- 7 weeks ago
Lynn Whitfiled, Luke James, and Jason Weaver from hit series The Chi take fans behind the scenes of season 7 of the Paramount+/Showtime hit series produced by 20th Television.
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00:00You just watched exclusive clips from the upcoming episodes of season seven of The Chi.
00:05Is everybody ready to meet the stars?
00:09I don't think y'all ready to meet the stars.
00:11Are we ready to meet the stars?
00:14All right, please welcome stars Jason Weaver, Luke James, and Lynn Whitfield.
00:22There you go.
00:23How y'all doing?
00:32What's up, wifey?
00:46The queen.
00:53Grow power, girls.
00:54Grow power.
00:56Where am I?
00:57Okay.
01:00All right.
01:01Lovely.
01:02I love y'all.
01:04Thank you so much.
01:08That's right.
01:11It is so lovely to have all three of you up here with me today.
01:15And so for us, the Chi fans and lovers, we know that the show is a timely coming of age story centering on a group of residents who become linked by coincidence, but bonded by the need of connection and redemption.
01:27And the show explores our humanity beyond the headlines, sensationalizing the south side of Chicago.
01:35Yes, applause for that.
01:36Give it up for Chicago.
01:38That's right.
01:38That's right.
01:39We in the building.
01:40Chi, Chi, Chi town.
01:41So, Ms. Whitfield, audience have described Alicia as a glamorous gangster.
01:48So, a powerful matriarch, fearless, ruthless.
01:53How would you describe her?
01:56I think that she's a very powerful woman who's not going to give up her throne.
02:01I think that she is a woman who maybe appears to be very evolved, but in fact, when you choose revenge through violence, you know, you're not a very evolved person.
02:20So, there's a weak part of her that comes off as a false strength.
02:26I love that.
02:28Keep it real.
02:29Well, yeah.
02:31And so, Jason, what was your first reaction when you learned you were going to be working opposite the legendary Lynn Whitfield?
02:39I'm not going to lie.
02:40I was a little nervous at first.
02:42And you're her lover.
02:43Yeah.
02:44Yeah.
02:45Yeah.
02:45No, I, um, when Lena had first made me aware that Lynn was going to be joining the cast and that we were going to be having this, you know, romantic dynamic.
02:55Well, first of all, I was very excited about that because we all know that Lynn Whitfield is beautiful.
02:59I have been, me personally, since what, Thin Line?
03:06We all remember that.
03:08Don't play with them.
03:09So, no, when I was told that we were going to be having these scenes, I was like, okay, that's great.
03:15Um, but, but, but I can also say, too, one of the other things that I was, um, excited about was getting to learn from her because she's a legend.
03:24Um, and all of the work that she's presented over the years that we've all enjoyed, it's just been amazing, amazing work.
03:31And I just wanted to make sure that I was able to keep up and, um, you know, keeping it real.
03:36She, she's so gracious.
03:38Um, even when she's on set, she's actually teaching you, but in her, her own way as well.
03:45It's not a thing where she's like, oh no, we're going to do it like this.
03:48And she's very, it's a collaborative effort.
03:50Uh, it's very free flowing.
03:52It's very easy.
03:54Uh, but she doesn't know it.
03:55You pick up on things, things that she does, techniques that, you know, she implements in, in her style that you, you notice as another actor and you go, okay, I'm going to try that next time.
04:05So, no, Lynn is, she's the best.
04:07So, it was so funny because, um, at the end of season six, was that at the end of season six?
04:16So, I don't know if you all saw it, but we have this really, really, um, impassioned kind of kiss.
04:25And so, he was being so polite.
04:31Jason was being so polite because it seems, it appears that Alicia really likes being choked off a little bit.
04:38That that's a real turn on her.
04:40So, so, so, so Jason wouldn't, he wouldn't do it.
04:46He was like, uh, are you okay?
04:50Jason was like, where can I touch you?
04:53Yeah.
04:54Till eventually, what'd you say?
04:56I, I said, you better do this.
04:58What'd I say?
04:59What'd I say?
04:59You was like, you said, cut the bullshit.
05:01Excuse my language.
05:02You were like, choke me and let's do this scene.
05:05I was like, okay, let's go.
05:08But it just popped off after that, though.
05:12I mean, I mean, social media went crazy.
05:15Went crazy.
05:16And rightfully so.
05:17That was a hot scene.
05:18We did dance.
05:18It was hot.
05:19But you know, women of all ages enjoy passion and sex, don't we?
05:25Okay, y'all are being quiet and shy.
05:28Y'all don't like no passion.
05:31Romance.
