The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Cory Hardrict Speaks On Chemistry With Meagan Good, Tyler Perry's Praise, Fatherhood + More

Episode Date: July 12, 2024

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Hey, what's up? This is Ramses Jha. And I go by the name Q Ward. And we'd like you to join us each week for our show, Civic Cipher. That's right. We discuss social issues, especially those that affect black and brown people, but in a way that informs and empowers all people. We discuss everything from prejudice to politics to police violence, and we try to give you the tools to create positive change in your home, workplace, and social circle.

We're going to learn how to become better allies to each other. So join us each Saturday for Civic Cipher on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wake that ass up. In the morning. The Breakfast Club. Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious,

Charlamagne Tha Guy. We are The Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building. That's right. He walked in looking like he's the leader of a group. A stellar R&B group. Choreogric, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome. Thank you for having me, man. How you feeling?

I'm blessed and highly favored, man. I'm on The Breakfast Club. Blessed black and highly favored. Blessed black and highly favored. Yes, sir. I love that. You got the new movie, Divorce in Black. Tyler Perry's new movie.

Yep. On Amazon. Came out today. Dropped today. How does it feel? Man, it feels surreal. It feels like I'm a new artist right now. I got this new great energy in my life.

I feel like God got his hand on me and I'm ready to take it to the next level. You've been doing this for over 30 years now? 30, 30 years. It still feels new? You don't feel like an OG in it now? No, I don't because I live like a simple, I'm real simple.

When you don't see me acting, it's just like I'm simple. I stay disconnected to everything. I just feel like I go like, what's the next job? I just keep my head down and keep going. Then when I go out to like Essence and then people love, they saying all this work, then it makes you feel good to say, you know, your people appreciate you and they love what you do. And that makes me want to keep going.

Do you know when you got one? Like, you know, you do a role like this and you're like, oh man, this might be- I got one. I got one. Okay, okay. I got one. Tyler Perry, I love Tyler Perry, man. He gave me an opportunity.

He called me up and Megan Good told him that I was a great actor and he said, if you had a chance to pick one actor, who you working with? She said, Corey Harder. Wow. Tyler called me one morning and he was like, hello, Corey, this is Tyler Perry.

That same deep voice. Did you believe it when he first called? Did you know it was him or he was like, hello, Cord, it's Tyler Perry. That same deep voice. Did you believe it when he first called? Did you know it was him or he was like, eh? No, because you know them scam people be calling you a lot, so you don't know if it's one of them. But it was really him and I had to get my voice right. And he said, I'm a fan of your work. And I was just like, wait, who's paying him this?

Well, not paying, he's already a billionaire, so ain't nobody going to pay him to say that. But I was like, wow, you know, he wants to work with me. And I read the script and it was all on the page and I felt like it was a character I haven't played. And I said, I can do some justice to this role. Now I was ready to do it. I saw you say working with a good co-star like Megan Good

is like having a good dance partner. I said that, dance partner? I thought you said dance partner. Or a good tennis man, if I said that, yeah, but she's great, cause I've known Megan for two years. Did I say that? I wanna make sure. I said you ain't setting me she was great because I've known Megan for two years. Did I say that? I wanna make sure. I thought you were trying to set me up.

I thought you were trying to set me up. I said wait a minute now. Essentially you just saying that you got, having chemistry with a person. Yes, we had great chemistry because I've known Megan. We did an independent film and we've seen each other in passing. Always rooting each other on.

So when we worked, we had good chemistry and it was already, you know, that energy was already there and And it just carried over to the film, even though we played two opposites. It's like, it's crazy chemistry that we need for the protagonist, antagonist, and who my Dallas is. He's a bad, he's a wild boy. He's crazy, but that's necessary in film. You need that crazy dude. So I was going to say, you know, for people that don't know, it just came out today. Tell people what the film is about.

