I'm gonna be behind you. I'm gonna have your back the whole way. So you ain't got to worry about it. Just do you, and then vice versa. So yeah, it's cool. - So what do let you know? 'Cause it's also like a big jump to be like, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. - Yeah, yeah. - And you, your parents are still together. They've been given so marriage. I'm sure your representation of it is like, you know, it's the long haul. - No facts. - So what made you say, now's the time? - It was crazy, like I-- - I've had this moment with a lot of girls on my show, but I don't know that I had it with community guys. So I'm like so living. - I think like, I think I always wanted to get, like I knew once I fell in love with Ryan, I knew I wanted to marry her. And I guess like when you always hear these stories about when it's the right time to do it. And like the right time is really when you set the intention to just do it when you start ring shopping. You understand like, you start listening to your partner about what she won, like how she won her proposal and stuff. And I know I wanted to, I know I want to be with her for us in my life. And I was just like, I was just like, man, like after the break and we got back together, I was like, I want to waste no more time with Ryan being my girlfriend. I wanted to be my fiancee and my wife. And I was just like, I started planning instantly because I was just like getting through that meant so much to me. You know what I'm saying is like, I was like, and it's crazy 'cause like when I say, like we were together for a minute before got engaged with Ryan when I said, I'll be like, I like to make the joke to myself like, man, I took a long time, but it wasn't because I wasn't like trying to put it off. It was like, I don't know, I was having so much fun and me and Ryan are like best friends. And like this, she never put pressure on me to do it. But once it hit where I was like, yo, hold on, I got to do this, I got to make it happen, it was quick. It wasn't no, you know what I'm saying? Did you tell your parents first? Yeah, for sure. Okay, all day. I told my parents and I was like, I told my parents though like the second year of us being together. I'm like, and I remember telling my uncle, Kurtty, that resting piece of my uncle. He was like, you think Ryan the one. I'm like, yeah, now for sure. Like that's that, I know for 100% fact. And yeah, it's really like no time table one. I mean, I wouldn't advise y'all to wait years. It's like, don't, I'm not saying that. Don't leave somebody just, you know, your partner just sitting there, you know, but doing, you know, is the right time for you. And do it your way. I think that's what stopped a lot of people. Yeah. And that's what I think growing up, thinking about, I always would think about getting engaged in a way that felt very highlight really. Yeah. You know, and not like a real like, do it your way where makes you happy how you could do it in that time because that matters more than anything else. You can get taught a logistics and stuff later. Just do it how you want to do it. I think sometimes we get lost in like the, the glamorous side of it all. Absolutely, just for show. Yeah, and a lot of, I think a lot of people use that as an excuse to prolong it. You got to do that. Just like do it your way and then make it happy. I can see y'all having a book. I'm ready for the really weird show. I live for y'all individually and I live for the unit. Like I'm seeing all the IP that we can do. Call me as a producer. Yeah. Exactly. Okay, we have to talk about you reunite it with your new addition co-star, Algie Smith, and the Gates. Yeah. That trailer looks crazy. Yeah. It's like, I mean, so this is a horror film. How are you feeling? Is this your first horror film? It's a thriller. Okay. Is this your first kind of disco? It is my first kind of thrill. Okay. It is actually. It looks so good. I mean, you guys end up, first of all, we got to say a Rest in Peace. Yes. Rest in Peace. Yeah. Rest away, which you guys got to work together before he passed, where he's kind of the villain in this movie and he's hunting y'all down. I mean, what was it like filming the movie? I mean, filming the movie was fun. We shot in Tulsa for 18 days, all night shoots. Tulsa. That feels historic. Yeah, Tulsa Oklahoma. It was. Yeah. We went to the museum. We learned a lot about the Black Wall Street riots, the Tulsa riots, and a lot of hunting down. facts, facts. And we spent a, we spent a lot of time together. Me, Mason and Aldi spent a lot of time together. Shout out to Mason. Yeah. Yeah. Amazing. We spent a lot of time together. Offset. And like we to stay on track with our sleeping. We used to stay up on the weekends. So then it can match our schedule going back into the week because all night shoots for 18 days is intense. It makes your brain hurt. Like I did a horror movie one time called Animal and it was all night shoots. And it makes you just your life is upside down. Literally upside down. It was crazy. And then of course I met James on set. James was like amazing to be around. Like I just really respected his POV on life. Yes. Like man and that's why I'm like really going to miss James even more. And I wish you know I just want to pick his brain more and like just just being his presence because he just really talked about his family in the way that really made me happy. And I'm at a point in my life too where I have I have this dream like we all doing this industry. But also I want to lose sight of like my loved ones and where really matters. Amen. And to hear him talk about that and then what happened it was just like it hit me hard when I heard the news because I had no idea. You know he he announced what he was dealing with after we were filming. I don't know what he was going through when we were filming. But when when I heard the news that he transitioned I was just like I love the transition. Yeah hit me really hard because I was just like I just remember him inviting us to his trailer one day at lunch and just talking to us about his family and how his kids you know talking to us about like his kids the idea possibly wanting to act and stuff and him talking about you know being in a TV show being on a TV show and you know his whole yeah his whole life like you know chasing well we all chase like that next job that next job and next job and he was able to like really appreciate the now where he was at and what he had now and I was just like that's literally something I'm dealing with today of just like understanding like yeah I'm always have my goal but if I don't appreciate where I'm at now what I have around me it ain't going to matter if I get there because I'm I'm a get there and then I'm a it's like the movie soul yeah he got to that point where he finally performed and he was like man it's ain't what I thought it was going to be and he stepped outside and he realized oh it was always here the whole time you know and I'm saying everything that I wanted and I feel like that's where James was you know and I really respected that about him and then that he shared that with