05:32So that, so it was really fun, but it was, um, it was just two artists playing together
05:39because at the end of the day, if your partner isn't present with you, then where's the scene?
05:48So, and I think we made some good magic.
05:50We did.
05:51Y'all absolutely did.
05:54And cut.
05:56That was stupid.
05:57He's just jealous.
05:59Right.
05:59We get too much attention.
06:01That's okay, though.
06:02You know what?
06:04So, Luke, we cannot believe that Reg is alive.
06:09I know.
06:09Reg.
06:10Right?
06:10Right?
06:11Okay.
06:12So, what was your reaction when you first read the script and you found out that he was alive?
06:18Oh, I was excited.
06:20I had always wanted to work with Bart.
06:24I've always been a fan of the show, from season one to season two, and getting the opportunity
06:29to be on the show, I mean, that was one of the highlights for me to be able to be on screen
06:35and, you know, create with Barton.
06:40He's a brilliant actor who plays Reg.
06:42Shout out to Bart.
06:43So, when I saw it in the script, we had heard, you know, through the grapevine that he was
06:49coming back.
06:50I didn't get too excited because it's kind of been said before, and I didn't want to get
06:55my hopes up, but then when it was in the script, then I knew it was real.
06:58All I could think about were the fans.
07:03All I could think about were all the comments of people wondering where Reg was.
07:09There was no funeral.
07:10We didn't see a body.
07:11All those different things.
07:13And then, for him to actually be there, I just thought it's great television.
07:19You know?
07:20I mean, whether you like it or not, he brings some type of edge to the shy that is needed
07:28that gives a little bit of danger and, you know, unexpected situations.
07:35So, it'd be cool, you know?
07:36That's all.
07:36And may I also point out, too, speaking of edge and danger, we have one of our fellow
07:41cast members here, Cortez, who plays Knuck.
07:45Stand up!
07:45Stand up, Cortez!
07:46You know you want to say what's up.
07:47Yeah!
07:52Yeah.
07:54My nemesis.
07:55That's right.
07:58So, Lynn, you know, you are a legend in this industry.
08:02You've won an Emmy Award for your portrayal of Josephine Baker.
08:06And let's clap for that, actually.
08:11All right now.
08:12Yeah.
08:14Booyah.
08:16Don't play with her.
08:17And, you know, you recently won the 2025 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress
08:24for your role as Alicia in this show.
08:27So, what does it mean for you to win an NAACP Image Award for your work in this series?
08:31It was amazing, because I came in, actually, in the middle of season six for, it was supposed
08:39to be three episodes.
08:41And they just kept writing.
08:44And the synergy, the energy was incredible.
08:51And I was so accepted by the entire cast.
08:57And they've been there, creating the story.
09:00They, you know, watered the soil for Alicia to come in and do something.
09:06So, for me, to win, I think it was the first award, that, I'm just bragging.
09:12No, it's the truth.
09:13Go ahead.
09:14Get your flowers.
09:14It's the truth.
09:15Claim your time.
09:17That, that, I think they just gave it to me, because, you know.
09:23You're great.
09:24No, absolutely.
09:24No, but, but look, here's the thing.
09:27It keeps me fresh, right?
09:28Yes, it does.
09:29I don't want to, I don't want to become some kind of stereotype of myself.
09:34I want to be challenged in a different way.
09:37I have a great fear of guns.
09:40And I am an anti-gun violence person.
09:44So, for me, as an actor, to really, even though I did put the barrel of one down Martin's mouth,
09:50I forgot about that.
09:51But it wasn't loaded, though, y'all.
09:54It wasn't even loaded.
09:55No.
09:56So, what it does is, I feel relevant.
09:59And it makes me work in a different way.
10:02And it was just such an honor for me to receive an award, to be accepted by a cast of such young, talented actors.
10:11It was just an honor for me, you know, and another challenge.
10:14So, I'm very appreciative.
10:17Love that.
10:18Well deserved.
10:19And can I say, too, with that, I mean, the reward that she received and the recognition that she received is rightfully so.
10:28I mean, I will say, granted, we are blessed to be a part of a really good show, brilliant writers, amazing cast.
10:36But when Lynn came on, she definitely elevated our game.
10:40And, I mean, that goes for the show.
10:42Who said that?
10:42Yeah, but it's true.
10:45It's true.
10:46Yeah, so, no, all the recognition and the praise and acknowledgement that she's receiving, not only for her work in the past, but with our show.
10:54It's, no, it's well-deserved.
10:56Absolutely.
10:57Thank you, Jason.
10:58Thank you all so much for supporting all these decades.
11:01I really appreciate you so, so, so, so, so much.
