In a daytime exclusive interview on the Monday, June 3 edition of “Tamron Hall,” the cast of STARZ’s “Power Book II: Ghost,”Michael Rainey Jr., Naturi Naughton-Lewis and Golden Brooks, discussed the highly anticipated final season and gave the Tam Fam a sneak peek at the riveting premiere episode. The trio opened up about saying goodbye to their characters after four seasons and what’s next for their careers. Rainey Jr. dished on his dating life and his ideal date night, while Naughton-Lewis opened up about motherhood and recently turning 40! See more inside and a video clip…
NATURI NAUGHTON, MICHAEL RAINY JR
Michael Rainey Jr. on dating and the premiere episode of “Power Book II: Ghost”:
“You know, I’m single, I’m chillin’, you know. Look I put chillin’ like this right, I’m in this stage where I’m figuring out who I am as a person so it’s like, I can’t commit to nobody.” On his ideal date night, “I don’t really make the plans. I like to give the lady the freedom to tell me what she wants to do. I just make it happen! It’s working!” On the premiere episode of “Power Book II: Ghost,” “Y’all going to be like, ‘what the heck is about to happen?’”
Naturi Naughton-Lewis on motherhood and turning 40:
“My daughter Zuri and my son Tru, they are my biggest blessings. There is nothing quite like it. The challenges and for me, having a baby with this long stretch after my daughter, she’s almost seven. It taught me motherhood all over again, how difficult the process is and ladies, keeping it real, breastfeeding, all of that is hard work! So I had to humble myself and being an actress, although difficult, there’s nothing more important and as challenging as motherhood and we need to be real about that. It’s not all like ‘Yay I had a baby, snap back!’ I’m snapping back gradually but you know, it takes time and it’s okay to be gracious to yourself and it’s okay to say, ‘I’m just being patient and enjoying my season.’” On turning 40, “I’m going to embrace it because Tamron during the break was like ‘why are you whispering? You turned 40,’ and I was like ‘I turned 40.’ I went on an awesome trip with amazing friends, [actress] Danielle Brooks, her husband, my husband, [actress] Teyonah Parris. We had fun and that’s why I’m hoarse right now! 40 feels like the biggest blessing. It also feels like a little joint pain. When I got off that yacht, I was like ‘Ow! Ow!’ In all seriousness, I do feel powerful but also empowered. I feel empowered by the fact that I’ve been able to do what I said I wanted to do, do what I love. My parents, my family, everyone has supported me, I’m living my dream and I’m 40 years old.”
The cast of “Power Book II: Ghost” on saying goodbye after four seasons:
Michael Rainey Jr. said, “I feel like we’re definitely going out with a bang with this season. It’s going to be crazy but it’s definitely a bittersweet feeling like I’m grateful for the platform that we’ve been able to create from it but I’m definitely ready to start the next chapter of Michael Rainey’s life.” On if the cast feels pressure on how fans will react to the ending, Naturi said,“I wouldn’t say pressure as to how the fans will react. I feel excited to give the fans what they’ve been waiting for because for me and Michael, Courtney [A.] Kemp, our showrunner and creator, she always says ‘the day-ones.’ To have 10 years in this game and to create a show that has lasted. The ending is going to give you what you need so just get ready for your popcorn, your ‘Ghost’ parties because it’s going to be lit!”
Golden Brooks
NATURI NAUGHTON
(DISNEY/Jose Alvarado)