The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Carlos King On The Impact Of Black Reality TV, New Production Company, OWN Partnership + More

Episode Date: July 1, 2025

Today on The Breakfast Club, Carlos King On The Impact Of Black Reality TV, New Production Company, OWN Partnership. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnys...tudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:02:09 Yep, it's the world's most dangerous morning show, The Breakfast Club. DJ Envy, Jess Hilaria, Charlamagne N'Gaba, Envy's not here, Lauren LaRosa is, and we got a very special guest in the building. And I am insulted at YouTube, Google, because I went to go Google Carlos just to see what they say he is. They called you a goddamn YouTuber.
Starting point is 00:02:26 You're not a reality TV show producer mogul. Yes. Well, no, I'm definitely a multi-hyphenate like everybody in this room. So, yes, listen, I'm a CEO of a production company, Kingdom Entertainment. I am somebody who has a YouTube channel. I am the host, EP of my podcast, Reality with the King. I'm a certified Yapper, and you know, I'm a Libra. Carlos King is here, y'all. What's happening, what's happening, what's happening?
Starting point is 00:02:58 So happy to be here. Talk about a bit, because to Charlamagne's point, when people talk about Carlos King, Reality with the King is a big show. People know the moments, but I don't think people really understand that you were very integral in a lot of our favorite reality TV, Real Housewives of Atlanta, the opening seasons. Talk about that journey in your career.
Starting point is 00:03:16 Yeah, so listen, I'm the first black man to ever exactly produce the Real Housewives franchise in general. So Atlanta was my first one, season six. And to this day, under my leadership, season six of The Real Housewives of Atlanta still remains the highest rated season on any show on Bravo. So, you know, for me, I am somebody who takes my career very seriously when it comes to the amount of work I've done. Real Housewives of Atlanta, Real Housewives of New Jersey, and because of that is when I left the show
Starting point is 00:03:48 to start my production company, Kingdom Rain Entertainment, and now I'm the creator, executive producer of Love and Marriage Huntsville, which is the number one show on Oprah Winfrey's network. I read an article on Outlet that says that that show is responsible for 69% of all original programming hours on own. Yeah so my production company Kingdom rank entertainment produces 69% of the programs on Oprah's network How do you
Starting point is 00:04:18 How do you Figure out like what you want to do or what you want to get involved in because love in maritime ville original idea Yes Where does that come from? I love black people. I'm somebody who is interested in telling black stories I love black couples and I felt that at the time There wasn't a reality show that focus on black couples and their relationships when it comes to not the man Being behind the woman like on a Housewives or a theme ensemble show. One thing I know about men, straight men, they have an opinion.
Starting point is 00:04:51 I'm a little crooked. You know, listen. That's one of the cross. You know what I'm saying? Listen, listen. A straight black man, as we see with the million podcasts people have, they have an opinion.
Starting point is 00:05:02 And I wanted to do a show for the first time where the man and the woman had equal footing and billing on the show. And Love and Marriage Huntsville has been the number one show on own for the past six years. How did you go about casting the couples? Are these friends of yours or do you know? No, so I had a meeting with a then couple
Starting point is 00:05:21 named Melody Martell who wanted to do a show about property preservation. And I was was like not sure about that so I said find me some people I want to do a show about couples they introduced me to the Scots and the rest is history. What originally drew you to unscripted TV and what keeps you passionate about it? Yeah so listen I'm a journalist hey Portia hey Lauren I'm a journalist I grew up watching Oprah Winfrey the late Ananda Lewis who was my idol for so many years and still remains and For me, I wanted to just be somebody who was able to report on real people stories real people issues So when I got the bug and the call to produce the real house with the Atlanta
Starting point is 00:06:04 That's the first reality show I've done. And the moment Charlamagne, I stepped on set. I felt like how you all feel, it's like when your purpose meets your passion. And I felt that God created me to be a storyteller and to tell people's stories in the most authentic way. And doing on scripted is the blessing that I never thought I needed.
Starting point is 00:06:25 Wow. It really is. You talk about why though? Because the thing is this. I feel like everybody has a story. So when I started my podcast, Reality with the King, I wanted to create a safe space where people were able to
Starting point is 00:06:40 be unprovoked, not judge and be able to just sit with somebody who cares about them and say, this is my truth, and this is how I feel. And for me, when it comes to reality television, there's nothing that makes me more happy than to see regular people live their wildest dreams. I think it's the most important blessing of my life.
Starting point is 00:07:05 When you think about season six of Real Housewives of Atlanta, right? We all know all the historic cast members of Real Housewives of Atlanta. What makes a cast member must watch TV to you? Is it personality, is it vulnerability, is it drama, or just something else that we might be missing? It's all of the above.