11:05So, Luke, we've seen your character, Trigg, evolve over the years from former convict to Victor, the voice for his community.
11:15What can we expect from him?
11:19Don't let Lena see.
11:20Don't give away those spoilers.
11:22What can you expect?
11:25You know, he's, you know, I guess through the seasons, he's been just trying to find a space for himself.
11:33Where does he fit in?
11:35And I think we're getting to a place where he, it's not politics, but he does need to have a hold of the community in some kind of way.
11:47He has to help.
11:47So, I think he's going to fall or rise to the occasion of being somewhat of a person who takes care of business in another kind of way.
12:00You're dancing.
12:00You're dancing.
12:01Yeah, I am.
12:02I am.
12:02No spoilers.
12:04I can't give spoilers.
12:05I know.
12:06But also love.
12:07He's trying to figure out what love means to him.
12:09You know, he's taking interest to Tiff.
12:13You know, see if she take interest to him.
12:16You know, hopefully nobody gets involved in the way of that connection.
12:22Jeez, uh, bro.
12:23You know, but no, you know, honestly, I don't, I don't, I just, I just wait for them to send me the script and tell me which way we're going, which way to, which way we're shooting.
12:35And I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm all, I'm all about it.
12:38It's exciting.
12:39I know.
12:39But within all of that, though, you still, there's this presence that you have within that character that it doesn't feel like that.
12:48It feels like your character is journeying in this arc.
12:55You know, and that scene that they played something from, or I think that was right before the mushroom thing, before the mushroom, before them taking this journey.
13:06We went on that journey.
13:07Yeah.
13:07The mushrooms was crazy.
13:11Man, don't do that.
13:12Don't, man, we did that in the right place.
13:14You know, they did that in the house.
13:16It was a safe space.
13:17Safe space.
13:17So you could just be on the floor and nobody judge you.
13:20But I love that you all were seeking some of your personal truths that both the characters were.
13:25I thought that was really interesting.
13:28In fact, I was jealous because I was like, can't Alicia be seeking?
13:33Can't she do some mushrooms?
13:35That would be so, that would be so fun.
13:37You on the boat.
13:39I was on the boat sailing, but I wanted to get down and dirty in some real, some real feelings.
13:46No, yeah, well, you know, I do enjoy this character.
13:51I do enjoy the journey that he has taken, that they have taken us on, all the characters, specifically mine.
13:58I, you know, it's different peaks and valleys, and it's cool to depict a brother really trying to find himself.
14:07And hopefully that, that inspires other bros, et cetera, to, you know, it's, I mean, life is a journey, you know, and so many different sides to you, you know, and you, you owe it to yourself to find out your purpose, all the different purposes of your life, you know, and not waste any time.
14:27And I think that's what Trig is on that journey.
14:30We're watching it in real time.
14:32And, yeah, man, everybody just want to be loved.
14:35And I think that's ultimately what he wants, what he's looking for.
14:38I love that you said that, because, you know, the men's circle has become such a meaningful experience for fans.
14:45So what have those storylines meant to you as an actor?
14:47Well, I think, you know, entertainment, television, music, it does shift the way we think and how we see the world.
14:58It's someone else's depiction, and we gravitate towards it, whether we agree with it or not.
15:03And I think it's really important for TV shows, especially a show that is made by us, for us, to, you know, show all the complexities of us, to create the conversation for us to have in our households.
15:20When that television show is off, you know, the topics are very heavy, and it allows you to engage with each other of the what-ifs and, you know, all the different ways that we think about our lives, you know.
15:34It creates a more humanist experience, humanist, human experience, you know, it's a depiction of who we are.
15:43So, I mean, we need more conversation on how can we be better, how can we expand our territory.
15:50How can we work and help each other be better, you know, and not rely on other cultures to do that for us.
15:59We do it for us.
16:00I mean, we're the original people, so why can't we figure our own thing out.
16:06And if I could just add something to that regarding that men's circle and the therapeutic aspect of it for those male characters to come together.
16:14Coincidentally, while we were waiting to come in here, there were a couple ladies who I guess work here at the convention hall, and one of the ladies, she mentioned that.
16:25She said it's beautiful to see black men sitting together at a table, supporting one another like that, and being transparent, and having these conversations that, you know, normally a lot of times we don't allow ourselves to have.
16:40Or we may feel intimidated or feel reluctant, you know, to share what we're feeling inside.
16:44But yet it still is very therapeutic to do that, and I think that's one of the things that this show ultimately has been successful at being able to do, is allow us as a people to have these conversations that in the past we would be like, I don't know, like, maybe we shouldn't talk about that.
17:01But I think what the show does is open up that floor to have those kinds of discussions.
