On the Thursday, May 16 edition of “Tamron Hall,” the stars of “The Chi,” Emmy Award winner Lynn Whitfield, Luke James, Jacob Latimore and Curtiss Cook, sat down to discuss the seventh season of the hit drama. During the candid conversation, Luke James broke down in tears while discussing his journey to parenthood, and Jacob Latimore revealed how the series inspired him to prioritize his mental health. Later on today’s show, 80s music icon Lisa Lisa reflected on her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 21, and gave a special performance of her hit song “I Wonder If I Take You Home”. See more inside…
LYNN WHITFIELD, TAMRON HALL
Lynn was wearing a Chiara Boni La Petite Robe cocktail dress, pretty!
Luke James
Jacob Latimore
Curtis Cook
Luke James on becoming a father:
Talking through tears, Luke shared: “It’s everything. Everything. Life has just opened up, you know? So I’m just grateful.”
Luke James on his special bond with co-star Lynn Whitfield:
“It’s mother.” He continued, “We all were floored. Just the idea of sharing the screen with this brilliant woman that I’ve been watching, admiring, that has broken the mold in so many different ways, I mean, it’s an honor.”
Jacob Latimore on how “The Chi” inspired him to go to therapy:
“Honestly it’s encouraged me to actually go to therapy myself. I started therapy last year. I realized I had been working since I was a kid and I hadn’t really dealt with my own personal life. I didn’t really acknowledge some things I was holding onto. It’s important for me to be aware of myself as I go into work every day and I can show up as my best self at work.”
Curtiss Cook on the complexities behind the character of “Douda”:
“It’s a portrayal of something that really exists but what I don’t want to do is glorify violence and the killing of other Black men and the other Black boys. So I asked them honestly, what is it about this character that you like? ‘Cause he also is a college graduate, he also is a businessman, there are other things. And then, also don’t forget, it’s entertainment.”
Lynn Whitfield on joining the cast of “The Chi”:
“First of all, to come into a show that is established – they’ve lived with these characters, everyone has lived with them for so long – you know them. And to be greeted with such open arms, and to be free to explore the complexity of who we are as individuals, as these characters, as a people – I love the exploration of people in our community and the flipside, like the parts that we don’t always see – and it’s not that it’s glorified, it’s like a slice of life. You just get to step in.” She added, “And to be included has been a great honor and a wonderful adventure and a great playground. We get to play!”
(Photo Credit: DISNEY/Paula Lobo)