Starting point is 00:07:20 And what's funny is, so when I cast women and men on my shows, the number one question they ask me is, what are you looking for? And I always say, I want authenticity. The reason why the three of you are so amazing at your job is because people wake up in the morning and want to listen and watch what the three of you have to say. So for me, it's all about being authentic, being vulnerable. And listen, we all like a little excited life that may be a little messy, just like the world is. So that-
Starting point is 00:07:52 Put your scarf on and go live. Excuse me? What? What? What? Well, you know. Don't ever do that. The hair is laid and she can do it on the scarf.
Starting point is 00:08:03 You know, Jess had to get the mess off of her chest. Do you mind calling that, Mariah? Jess had to get the mess off her chest. That's a hot 16. Shout out to Nikki. So for me, I love that. That's why when Jess went live and was talking her truth, I called Jess and Lauren and said, hey,
Starting point is 00:08:20 I have a podcast called Reality with the King. You want to come on and talk to me? So that's what I do. You sure did, yeah. I have a podcast called Reality with the King. You want to come on and talk to me? So that's what I do. You sure did. I did. But you've been also to, even from the first day I met you, you've been really encouraging of us. You spoke to me about just before all of that, and you spoke to me about just this environment.
Starting point is 00:08:40 What has that looked like for you mentorship wise? So because it was, I didn't even know you, but you were like, here's what you need to do. Here's what you like. Why are you that way? And what does that? Because I know what it's like to grow up in this crazy business and just wanting to be heard. Yeah, I know what it's like to be the only in the room.
Starting point is 00:08:58 I'm an openly gay black man. Shocker. I know this voice is so deep, so much base in it. But for me, I know what it's like to be the only one I know what it's like to feel alone. And I know what it's like to be a black person in a space where everybody feels like they know you. So when I saw what the two of you were going through, I was great TV. Yeah, no, listen, listen, listen, listen, you first listen, listen. You first of all, Charlotte Maine is the Carlos King of Radio.
Starting point is 00:09:30 I normally would say Andy Cooper, but definitely. Yes. I said, Charlotte, I mean, it's like my spirit out of love because he was like, I mean, you know, say what you got to say. Say it now. Get off your chest. And then gave me a hug before he said that. She's crying and you was like,
Starting point is 00:09:46 you felt that way? I was like, what's wrong with me? She's been crying for weeks. And then go say, why I see her cry all the time? And don't. Right. I don't. Don't and shut up and don't ask me anything.
Starting point is 00:09:57 So for me, I love black people, I really do. And I am everybody's mentor. I'm known as somebody who loves all the girls. Every single reality star has contacted me to give them advice. They slide in my DMs to, no shade, to hop on my shows. But other than that, they do want somebody who looks like me to say, how do I go about doing this?
Starting point is 00:10:24 And that's why mentorship is very important to me because I want to be able to give back to my community in a way that feels safe. And I heard you mention you want to be the change in the industry right? Yes. So that's what you're talking about when you say I want to be the change in the industry. Yes I want to be the agent of change because there isn't anybody at the scale of producing in which I do that is black. I literally am like the face of black reality production. And I take that very seriously.
Starting point is 00:11:00 And that's why for me I have given so many opportunities to black people unscripted. I have created so many jobs for people and there's nothing, honestly guys, that makes me happier than when I go to work and I see so many black people look like me and they're working for me and I promote them and I give them raises and I send them off to do everything. So for me, I wanna be that because no one did that for me
Starting point is 00:11:24 truly as a black man in this business. You know, there's always a fine line between storytelling and exploitation in reality TV. How do you know when you've crossed it and do you care? I do care, I do care. I have a show called Bell Collective. A wonderful woman named Marie Monroe has a mother who abuses drugs currently and has been doing that since
Starting point is 00:11:48 Marie was a little girl. It was Marie's decision to have that story be told on the show. We told the story. In one particular episode, Marie was looking for her mother and she was searching for her through crack houses and we were following it. And we of course wanted the end of the story to be she was searching for her through crack houses. And we were following it. And we of course wanted the end of the story to be she was getting healed, because that was Marie's intention. The moment I saw that this woman had a problem that didn't look like she was going to be healed,
Starting point is 00:12:18 I ceased shooting with her. And I said that at some point will feel like we're exploiting this woman who clearly still Has a drug abuse situation that is prominent Today and I did not want to be somebody to use my millions of viewers and audiences To show a black mother Dealing with that for the rest of the show So I see production on that one.
Starting point is 00:12:45 And then even before you get to her, even some of the other extra crackheads and some of the houses that you have followed them in, they was probably like, damn, you ain't telling us that they was coming today. Yeah, we have to bluster faces. Real crack houses of Atlanta would be fired. Oh, I'll show them. My boy, it would be fine.
Starting point is 00:13:01 That would be all. See, that would be fine. The Carlos King of radio. That would be lit. Oh, see. That would be lit. The Carlos King of radio. You calling Mocha Minnish for the rest of the day? Yeah, Charlotte, man, you are. One of the girls. Not one of the girls.
