Keep it Positive, Sweetie - Success & Second Chances With Gail Bean

Episode Date: November 10, 2024

In this episode, NAACP Image Award winning actress, Gail Bean, shares some of the personal highs and lows she experienced on her rise to stardom, the importance of social and political responsibility, as well as how she's handling the 2024 Election results.

Coming up on Keep It Positive, sweetie. I do try to tell my story because I know there are people who mess up and they do these things and I let them know like, look, yeah, when I moved to LA, I was on probation. I continued to follow things and not get in trouble, so I did get off early. But when I moved out there, I was not off. And one mistake doesn't determine your path. Yeah, no, it doesn't. Like, you can, you you not your one mistake. Hello, I'm Krista Renee Hazlett and this is Keep It Positive, sweetie, a safe space to

heal, laugh, grow and love. Speaking of love, I'm loving how our new season is moving along and I'm also loving to see the glow up of today's guest, actress, writer, producer, Gail Bean. And if you're like me, you've enjoyed watching NAACP Image Award winning actress, Gail Bean grace the TV on hit shows like Snowfall and P Valley.

Gail has made an incredible mark on screen and off screen with an impact just as impressive as the areas of community service and political activism. Gail Beane's reach is wide. She is such a busy woman but I'm so glad she found time today to keep it positive with me. Gail thank you so much for pulling up on me. I appreciate it. Oh man Crystal, anything for you. Anything for me. We've been trying to get you here so we got you. I've been wanting to come I'm like okay we got you. I've been wanting to come. I'm like, okay, we got to figure out how to make this work.

Yeah. So. Thank you. I'm happy. I'm so excited. This about to be good. Girl, this couch? Honey, listen.

This is the, so me and my friend, Brittany Hall, we used to live together in LA. We called our house the booked and busy house. Really? We told everybody, if you come in the booked and busy house, you're gonna leave out of here with blessings. I know that's right. This couch is the blessing couch.

So I'm gonna leave it all on me. You did awesome. Yes. Cause I'm gonna leave out here with all the blessings and abundance. Yes, it's already on you. Thank you. It's on you.

You glowing. Thank you. Thank you. Before, let's go back to before I even knew who you were. Like in person, I loved you on Snowfall. And I was just like, Oh my gosh, the way you just embody their character and you were vulnerable.

Like I just fell in love with your artistry and then I got to meet you when we did that panel at Shiloh High School. Yes. Remember that? Yes. Kirsten was captain of the cheerleading team. And she put together the whole anti-bullying, social,

I don't even remember the name of it, but it was about social anxiety for the students and for the community of Shiloh High. Oh wow. That was so dope. That was. Yeah. And that's when I really got to see your heart

and how you came back here from here and you like still was like active in the community. I was like, I like this girl. And ever since then we've been like, this a lady. Listen, I was an avid sisters watcher. Oh, thank you. And you was the one. I was like, oh, she me.

Yeah. Because you, you kept it professional at work, but then it was like, oh, there's another side. A whole nother side. There's like, you guys work with me, but you don't know me. Yeah, I'm sure. So I was like, oh, she's me. And I love her.

Yes, so many women stop me like, I'm Fatima. And I'm like, that's crazy. I was like, yeah, yeah, you mess with mine, I'm real. Baby. You mess with mine? Don't, don't do that. Yeah, I'm like, that's crazy. I was like, yeah, yeah, you mess with mine, I'm real. Baby. You mess with mine? Don't, I'm gonna do that. Yeah, I'm the same way. I'm really protective of my people.

You gotta be more calculated now that we're in the light, but I'm like, no. Sometimes I'll be forgetting, I'm like, what? Yeah, yeah. But that's that, the people around you will keep you. Oh, they're like, hey, chill out. And they're like, no, no, no. We not doing that no more. We're not doing that no more.

We're not doing that. We're gonna let the Lord handle it. Yeah, and we will. He's like, you know what? You know, we don't. Yeah, let him handle it. Yeah, he is. And I know things do happen.

I've always noticed like, whatever ends up happening as far as karma, let God handle it. Cause it's like, I wouldn't have done that. Yeah, not like that, but that was perfect for you. You needed that. I love it. I love it. Something else I love about you is how vulnerable

and just transparent you are. You are just like a girl's girl. When I met you, I was like, you never know what you're going to get with just the people in the entertainment field. I don't want to just say actors. You do not know what you're going to get. With people now that like social media

and YouTube has become such a thing, and Twitch and so many other different platforms, it's not even just in the entertainment industry. It's just people, period. You don't know what you're gonna get with people. Even people who don't do anything, but they aspire to do stuff. It's like, sometimes they think you might be a certain way,

so they come off. A certain way, yes. And then they get to know you're like, oh, you're think you might be a certain way, so they come off. A certain way, yes. And then they get to know you like, oh, you're not what I thought you might be, just be who you are. But I tell people all the time, I'm a reflection of you. So if you see something in me and it's like, oh my gosh, she's great, she's amazing.

That's because you were great and amazing, because I give what I get. I know that's right. Yeah, I'm like, mm. I love it. If the energy is bad, I'm like, let me just slide on over here because you don't want me to match it for him.

Yeah. Let's not go there. Let's keep it positive. Exactly. Exactly. Take me down memory lane because you're from, what part of Atlanta are you from? Cause you know there's so many.

I'm not from Atlanta. They're not Atlanta. Okay. Okay. Where are you from exactly? I'm from the East side. I'm from Stone Mountain. Okay. It's Metro Atlanta. Metro, there we go. Metro makes from Atlanta. They're not Atlanta. Okay. Okay. Where are you from exactly? I'm from the East side. I'm from Stone Mountain.

Okay. It's Metro Atlanta. Metro. There we go. Metro makes up Atlanta. It does. I tell people Atlanta would not be nothing without the Metro. It would not be.

So I'm from Stone Mountain. I'm from the East side. I grew up in Main Street. Okay. Did you always want to be an actor? Was that something that came along later? No, I wanted to. So I first wanted to be a hairstylist.

