Here we are today. Michael is here. You know Barry Gordy. Talk about that movie, getting that role, being a part of I mean We’re talking about Michael Jackson here. >> Yeah, man. >> Like it just to date one of your biggest roles I think and and I mean let me tell you something before you go any further, people are loving this movie.
>> Yes, man. This movie. >> My my youngest daughter called me. >> Mhm. >> And uh she texted me and was like, “Yo, you need to go see this movie.” >> Right. >> That’s how good it was. >> This movie is so This movie is so impactful and so incredible. Uh when they talked about doing the Michael Jackson story, I was like, “Who’s going to like who’s doing it? Who’s a part of it?” And it been conversations for a long time, but uh Graham King who produced Bohemian Rhapsody, you classic movie that did incredible numbers and you know, won all these
awards. When he when I heard that he was doing it um and Antoine Fuqua who is an incredible director. He’s an incredible filmmaker. Works with everybody that’s top-notch. I was like, “That’s who you That’s the combination you need, those guys.” And as they were putting it together, I was like, “Yo, this movie sounds really really dope.
” And I got the call that there’s they’re they’re looking for their Barry Gordy. I said, “Whatever I Let’s I want to be in this movie.” I was like, “Listen.” I was like, “You know, I want to call Antoine and say, ‘Yo, bro, come on.'” Like do it up, but we went through the process. Uh we were able to make make make it work, uh schedule the whole thing.
And I was just like, “Yo, man, I love I got a chance to spend some time with those guys and hear them out and hear the vision.” And once we got to it, it was beautiful, man, to see Jaafar Jackson really turn into Michael in a real way. He’s not an actor in in terms of no, Jaafar it I think Jaafar uh you know, he obviously has the the talent.
It’s in his blood, but he he wasn’t an actor at first, you know, until he got the the call to do the Michael movie. And he had to go through the process. He had to go through all of the things for years, the acting, the dancing, all of it. And incredible job. Nia Long as as Katherine Jackson and Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson.
And then you have all these other great uh you know, people who came to to play in Juliano who played the young Michael. I was like, “Yo, this is really, really fire. And I want to make sure that this Berry is right.” And so um they trusted me and we we got it done. >> So, take me through the process. Take us through the process. You audition or and you get from the time that you received the role, take us through that process of what that is.
>> Well, well >> The studying. >> Yeah. Yeah, fortunately it wasn’t a uh one of those things that was a long drawn out thing. It was an offer. They wanted me to be in the the movie. It again came down to scheduling if we all could make the schedule work, which I was like, “I’m going to make the schedule work.
” I’m going to make it work. Whatever we got to do because playing an icon like Berry Gordy was so important to me. Fortunately, I was able to uh you know, play uh Quincy Jones in the Ray movie with Jamie Fox, right? I was able to do that. So, that connected that that that connection between with uh Quincy was able to do uh years later with Michael.
The fact that there’s this moment for me to be able to to play Berry Gordy who is this icon, who is this sort of architect of, you know, artists and and some of the great names that we we we hear today worldwide. Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, you name it. You know, he was a part of really orchestrating a a a company that was really about the best of the best.
>> Yeah. >> Writing music, Stevie Wonder, young talent. And I wanted to make sure that I I nailed that that powerful presence that he has, you know, quiet but mighty and powerful. And we were able to get some really good moments in the movie that people are like taken away because what Berry represents for Michael is that father figure, the person who allowed him to really have the space and to celebrate who he really is as a person.
And know what, you know, what talent really is and how we can amplify that and take that to a whole ‘nother level. And he recognized that early on with Michael. >> Brooke, have you ever met Michael? >> You know, this is this is the funny thing. I’ve met a lot of people. I’ve met everybody.
The one person that I did not meet was Michael. And I met all of the Jacksons. Yeah. But it was more like, I don’t know, I had this I’m such a huge Michael Jackson fan. Almost didn’t I wasn’t sure if I wanted to meet him. And the person that was going to to be that would would be Chris Tucker. Like, you know, but everybody was calling Chris, “Hey, man, you hanging out with Mike.
Let’s, you know, we want to be on a video shoot.” And I never wanted to be, you know, fan out that way. And I felt like when the time was right, maybe we’d get a chance to to to to to meet. And but I’m when I say a Michael Jackson fan since I was a baby. And and so it was one of those things that I didn’t want to be all nervous around him and and weird.
There’s not too many people that Yeah, that’s the There’s only a few people that have that effect on on me. There’s not many people. Michael is the type of person to have that effect on me. And I might say, you know, say the wrong joke. You know, do the wrong thing. Try to imitate him. And he’d be like, “Oh, man.