Starting point is 00:13:15 No. On one side, they say, do you know this? Us gays love you. I tell them that on the side. I know the kids love me. They call me, they say I'm trade. Yeah. I'm not trade.
Starting point is 00:13:24 No. And when I say Carlos. What? They call me they say I'm trade No, but it's Is and I had lock it trade is a black masculine Well, not black a masculine man That looks like this. You know, with your basketball shorts and t-shirt every day. I'm with it. Yeah, it's like very light.
Starting point is 00:13:51 Yeah, we like short brown around over here. That's what I was waiting for you to say. They be like, he's so round, he's so thick. I be like, can y'all stop? Oh my God! I was talking about that time, I was walking out of Bi-Com in 1550. What happened?
Starting point is 00:14:04 I was walking out of Bi-Com, it was about four brothers, right? I didn't even pay no attention. I'm walking out of Viacom in 1550. What happened? I was walking out of Viacom. It was about four brothers, right? I didn't even pay no attention. I'm walking right. So I'm minding my business. All I hear is, uh-uh, Charlamagne, don't you walk over here. Don't you walk past us with all that ass and not say nothing. Excuse me?
Starting point is 00:14:17 Yes! We love that. Sorry. He was big blushing too. He was? I wasn't. I went back. All right, Charlamall. You went back?
Starting point is 00:14:25 What? How what? Exactly. Oh my God. He talked about him. So I want to go back to something that you said before you were saying that, you know, you wanted to be the change in the industry.
Starting point is 00:14:37 What were some of the things that you had to go through before you even got to that? Like, you ever mistreated in the industry before you got to where you are? Yes, I, good question. I remember being a producer and I worked really hard and I climbed the ladder the right way. I was a PA, AP, I had every step in this business. And I remember I had these set of mentors who I thought were like everything to me. And long story short, I reached out to them for advice. Like, oh my gosh, you know, I have an opportunity to be an executive producer.
Starting point is 00:15:17 I need some advice. What should I do? Do you know an agent? Should I get an agent? And all these things. Long story short, they went behind my back and told my bosses. I did not deserve the promotion Wow Why because what I have learned in this business is Everybody wants you to do great as long as you're not doing better than them
Starting point is 00:15:39 And that was a tough pill for me to swallow and I remember crying about that because it was my first time experiencing betrayal from people who I thought were looking out for me. So when I experienced that, I said to myself, no black person in my wheelhouse would ever have to go through that again. And that's the reason why my company, I have an open door policy. I speak to everybody from the PA, to the grip,
Starting point is 00:16:07 to the sound person, to the executives, because I want everybody to know that when they work for Carlos King, we're gonna have a great time, we're gonna work really hard. But you also have somebody where the owner of the company is gonna shake your hand and speak to you and say thank you at the end of the shoot.
Starting point is 00:16:23 You know what I was always wondering about black reality TV stars, they seem to not get the same mainstream deals or magazine covers. Why do you think the industry still treats black reality stars like they decide this and not the entree? Especially when they had success like Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Starting point is 00:16:38 A lot of people talk like that about Nini. They feel like she should have more. Yes, Nini to me is the Meryl Streep of reality television. And we're going to put some respect on her name for sure. We all have benefited from Mimi Leakes. And I'm comfortable saying that given the woman her must do in this business, I think when it comes to black reality stars, unfortunately, just like any black woman, any industry,
Starting point is 00:17:02 you aren't given the investment that you deserve. You're not. Whether it's the music industry, whether it's journalism, whether it's the medical field, it's an unfortunate fact that when it comes to black women in any industry, black women lead the charge. They're the curators. They're the curators, you know, they're the taste makers. But unfortunately, advertisers feel like if they're not white, would the consumer buy into that?
Starting point is 00:17:30 And I think they will. And that's why when you look at Portia Williams, the cover of People magazine, Bernardine Peters, Angela Bassett. You know, like you look at Portia and listen, I'm going to say this because I believe in it. I think Portia Williams is currently the the black Kim Kardashian of our time. And I think we need to look at her as somebody who is going to make so many strides in this business. And I believe strongly her People magazine cover illustrated that fact.
Starting point is 00:18:07 And when I saw that, I was like, where's her deals now? Oh, she has, she has Pamela Portia, she got a lot. But I'm like, that to me, that to me really showcased like this woman's about to set things on fire like she did that car. You said it was iconic. Oh, well, like I think Portia's so iconic,
Starting point is 00:18:26 and I just love her so much because, again, she's what Charlamagne and I just talked about. She's vulnerable. She's funny. She's authentic. And she's having a season where she's going through a divorce. And that's challenging. I think anyone who's going through a divorce
Starting point is 00:18:42 sees that and understands that. And if woman who's going through a divorce sees that and understands that. And if you have never gone through a divorce, I think you will never understand what that does to a woman. It does something to a woman. And I've seen it with Nini Leakes. I've seen it on my shows, Love and Marriage. I've seen it across the world,
Starting point is 00:19:00 and I think we have to really give her some grace. Yeah. You, I was gonna ask, did you see the interview that Simon recently did with Page Six where he talked about marriage? How did you feel about that interview and him throwing a lot of the blame on Portia? Well, I think that, I think it's one of the situations
Starting point is 00:19:16 where I don't know Simon. I met Simon at the wedding for the first time. Which wedding? The Nigerian one. At the time I was with an African who looked like Charlamagne. I'm thinking that. I know that's right! Yes!