Really? No, I first wanted to be a hairstylist. No, I first wanted to be a photographer. Then a hairstylist, then a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, then the female Johnny Cochran, so a lawyer. And then I decided I wanted to just go with God and act. It was like, I want my career to be a reflection of God. I want people to say, okay, there's no way she could have done this.

That this is not her, this is God. And I was like, hmm, I know I could like kill law. Anything dealing with education where you gotta study and research and learn. Like that's me, I'm a sponge. I know, I mean, I can't do hair. So clearly that was a career path that didn't choose me. I could do my hair.

And I think that's a lot, a lot of people, they can do their hair and their makeup and they can style themselves. But it's like, baby. It's different. This ain't your, this not your ministry. But it's okay, cause it's great on you.

But then when it comes to getting into doing it for other people, that same passion isn't there. That same understanding isn't there. that same understanding isn't there, that same attention and care. So hair was a no. Photography, I'm pretty fine at it. So I think that will come into play when it comes to directing and stuff.

And yeah, I mean, that was kind of what it's chilly as. That's what the real. I'm a sanitarist, so I'm a money girl. I was like, I can't, the funds is not gonna fund there. They don't get nothing. Yeah. Yeah, so I- They're cute though.

Yeah, I decided I wanted to act. I just, I thoroughly loved it. I had a passion for it. My senior year when I took a class, my mom, she's an educator. Well, she's a retired educator. Yes. So she taught in high school

and she wanted me to go to college. So my senior year, we weren't getting college letters. She was like, what's happening? I was like, oh, I didn't apply because I'm going to move to LA. And she was like, no. You going to school? Yeah, you're continuing your education. So I had to go to college.

And then after college, I didn't do anything dealing with acting. I studied accounting and finance. I was a double major. I studied abroad for business finance. Wow, where? I cheered in Germany. Are you serious? Yeah. That is incredible. I went to Colorado University.

What? Okay. Loved it. When you say you were like a sponge, you really love education. That is amazing. Loved it. I was in student government, cheered at myta. So I did all the college things. And then I was like, all right, mom, I graduated.

I want to move to LA and act. Wow. Was she like, go ahead. Did she give you that blessing? She was like, you don't have a plan. So she was such a mom, which I'm grateful for. But she was such a mom and like an old school mom. Like you've never been, it's on the other side of the world.

You don't have a plan. So I was like, okay. I asked like three times. First was before college. Second was like when I was trying to drop out and go. And then third was after. So I was like, okay, I get it. I need a plan.

So then I developed a plan. And then when I had a plan, she was behind it. So. That's amazing. I love that. My parents were the same way. They were like, all right, girl. So I went to school in my hometown in Martin, Tennessee.

And then after college, I got a job on Capitol Hill in DC. And they were like, yes, girl, go. But I actually wanted to do acting and singing. I had all these big passions that I wanted to do, but they were like, you need to get an education. They always instilled, do what you wanna do, but have something to fall back on.

And I'm so grateful for that now, because they asked you, like, when we do certain things, it's like your latest degree that you got. I'm like, wow, to actually be able to put that, I do have a degree, it is important. And I didn't think it was a lot of times, but I'm grateful now that they instilled those things in me to have something to fall back on.

Wow, I'm so proud of you. Thank you, I'm proud of you, girl. DC? Oh my God. DC is like Atlanta with standards. It, yeah, literally. It's elevated, I love it. I love that Atlanta with standards.

Yeah. So of course you would come here and thrive. You made it in DC. Yeah, and that's where I found myself. Honestly, I am being from a small town. I went to DC. I'm from a town where we speak to everybody in the morning. If you're, it's like a two lane road,

not even a highway, a road where we're driving past each other, you wave, you don't know who's in the car. Oh wow, you just wave out the window. You see the hand go up, yeah. So like that's where I'm from. So I moved to DC and I'm like, good morning. And then I like looked like I got horns growing out of my head.

I'm like, y'all don't speak to each other. So in DC, I learned self-awareness. I learned to just tunnel vision, focus, worry about yourself, don't worry about everybody else. That was LA for me. Because coming from here where I speak to everybody and everybody speaks back and it's just common courtesy and southern hospitality to speaking to people. And it it was like why are you talking to me?

Literally. What do you want? What can you do? What do you do? Oh I can't stand that question. Me too. I'm like hi, how are you? Yes. How was your day? Good morning. Let's start there. Girl, I was at the Hawks game last season and a young lady was sitting in front of me and I guess I just looked like I did something and she turned up, she goes, she goes, what do you do? And I said, hi, I'm Crystal, how are you doing?

And she said, I'm good. I said, don't ever lead a conversation with that question. Yeah. I said, it's so off-putting. And she goes, I am so sorry. I was like, if I saw you, like, the first thing I ask you is, what do you do? Yeah, cause it's like, oh, people obviously know you, so sorry. I was like, if I saw you like the first thing I asked you is what do you do? Yeah, cause it's like, oh, people obviously know you.

So why do I need to know you? Yeah. That's basically what it is. Like why are you important? Yeah. And that's, I was like, oh. Cause I'm human, cause I'm breathing. Instead of the Southern-ness of you are here, you matter.

I'm acknowledging you. Yes. Yeah. Yeah, I want to get to know you better. Like, I see everybody coming up and not really familiar. What's your name? Okay, well, how can I support, how can I check you out? There's a way to get around to what I do,

but I was like, girl. My mama always said, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. Absolutely, yeah, that is so true. So you get to LA and everybody's not speaking. What was that whole journey like? I get to LA, everybody's not speaking. What was that whole journey like? I get to LA, everybody's not speaking. They're charging me for bags.

They're charging me for a bottle of water, like an additional tax for a bottle of water. I do not understand that. The parking is like really weird where you gotta like move your car and all these tickets. The traffic is 24 hours. I was confused. I was confused. I remember specifically telling my family,

I have traveled around the world and I've never been culture shocked until now. Like it was a culture shock. It was very jarring for me, but I'm not gonna lie. I love the weather. Yes, yes. Cause I moved early. So I love before global warming got crazy.

