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  • 1 day ago
After 30+ years in the game, Mekhi Phifer says auditions aren’t part of the process anymore.

Hip-HopVibe.com sits down with Mekhi Phifer to talk about his decades-long career, how the industry has evolved, and why he now focuses on selecting roles instead of auditioning. With a body of work spanning over 30 years, Phifer explains how he approaches scripts today and why staying focused on the craft still matters.

He also breaks down his role as a world-renowned photographer in his latest film and shares what it meant to finally work alongside Tisha Campbell after nearly three decades of friendship.

Watch the full HHV Exclusive interview now.

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Transcript
00:09I am so excited for people to see this show.
00:13Tell me what you know about hip hop.
00:15Look at it.
00:16I know a lot about hip hop.
00:17I am hip hop.
00:19What do I know about hip hop?
00:21What do I know about hip hop?
00:21I know a lot about hip hop.
00:23So I'm Brittany L.
00:24I'm with the hip hop vibe.
00:26To have an icon like you.
00:28Oh, where?
00:28You're the coach.
00:30I hope you know who you are.
00:32So do you still feel like you're working?
00:35Do you even audition anymore?
00:36Be honest.
00:37No, not really.
00:38You know, I'm not saying that as a thing.
00:40I have auditioned in the past many times.
00:42Of course.
00:44But no, a lot of times now, I mean, because it's such a body of work,
00:47talking about three decades of plus work, there's not much that I can't do.
00:53And I've shown that throughout my range.
00:56So now it's more about fielding offers, reading scripts, what works, what doesn't work.
01:02And then time-wise, does it work with whatever I'm working on at the time.
01:07Yeah.
01:08So, but I still scrutinize and read scripts the same way I would if it was 30 years ago,
01:1520 years ago.
01:16Oh, I love that.
01:17I love that.
01:18There's so many aspiring actors.
01:20I mean, we are now led.
01:21Of course.
01:21Of course.
01:22The game has changed a lot.
01:24I mean, we're self-tape auditions now.
01:25It's a lot different.
01:27But what has changed the most to you and your experience on your side of the game?
01:32Well, you know, the only thing that's really changed is just the way that people view content.
01:38So, you know, with the streaming services and everything else, and now we have social media
01:43stuff, things like that.
01:46I'm a creature of habit.
01:47So, it didn't really affect how I do my thing because I can work on Netflix the same way
01:55I can work on ABC, you know.
01:58But I just ride the wave, you know, and I just go where the day takes me.
02:04And I keep it about the work and the skill set.
02:07I love it.
02:07You know, I stay focused on that.
02:09Absolutely.
02:10Tell me about your role in this film.
02:11Oh, man.
02:12So, I play Peter, who is a world-renowned photographer.
02:16Okay.
02:17He's now in, he's sort of a nomad, but he's now in New Orleans.
02:20Tisha's character comes from North Carolina to New Orleans.
02:23I'm a world traveler.
02:24Right.
02:24So, I'm all over the place.
02:26Right.
02:26So, you're able to pull it.
02:27You're able to pull it.
02:28I'm able to pull it.
02:29I'm able to do my thing.
02:30Yes.
02:30And she starts to curate an art museum kind of thing.
02:36Okay.
02:37And I'm the photographer and I have my whole exhibit.
02:39And that's where our relationship starts to kick off.
02:42I love it.
02:43Was there any moment that stood out the most to you when you were filming?
02:45Me and Tisha have known each other since the 90s.
02:48Yeah.
02:48But we've never been able to work together.
02:50Wow.
02:51And so, this is our first time working together.
02:53Oh, that's huge.
02:53So, she's been a friend for almost 30 years.
02:56And so, for us to be able to do our work together and to see her work ethic and her
03:02spirit and
03:02her energy is very complimentary.
03:05And I just love it.
03:07I love that.
03:07That's a big one.
03:09I love it.
03:10Nothing, nothing.
03:10Its bilateralが好き.
03:11I love it.
03:11I love it.
03:13Andし её, she's so good!
03:13And as people are front and where work teams are today.
03:13So nice.
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