Two divorced couples going through, you know, different gists of families. My family supports me, but even though I'm wrong, they never tell me I'm wrong, you know, which is not right. You know, your family always by your side, but no, you got to tell them he's wrong. And Dallas just didn't know how to treat people. And I think it stems from his childhood trauma,

dealing with, you know, his different abuse that he's went through. And he's never knew how to heal and never knew how to treat people. So when you don't deal with that, like mental health issues, it carries over to your adult life. And that's what happened with him. So he loved her, but he didn't know how to. And he, you know, he kind of sabotaged the marriage even before it got going. And she had to leave. It was enough enough you know and i

like outside corey looking at that situation i'm like she got to be happy gotta do what's best for you and that's this character she did that ava so did you feel like uh y'all got typecasted because you know both of y'all did go through high profile divorces no i i don't think so i'm an actor you know i've been doing this Charlamagne for like 30 years, and I know when I see good work on a page. And it just so happened that that happened in my life. But what happened was I pulled from my experience, the triumphs, the tragedies, everything, and what I'm great at.

And I said, I'm going to embody all those, channel all those feelings and emotions, and I'm going to just put it into the camera. I'm going to let the work speak for me. I don't really speak much about personal life or matters, but you're going to know by the fruit that he's, you know. When you talk about the unhealed trauma you had to deal with, you know, playing this role, did that trigger anything in you?

Because, you know, when I heard you talking about it, I'm like, I'm going to call my therapist today. Hit a little spot just now. No, I was talking about the character. I like, I'm going to call my therapist today. Hit a little spot. No, I was talking about the character. I know what I'm saying, but for you personally. Oh, well, no. Like I said, I'm an actor. I know how to just go from zero to 100 when that camera's going.

I've been doing this. So, no, I didn't channel anything. I just said, this is a great project. I mean, I watched What's Love Got to Do do with it studied Ike, you know channel like Turner and then I watched clips of some of my favorite actors and in movies and I Just went for it and Tyler gave me the freedom took the handcuffs off me and that's rare for Filmmakers especially of that caliber to say go for it. Mm-hmm Just do you and when he did that I I really went for it and a lot of people

are receiving it really well were you hesitant at all when they called you said the name of the movie is Divorce in Black and everything that you I didn't know the name oh you didn't know the name

I didn't know the name at all I didn't really know the name until I got down there you know and started seeing you know because it was initialed D-I-T-B

but I put it together like wait what does this mean Divorce and the... I said, damn, they're going to start saying something. Damn, they're going to start saying something. But I said, you know what? I'm an actor.

Like, I got to go do what I love. You know, I got to take care of my babies, you know. And I love to act. That's it. But it's tough, right? Because you're out here, and for you and Megan, you're out here promoting this you and Megan you're out here promoting this movie

and it makes people want to ask about your personal situation I mean as they should because they want to know but my whole thing is my real life is my real life

and you know I just don't I've never been that way even being in a situation married I still never I always protected

my kids and you know I protected her as well because I feel like that's protected my kids and you know I protected her as well because I feel like that's a man's duty you know whether you together or not it's always protector even though no matter what's going on I just don't I don't fall into the pressure like you can't pressure me into putting no one down and saying this is what happened or they did me like never that you know it's always going to be unconditional love with me because i definitely want her to win and she wants me to win and we know the truth and that's just why i leave it did you have to call her and say look

i'm just gonna let you know we doing this movie it's called this but it has nothing to do with that because no no she just texted me and said she's very proud of me that's dope you know she's so proud of me you know the world don't know, she's so proud of me. You know, the world don't know that and they don't see that. They don't need to. So it's all, it's all like love. I love it. You know,

it's all love. As an actor, you know, before you take on a role, do you have to empty out everything you might be going through personally to fill yourself up with this, this role, this character? Like empty,

what do you mean? Like just whatever you're dealing with. Cause like, let's just say, I get, I got what you're saying. You know what I do? I do. I empty it all out on the camera.

So when you see it, it's coming from a real place. That's the therapeutic side that I use. I use it as therapy to get it all out. What if you got to get into a dark space? Like what if you're a happy, joyful person, but you got to get into a very dark space? Most of my characters have been dark. Violent, shooting people, you people, biting people's nose off. Shit, that's what I do.

That's what I do. I know how to play that guy really well, street guy. You know what I'm saying? And I feel at home playing that character. So it's kind of like an easy transition for me when I get these characters. So on the other side, is it easy to get out those characters?

Yes and no. When I did a lot of, I did like five or six action films, and that was tough with all the shooting. And sometimes, you know, it feel like you got the PTSD from hearing all in Ducking. You know, I remember I used to walk around the house and look around the corner and shit. You know, like, you know, somebody over there. Kid daughter running out, Dad, it's just me. It's just me, Dad.