I love the weather and I loved the scenery. I was like, oh, it's so beautiful. So they had me, they was like, okay, y'all got me in, hello, whatever. But I got there with the intention, okay, I want to move here just to get big enough to live wherever I want. And to be able to work from wherever in the world.

I want to specifically be in LA so I can book work, not in LA. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, I would love to work in LA, but book work while I no longer live here. I don't have to be here, I don't have to be in everybody's face. Like, they know me, they know my work.

I wanna gain notoriety here. And then I'm out. Wow. Yeah, and then COVID happened. Oh, so that was right around that time. My goodness. Had you even like booked anything before COVID? Well, I moved in 2013. So I stayed there and then COVID happened

and then that's when I left. And then at that time, my reps, I was like, okay, yeah, well, whenever, nobody knew when the industry was going to shake back. And so they were kind of like, yeah, yeah, whenever, nobody knew when the industry was going to shake back. And so they were kind of like, yeah, you're good. You can stay there and you don't have to move back. They'll just fly you in and they'll put you up. I was like, okay, say that again.

Yes, yes. So yeah, I just stayed. I never moved back. And then like now I live in New York. I moved to New York last October. Yes, I remember that. Yeah. How are you adjusting in New York? New York was for me. It wasn't because girl I cannot do it.

When I first moved to LA I originally wanted to move to New York but I was like I can't afford it. It's well both ways is New York LA more less is cheaper than? New York is more expensive than LA. Okay wow. You get less for more in New York. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, but. You're willing to make that sacrifice.

I mean, I'm good now. God is good. I know! It's not a sacrifice no more. Yes! I'm willing to make that elevation. Yes, I love that. Yeah.

That's a testimony, it's not a sacrifice no more. I love it. Oh, it's not. It's not. Yes, that is beautiful. So how long was it before you got your first yes from the moment you said, Mom, I'm going to LA, for real this time?

Okay, so I got there August 1st, 2013. I booked unexpected August, 2014. A year. Yeah. A year for that first year. It was a year, but I was head down grinding. Good. What was the drive for that persistence?

Was it because I told my mom I'm going and I'm going to make this thing happen? No, girl. That was my first time like really being somewhere on my own. Like even when I studied abroad, I knew people in the business, but like my line sister was over there studying abroad with me.

So I had friends and stuff there. This was like real deal relocate on my own. And my dude was here, my family's here, like my friends are here. I was like, yeah, here, like my friends are here. I was like, yeah, nah. All my stuff is here. It was uncomfortable. It was like excruciating, like skin peeling uncomfortable.

So I was like, yeah, nah. And then I had a friend tell me, you know, if you don't make it, like don't feel you got to stay out there and struggle. You can always come back. And I was like, nah, friend, I'm gonna make it. I was like, we good. We don't need a plan B.

No. So I believed it and knew without a doubt that I would gain success there. It's really weird. Cause I have like this really great relationship with like God and the ancestors. And they talk to me, like they give me signs and omens. What are they saying girl?

Like when the people be talking, they be like, damn. Okay, for example. I wish. Nah, I'd probably be scared as hell. I'd be like, all right, now don't do that. Like, you know, don't do that. Don't talk to me for real. But no, so like, I'll ask.

I'll ask questions and I'll get answers. I'll say, you know, like, let me know. And I'm real upfront with God. Like, don't give me no half sign. Yeah, I ain't the one. You know me. Yup, I need another one. I'm gonna be like, I need an obvious slap me

in the face with a sign. Yes, yes, I'm the same way. So I asked, I was like, uh, I need an obvious slap me in the face with a sign. Like. Yes, I'm the same way. So I asked, I was like, should I go to LA? Right? Cause I had planned on going. Yeah. But then my grandma had a stroke

and it was a really bad stroke. And it was closer to the time where I was supposed to go and I was a little nervous and a little scared and not really wanting to go to LA. Like I wanted to go, but then when it got real, I was like, boom. It's like looking for a reason. Oh grandma, maybe I should stay a little. I was like, you know what? So I was like little scared and not really wanting to go to LA. Like I wanted to go, but then when it got real, I was like, ooh. I was like looking for a reason, oh, grandma, maybe I should stay a little.

I was like, you know what? So I was like, God, my mom was like going crazy. It was so bad. And I was like, God, you know what? I'm not supposed to go, it's okay. Literally, she did a 180. Wow. Yeah. That was God 180. Wow. Yeah.

That was guys saying go. Yeah, so I said, okay, cause I was gonna go there for a month and stay for a month. This was my plan, cause my mom said I needed a plan. So the plan was go to LA for a month from June 14th to July 14th, and then move in October.

Okay. Also I was on probation at the time and my probation ended in October. So I was like, move in, move, ended October 1st, so I was gonna move October Also, I was on probation at the time and my probation ended in October. So I was like, move in, move, ended October 1st, I was gonna move October 1st. Originally the plan was to go June 1st to July 1st. My grandma had a stroke somewhere along that time and then by June 14th she was good.

So I bought the ticket, went June 14th to July 14th. When I got out there, everything just fell in place. I ended up getting a job. Now this had to be in there like two days. While I'm on a one month visit. I had a round trip ticket. So then I lied and was like, yeah, I live here. But I just gotta go home and get my stuff

and finish moving. They were like, when do you come back? I said August 1st. I always ask friends for buddy pass. They never have them. So I asked three people. All three people said yes ask friends for a buddy pass, they never have them. So I asked three people, all three people said yes, they had a buddy pass. For me to go back on August 1st.

Cause I didn't have enough money to like really buy a ticket. Like not that soon, I needed the plan. So I was like, this is crazy. But that's like when God and the ancestors speak to me, that's like, okay, here. And I say, you know, well, what is it? I ask questions and that's how they kind of like give me answers or they provide answers to other people.