Starting point is 00:19:29 Where was he from? Where? The Mali region? That's where I'm from. Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal. I don't know! You know that, but you don't know. Where's your widow?
Starting point is 00:19:37 Char, he couldn't have been related to Simon. I don't know! So was he the plus one for the wedding? I mean, you know. Yeah, he was. He couldn't have been related to Simon. I don't know. So was he the plus one for the wedding? I mean, you know. Yeah, he was. He couldn't have been related to Simon. He couldn't have been related to Simon. Oh my God! What'd you say? What'd you say? Was he circumcised? That's a weird question!
Starting point is 00:19:45 Stop boy! Yes he was! Yes! That's an excuse! I like all my meat cuts, so my thing is- well I'm vegan now, so- Kolo! Kolo! My vegan meat.
Starting point is 00:19:55 Stop, yes! You know, I like a good amount of protein. But my thing is vegan, so my thing is vegan. I'm vegan. I'm vegan. I'm vegan. I'm vegan. I'm vegan well I'm vegan now, I'm trying to make so. Kala! My vegan meat. Stop, yes, please. You know, I like a good amount of protein.
Starting point is 00:20:09 But my thing is this, I met Simon at the wedding day, the Nigerian wedding. It was me. Show me how good it can get today, God. And show the rest of the world what we already know. It can't get no better than being Hella Black, Hella Queer, and Hella Christian. My name is Joseph Rees. I am the creator and host of Hella Black,
Starting point is 00:20:32 Hella Queer, Hella Christian. A fully black, fully queer, fully human, fully divine podcast that explores society, culture, and the intersections of faith and identity. Listen to Hella Black, Hella Queer, Hella Christian to hear conversations about what it means to sound the way you look. I think what I've had to make peace with is that every iteration of my voice is given to me by God and I love it. Books that validated our identity.
Starting point is 00:20:57 The library now for me is a safe space as someone who is writing books that they're trying to take off of shelves. And how we as black queer folks relate to our Christianity. Listen to Hella Black, Hella Queer, Hella Christian on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Over the past six years of making my true crime podcast, Hell and Gone, I've learned one thing. No town is too small for murder. I'm Catherine Townsend. I've received hundreds of messages from people across the country
Starting point is 00:21:31 begging for help with unsolved murders. I was calling about the murder of my husband. It's a cold case. I've never found her and it haunts me to this day. The murderer is still out there. Every week on Hell and Gone Murder Line, I dig into a new case, bringing the skills I've learned as a journalist and private investigator to ask the questions no one else is asking. Police really didn't care to even try. She was still somebody's mother,
Starting point is 00:21:55 she was still somebody's daughter, she was still somebody's sister. There's so many questions that we've never gotten any kind of answers for. If you have a case you'd like me to look into, call the Hell and Gone Murder Line at 678-744-6145. Listen to Hell and Gone Murder Line on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
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Starting point is 00:23:36 but the most unforgettable part, our roommate, Reggie Payne, from Oakley, sports editor and aspiring rapper. And his stage name, Sexy Sweat. In 2020, I had a simple idea. Let's find Reggie. We searched everywhere, but Reggie was gone. In February 2020, Reggie was having a diabetic episode. His mom called 911.
Starting point is 00:24:01 Police cuffed him face down. He slipped into a coma and died. I'm like thanking you. But then I see my son's not moving. No headlines, no outrage, just silence. So we started digging and uncovered city officials bent on protecting their own. Listen to Finding Sexy Sweat on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Zell Bryant sitting next to each other and I saw the love in that room and you had to be there to understand
Starting point is 00:24:36 there was love there. I am shocked that Simon has decided to go this route when it comes to creating a narrative about his wife. listen, I wasn't there. I wasn't in the bedroom. I don't know what happened. But I do think when it comes to a man, at the end of the day, I do think there's some sort of protection
Starting point is 00:24:58 that needs to happen to where you have to look at her mental health and understand that I do believe that everybody should tell their own story, but I do think it comes to a point to where it could be too much. And I think as a man, you have to decide, like, I got my point across and I'm done.
Starting point is 00:25:23 And I hope that Simon, in his quiet times, understands that. I feel like he did an interview, he got his story out, and I think now is the time to be like, all right, bro, we heard you. Also, Tudor, you gotta look at it and think to yourself how much of that is projection. Because, I mean, he's going through a lot of trying shit.