Yeah. Or you got to answer the door with a deep voice. Like, who is it? Yeah. You know, you got, somebody over there. Kid daughter running out, dad, it's just me, it's just me, dad. Yeah, or you got to answer the door with a deep voice, like, who is it? You know, you got to put that tongue, like, it's just, but you know, I mean. But no, I know how to channel it and move it to the side when I have to, but yeah. What was the most challenging scene for you? I would say the most challenging scene was roughing up Megan. Because I've never put hands on a woman in my life. So that was hard.

So I had to ask her, you okay? Like touching her like a hand. And, you know, I had to throw over the kitchen. And I felt bad because I was like, how am I going to do this? She's fragile. But she said, Corey, go for it. I've been doing this. Be an actor.

Play Dallas. Service the character. I did that. And so that was cool. And then Miss miss Debbie Morgan that was hard as hell man walking into the group y'all didn't see them I could talk about I mean if you want to give it away no it's a scene I have a miss Debbie more you know miss Debbie Morgan and I'm and I had to grab her I had to call out a name and she's like baby grab me like she grabbed my hand and when she did that then I did I grab her that's interesting cuz you said you studied you know

Laurence Fishburne and what's love got to do with it as opposed to studying real tapes that you probably could watch like I don't want I'm not saying I don't know I'm just saying I'm sure that sadly there's videos out there. Oh, like real domestic violence? No. So I like, but Ike was a character, you know? I'm sure that's not Lawrence Fishburne. And I'm playing a character, so people should know the difference. So when I watched him. Oh, no, I know they know the difference,

but like when you're tapping into something as an actor, is it better to tap into something you see somebody do on screen already or real life? No, I haven't seen that like in real life. Like no real life domestic violence so no i have not but i i can go to film and watch it you know that's why i pull from most of the time the movies now you you've been doing this for for over 30 years yes sir now you just said something that made me think is this what you always did right you said i asked megan hey do you

mind back then was it did you ask or was it just no, I'm doing my part and this is what it is. But now it seems like I hear more and more actors saying, let me ask first. Do you mind if I do this to you? Even though it's in the script, let me speak. Did you always did that? Always. I've always been considerate of a woman or anybody on set. I pride myself in being a professional.

I've never had an HR case in my life. You know, name is clean. I've never got fired from a job in my life. So I pride myself in being a professional and respecting the whole workspace and environment and doing my job. So, you know, I would have done this years ago. But now it's a little tight because everything is different. You know, even we had a little intimate scene.

It wasn't really like that. I had to say, like, you okay? Even though it's in the script? I had to. I had to. I had to. You know what even we had a little intimate scene. It wasn't really like that. I had to say, like, you okay? Even though it's in the script. I had to. I had to. I had to. You know what I'm saying? And I did that.

I want to make sure my scene partner is comfortable working with me. And I make them feel comfortable, and that brings out their best work because they know I'm there to handle business. I ain't there for nothing, though. I remember Megan told me one time, she said that taking on, you got to watch what roles you even take nowadays because people think you're that character. Man, listen, Charlamagne.

The movie came out at 3 a.m. I had about probably 60 masters. Like, I hate that nigga. No, no, really. But they said, I love you, Corey, but I hate, like, they really. So you Corey but I hate like they really so I said I did my job that's right

yeah yeah yeah so he's gonna have a good shelf life and if it can do it you know we were talking earlier Lawrence got the Matrix after

What's Love Got To Do With It if it could do that then I'm all for it but I need people to know Corey's that's Dallas please don't run up on me on the street like that

cause you got idiots out here who for whatever reason don't know the difference somebody followed me man in the LA airport and said why you kill Tupac man stop man

shut up man he was serious hold on I'm gonna take my glasses off he said why you kill and I looked at him like no I know he's playing with me right

he followed me to the damn gate man and he was like man why you set him up man why you do that I said man are you serious like you had to get the actual look yes yeah i said man come on now don't even the brother that's a movie don't you know this like i have nothing i just play the character i don't think they do when when megan said that to me i thought she was tripping too but then i'm like no i can see that in this in this era or like a movie i did brotherly love that's done really well for like the younger generation they always be like why did quincy kill i don't you know what i'm saying i'm like

that's a movie but you know that means we're doing our jobs and um you know art imitates life and if i gotta keep doing that then i'ma i'm not gonna shortchange the craft because a person feels a certain way i gotta go it's like all or nothing you know what i'm saying now i know you gotta go soon but i'm always interested how you got into acting. Like, what was that thing that said, this is the reason I wanna do it? You're from Chicago, and you could've did anything in this world,

but you got into acting. What was the reason, and why? The reason was my mother. I got in trouble. Me and my brother got in trouble, and Oprah Winfrey was having an open casting call for a movie called There Are No Children Here. It was a long time ago on the west side of Chicago had a thousand kids in line my mom took us down I'm like why we're out the way in this line it was you know nothing about acting at the time I was a shy kid