Like someone may say something to me, don't know me from a can of paint, but it's the answer to my question. Yeah. And I'm like, OK, the answers are using them or God is using them. And that's how they talk to me. Wow. I love it. So, yeah, because I do hear God talk to me too. Like I asked him. How God talk to you? He'd be like, Crystal. Nah, he'd be like, girl now listen, I'm chicken tired of telling you what I told you.

I'm like, all right. He sound like Bernie Mac. Chicken tired of. Chicken tired of. He's like, it's okay. It's okay. Look, you know, don't judge me. But I know how to get on his nerves sometimes

because he has to tell me things. I'm the type of person I'll pray for a sign and I'll see it. That ain't it. That used to be me though. Yeah, I need another one. That used to be me. And now, when I talk to him now, I journal for my prayers.

And I was like, God, send me a clear sign on this. I need clarity on this. And literally within the same day, the person or whatever the situation is that I'm needing guidance on reveals it, whether it's the affirmation I needed or it's a sign to move on from this. And I'm like, yeah, it's so clear now.

It's so crazy because, okay, like, I'll give you a recent example. I did a give back event Saturday, Saturday morning from 12 to four. And there was a pastor there, my friend, a girl who was in my acting class when I was here in Atlanta in 2012. She came, she brought her pastor,

she brought another one of her friends and their children. And he spoke a word over me that, so you know there's a Snowfall spinoff and it's been in limbo, we don't know. I've been hearing about it, yes. We don't know. We need that. We was hearing, but then they're like,

it's right there on the one yard line. We're gonna try, but we don't know if we shoot it or start shooting late January. And I was like, okay. While shooting P-Valleyalley there have been four projects that I've missed that on. I had the offers and couldn't do them. I'm like okay.

But my reps did tell me like they don't think that the Snowfall spin-off is going to go because if they're saying it's stuck on the one yard line and you know they're really trying and it's just they don't know what it is to get to tweak the script but they're gonna keep trying. My reps were like that means it's more than likely it's not gonna go. So I was like okay I'm working really hard and I'm like okay we're coming to the end of P-Valley I don't have more work because you know it's always about the next job. Absolutely always. I don't have more work for 2025.

And so the man, and I've been working the past 20, this is my second day off in the past 21 days. Wow. So I worked 21 days straight because on the weekends we had something like I had to go to LA for Black Love something. I had to go do something. So my friend, she passed,

rest in peace, Ms. Marsha Brown. I'm so sorry. Thank you. And her funeral was yesterday. So it was, it's a lot. For me to have my first day off, and then I was like, okay, but God knew the way it was just even aligned.

Like I needed a moment, I needed a break, I needed a rest. So to be able to go be with like people I love dearly was just very beautiful. And then to be able to come do this was like, but it's so crazy because it was literally 21 days straight that I worked. And then those were my two days off. These are my two days off.

And then I go back to work tomorrow. I'm working the whole week. We have our marketing shoot this weekend. So I'm working the weekend. So it's like, but it was a nice run, but at the event Saturday, the pastor was like, the girl came, she said, my pastor want to tell you something.

I said, okay, sure. And he came to talk to me, and he has like a slight speech impediment. But it was clear, it was so clear. He was like, don't know him from a can of paint, never met him before. He was like, the opportunity that you think you missing out on, God got something bigger.

God got something so bigger. The opportunities you think you missing out on, God got something so big. The opportunities you think you missing out on. God got something so big. Like, and told me to tell you not to worry. That it's all coming. Everything is lining up and it's so big. It's gonna be bigger than anything you've ever done and bigger than you can imagine.

I was like, then Samuel Jackson sent me a DM and said, I'm working on putting us in something. See, see, see. I was like, you know, I'm working on something for us. Yes. I was like, I was just crying. Yeah. I was just, he said, I know it's been hard.

The pastor was like, I know it's been hard. I know you feeling restless. Yes. But it's, cause I got off work that morning. I had to think I got off work at five. I left the lot at 5.37 a.m. What? I had to be up got off work at five. I left a lot at 537. What I had to be up at 7 a.m

To get the rest of the the stuff that we were distributing. Yeah, the event was from 12 to 4 That day he don't know me from a campaign that day God at 537 got up at 7 was at went to the Burlington had to be there at 9 to pick up the other coats Yeah, I was at the wrong Burlington. So my sister there at nine to pick up the other coats. I was at the wrong Burlington. So my sister-in-law had went the night before, pulled all the stuff. So I was just going to bite you

because they wouldn't let her use my check. So I was like, okay, I was at the wrong Burlington. I shoot to the other one. I left my wallet at the other brother's. Don't check just one of them days. I said, it's okay, because I have my ID and I have the check. The check would not authorize.

What? I had to go to the Wells Fargo. I got the money out, went, paid for it. Then went to Sam's to get the snacks and stuff we were giving for the kids. Checks still wouldn't work. They also wouldn't let me use my mother's membership. Devil was working every turn.

Devil was working. So then I go, okay, let's just add me to the membership. It's like this whole thing. I was like, please y'all, listen, please. Please. You know how you in the inside, you breaking, like you are breaking. I'm already tired and I mean tired, sleepy, exhausted.

So I had canceled alcohol, tea. I was like, to cancel the glam because I'm not getting up at six. I'm gonna get home at six. I need to go take an hour and a half nap. So finally they do the membership, the check went work. So I had the cash that I got from the bank. I pay, I go outside, right?

Like pushing the buggy. I go exactly where I parked the car. I'm like, I can't find the car. I car. I'm like, I can't find the car. I was like, I can't find the car. I was literally finna have a breakdown, a mental breakdown in the parking lot, just being overwhelmed. And I was like, it's too much.

I was like, God, it's too much. I can't, I cannot, like I cannot. And I had prayed to God. I asked God, I was like, God, please help me, Ms. Brown. And I felt it was so selfish of me to even call on her because like, obviously she has children who are missing her. I was like, please just help me, just help me.