17:05And so I'm so glad that, you know, the show is not only entertaining, but it can be informative and therapeutic in its own way.
17:13Yeah.
17:14Absolutely.
17:15And so, Jason, I want to get to you.
17:17So, Shad is working as Alicia's head of security.
17:19Yes, indeed.
17:20And they are still very much involved, but, you know, early on in season seven, they started experiencing a few issues.
17:26Mm-hmm.
17:27So, what can you tease about their relationship?
17:31Well, I don't want to get fired.
17:32I don't want to get killed, all.
17:33But, no, what I will say is that you just continue to see, I think, the both of them grow in a different direction as far as their relationship moving forward.
17:48I think, you know, at the end of the day, Shad has a tremendous amount of respect and love for Alicia.
17:54That's at the foundation of the relationship.
17:56So, no matter whether they decide to continue to have an intimate relationship or platonic or on a business level, what you see is that there's this man, this black man who loves and appreciates this black woman who has poured so much into him.
18:13And so, I think, for me, no matter what direction that we go, that's something that I think will continue to be, you know, explored in the show and celebrated.
18:22And I'm glad to be a part of telling that story.
18:25Absolutely.
18:25And so, Lynn, we love that Alicia is so protective of her new grandchild.
18:31So, how do you go from playing fearless gangster to loving matriarch wanting to protect her family?
18:41Well, I think that's one in the same.
18:43I mean, I don't think, most people don't choose to pick up a gun, but I'll tell you, most women and, for sure, most black women, you know, they are gangster in ways that they need to be.
18:57I mean, we throw that word around.
18:59Yes, right?
19:00But, you know, the whole thing, like, if you see a car hit your kid, you know, the mother will run out and lift the car off the, you know, it brings out, you know, a lot.
19:09When there's harm to your children, it's up to every woman who's a mother to figure out how you're going to process that and what steps you'll take to protect, right?
19:21So, being what you call a gangster and then feeling the emptiness of loss.
19:31It's amazing how loss, pain, grief can turn people, like I said, to things like revenge, to the dark side of who we are, as opposed to taking the time to processing pain and loss to make us more whole, right?
19:52But I think that Alicia feels, from her gangster point of view, having lost her son, her only baby, anybody in here, mother?
20:03You lose your only baby.
20:06Of course you're going to want his heir to be close.
20:12You know, you're going to want to protect and all of that.
20:15So, it's all one thing.
20:18You know, people who, men who are in powerful positions, if they protect their family and they do stuff, well, they're just like, that's a strong man.
20:28But, like, women who go out and fight for their family and do all of that, you know, they got to be gangster.
20:35They got to be a thug.
20:37They got to be the B word.
20:39They got to be all those things.
20:40But it's all very logical.
20:43Or, anyway, I processed it to be a very logical series of events that all make sense that come out of one person.
20:53Do you think so?
20:54Yeah.
20:55Absolutely.
20:56All right.
20:56Very well.
20:56Oh, good.
20:57Good.
20:58Okay.
20:59My mom is my superwoman, so I get it.
21:02Oh.
21:02Absolutely.
21:03Okay.
21:03So, for everybody, I want to ask, without getting in trouble, without getting fired, what can you tease about the season seven finale?
21:11Well, I die.
21:15No, he's like, no, no, no, no, no.
21:19We're about to lose viewers, like, stop.
21:23He is up here telling a whole face.
21:25They be talking all that mess, talking about, I'm not going, you're going to watch it.
21:29You're going to watch me die.
21:35And I might come back.
21:37That voice sounded like that voice you did in them.
21:39I don't know if y'all saw them.
21:41Oh, my God.
21:42He was so scary.
21:43Brilliant.
21:44Do the voice.
21:44Do the voice.
21:45I don't have it.
21:45I know I'm not talking about him.
21:47He doesn't have it right now.
21:48I'm not going to put you on the spot, brother.
21:49But that die was kind of it.
21:53No, no, no.
21:54But seriously, I die.
21:55Okay.
21:57Man.
21:58I'm lying.
21:58Why are you playing with them like that?
22:00Just get them going.
22:01What about everybody else?
22:03What can we find out about the season seven finale?
22:07I don't know.
22:08If anything, I think the audience will be surprised, you know, in their own way.
22:14Because I think there are different characters in the show that connect with people.
22:18So I don't know.
22:19No matter which direction by which we go, I think the audience will be entertained first
22:24and foremost.
22:25And, you know, we're going to keep them on the edge of their seat.
22:28I think that's one of the things that makes this show what it is.
22:32It's totally unpredictable.
22:33I think that's what keeps the audience engaged.