I didn't really want to I was I was a basketball oh I was a Hooper mm-hmm you know so she made us wait cuz we got in trouble in this line. They picked me and my brother to be in a movie for like two months. I had one line, like a, hey, that's all I had. And after I did that and then being able to see Oprah and just looking at her, she didn't even look real. It was like, man, Oprah was the biggest thing in Chicago around. It still is. But I caught something to say, wow, I could possibly do this.

You know? So that was my mom. And she's in heaven. I wear her heart right here. You know what I'm saying? I lost her when I was pretty young. But she's the driving force behind all my passion and living out these dreams. Have you seen Oprah after that and told her the story?

No. No? Not at all. I saw Gayle. And she was at the premiere with Nexa Tyler, and she was telling the dude who was whooping my ass, and she was like, get him, Benji. She was standing in my area trying to get my,

she was like, you a bad man. I was like, Gayle, there's some movies. No, but I love it. I love all that, man. Do you hear from your mother now? Like through dreams? She's with me. Yeah, I hear her talking to me. I really do really do I do and that gives me strength to keep going you know my mom

and my children you know and I know I got him it's like I really really know they gonna be fine how was it adjusting to like you know still having your career but now being in a co-parenting situation speaking to the kids I saw you had you think you yeah one of your kids with you at the BET Awards. Yeah, my son, Creed. Yeah, he was at the BET Awards. 13, he got to meet NLE Chopper. He was excited.

But like I said, we have a great co-parenting relationship, and it's about the kids at the end of the day. It's about the kids, and we're doing great in that area. And like I said, I want everybody happy, man. And I support that, just happiness. That's it. What's it like sharing those moments with your child at the BET Awards? Because, you know, he's happy to be there with you,

but then when he sees an NLE chopper or a gunner, he's like, hey. No, he was trying to act super cool around me. I was like, Kreek, I'm like, son, get the pincher. He was like, Dad, chill, man. Don't embarrass me. But he called me man. He's like, Dad, chill, man. I was like, Craig, I'm like, son, get the pincher. He was like, dad, chill. Don't embarrass me. But he called me man. He's like,

dad, chill, man. I was like, what? You just called me man? Chill, man.

You didn't talk like that, man. He was like, fronting on me. And I was like, come on, son, you acting all cool.

At least he didn't call you bro, because that's the new thing. They'd be like, yo, bro. He'd be like, who you calling bro? He called me bro, but not then.

He called me chill, man. I was like, okay, son, I'm going to chill, because right now, I don't want to mess up your energy cuz you in a good space right now and he's got inspired by going the next morning he woke up trained in two hours

in the backyard video showed me the face time like dad look you know I really want to go to the NBA you know so I said if that can give him that spark man that's what I wanted he wants to go and I look I tell him you can do anything in this world you want to do and I and it's something on people I was doing an interview and we always say hard work dedication and then we finished up what I got God on my side and he said it on people magazine wow yeah so that's that's what's up man so how are you as a dad like you said your, your son called you bro before. Yes, he has. You're a girl dad as well.

So that means you get emotional at times. Always. I'm always emotional with my kids. I'm the same. So talk about that a little bit. Meaning? Raising kids in this industry and having kids. How has it changed your life?

It's changed my life because I got to walk with a certain responsibility on how I move. And I pride myself in that. Like, you know, because I got somebody counting on me. Hey, what's up? This is Ramses Jha. And I go by the name Q Ward. And we'd like you to join us each week for our show, Civic Cipher. That's right.

We're going to discuss social issues, especially those that affect black and brown people, but in a way that informs and empowers all people to hopefully create better allies. Think of it as a black show for non-black people. We discuss everything from prejudice to politics to police violence, and we try to give you the tools to create positive change in your home, workplace, and social circle.