Like, please God. Girl, while I look up, I'm literally standing behind the car. Yeah, you just, yeah, you were at the moment. You were stressed. I couldn't see it though. Because I thought I was in the truck that I normally drive, but I was in my brother-in-law Traverse. You're like, I know I was right here.

I know I parked right here. I was like, it's too much. What's happening right now? And then I took a breath and I prayed. And I was like, God help me. And I look up and I was standing, I just, I was like. He's like, I'm here, right here. Yeah.

Okay. I love that though. I feel like that is symbolic of God. When we're like frustrated, like what is going on? And he's like, I'm right here. You say the car, it could be like symbolic of God. Like you're looking for me, I'm right here. Yeah, even in the stress and like you got so much going on even but the beauty was like

That is when things like that happen. I know that's the ancestors. I know that's God So that's the way that God and ancestors talk to me. It is. Yeah, it's like so many little things So yeah when the pastor said that he didn't know about my day. He didn't know none of that. When I got that DM from Sam J, I was like, what? Okay. Yes, please. Yes.

That is incredible. So yeah, it's those things. It's those moments when I know God and the ancestors are talking to me and using me. I love that. I love that. You mentioned when you moved to LA that you were on probation, what'd you do? I was like, she said, what did I do?

I love a good redemption story. If there's something that we can maybe share to help young women and men. Honestly, at the time, this was a time I actually didn't do nothing. Wow. I was in Georgia Southern. I was in Statesboro at Georgia Southern visiting

while I was in college at Valdosta. And I went down there for my homecoming. Y'all homecomings be popping. Oh, you been? Georgia Southern homecoming. I've been there before. Oh, okay. I went to Valdosta.

Okay. But I had a friend who was there. What is it, Eagle? My mom went to Georgia Southern. Okay. Y'all know what the... Okay. I just went for homecoming one year. But my that went there. My mom is a, what is it, Eagle? My mom went to Georgia Southern. Okay, yeah, I don't know what the, I just went for a homecoming there. But my mom went there.

Okay. And I was going down for my friend's birthday and we drove down from Valdosta. I had accidentally left my license in Valdosta. So we went out that night, had a good time. I left my clothes at my homegirl house. She stayed in an apartment complex. And when I got there, there was a fight going on.

It did not involve me. Now I'm a fighter. Yeah, but you would not fight me. Normally it would have been me. But I was not involved. I was actually innocent this time. So I go to try to get my stuff from her house and the police pull into the parking lot.

So I was like, you know what, me, let's just go. We good. So we walk into the car. I just don't deal with police. We walk into the car. They try to stop me. They asked my name, they asked for my identification. I obviously didn't have none.

So I told them my name and I was like, I ain't got nothing to do with whatever reason y'all are here. We just came from an event. We trying to leave and go where we supposed to stay the night at. So I was like, forget the clothes. We'll borrow some clothes from the people.

Right. We get in the car. I let her drive because she had her license. She, I had been drinking too. So she gets in the front seat. I get in the back seat. I shut the car door. They open the car door and try to pull me out.

What? Yeah, no. So I snatched back and I shut the car door. Yeah, we're not doing that. The second time she opens the car door, she pulls my arm and she slams the car door on my arm. I had a big ass bruise. Damn.

Yeah, it was bad. So again, I had been drinking and I was a fighter. Was, see how I did that? Was, yep. Yeah. You delivered. Yeah, I delivered. Delivered.

So I get out the car and I mean, I fight her. So that did it. The police, oh, okay, yeah fight her. I fought the officer. But she had to come at that point. She did. She did. She did. And so then her partner tried to tase me and my friend stopped it. It was like, if your partner can't handle a hundred pound

girl. So then another male, it was two women officers. Then the male officer comes and he like tries to stop it. He's like, ma'am, get up. Cause at that point she was on the ground. I was on top of her. It was two women officers, then the male officer comes and he like tries to stop it. He's like, ma'am, get up. Cause at that point she was on the ground, I was on top of her. It was a problem. But like you literally, this is the childish thing to say, but she literally started it.

So they were like, we gotta take you to jail. So they took me to jail. They did not allow me a phone call because they said I hate the officer. Thankfully my granddaddy was a Bell's bonds bondsman so when he finally got word to him, but it took a minute because I didn't get a call. So like my friend, she didn't know the code to my phone so she had to try to call around find people.

I was in jail for like a week. What? Yeah. Oh my gosh. Yeah, they had to come up there. Yeah, it was a whole, it was a thing. So I got some felonies and stuff from that, but we got a lawyer. They let them know like, hey, she's got a great grade.

She's staying bright. Like she's on track to graduate. All these things. And they put me on, I played down. They dropped everything to misdemeanors and had to do five years probation. Wow. Wow. Yeah, so early release, with Good Behavior early release in three.

So that's why my early release would have been October 1st, and I could have moved. But when I went August, and I was just so pissed, I was like, mom, I'm not gonna keep letting these people control my life. Like, God already aligned things.

And my mom was so worried. Sometimes she be a worry warden. And I was like, no, I'm going, and I'm just gonna continue to say, I'm still in Georgia. I'm gonna continue to pay their money. Continue to call these folks who want some money. But I'm not moving because of them. I'm not allowing them control over my life.

Like I give you enough, but then when you move too much, it's like, okay, now I gotta put my foot down. It's like I gave you, you know what I'm saying? So that was why I went to jail in Statesboro. And I ain't been back since. I love it. And look at you now. I love that because we all have done things

where we're not proud of or circumstances having this. It's just wasn't even your fault. And a lot of us have fallen into that, especially in our community, have are in jail right now for things that they didn't even, that not even, didn't do or wasn't even responsible for. So for you to share your story, thank you for that. Because I-

And the officer got no, no repercussions. Like they said it was not her first time, but white lady, no repercussions. Wow. Wow. Yeah. And that's scary because that could have been a completely different. It's scary because I know I'm not the first

and I knew I wouldn't be the last. Nope, exactly. So with your, because you do a lot of outreach now, do you do anything in the justice system because of that? I work sometimes with reform to speak out about it, but I haven't like went to visit jails or talked to people who, you know, you don't know who has and hasn't been to jail. So I just tell my story and there are people

who it resonates with, but I haven't like actually actively been in jail. I do try to tell my story because I know there are people who mess up and they do these things and I let them know like, look, yeah, when I moved to LA, I was on probation. I continued to follow things and not get in trouble. So I did get off early. But when I moved out there, I was not off.