Starting point is 00:25:41 For sure. He just was locked up, you got deported, now you gotta step set up, like shopping a whole new place. Even though you're from there. Where is he at? Dubai or Nigeria? I don't know. He's in Nigeria.
Starting point is 00:25:51 Nigeria. Nigeria. Yeah. I mean, he can go between both, but I think he's in Nigeria. Yeah. He just can't come back to America. I just think, when I saw that interview,
Starting point is 00:25:57 I just saw a lot of projection. Yeah, I saw a lot of pain. And listen, I'm not here to dissect that man's emotion and what isn't real or not. I believe he obviously, listen, I know there was love there. I was at the wedding and Porsche teared up and I saw so much love between those two that I am shocked that things are where it's at now. But with that being said I do think at some point you have to put down you know the missile and just say I will deal with this now privately so hopefully that happens.
Starting point is 00:26:33 Has, is that all the questions about Portia? I know you want to get it out. No no no that's it. Okay has doing reality TV ever been challenging to you to the point where you're like all right look I'm done with this shit. Like, I'm walking away from this. Like, has there ever been a moment where it got personal for you, although it's business?
Starting point is 00:26:51 Oh, just with the, okay. You know what I'm saying, I learned, I learned. I learned a little bit. You know, look, I think, oh, okay, I'm gonna say this now. Okay, look, I think there is a time to where you have to take inventory of what's happening in an industry. And I look at reality television now.
Starting point is 00:27:14 And it's not what it used to be. Yeah, I started in 2008. Like I was there when Nini Leakes had a quick weave. Okay, you know, I'm saying I was there when Sheree have broken gates in her million dollar home. You know, I'm saying? I was there when Sheree had broken gates in her million dollar home. Beginning. You know what I'm saying? Like I was there when things were real and women joined the show because they were like, this could be interesting. And obviously, listen, be famous and all those things and whatever. I don't like where it's heading to where I feel like a lot of people joined the show for the wrong reasons. And they don't understand that it's a, you're doing a deal where you have to exchange
Starting point is 00:27:53 your privacy for publicity. And when you hear reality stars saying, I ain't talking about that, that's too real. Or when they use social media to turn people against the production because they don't like the fact that the audience doesn't like them in this particular episode. You know what I mean?
Starting point is 00:28:12 Like we all have bad moments. You know, I felt for you when you, you know, talked about your situation, I felt bad for you. You're good. But you know, because he loves, he loves, he's like me. He's like, was my name spelled right? OK, I'm good. Because that's Charlamagne.
Starting point is 00:28:29 Did you get the G in the end of the E because the G is silent? OK, so I. So for me, I do understand that this is a tough industry because of social media. And I have said that social media has killed the reality star. Tell me more. Because social media has poisoned the reality star
Starting point is 00:28:54 into behaving in a way that pleases them. And the reality star, if they're not strong enough, and if they don't have the right people around them, they can fall into that trap and they can lose opportunities because nobody wants to be around somebody who constantly is berating someone when you're like we were good oh but that episode aired and you don't like the feedback that you're getting so now all of a sudden it's editing fault.
Starting point is 00:29:26 But baby, during the production we were good. You know, we had a watch party, it was great. You got the episode, you was like, yay. And then user 3079 said, I hate you B, and you like production. And it's like like come again. So those days to me are definitely diminishing and that's the reason why, look,
Starting point is 00:29:51 Reality with the Kings of Hip podcast and that's why I'm so happy to announce that we have partnered with Black Effect. Hey. Hey. I heard that was coming, congratulations. Reality with the Kings of Black Effect. I love that. Yeah, so shout out to Charlotte May,
Starting point is 00:30:03 I really appreciate you. Listen, you're somebody who I always looked up to since your days being with Wendy. And I feel like our stories are so parallel because I know what it's like to be the sidekick. And I know what it's like to just want to be able to, of course, service the person who you're working for, but also have your own dreams and desires. So with my podcast joining the Black Effect Network, you know, expect things to be bigger and bolder and listen, I think for me it shows that you have two black men who are powerful in
Starting point is 00:30:36 their own individual industries but I believe this partnership will show the world and the community and the culture that two black men, okay, can join forces with no ego and figure out a landscape to where we can do business on a multi-level scale. So the fact that this partnership is happening, me and Charlamagne about to make a lot of money. Yeah, and I'm looking forward to, you know, learning the world of Unscripted, you know, through you. Yeah, you. And I'm looking forward to learning the world of unscripted through you. Yeah. That's what I want Black Effect to be,
Starting point is 00:31:07 a multimedia company, right? Multimedia production company. So we've already talked about doing unscripted stuff. Yes, yes. Including a show with your wife and your kids. No, I'm not doing that. I tried. I tried.
Starting point is 00:31:20 I tried. I tried. She will tell you. Don't even. No, I'm saying that. No, I'm serious. No, I love that because I'm newly single and I love it when you have a partner. She would never.