” You know what I’m saying? No, but I I I did not meet Michael. But the but his his his music has been in soundtrack of most of my life. >> Is there any pressure to have to deliver that role? I mean, cuz it’s one thing doing a role that let’s say it’s a made-up character. >> Mhm. Right. >> And then there’s the role of Berry Gordy >> Yeah.
> telling the story of Michael Jackson. Is there any pressures of that? Like, you know, the night before first day of filming or something like that? >> pressure in game seven, Sometimes. >> Huh? Yeah, but that’s that’s me. >> Yeah, ice in your veins. >> talk about >> Yeah. I got ice in my veins. >> and cons. Pressure.
>> This is this is Yeah, this is pressure. It’s game seven. >> Pressure or nervousness? Like, I mean, it’s it’s a one thing. >> it’s all of it. >> It’s a character that has is legendary icon. >> You want to do this right. >> Yeah, he’s he’s >> He want to do right by him. >> Yeah, and there’s I’m sure there’s a lot of people that would want to be in the movie.
That’s that’s certainly one of those things if I had to saw the movie, I’d be like, “Damn, I want to be in that movie. Damn, I’d have loved to play Berry Gordy.” Right? Because I have heard about Berry Gordy Gordy growing up my whole entire life. I understood who he was and the impact that he he made not only in music, but also in movies, you know, he was a producer uh on the movie The Wiz as well as uh Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany.
He was like behind the scenes creating, you know, avenues and and, you know, uh pathways. And I just knew this this great architect, man. I I have to make sure that I play it right, but internalize it in my own way. And so, there is a little bit of pressure when there’s a actual figure that wants that is living or has lived, you want to make sure that uh you do the the the role justice.
>> When it comes to athletes, basketball players, early in our careers, we’re not who we are from year three to year 10 because we constantly working on our craft and getting better. As an actor, how are you constantly working on your craft to get better at that? Like, what do you What do you do? >> I For me, you know, I I’m about the longevity.
You know, clearly with athletes, there’s always a sort of expiration at some point just because the nature of the industry or the or the profession. You’re going to eventually have to say, “Okay.” Whether you’re a boxer, you’re going to have to hang up the gloves or you’re you’re you know, you a ballplayer, you got to hang up your sneakers at some point, right? Whereas an actor, you know, I feel like we can do this, you know, for a long time.
You know, as I get older, the characters that I portray can match where I’m at in my life. But about uh for me, it’s really about those life experiences that allows me to tap into the roles that I I’m able to play. I have to draw from real-life experiences. >> Do you ever sometimes or oftentimes, like if I’m I’m watching a game and you know, we we we we watch what >> No, I think I know what you’re going to say.
Cuz I know how you >> No, I’m just saying. >> You’re picking it apart a little bit. >> When I’m When I’m watching it When I’m watching a game and I I see certain things that I I put myself in the game. >> Sure. >> Right? Of what I would have done differently and how I I I would see myself in this in this game that I’m watching.
Do you ever like watch a movie and you put yourself into that role that you haven’t played, right? >> Mhm. >> You ever do that? >> I think we as actors always >> Always do that. >> in some way some capacity because it’s up for interpretation. I love the art of what we do. So, I respect those people who get the roles and what they’ve done and what they their interpretation of it. Yeah, cuz I’m I’m entertained.
I’m able to like, “Okay, >> Yeah. >> I see that face, but that character is something that’s different. I like that.” But you find yourself, “How would you have done it?” not >> in a way that you don’t like or you’re critiquing them but just like you know, how do you how do you fit in that that movie? How do you fit in you think about these great movies I take my kids to go see they love Black Panther.
So when that came out, how do do I fit in that world and that maybe I do maybe I don’t but I think you find ways to just kind of think of about that and you know, you you you think about what Denzel was able to do as his uh Alonzo character. You know in Training Day. Like wow. >> Mhm. >> That was incredible like man.
But also you look at Denzel as Malcolm X. >> Yeah. >> That’s tough, man. >> Yeah. >> Those are like the that Malcolm X is tough. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> How do you do that? >> Right. >> That’s a tough one right there, man. And so again, I I I do look at these things but if you know, if when it’s right for me, you know, I’m in it and when it’s not I can I can watch watch as a fan.
>> I’m about to put you on the spot. You don’t have to answer. It doesn’t have to even go out. But you just said something that just brought up competition for me. Cuz both of them did their mother effing thing. Denzel playing Malcolm X and Jamie Fox playing Ray. >> Ooh. >> Who did it better? Ooh. Come on. >> Blank it.