And one mistake doesn't determine your path. Yeah, no it doesn't. Like you can, you're not your one mistake. Yeah, that part. Yeah. Yeah. So I tell myself. That's amazing.

I love that. And I think what I also love about the industry we work in is that we can do things no matter what our past is. Because even I know at the studio like we have plenty of guys who have felonies that have done time but they are very hardworking, they're integral, they're amazing co-workers. We feel safe, they get what y'all need. Yeah, they got you. They do. That job was really big in hiring people who may have gotten out of jail and just giving them the chance and the opportunity to.

Tyler does the same thing. That second chance is so important. So important. Yeah. And once he hears, he was locked up, he'll pull them aside, get to know them better, what do you need, is everything good, how's your work environment going for you? And I love that. Yeah.

That's the best part. For me, that's one of the perks of being in the entertainment industry because you can go beyond your past. Yeah. Yeah, and move on. I think people don't talk about the perks enough. I think our entertainment industry gets such a bad rep

of people talking about the darkness and the downside of Hollywood. There's so much light. Yeah. And it discourages so many good people who are pure-hearted. And it's like, there are a lot of great things about this industry. It is. Like, really it's what you make it and what you choose to focus on and put your energy into. But it's a lot of really amazing things in the entertainment industry. It is, it really is. Yeah, so come on Perks. Come on. Not a perc a set, but a perk.

With a K. Just so we hear, cause people be like, oh y'all done perked already. No for real. No. This is a drug preset. Yes, indeed. Yes.

Yes. Do right under God. Amen. That's the only drug we on. I like that. Do right under God. Amen. That's the only drug we own. I like that. Do right under God. You love the tablet though.

I like it. Hey bars. Yes. I love that. So with your crazy busy, first thank you for even coming. I didn't realize you only had two days off and you spent one of them with me. Thank you. Because I know how, girl.

I'm tired right now. Girl, you know, some things, I tell people all the time, right? Like when it comes to your off days, some things feed into you and some things drain you. So I knew this would be like, amazing. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. But how are you balancing it personal?

Cause I know sometimes before therapy, I struggled with balancing my personal life in this career because I feel like it can pull us in so many different directions. We're like, oh my gosh, how do you balance it all? I'm still working on this. Really? Yeah, like, cause Atlanta, Atlanta is,

whenever I'm in Atlanta, it's very, very hard to balance because my family is here, my friends are here, like work is here, like there's going out is here. Like there's all the things and not out like club out, but like going to the games. So it's like, but I'm still figuring it out. Like, okay, where are we gonna sleep?

Yeah, we're gonna get some sleep. Yes. Like somebody has one. And then you wanna date, you know? How's that? Like have you had time? You said I sleep in the night. Dating.

How's that going? Girl, it's going. It's going. It's hard. It's hard. It's going. You know I got my eye on somebody. Okay. Well the streets got their eye on somebody for you.

Who? Oh no. That's not even. The streets keep their eyes on you. I keep them. I keep my eyes on you. I keep them. I keep mine. y'all keep them. But I'm gonna keep my eyes where I keep them. I keep mine. So y'all keep on keeping on. Keep it on, keep it on.

How do you feel about, because I see, every time I see you have like great platonic guy friends, do you feel like that is gonna have like some type of impact on your personal relationship with your man-man? Because you have such a great relationship with you guys? I feel like it just helps me weed out the BS.

Because I have five older brothers. Really? I have no sisters. So that's my comfort. Ah, I got it. Makes sense. I always see, what's the guy that was at the rap concert? Trav.

He's always with you. Yeah, Trav. I love him. He's so chill. He's always like. Yeah, he's always going to be there. I love him. For me, guys, my male friends

that are in my life, I see so much and I learn so much from them. It's so easy for me to identify who is not a good man. Because the men in my life are great. So I can spot a red flag and be like, is this a red flag that we can deal with? Is this a red flag that will go down and this is just a guard red flag?

Or is this like a real hard stop red flag? Like this a red flag that's gonna be a constant later on in life. So I feel like they're not an issue, but if they're an issue for someone that's in my life, then you the problem. Come on, because I got people in my life, they're not going anywhere.

Yeah, and I know them and they're not in no violation. Our relationship is strictly platonic. It's not, they not waiting in the wings. Like it ain't that, it ain't that. So if you're, I get it, some people who have insecurities talk to me, I will be honest and upfront. We can communicate and then if you can't get past the communication of my truth, then you wanna stick

to whatever del whatever you delusion You've made in your head. Yes Sorry, farewell Alright, I love it. I love it. I'm happy for you. I know for me like I just started dating a guy Yeah Come on date. Yes And it's fresh. I think for the last year, yeah, in the last year I've been open to dating. And it was really hard for me because who's here for me?

Like, what do you really want? And we had to like look at this thing through a different lens, you know, just being in the positions we're in. And I really feel good about this. I do, yeah. It's difficult because it's like, like you said, are you here for me?

And do you really like me? Are you, and are you gonna be supportive? And do you really like me? Are you, and are you going to be supportive? Or every time I have something great coming up, are you going to find some way to argue or making about you or like screw up my moment? Or it's like, I don't do that to you. And then- You're like, I see how you cheer everybody on.

So I can imagine how you would be if you're a man. Girl, you are the biggest. It's hard, it's hard, especially finding someone who likes you for you and not what you can, the light that you can bring to them, right? And then someone that you can take around other people who's comfortable in the room, where it's like you're not gonna be a jerk to other people

or you're not gonna feel like you need me to hold your hand through the crowd. Like, no, I'm not going to forget about you, but we both need to be able to move. Yes, yes, yeah. Or it's okay if you don't come. But you can't always not come. Because sometimes it's a moment where I need you to be there.