Exactly. Whether you're black, Asian, white, Latinx, indigenous, LGBTQIA+, you name it. If you stand with us, then we stand with you. Let's discuss the stories and conduct the interviews that will help us create a more empathetic, accountable, and equitable America. You are all our brothers and sisters, and we're inviting you to join us for Civic Cipher each and every Saturday. With myself, Ramses Jha, Q Ward, and some of the greatest minds in America. Listen to Civic Cipher every Saturday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Like some little people counting on me. So daddy can't make the wrong move. Daddy got to stay on swivel. Daddy can't get caught up in no mess. Daddy got to protect the mama regardless. You know what I'm saying? So that's just how I live my life. You know?

That's how I live. And when your son called you bro, what was your reaction? What did you say when he said, bro? I said, you called me that again, boy, I beat your ass. If you ever called me that. So he know. But I talk to my son like that because it's tough. I got to give him that James Evans good times.

Like I believe in old fashioned, you know, you my friend second. I'm your daddy first. So don't forget it. I'm not your friend first, daddy second. I don't play that. I think the biggest issue for issue for us is uh i can't speak for everybody but you know sometimes with black men we might i'd always say my dad raised me out of fear and not love that's just because he didn't want me to make the same mistakes that he made and being that where i believe the first generation that gets the luxury of healing we have to show uh show show how to lead how to parent with with love and not fear yes I agree it's all about love and fear because you do crazy things out of fear and it won't it's just like

that can't be healthy so you got to move with love you got to move with the good pure intentions and like I said but you got to tell you you gotta be honest with your kids too, you know? I try to tell them what the real world looks like and what it really is because my kids are very spoiled. You know, first class, I didn't fly a plane till I was 17 and that was coach all the way in the back. Shoot, I ain't get on one till I was 21. Oh 21?

Yeah, I think I was 17 or 18. But he knows about, you know, sushi, the first class, and Emirates and lafonza he knows like he in an early age but i said son mommy and daddy work for this you gotta work man don't know if you don't work you can't you're not gonna get none of this and you can't rely on daddy like i will take care of you with my kids. But I'm like, come on. That private, that $55,000 school tuition ain't no joke, you know. And now my daughter just got in kindergarten, same school.

So I'm like, son, I'm doing that for you, so you got to do something. That's the other struggle. What's that? Because my daughter's the same way. My youngest, 8 and 5. My favorite airline is Emirates, you know? And I like

JetBlue and, you know, I want to go back to Zanzibar. And it's like, whoa, you know what I mean? But you open their eyes,

though. Yes, but there's also a part of you that feels like you want to instill some type of little struggle in them.

A little struggle. You know? Remember the pork and beans and hot dogs? See, they don't come from that. You know? Sugar sound,

like, it's just like, I want him come from that. You know? Sugar sound. It's just like I want him to have that sometimes. Take him to Chicago. Take him to the project. I want him to see that. No, they order steak. Can I get my steak medium, please? I'm like, medium?

I used to get it well done at Sizzler. But do we really want that for our kids? I don't, but it's kind of like I want to trick them. Like I want it, but I know. You know, like, man, my kid's going to be fine. But just give them a little balance. My kids order Uber Eats when they hungry. We'd have to go and make something. Figure something out.

Shoot, if there was something to make. If there was something to make. But they go Uber Eats. Nah, I'm just gonna order Chick-fil-A today, Dad. Yeah. And we say, okay. It's different. All right, baby.

But are we setting them up for success? Or is it like, fail? Like, that's what I'm saying. Like, because I didn't have that. Like, I know how to go get it. Like, whatever. You can throw me out in survival mode. I'm saying. Like, because I didn't have that. Like, I know how to go get it. Like, whatever. You can throw me out in survival mode. I'm sure you guys as well.

But I do get afraid sometimes. I pray to God. How my kids are. I pray constantly to raise trauma-free kids. So why would we ever? I always think to myself, why do I want to, you know, show them any type of trauma? Like, why?

Why do I want that in them? When I'm? Like, why? Why do I want that? When I'm trying so hard to get it out of me. You know? Absolutely. Did you ever think that you would, was there any doubt that I might not make it out of Chicago? A lot of times. A lot of crazy stories. Got a gun pulled.