young man himself and he was a beast on set too and like he was playing like this really crazy yeah he was a pastor so like I don't even know to pass the ball yeah that's like it man it's it's and for him I'm okay I don't know why I have to do this stuff for him for him to for him to do that and then be who he was offset it was just like to see him so present in the work you know regardless our movie you could say it's a small movie but he and treat it like that you know what I'm saying and he treated it with so much like just respect and just intention and I I really appreciate it about him and I wish you know I have more time with him of course but our castes how I thought completely about New Year's resolutions he randomly did a post at the beginning of the year and he was like you know everybody's talking about you know but why would we do New Year's resolutions at the top of January when things are dying and taking a break and hibernation and birds are flying he's like we should do it in spring when things are going in I love that now now I'm throwing a New Year's resolution party in the spring that's crazy because I'm like yeah let's set our attention for all the girls no that's actually a really dope POV of doing resolution I love because why wouldn't we doing we ready to blossom we be stressed out after Christmas you know what I mean like and now we got to think about resolutions yeah like the year just ended so yeah shout out to James and I'm excited about the movie The Gates okay well I hate that this is ending but I always play a game with all my guests so we're going to play the Keith Powers dating hotline here's how it goes I'm going to give you a real life dating scenario okay and you will give us your best advice oh this is one of the show pilots that I have I'm kidding okay here we go all right I've been dating him for six months we act like a couple but he says he doesn't like labels what should I do set a boundary now what are my boundaries limits because because what if I love him you know I mean I don't really want to lose him so how would I do it without totally losing my man I mean you just I feel like you tell somebody what you want and with he don't like labels but you do for some reason and you feel like that makes you feel official and you feel like that's what that's what you want you say that and you like you set that boundary like this is what it is this what I want yeah I figure out a way to talk about it but if you act like you cool with that then that's what it's going to be yeah I live you set a boundary yeah okay she says she doesn't believe in splitting the bill thoughts that's a crazy question I mean I'm not believing in it is crazy but nah yeah I mean I'm the I'm the person that always trying to pay for the meal regardless of course with my partner we're Ryan but then like with my friends too so it's like not believing in it is like you don't believe at all but it's the same time I was like I got it anyway we're like sometimes in my switches sometimes you might what you know that I'm saying I just when somebody live in such like such absolutes I'm just like come on bro we human like sometimes you can be like now I'm helping you have to like is you I'm never going to be that do fighting over the building yeah yeah I like to get better too also you know sometimes you know you you'll be the one to treat I don't know maybe I'm a little non-gender okay he's amazing in person but he barely texts is that maturity or lack of interest um I think this is a difficult one in the digital age I think this is funny because it could be both but I think like some people just not good textures yeah honestly and if they and if they're dope in person that's what really matters honestly I'll be you know how trash that would be to take somebody and it's fired like over text and y'all be in person and it's like that actually happens to me okay I had that because I'm such a texture that somebody will be text me never fucking for it no you are actually a text no you know I love it no but yeah now I feel like I feel like that's not I feel like that's neat I just feel like everyone did some people like you know some people are great in person and they just don't they just don't I mean if they cool in person that's all that matters to you okay I found out she went through my phone while I was asleep she says it's because she has trust issues yeah what happens next now y'all gotta unpack that yeah how to unpack where the trust you come from now I feel like you gotta unpack it like if you have trust issues why do you have trust issues what did you find now that you went there do we have to talk about something so I feel like we gotta unpack that now because that's a deeper that's gonna keep happening I ain't just like you know what I'm saying that's gonna that's gonna spill over into other categories within the relationship I'm seeing the dating show podcast you and Ryan no I'm not that's why I'm still learning y'all I am still new okay just a couple more because I'm loving this um they say I love you after a month of dating is it too soon after a month after a while her year yet I might be able to oh no why I heard year for someone yet you know no I love you after a month is too soon that might I've been doing it all wrong because it depends like you could love somebody like as a person like oh that's tough like it because everyone received yeah yeah you might you might that's what I was gonna say it could come out very love by me if you're doing that too early it's like a month is kind of maybe just give it another month yeah I think you're right what happened when when does something become a habit 60 days yeah it becomes a life or 66 and after a lifestyle yeah let's let's weigh 66 and 90 before we start saying I love because that could get you could you could get into a really crazy territory at that place right I know you just don't know you everyone everyone don't that love word is different for everybody yeah I think sometimes somebody and then you on a high it's the honeymoon stage y'all on a high I love you I love you and in that first argument y'all is wondering if it's just like are we gonna make it yeah exactly okay this is the last one all right but this is but I got I got to find the best one to end it's on okay hold on okay okay I get you're too good okay you're it is all right he says he's healed but every disagreement turns into him shutting down and he refuses therapy what happens next he's not he is pretty pretty clear that he's not he unfortunately but I love him my dog is avoided yeah so you got to he got to unpack that so about unpacking that I know who's not avoiding it's you keep and you are so awesome thank you so much you game on the market that was everything Keith Bowers is proof that when you get honest about who you're becoming and you move with clarity in your love your craft and your purpose everything else starts to align Keith thank you so much for opening up for being thoughtful and for having fun with us today and we'll see y'all next time on baby this is Kiki Palmer baby this is Kiki Baby, this is Kiki Poma, yeah