I need to be able to look out, and even if it's not, we ain't gotta be up under each other. I need that. Yeah, I need that. I need that. I'm with you sis. Yeah, it's like I'm gonna meet you everywhere I go. But sometimes there's gonna be moments where it's like, I just need you.

I've had the moments where it's like, you call someone, they're your piece. So are you gonna be my piece? Can this be mutual? Are we able to grow together? Like, cause it's a sad thing when you got a stone on the person you supposed to be stunned with. It's sad. It's so sad.

Cause we supposed to be doing this together. Yeah. That is so true. That's I prayed that the one you got your eye on is all that you deserve. Seriously, because you deserve that the way way you support and just love on everybody in your orbit, you deserve that back. Thank you. I'm serious, yeah.

Well, I better get it up, because I ain't, if I don't get it up. One thing, listen, I be solo. I be solo before I be sad. Me too. That's why I was by myself all this time, because I was like, I can't. And I think now I'm set at a space

where I can spot the bullshit. I'm like, you know what? Mm-mm. That's not it. I'm happy for you. You dated. You know, you have to, like, cause I used to be in the house all the time.

And my friends like, Crystal, you have to put yourself in the space of, to even attract the type of man that you want. Where are you going? I'm like, nowhere. So he gonna be a door dad. He gonna come to your door. You don't want him. I don't even open the door of man that you want. Yeah. Where are you going? I'm like nowhere. So he's going to be a door dad. He's going to come to your door. You don't want.

I don't even open the door for the door dad. So who this guy? I tell him to drop it off and go and I grab one they out the gate. Yeah. Yeah. So I was like, I don't know. They're like, you got to get out and be more approachable. Because like I'm the type of person I won't make eye contact with people.

Oh. Because you know, like I feel like every time I go out somebody's like, so I try to just be like, you know, just so I can just get to where I'm going and. Then you don't know who's single, who ain't. You're like, I don't wanna be in the mess. Before you know it, it's like, oh, you know she talking. No, no, I'm not.

We took a picture. That was it. That's it, friend. I don't even know that man last name. Literally. I don't even know that man last name. Literally. I don't even know his real name. His real name. I only know his Instagram name.

Real name. Like, yeah, no, people will ship you with somebody real quick. No, real quick. I'm like, what? They did that to me recently with someone that works in the industry as well that I'm really, really good friends with

and we're gonna work on a project next year together. But like immediately we took a picture together and was like, oh, that's her new bae. I'm like, there is no way, like, what? Like where y'all get that from? Yeah. Yeah. And like I didn't make a comment

that I take all my niggas to church, but like, so now y'all taking every nigga I take to church is my damn, like that's not my man. That's not my man. Anybody can get God. And I want everybody to get him. Yes. And I know if I bring you here,

it's gonna help weed out everything. Yeah. Cause he gonna stir up that spirit. Yeah, it's gonna come out. So you can't play with God. So eventually it's gonna come out. So I have no problem with taking people there, but they were trying to figure it out, girl.

They was like, oh, who she brought? Oh, that's gotta be him. So then it's her. I'm like, what? Well, y'all have no idea. That is not it. But I'm gonna let y'all think. But he gets it for you. Yeah, that's the point. I love it. So then it's her. I'm like, what? Like y'all have no idea. That is not it. But I'm gonna let y'all think that. Yeah, go ahead.

I love it, I love it. You just talked about your give back, but you also have a foundation called Dream Above the Influence. What inspired that? You know, I really think mindset is everything. And there are so many people that may grow up in poverty or grow up in a neighborhood or

an environment that is not conducive to what they want to dream or have influences that they're not even necessarily negative influences. They could be around all athletes, but maybe they don't want to be an athlete. They want to be an engineer. And I think it's important that people dream above their influences to know what you want. You know what I'm saying? You don't have to necessarily be, and it's not just dreams, but it's personal of who

you are as a person, but just what you have in the mindset and the life and the future you want for yourself, that it can be more than what your influences are around you. And then I also thoroughly believe like, I hate when people are like, oh, well be around like-minded individuals. But maybe you don't like the way that they treat others. Maybe they're not good people. Just because we got the same, just because we both act,

don't mean we gotta hang out. Just because we both famous, don't mean we gotta be friends. And it's like, no. So I'm trying to more so encourage people to dream about the influence. Don't feel you got to be around like your twins. You know what I'm saying?

Like they ain't the people who want and aspire to same things. You don't have to be in that circle. Me and my best friends, none of us do the same thing. And it's not intentional. And we're great friends, but of us do the same thing. And it's not intentional. And we're great friends, but we all have our own minds. So it's really to try to encourage individuality

and know that you can still be a part of a whole and be an individual. I love that. I love that. Yes. It's a little high under these lights. Go ahead, you can make yourself comfortable. I didn't realize that was a Snowfall Letterman.

That's fire. Yes, this is our season six rap gift. And I just love it. I didn't realize that was a Snowfall Letterman. That's fire. This is our season six rap gift. And I just love it. I love it. That's fire. Okay, so yes. So I want to know all the things I heard that you partnered with the Harris Waltz campaign.

What was that like? Oh man, you know, being a black woman, seeing all the things that BP Harris is doing just to be able to aid in any of that, right? Like I'm a girl's girl. You are. So I'm all for the support. And it was, I got a shout out to Congresswoman Nakeema Williams because she is so like,

come on girl, be involved. She's AKA, I'm an actress. But that's still my sister for life. Yes. So she really kind of kicked things off with making sure that I'm always involved. And if there's anything I ever want to be a part of, being able to have a seat at the table. I love that. I went to the Congressional Black Caucus in DC, probably about three or four years ago.

First time ever, had never heard of it. Really? At all. Yeah, so it's a time. A time. Yes. And ever since then, I've just been like, what can I do to help? Just people know about it and be able to know about their reps and the local level and the laws and the states, births fed, just all of these different things that we don't know.