It's a lot of those. We'll be here all day. Like, I made it out by the grace of God. You know, I've got the song, Psalms 4610, be still, know I'm God. I've been wearing the blood of Jesus on his left hand for 13 years. Got oil on it. But I still cuss. I'm still real.

I look a man in the eye and let him know I'm a grown-ass man. It's just me. I don't need 30 people with me, you know? So it's just like, but I do love God. I know I'm still here because of God, and I got a purpose to fulfill, you know? What does your support system look like? Like, just you, Corey.

I mean, I'm working on it. My kids. Not a big one, you know? But I'm working on it. I'm just now getting like team behind me is telling me to celebrate myself. I don't really know how. I wasn't ever really used to celebrating me. I was always, what's the next job or what's the next thing or keep moving or that's not good enough or, you know, because I have 40-something movies.

I still felt like not appreciated sometimes, you know, like, man, you know? But this is the first one where I feel like Mr. Perry was just like, you know, he told me he loved me the other day, hugged me, I'm so effing proud of you, you know? And to hear him say that gave me some confidence to say, I'm doing all right. Do you feel underappreciated? Because you got, it's like you're the face that everybody knows

but might not know their name. Like you're that face. Like, yo, that's, call me from, what's his name again? Like you are that, but you've been in every damn movie. Way to make a brother feel good. It's the truth, though. That was amazing. It's fine.

No, it's changing. Look, they saying my first and last name. They were chasing me, and I was just like, you know, they was naming all these projects and characters. And in time, we did Good Morning America and they were Corey Harger. So it felt good. But I really don't do it for somebody to know my name. I really work because I love it and I act because I want to impact people's

lives and change their lives just with the entertainment side of it. And I want to always be memorable. I don't do it for that. But, you know, I'm ready to step into what's what's necessary for the next part to elevate this thing because I do feel like I'm one of the best actors in the world I that's how I feel like that quiet conference I do I do feel that way you feel like you don't get the credit you deserve as an actor I'm not looking for it I don't know yeah looking for but do an actor? I'm not looking for it. I don't know.

You're not looking for it, but do you feel that way? Nah, they'll give it to me when they're supposed to. Like, I get underrated, and how come you ain't in more movies? I get compared to people, but I'm like, people you compare me to, I love, and my friends, you know? God gives time. Like, the time is different for everybody, you know? But I feel like my time is now, though.

It's coming. What's your dream role? What role do do you want to do or who do you want to play is it an action figure is it what what what's your dream role i really haven't thought i used to want to play barack but then they did a movie about barack and i was like i can't see that i could see it i could see it too as soon as you said it, I can see it. Being from Chicago. But now I just want to play, like, I want to play black Jesus. Save the world. Like, you know, I want to really do that, like, in a human way. Like, save people, help people, you know,

just let people know that, you know, that we're going to be all right. You know, and I'm the one that can make sure everything's okay. I want to play that character, whatever that character may be. How do you stay focused nowadays being a single man and, you know, being on television and being in movies? I'm sure women are, you know, coming at you. You're on Breakfast Club with a blazer on, no shirt. No shirt.

Thirst trapping. I saw y'all. No, no, I'm not. I ain't thirst trapping. I'm giving it up, Corey. I said I want to hit him with that Rick James. It was just hilarious. I said I want to hit him with that Rick James. You know?

My man out there, he told me, he's like, yeah, light-skinned brothers always coming on shirt on. But I said, I got dark-skinned energy, brother. I act like a dark-skinned dude. But, yeah, I'm like, whatever, man. No, I'm not dating. It's just I'm focused on my kids. That's why I'm like, whatever, man. But no, I'm not dating. It's just I'm focused on my kids. That's why I'm dating. Because when I'm not trying to work or handling business,

I'm trying to get my body right. I'm real into the health conscious. Like I eat well. I do cryotherapy, massages, physical therapy. So I do that and my children. So no, I'm not. I'm focused. Cryotherapy, that's the ice.

Ice therapy, yeah. Does that really work? I do IV drips. Yeah, That's the ice Ice therapy Yeah so Does that really work I do IV drips Yeah it does work Yeah Yeah it does work It gets inflammation Like out of your body

Like I slipped at work this year It was a whole nother thing And I But it's all good Somebody tell me It gives you a sense of clarity Like Yeah you do

Yeah you do get some clarity Like you feel free Like it opens up everything Boosts your immune system Like they said Those endorphins Endorphins They boost everything Yeah, you do. Yeah, you do get some clarity. Like, you feel free. Like, it opens up everything. Boosts your immune system. Like they said, those endorphins, they boost everything. Yeah, so. Was doing this movie therapeutic for you?