22:36So, no, I mean, you know, you're not going to give away no spoilers.
22:39Jason, you ain't said nothing.
22:41What are you saying?
22:42I know.
22:42I know.
22:43I'm dancing.
22:43I don't want to get fired.
22:45Because you know she's going to see this.
22:47Okay.
22:47You know what?
22:48I have a better question for all of you.
22:49What's that?
22:50What has your character taught you about love, family, or success?
22:54True love is unpredictable and uncontrollable if it's really love.
23:05You cannot tell love what to do.
23:10It just takes over you.
23:12And that's how you know it's real.
23:15I learned that.
23:17It may not be what people, the way you love may not be the way that other people like
23:23you to love.
23:25But ultimately, it's about, it's about you.
23:29It's about the soul connection.
23:33And I've learned, I've learned a lot about love in that regard.
23:37I'm sorry, can you repeat that question?
23:41Because I was so interested in what he had to say.
23:43I lost my train of thought.
23:45I hit you with the Maxwell.
23:46What has your character taught you about love, family, or success?
23:55That's a hard, well, it's kind of a hard question.
23:57I think with Shad in particular, he's struggling to, or he struggles to love himself.
24:04And so, what I'm seeing with his character and what I'm learning, even on a personal level,
24:12is like, you know, we all, we all have our things about us where we make mistakes or where
24:19we may fall short of our own expectations.
24:22But, you know, if you have community there and people who really love you and support you
24:27and are willing to give you the proper insight to help you continue on with your journey,
24:32if you're fortunate to have family and community like that, like what we display and depict
24:38on the show, to me, that's what I've learned more, is just like how people can really come
24:43together and rally around you, hence the men's circle and the women's circle.
24:47So, we're definitely seeing plenty of examples of that kind of love on the show, and that's
24:51something I've learned.
24:53And last one, certainly.
24:54Thank you very much.
24:55It's so funny because I think we're all going to talk about love.
25:01For me, I, the moments that Shad and Alicia shared that were so kind of authentic and the
25:17kind of piece that day when we put on the song, it was in the early on.
25:21So, what it did for me as a human being made me say, like, you maybe don't have such a picture
25:29of who you think you should love or who you think you should enjoy.
25:36And it let me know that I'm opened, more opened, through Alicia's loneliness and sort of brittle
25:45way, and to find comfort in someone that wasn't likely.
25:50I think it opened up my mind a little bit to possibilities for myself.
25:56Hey.
25:57Now, that was a great answer.
26:00I'm not as long-winded as the gentleman.
26:03You know, we just try to keep up with you.
26:04Yeah, we keeping up with you.
26:05I'm doing a lot of dancing up here.
26:07But, you know, the beauty of portraying, you know, if you get the opportunity to be blessed
26:12to portray such roles, hopefully, you know, it gives you something.
26:17It's not just about the work.
26:20It does something to your humanity to just give you another perspective on life.
26:26And, you know, really, that's the other part of what we do.
26:30Right, because when we're playing these characters and, you know, allowing them to course through
26:35our consciousness and our, then maybe we can learn cautionary tales of, like, wow, I really
26:43don't want to be like that.
26:45Maybe there's something to learn from that because when you experience it within the work, you see what a different approach might feel like.
26:57That's very true.
26:57I just find it so interesting that all three of us, when we said what did we learn from our characters here, we all talked about love.
27:04Yeah.
27:05And that's really...
27:06I just want love, bro.
27:08That's real.
27:08But you know what I mean.
27:10We talked about experiencing that through characters and the transitions that human beings can make.
27:17How love can transform.
27:18Yes.
27:19Yeah.
27:19Absolutely.
27:20God, that was good.
27:21Love can transform.
27:22That's a book.
27:23That's a book.
27:24Well, I want you guys to give it up for the cast of the show.
27:28Thank you, guys.
27:30Thank you all so much.
27:31Thank you all so much for supporting all of our work.
27:34We really, really appreciate it.
27:36We're on our way to be the longest-running black show.
27:39Thank you all for being here.
27:40Our stories.
27:41Come on.
27:43On behalf of 20th Television and Paramount+, we'd like to thank all of you for joining us.
27:49New episodes of The Chi are available to stream every Friday on Paramount+, Showtime, and on Hulu.
27:56And don't miss the season seven finale on August 1st, and enjoy the rest of Essence Fest.
28:01And remember to post hashtag The Chi.
28:04Thank you, guys.
28:05Thank you, Shai.
28:06Thank you, thank you for all your support.
28:07I love you, friend.
28:07Thank you for all your support.
28:08You're a great audience.
28:09Thank you, kids.
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