They don't really teach us. Y'all teach us about a million presidents that's dead. Hello, but not. But you're not teaching us about what's currently happening right now. That is so true. Yeah. It's like you hide our actual black African-American history and you fill us up with social studies that girl, it's not helping us be social.

It is not at all. At all. Yeah, that's so true. So no, it's nice to be a part of real history. Yes. Right? Like this is the history. This is US history that they're gonna teach about in classes, so I'm just very enthusiastic about it.

I've been telling everybody, you vote? You registered to vote? I did, we did the Pea Valley premiere season two. I did a premiere party here. And I made it a whole weekend. We did an adult field day. We registered people to vote. It was a whole thing. So this year really getting people out to the polls and even early voting. Yes early voter

Yeah, I definitely voted because I could not like I feel like a lot of people like my vote doesn't matter. Yes, it does Like it could have been when you look at the first election With Hillary and Donald Trump literally our, or President, I don't wanna be politically correct, that guy. Yeah, the other president. The other president. It was small margins that he won by. If those people who really wanted to vote

for Hillary Clinton had have really gotten up out of their helms, just take the time. It don't take that long. And then with voter suppression and how crazy it is, you have to vote in person. Like if absentee is your last resort, then okay. But I say go early vote, I say vote in person because they are really committing voter fraud out here.

They are, it's a lot going on. Yeah, I just saw, they had something on CNN where they're like some fraudulent stuff going on. I was like, yeah. Here we go again. Here we go again. Here we go again, yeah. But I try to tell people all the time,

when I hear those conversations, like, man, it don't matter. I haven't heard it so much this time around. I think what happened eight years ago with the first, that guy, when he was there, it woke people up. Cause I'm gonna lie to you, I went to bed knowing I was gonna wake up to another Clinton being in office. I was like, oh yeah, we good.

I woke up at like three in the morning, he's bathroom and the CNN was still on. I was like... Wait a minute. Ain't no way. I was like, I way. I was like, I was like, this did not happen. It happened.

So Gail, I know you did a lot on the front lines. It didn't turn out how we wanted. We had our hopes high and we got out there, but you did so much to make sure that people got registered. How does that sit with you? You know you do what you can. And you hope and pray for the best, but you can't sit in okay we didn't win. So now it's like okay this is the result, how do we move forward?

Yes and how do we do with this? How do we not allow ourselves to be buried in the result? So I think it's more like, okay, next time you know you gotta do more. You know, you can only reach those that you can reach and know that, I know I'm not enough. It takes more than just me to change, you know.

We trying to elect the president of the United States. We were trying to literally do the impossible and get a black woman, the first black woman president elected. We fell, but you know, we lost the battle. We didn't lose the war. We did not lose the war. So there'll be more.

There'll be more. Just next time I know I gotta come bigger, harder, heavier, with more people on the front line. And we will win. You know, I mean, it's not the end of the world. It's unfortunate, but it's not the end of the world. And I think right now, the main thing is to encourage people to do what's best for their

mental, to encourage people to not be out here in fear and know that- That's what I'm worried about, the fear. Because I remember January 6th when he was in the office before, the fear that I felt watching that in real time on CNN. I was like, what is happening? Is this where I live? Is this my nation? The great nation of the United States of America?

Is this where I used to pledge allegiance as a child? Like we used to sit there in class every morning and pledge leads to the flag. Is this what I pledge to? And I will say like, I fear what this will incite. And because I saw what happened then and how they tried to downplay it. And I was like, there's nothing to downplay. So it's not.

So... I think we have to get, we have to familiarize ourselves with laws and policies so we can know our rights and protect ourselves because with Trump in office, you never know. You don't know. So you just have to prepare to, you have to prepare yourself, you know, and move forward and find your peace and your happiness. Like it's not the end of the world. Yeah, yeah, for sure.

It's only four years. It's only four years. The way time just flew. Baby, it is flying. We'll be ready for the next election. And it's like, if we don't start preparing now. Yes, right now. For 2028.

Yeah. We'll end up in the same predicament. So how do we, how do we avoid it? Yeah. We gotta get our game plan together. Yeah. Thank you. We gon' be all right. We are. We gon' be all right. We will be. Cause we do. Yeah. We continue to rise above it. Girl, we black. We done went through way worse shit than a terrible ass president. Yeah. We done had a cut. Trump ain't nothing but one of them same other motherfuckers out of the past 40 something presidents. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He wanted it once. Yeah. We. Yeah. No he is. We are. I appreciate your time. Thank you. Thank you so much. I appreciate you. Yes I love you. And we can't be positive. We did, always. That's what we do. That's the easy part, that's what we really do. No, for real, when it's genuine.

Yeah. It ain't on you, bread. It's in you. It's in you. Thank you so much. No, seriously, I know you've had a long 21 days. This is 23 now. Even when you weren't working, you were still busy.

So it's not, you didn't get your proper rest. So I just, I really appreciate you making the time. No, it means the world to me, seriously. Yeah. I wanna hit my mic, but. Right, right. Thank you. You're welcome, love.

Even the new heart. Yeah, what the kids be doing, yeah. The new kids be doing. Yeah, it's like the peace. Uh-huh, peace. And then. Oh, cute. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. Yeah, it's like the peace and then oh

Guys like always there's so much to unpack from my conversation with Gail One of the main things I pulled from this chat was how to listen to God's voice A lot of times we question was that God or is he hearing what I'm saying? But in this conversation I know it's your personal relationship with him and a lot of times when you ask him something he shows you the signs but are you really paying attention? That's it. Shout out to Gail Bean for coming through and sharing her incredible story today. Be sure to follow me on all social media platforms at LoveKrystaRenee. And you can also follow us at Keep It Positive, sweetie.

If you want to write into our positive outcome listener letter, you can send us an email at keepitpositivesweetie.gmail.com. Guys, in the meantime, in between time, you know what to do what to do keep it positive sweetie i'll see you guys next time