Starting point is 00:31:33 Who support. No, no, no, no. I love that Charlamagne, Steve Harvey, I look, and LeBron. I love that when you have a partner that is supportive, and one thing I have listened to you talk about your wife, you, LeBron, Gucci, with Akisha K. Or, and you, LeBron, Steve, and Gucci have all said,
Starting point is 00:32:00 I'm good, but I'm great because of my wife. When you see him and his dynamic with his wife, realize that like literally I thank God for her because yeah She is and I watch him and I'm like, oh you need that like it's like yin and yang Like she is the she's the one for real. Yeah, she's amazing. She would never do that show though Sit down with her she be like about what no no we're gonna sit down with Carla. She'd be like, by what? No, no, we're gonna sit down and have dinner, but there'll be no cameras around. Oh, she will, I know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Starting point is 00:32:30 But question, when you talk about, you know, working alongside people in one of your just do, where are you and Mona Scott Young today? Oh my God, that's my mentor forever and ever and ever. She was on Reality with the King. The beauty of Mona is this. People really try to pit us against each other. Yeah, I've learned so much from Mona Scott working with Love and Hip Hop.
Starting point is 00:32:53 And I saw this black woman, baby, come in and set shit on fire. And when I say that, I mean with her wisdom and her knowledge. And I've learned so much from her and she and I we were just at Connie Orlando's Foundation celebrating the BET Awards two weeks ago in LA. She is and always will be a woman that I have great respect for and I do feel like when it comes to Mona a lot of people do not understand the strides she made as a black one in the music industry you know alongside the late Chris Lighty so no I love Mona we're good. Was there a time you
Starting point is 00:33:34 felt pressure to dilute black narratives to fit mainstream expectations? No no no no and it's funny because a lot not a lot all of my shows are starring black people and I've received the notion of like what do some shows some white folks and I Not saying that I wouldn't I'm a storyteller first, but for me, I hate that Because when you say why don't you do shows with white people or why you only do shows with black people? No one talks to other production companies and say you have a lot of white shows only do shows with black people, no one talks to other production companies and say you have a lot of white shows
Starting point is 00:34:11 Because they look at it as it being mainstream and when you say that you're I'm gonna say it You're pretty much calling black folks second-class citizens. Like why not? Why why aren't we able to work together? And that's why our collaboration with the with my podcast and black effect is really one of my ways of showing people that sure, I could have went to this network and that network and we had so many offers, but when Dolly Bishop, salute to Dolly. Yes, the president of Black Effect, when she reached out to me and said,
Starting point is 00:34:36 me and Charlamagne would love for you to be a part of our network, it was a no brainer for me. I literally, and my management would be mad, because I thought to myself during the meeting, like, yes, I'll do it. But you know, like the team do they thing. But I was thrilled to know that we could work well together and really show people that listen, I saw centers baby and I'm all about black ownership and black power. Absolutely. You're not just producing shows, you're building a brand with Kingdom Rain. So what's your vision for Kingdom Rain beyond even television?
Starting point is 00:35:05 Yeah, so listen, we will be a multi-media production company, we will do podcasting, we will do unscripted television and scripted. And with me at the helm of this production company, it's all about really following the trends of where we are now. You and I spoke about that two weeks ago with what Kai Sinead is doing.
Starting point is 00:35:24 That's right, Sinead is doing with the guy Yeah, so like there's stuff that I want to do I'm a disruptor in this industry and I want to have fun Creating stuff that people are like I had no idea you were been thinking about that So expect more from us in all facets of this industry you think when you watch what Kai is doing Yes, you think that would work in reality TV could you do a reality show? expect more from us in all facets of this industry. You think when you watch what Kai is doing, do you think that would work in reality TV? Could you do a reality show that's live like that?
Starting point is 00:35:52 Yeah, yeah. I mean, look what Juski is doing with his dating show on YouTube. But that's edited though, that's for Juski. It is edited, but I also, I say all that to say, there's an audience that wants to see someone of that status doing something unscripted realm, and I think what Kai is doing
Starting point is 00:36:08 can definitely work in unscripted, just like having cameras in the house doing it live. Love Island is like the hottest show out right now, and it comes on six days a week, and that's like around the clock and all that stuff, and I think me and Charlamagne should call Kai and figure out what we can do together to really show some live elements what he's doing absolutely not to put you on the spot Kai But you know or Charlie we can do it. Do you think?
Starting point is 00:36:31 Yes, do you think that Bravo? This is a hard left. Do you think Bravo owns? O's Kenya more some money money well I don't know Kenya's deal. I don't know Kenya's deal. But what I will say about Kenya Moore is I work with her and I'm gonna say this. Kenya Moore is one of the rare reality stars who did everything for that show. Everything. What does everything look like?
Starting point is 00:37:02 Kenya Moore cared. She cared about telling her own personal story. She cared about asking questions where things would be swept under the rug. She cared about who was joining the show. She cared about if they fit. She cared about making amends with people. She cared about making sure that Carlos King was happy.