That’s cold. That’s that’s it. >> You playing games, man. Ooh. We. Talk to me. Cuz they both went That’s that’s like two Michael Jordans right there. >> It’s really I mean they were so >> They both did it, man. >> both did it. I mean Denzel >> You matter matter of fact, I don’t even want to compare. >> No.
Let me just I I I was going to say they >> even want to compare. Just talk about >> Just just to see what what >> excellence that they displayed in >> It was it was at the highest level as you can get. Um I don’t you know, I can’t compare what Denzel did as as Malcolm versus what Jamie did in Ray. they both just became those people.
They really became those people. And I got to give an honorary mention that that because he did not win the award, but he’s he’s been a bit of a mentor and an inspiration is Laurence Fishburne. >> What what what role? >> When he played Ike Turner. >> Oh, yeah. >> And what’s love got to do with it? So much and also with what Angela Bassett was able to do too.
>> Bro, hey, that is that’s true. >> Well, listen. >> Well, said. You know you started viewing him differently, right? >> Yeah, I already liked the movie. >> Listen, Laurence Fishburne was more Ike Turner than Ike. Ike was like, man. >> That’s a bad >> So much that like I I would you know, I would see Fishburne and I’d be like, you know, wait a minute.
Is Ike Is Ike He was so He was so convincing. >> He was. He was. He was. >> So when you are able to see actors really become those people and you do that same thing no differently, sorry, as you all are ball players. When y’all see, you know, the greatness happen, whether, you know, and you all have done greatness. I’ve seen y’all do it.
I’ve seen I’ve seen y’all on the floor create and do and accomplish greatness. One of one. This is only thing that T-Mac can do. One of one of one. Only thing that Vince Vinceanity can do, you know? And but you can look at LeBron and say, oh my god. You can look at Steph or look at God rest his spirit, Kobe Bryant.
Come on. And see with them or or Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. So when I’m able to watch an actor or an actress do their thing, man, and really become those people, man, it’s it’s just beautiful, man, because I’m I’m I’m also still a very I’m a fan. I’m a fan of the art. Yeah. >> Mhm.
Larenz Tate on Playing Berry Gordy in the Michael Jackson Biopic & Jaafar Jackson Becoming MJ
Here we are today. Michael is here. You know Barry Gordy. Talk about that movie, getting that role, being a part of I mean We’re talking about Michael Jackson here. >> Yeah, man. >> Like it just to date one of your biggest roles I think and and I mean let me tell you something before you go any further, people are loving this movie.
>> Yes, man. This movie. >> My my youngest daughter called me. >> Mhm. >> And uh she texted me and was like, “Yo, you need to go see this movie.” >> Right. >> That’s how good it was. >> This movie is so This movie is so impactful and so incredible. Uh when they talked about doing the Michael Jackson story, I was like, “Who’s going to like who’s doing it? Who’s a part of it?” And it been conversations for a long time, but uh Graham King who produced Bohemian Rhapsody, you classic movie that did incredible numbers and you know, won all these
awards. When he when I heard that he was doing it um and Antoine Fuqua who is an incredible director. He’s an incredible filmmaker. Works with everybody that’s top-notch. I was like, “That’s who you That’s the combination you need, those guys.” And as they were putting it together, I was like, “Yo, this movie sounds really really dope.
” And I got the call that there’s they’re they’re looking for their Barry Gordy. I said, “Whatever I Let’s I want to be in this movie.” I was like, “Listen.” I was like, “You know, I want to call Antoine and say, ‘Yo, bro, come on.'” Like do it up, but we went through the process. Uh we were able to make make make it work, uh schedule the whole thing.
And I was just like, “Yo, man, I love I got a chance to spend some time with those guys and hear them out and hear the vision.” And once we got to it, it was beautiful, man, to see Jaafar Jackson really turn into Michael in a real way. He’s not an actor in in terms of no, Jaafar it I think Jaafar uh you know, he obviously has the the talent.
It’s in his blood, but he he wasn’t an actor at first, you know, until he got the the call to do the Michael movie. And he had to go through the process. He had to go through all of the things for years, the acting, the dancing, all of it. And incredible job. Nia Long as as Katherine Jackson and Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson.
And then you have all these other great uh you know, people who came to to play in Juliano who played the young Michael. I was like, “Yo, this is really, really fire. And I want to make sure that this Berry is right.” And so um they trusted me and we we got it done. >> So, take me through the process. Take us through the process. You audition or and you get from the time that you received the role, take us through that process of what that is.