Yeah. Okay. Yeah, it was. Just for the subject matter. You know, even though Dallas is nowhere like Corey Hardrick, and I want people to know that because, you know, I got some messages that I saw too, and they going to be talking. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But if they don't recognize that I'm an actor,

I've really been doing this. I've been to the Oscars twice. I've been in a bunch of movies, it's made over billions of dollars, but like you say, I haven't really been visible. Now I got a publicist now. She's here, Michelle Hough. I got a manager, Shayla.

Got some strong black women behind me so it's like did you not have that before? Nah I didn't didn't have it oh that's why you hesitate when I ask you what the support system look like when you say you working on it yeah I'm working this is all new I've known them both for a while but this is new and they're you know they're like my community

who's trying to inspire and encourage me so sometimes it's still hard for me to believe it on who I am is that because you lost your mom at such an early age? who's trying to inspire and encourage me, so sometimes it's still hard for me to believe it, on who I am. Is that because you lost your mom at such an early age? I would say that's some of it. And just dealing, lost my brother like 14 years ago to gun violence in Chicago.

That's why Chicago, when we bring that up, is kind of like a touchy, you know, because that brings back memories of tragedy and pain, you know, when I think about Chicago. But it is, it happened. And I'm doing my best to honor them to this day. I mean I lost my stepdad a few years ago as well who's like my dad as well. So it's just been a lot.

It's been a lot and then everyone knows the other thing. So it gets tough but it is what it is. Do you have to adjust to bringing people around because you probably condition yourself to be such a loner? I'm closed off. Yeah, I don't trust nobody. It takes a while to get into my space or just to let you in there. So like I said, when I said I'm working on it,

I'm really working on it now, like today. But I do see light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like it's clear as day now, like where I'm going. I've developed strength, like a certain strength where I feel like can't nothing stop me now. I'm actually stronger than I've ever been at this moment in my life. I'm always scared for actors, though, only because, like, you know, they always say staying busy is a response to trauma.

And when you're acting, you can totally escape yourself. You don't even have to be you or deal with you. So when you're not acting and you finally got to just sit down and deal with you, oh, my God. Right. You're right. I mean, yeah, because I give it all into the camera. But when you go and you're done

you just plop down it's like man I'm exhausted you know I'm saying like I'm drained like I'm drained like what do I do to pick myself back up that's why I just do a lot of things like eating healthy uh that helps me out like drinking some fasting and drinking juice doing a juice cleanse like that that gets me back. Doing the foot treatment, like detox treatment with the foot treatment. So, yeah, that's pretty much it. You sound like you're learning yourself all over again, man. Yes, I am.

It's a good thing. In a good way. Absolutely. Just in a good way. Like people are like, man, I ain't never seen you. You stepping out and you doing all this stuff. But I feel like I have to now to get to where I need to go, you know?

It's just like I gotta do a little different, just a small tweak. I'm not really changing who I am. It's just, I'm just letting people know that I'm Corey Hardrick. Bro, we been up here 15 years and this is the first time you've been up here. So we've seen the change

and hopefully you'll come back more often. Corey never been up here before? I don't think Corey been up here before. Did y'all interview, I think y'all interviewed us for Brotherly Love. Yeah, you were for Brotherly Love. It was a group of us. It was a group. It was like four of us often. Cory never been here before? I don't think Cory been up here before. Did y'all interview, I think y'all interviewed us for Brotherly Love. Yeah, you were for Brotherly Love. It was a group of us.

It was like four of us. I've never been solo. Like it was like a team of us, of people. But I'm glad we're seeing you more, man. Thank you. I'm proud of y'all. Brother's doing it.

Thank you, sir. Doing it, man. Holding it down for the culture. Did you have chest hairs and you shaved them off? I have no chest hair. Why are you getting this man chest? This the second time

you're talking about this man chest. Come on, man. You kinky. No, it's just interesting to me. You kinky, Charlamagne. I was going to hit him with that pause. He didn't even say pause. I'm just saying pause, man.