Starting point is 00:37:24 You know, like she cared about that. It was very sad to see her be let go. But what I will say is, I think there's an opportunity for her to return. And I think she deserves to return. She is the sheer definition of a force multiplier. And I want Kenya Moore to be somebody who understands her value and her worth
Starting point is 00:37:47 and to do whatever her heart desires. And if that's coming back to the show, fantastic. If that's doing other things, she has a YouTube channel she's doing. We all love Kenya Moore and she is forever the American black beauty of our generation. Yeah, I love Kenya. I wanna ask you something as a producer, right?
Starting point is 00:38:05 When you look at own and you make up like 60, you said 69% of the content on, I think about what 50 cent did with stars. Yes. What Tyler Perry does with BET. Yes. Is that the move? Is that how producers should be thinking?
Starting point is 00:38:16 Like let me lock in with a network and. Yeah, I was listening. Our industry is going through a crisis and I love so much. Listen, I grew up watching Oprah Winfrey with my mother. So to be able to have a production company that I own produce 69% of the shows for her network under the leadership of the president Tina Perry,
Starting point is 00:38:37 the hit up on script that Drew Tappan, to be able to work with them, Charlotte Maine, and to provide so many shows for them, that is the goal. It is the goal to do that. I think about Taylor Sheridan and Paramount. Yeah, no, and I have such respect and adoration for them, and they do for me, and I will forever, for the rest of my life, as I have breath in my lungs,
Starting point is 00:38:59 to produce for that network. They have given me so many opportunities. I host reunion shows for the shows I produce for the network. And we have an amazing work relationship. But yes, I think that is a future. And I think, listen, I think it's with any situation, you find a home that loves you, respects you,
Starting point is 00:39:18 and values you, and own is that. And look, I'm able to produce for other networks, but for me, nothing is more valuable than my relationship with OWN. Yeah, I'm not gonna say the network, but there was a network that came to me one time, and it was like, okay, we want you to be the producer, and you're gonna be with this writer,
Starting point is 00:39:33 and we're gonna be working with three producers and three writers. So figure it out. And I'm like, damn. So clearly, I guess that's where these networks are going nowadays. Well, listen, but you have to really, and I think just follow the model that works for you.
Starting point is 00:39:48 What 50 Cent has done for Stars and has done for subscriptions for that platform, you have to know your value and your worth. And I think, listen, you are Charlamagne, and I think you can go to any network and get a show Greenlit for sure, if that's what you want to do, but also think there's something valuable
Starting point is 00:40:05 about going to one home saying, why can't I just produce multiple shows for you guys? Versus just constantly running around finding a home to do that for. And the consistency. So which network fumbled the bag by not locking you into a multi-show deal before or on? So Lauren, your bob looks good.
Starting point is 00:40:21 It's not folding under. You know what my bob be doing watching you? It's not folding under. I want what my bobby doing? Watching you. It's not flying. I'm on it on the network. For real, because I felt like you should have a situation with Bravo. I felt like VHS. Like there's a lot of networks that you've been loosely associated with, but that we know behind the scenes in a big way.
Starting point is 00:40:36 Why didn't it happen after all this Real Housewives success? And what's going on in Carlos? Well, listen, I'm somebody where I go where I'm valued. And sometimes what that means is not that there's any beef or anything. But when you grow up in this business, right, sometimes people see you as one thing. And what I love about own is they saw me as a formidable producer, but they also saw me as an extraordinary CEO.
Starting point is 00:41:06 They also saw me as talent. So to have a home that sees you as those three things is what means the most to me. And look, I pitched to all networks and I love them all too. However, I value a network like OWN that sees Carlos King as more than one thing and the fact that Reality with the King has a show on OWN, okay, that comes on July 18th, so watch it. Like that's dope. Like for them to come to me and say, we see your hit podcast. Let's create a talk show for our network. You know what I mean? But I also have a show idea. Can you produce it?
Starting point is 00:41:56 You so I, I, I listen, I, I, I have nothing but more love and respect for them. And, um, it shows. I rather you see, I rather see you doing that on own. I mean, Andy Cohen been at Bravo doing the same thing forever, so I would rather see Carlos King doing that on own, producing shows, having his own talk show. It just makes all the sense. Is that what led to that conversation you just had about
Starting point is 00:42:16 being seen in the proper way? Is that what led to, because there's always been a rumor that there's this thing with you and Andy Cohen that isn't the best relationship. Yeah, that's false. That's false. He and I are fine. I have said this to him personally, and I'll say it publicly,
Starting point is 00:42:30 he is somebody that you have to be blind to not see that he paved the way for people like me. For producers to be able to host reunions, for producers to be able to be seen as talent, and we're not going to negate that for him. Again, when you are two people doing great work, the audience wants to pitch you against each other. They tried to do that with the two of you, right? They tried to do that with Brandi and Monica, and the fact that you two came together, Brandi and Monica are now on tour, I'm not going to fall into that trap.