>> Well, well >> The studying. >> Yeah. Yeah, fortunately it wasn’t a uh one of those things that was a long drawn out thing. It was an offer. They wanted me to be in the the movie. It again came down to scheduling if we all could make the schedule work, which I was like, “I’m going to make the schedule work.
” I’m going to make it work. Whatever we got to do because playing an icon like Berry Gordy was so important to me. Fortunately, I was able to uh you know, play uh Quincy Jones in the Ray movie with Jamie Fox, right? I was able to do that. So, that connected that that that connection between with uh Quincy was able to do uh years later with Michael.
The fact that there’s this moment for me to be able to to play Berry Gordy who is this icon, who is this sort of architect of, you know, artists and and some of the great names that we we we hear today worldwide. Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, you name it. You know, he was a part of really orchestrating a a a company that was really about the best of the best.
>> Yeah. >> Writing music, Stevie Wonder, young talent. And I wanted to make sure that I I nailed that that powerful presence that he has, you know, quiet but mighty and powerful. And we were able to get some really good moments in the movie that people are like taken away because what Berry represents for Michael is that father figure, the person who allowed him to really have the space and to celebrate who he really is as a person.
And know what, you know, what talent really is and how we can amplify that and take that to a whole ‘nother level. And he recognized that early on with Michael. >> Brooke, have you ever met Michael? >> You know, this is this is the funny thing. I’ve met a lot of people. I’ve met everybody.
The one person that I did not meet was Michael. And I met all of the Jacksons. Yeah. But it was more like, I don’t know, I had this I’m such a huge Michael Jackson fan. Almost didn’t I wasn’t sure if I wanted to meet him. And the person that was going to to be that would would be Chris Tucker. Like, you know, but everybody was calling Chris, “Hey, man, you hanging out with Mike.
Let’s, you know, we want to be on a video shoot.” And I never wanted to be, you know, fan out that way. And I felt like when the time was right, maybe we’d get a chance to to to to to meet. And but I’m when I say a Michael Jackson fan since I was a baby. And and so it was one of those things that I didn’t want to be all nervous around him and and weird.
There’s not too many people that Yeah, that’s the There’s only a few people that have that effect on on me. There’s not many people. Michael is the type of person to have that effect on me. And I might say, you know, say the wrong joke. You know, do the wrong thing. Try to imitate him. And he’d be like, “Oh, man.
” You know what I’m saying? No, but I I I did not meet Michael. But the but his his his music has been in soundtrack of most of my life. >> Is there any pressure to have to deliver that role? I mean, cuz it’s one thing doing a role that let’s say it’s a made-up character. >> Mhm. Right. >> And then there’s the role of Berry Gordy >> Yeah.
>> telling the story of Michael Jackson. Is there any pressures of that? Like, you know, the night before first day of filming or something like that? >> pressure in game seven, Sometimes. >> Huh? Yeah, but that’s that’s me. >> Yeah, ice in your veins. >> talk about >> Yeah. I got ice in my veins. >> and cons. Pressure.
>> This is this is Yeah, this is pressure. It’s game seven. >> Pressure or nervousness? Like, I mean, it’s it’s a one thing. >> it’s all of it. >> It’s a character that has is legendary icon. >> You want to do this right. >> Yeah, he’s he’s >> He want to do right by him. >> Yeah, and there’s I’m sure there’s a lot of people that would want to be in the movie.
That’s that’s certainly one of those things if I had to saw the movie, I’d be like, “Damn, I want to be in that movie. Damn, I’d have loved to play Berry Gordy.” Right? Because I have heard about Berry Gordy Gordy growing up my whole entire life. I understood who he was and the impact that he he made not only in music, but also in movies, you know, he was a producer uh on the movie The Wiz as well as uh Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany.
He was like behind the scenes creating, you know, avenues and and, you know, uh pathways. And I just knew this this great architect, man. I I have to make sure that I play it right, but internalize it in my own way. And so, there is a little bit of pressure when there’s a actual figure that wants that is living or has lived, you want to make sure that uh you do the the the role justice.
>> When it comes to athletes, basketball players, early in our careers, we’re not who we are from year three to year 10 because we constantly working on our craft and getting better. As an actor, how are you constantly working on your craft to get better at that? Like, what do you What do you do? >> I For me, you know, I I’m about the longevity.