When you're doing the blazing no shirt, I'm like, okay. Like you said, Rick James. I'm just trying to figure it out. But it get a little tricky when they glisten the chest. I don't do nothing to my chest. Whatever my chest look like, that's what it's going to look like. You don't want them to put no- You ain't putting nothing on my chest.

Even when they doing the makeup and they're like, you don't let them spray? Stay away from the chest. They coming. They be like, that's what it's gonna look like. You don't want them to put no- You ain't putting nothing on my chest. So even when they doing the makeup and they like you don't let them spray? No, stay away from the chest. They coming, they be like, let me spray on this a little bit. Charlamagne, no, I gotta keep it grown man. I'm a grown ass man though, don't come in my chest man.

Pause, God damn! Now you just talking about that, I was crazy. What he said was crazy just now. Yeah, it was crazy. No, you my man, I hit you with the pause. Jesus Christ, you made us awkward and uncomfortable. All right, well, Corey, we appreciate you for joining us. Thank you. I saw Char? It was crazy just now. Yeah, it was crazy. No, you my man. I hit you with the balls. Jesus Christ, you made us awkward and uncomfortable. All right. Well, Corey, we appreciate you for joining us.

Thank you. I'm sure Charlamagne was flirting with you. Make sure y'all check out the movie, though. Yes, The Voice in the Black out right now. Salute to the good brother Tyler Perry. We do not give Tyler Perry the flowers he deserves. I love Tyler Perry. This movie gonna change my career trajectory.

I'm telling you right now. When y'all see it, you gonna see what I was saying. We saw what Megan said about Tyler paying her the most she's ever been paid what she does I heard Taraji say that I've heard Tiffany Haddish say that can I tell you yeah he paid me the most I ever made in the film for three weeks really ever and I worked on films five months seventy five million dollar budgets three weeks that's why I say he's a gift from God he's amazing human being for God man and I don't think people realize and maybe maybe I'm wrong because I'm not in Hollywood,

but doesn't that set a precedent once you get that? That's your rate moving forward? I hope so. Like I said, just being honest, I hope so. I would love to double that or keep it pushing there and beyond. So, yeah, I feel like I'm on the right track for that. Out of my peripheral, I saw Shayla go, eh, eh, I don't know. It the right track for that. Out of my periphery, I saw Shayla go, eh, eh.

Like, I don't know. It just depends. Is that her precedent moving forward? She's like, yeah, we go get that money. But salute to Tyler, because people don't do that, man. And I love hearing those stories. I love hearing people say that. I had the Brad Pitt, Eddie Murphy trailer, like the three levels. I went in there, had a bed or a water bed.

I'm saying you could live in a trailer they had for me. That's how I knew. I said, I'm being valued. That's right. That's what brought out my best work, being valued. Wow. Well thank you so much for joining us. I love Tyler Perry.

I got one more question. Ask me anything. Why don't you look at this man right here. You've seen Morris Chestnut before. He swears he look like Morris Chestnut. He's not in the movie. He's not working with Morris. This ain't got nothing to do with nothing. He swears he look like Morris Chestnut. Morris not in the movie. He not working with Morris. This ain't got nothing to do with nothing.

He swears he looks like Morris Chestnut. Oh, you saying you look like Morris. He think he look like Morris Chestnut. He called himself Morris Chestnut. Now, you've seen the brother. You've been in movies with the brother. You look like Charlemagne. Thank you.

I don't think you favor Morris Chestnut. Thank you. I don't see it. You might need Lasix a little bit. Just a little. You know? But why are you saying you look like another man? Like you're saying you look like another dude.

No, Morris said he gets mistaken for me. That's what he said on Jennifer Hutchins Show. I know Morris. Morris lying his ass off. Morris don't look shit like you, man. Why y'all doing that? Morris, stop that, man. That's my man.

Choreogic, ladies and gentlemen. Check out Tyler Perry's Divorce in Black on Amazon Prime right now. And it's The Breakfast Club. Good morning. Wake that ass up. In the morning. The Breakfast Club. Hey, what's up? This is Ramses Jha. And I go by the name Q Ward. And we'd like you to join us each week for our show Civic Cipher.

That's right. We discuss social issues, especially those that affect black and brown people, but in a way that informs and empowers all people. We discuss everything from prejudice to politics to police violence, and we try to give you the tools to create positive change in your home, workplace, and social circle. We're going to learn how

to become better allies to each other, so join us each Saturday for Civic Cipher on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.