Starting point is 00:43:08 I am an amazing version of Carlos King and at the same time in my same breath, I can give Andy Cohen his props for being the best at what he does. And I think when it comes to social media, who love to try to say, you're trying to beat him. I'm not, I really am not. I own a production company. I have a podcast. I'm a YouTuber according to Wikipedia.
Starting point is 00:43:34 You know what I mean? Like I want my people and I'm gonna talk to my people alone cause a lot of them do say that. He's trying to be be stop falling under the microscope of us being compared to somebody who is white. That's right. It's it's it's you are really shedding light on your own insecurities. I'm not insecure.
Starting point is 00:44:01 So when people say I'm not offended at all, but I do want my people to really respect what I have done and respect my name and respect my legacy and respect what I have done for my community and what I'm still doing. When you go on set of a Carlos King show, you're going to see people who look like my cast. I'm the only one doing that. The only one. Yeah. Do you feel like you get that respect now? No, I don't. No, no. I'm the only one doing that, the only one. Yeah. Do you feel like you get that respect now?
Starting point is 00:44:26 No, I don't. No, no, listen, the raindrops, my fans, they see it, but no, listen, I don't, but I don't do it for that. I'm a very spiritual person. I know that God gave me this life to honor him. When I reached the pearly gates, God is not gonna say, now hold on honey, let me see what they said about you on social media, child.
Starting point is 00:44:50 The Shave Room Postie, like they're not gonna do that. And that's the reason why I don't crash out, is the reason why when people try to comfort me, I don't respond to them, because I understand that y'all need that. Social media is a playground of misfits. And every once in a while, I like to go in the playground and throw sand,
Starting point is 00:45:11 you know what I'm saying? By looking through the comments, we all do. You see your post that shit, you like. What they saying? What they saying? Are they saying what I think they're gonna say, what I'm thinking? So I get all that.
Starting point is 00:45:21 Can't let it affect you though. It will never affect me to the point where I'm going to lose the respect of people who give me opportunities. Ain't none of y'all worth that. Can't let it affect you though. It will never affect me to the point where I'm going to lose the respect of people who give me opportunities. Ain't none of y'all worth that. I know that's right. Nah. Clock it. That's it. One, two, three, four, five.
Starting point is 00:45:33 Wait, are you talking about? Yeah! Yes, it is. Yes, Salaamay! Mocha Minis! Yes, he doing a damn Pac-Man. I'm not doing a Pac-Man! Is it Ms. Pac-Man or?
Starting point is 00:45:43 Nah. I'll take that, okay. Carlos is marching in the NYC Pride parade this weekend. Yes, God's Love, who serves over four million meals for everybody, and I'm so excited to partner with them. So I'll be here on a float, and we're going to have fun. Yeah, so God's Love is an amazing charity that I'm a part of. And again, I'm a spiritual person So to partner with an organization who does great work for the community I'm honored that they have chosen me to represent them on Sunday
Starting point is 00:46:14 Absolutely, make sure you support Carlos King and all he does man the podcast when his podcast is every well No, well now they're on the black effect Prepare to be sick of me okay okay okay I am gonna so raindrops exclusive that's all listen up raindrops now that reality with the king is on the black effect network first of all download the app mm-hmm okay they got recently shady which is L Bryant and Robin Dixon they got the latest with Lauren LaRosa they have a lot of people.
Starting point is 00:46:45 Okay, so I'm going to be dropping between four to five episodes a week. Oh, you coming for me? Because I'm daily. Well, you know, so no, the thing is this. No, listen, there's room for everybody. That's right. It is, and you're my favorite.
Starting point is 00:46:59 As long as I don't have a bob, you and good hand. That's right. Or a bad wig, you want either or. But that's your real hair. This is mine, thank you. So what's happening? Nothing, nothing. Y'all gonna be daily. What's going on, girl?
Starting point is 00:47:10 Not girl, I'm calling him girl. I love y'all back to back, but I think it's so funny. Carlos King, tell them where to follow you. Yeah, so follow me, Instagram, TikTok X, at V.KrullisKing, underscore. My YouTube is at V.KrullisKing, underscore. Please subscribe to my podcast under the Black Effect Network Reality with the King. And we do exclusive interviews for YouTube.
Starting point is 00:47:38 So I have Angela Oakley from Housewives of Atlanta up right now. We got some more heavy hitters coming up, so subscribe and like my YouTube channel too. Absolutely, it's The Breakfast Club, thank you. Show me how good it can get today, God, and show the rest of the world what we already know. It can't get no better than being Hella Black, Hella Queer, and Hella Christian. My name is Joseph Rees. I am the creator and host of Hella Black, Hella Queer, Hella Christian, a fully black, fully queer, fully human, fully divine podcast
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