You know, clearly with athletes, there’s always a sort of expiration at some point just because the nature of the industry or the or the profession. You’re going to eventually have to say, “Okay.” Whether you’re a boxer, you’re going to have to hang up the gloves or you’re you’re you know, you a ballplayer, you got to hang up your sneakers at some point, right? Whereas an actor, you know, I feel like we can do this, you know, for a long time.
You know, as I get older, the characters that I portray can match where I’m at in my life. But about uh for me, it’s really about those life experiences that allows me to tap into the roles that I I’m able to play. I have to draw from real-life experiences. >> Do you ever sometimes or oftentimes, like if I’m I’m watching a game and you know, we we we we watch what >> No, I think I know what you’re going to say.
Cuz I know how you >> No, I’m just saying. >> You’re picking it apart a little bit. >> When I’m When I’m watching it When I’m watching a game and I I see certain things that I I put myself in the game. >> Sure. >> Right? Of what I would have done differently and how I I I would see myself in this in this game that I’m watching.
Do you ever like watch a movie and you put yourself into that role that you haven’t played, right? >> Mhm. >> You ever do that? >> I think we as actors always >> Always do that. >> in some way some capacity because it’s up for interpretation. I love the art of what we do. So, I respect those people who get the roles and what they’ve done and what they their interpretation of it. Yeah, cuz I’m I’m entertained.
I’m able to like, “Okay, >> Yeah. >> I see that face, but that character is something that’s different. I like that.” But you find yourself, “How would you have done it?” not >> in a way that you don’t like or you’re critiquing them but just like you know, how do you how do you fit in that that movie? How do you fit in you think about these great movies I take my kids to go see they love Black Panther.
So when that came out, how do do I fit in that world and that maybe I do maybe I don’t but I think you find ways to just kind of think of about that and you know, you you you think about what Denzel was able to do as his uh Alonzo character. You know in Training Day. Like wow. >> Mhm. >> That was incredible like man.
But also you look at Denzel as Malcolm X. >> Yeah. >> That’s tough, man. >> Yeah. >> Those are like the that Malcolm X is tough. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> How do you do that? >> Right. >> That’s a tough one right there, man. And so again, I I I do look at these things but if you know, if when it’s right for me, you know, I’m in it and when it’s not I can I can watch watch as a fan.
>> I’m about to put you on the spot. You don’t have to answer. It doesn’t have to even go out. But you just said something that just brought up competition for me. Cuz both of them did their mother effing thing. Denzel playing Malcolm X and Jamie Fox playing Ray. >> Ooh. >> Who did it better? Ooh. Come on. >> Blank it.
That’s cold. That’s that’s it. >> You playing games, man. Ooh. We. Talk to me. Cuz they both went That’s that’s like two Michael Jordans right there. >> It’s really I mean they were so >> They both did it, man. >> both did it. I mean Denzel >> You matter matter of fact, I don’t even want to compare. >> No.
Let me just I I I was going to say they >> even want to compare. Just talk about >> Just just to see what what >> excellence that they displayed in >> It was it was at the highest level as you can get. Um I don’t you know, I can’t compare what Denzel did as as Malcolm versus what Jamie did in Ray. they both just became those people.
They really became those people. And I got to give an honorary mention that that because he did not win the award, but he’s he’s been a bit of a mentor and an inspiration is Laurence Fishburne. >> What what what role? >> When he played Ike Turner. >> Oh, yeah. >> And what’s love got to do with it? So much and also with what Angela Bassett was able to do too.
>> Bro, hey, that is that’s true. >> Well, listen. >> Well, said. You know you started viewing him differently, right? >> Yeah, I already liked the movie. >> Listen, Laurence Fishburne was more Ike Turner than Ike. Ike was like, man. >> That’s a bad >> So much that like I I would you know, I would see Fishburne and I’d be like, you know, wait a minute.
Is Ike Is Ike He was so He was so convincing. >> He was. He was. He was. >> So when you are able to see actors really become those people and you do that same thing no differently, sorry, as you all are ball players. When y’all see, you know, the greatness happen, whether, you know, and you all have done greatness. I’ve seen y’all do it.
I’ve seen I’ve seen y’all on the floor create and do and accomplish greatness. One of one. This is only thing that T-Mac can do. One of one of one. Only thing that Vince Vinceanity can do, you know? And but you can look at LeBron and say, oh my god. You can look at Steph or look at God rest his spirit, Kobe Bryant.
Come on. And see with them or or Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. So when I’m able to watch an actor or an actress do their thing, man, and really become those people, man, it’s it’s just beautiful, man, because I’m I’m I’m also still a very I’m a fan. I’m a fan of the art. Yeah. >> Mhm.
