| Epps’ ‘Very Weird’ Life |
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| Entertainment Archive | |||
| By Kam Williams - Special to the Informer | |||
| Thursday, May 21, 2009 11:08 PM | |||
 Actor/comedian Mike Epps. Courtesy PhotoHere, he talks about his new movie, “Next Day Air,” an ensemble comedy co-starring Donald Faison, Mos Def, Lauren London, Wood Harris and Debbie Allen. KW: What interested you in “Next Day Air?” ME: Well, it was an edgy script which was much, much different from what people normally see me doing. So, I had to sink my teeth into that. I had to, because I felt like I had been boxed in. KW: What film does “Next Day Air” remind you of? ME: “Pulp Fiction.” It’s a dramedy, so people get to laugh and they get to see action. It’s a very entertaining, fun-filled movie. KW: How was it working with such a talented cast? ME: It was great working with a set of real actors, man. Of course, I respect all of them… Mos Def, Wood Harris, and the whole nine. KW: You also had Donald Faison, Debbie Allen, Lauren London and Darius McCrary. ME: Yeah, it was a nice gumbo, a nice mix. KW: What did you think of Benny Boom as a director? ME: I think Benny Boom is going to be in this business a long time. He was really, really great at bringing all the different cast members together and then shooting the movie that he envisioned. KW: What would you say is the message of the movie? ME: The message is, “Don’t never try to rob Peter to pay Paul/" KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would? ME: Yeah, I want you to ask me, “How does it feel to be a Black man coming from the ghetto, with no education, no support, making it all the way to Hollywood, and you’re still in the ghetto in your mind?” KW: Okay, so tell me how does it feel to be a Black man from the ghetto with no education or support who has made it in Hollywood yet is still in the ghetto, mentally? ME: It is very, very hard to make the adjustment. I’ve got so many attachments from my past that I damn near can’t enjoy all the great things that are going on in my life because of all of that stuff. It’s very, very weird man. KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid? ME: Yes I am, I do have fears. One of my biggest fears is killing somebody out here for [expletive]-ing with me. I mean literally, for real, because there’s a thin line when you’re a comedian and you want people to take you seriously. I get a lot of people trying to take advantage of me because of my kindness. So, I’m either real nice to you, or I want to cut your head off. There’s no in between with me. I’ve got to find a happy medium, but I haven’t found it yet. KW: What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome? ME: The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is loving myself 100 percent. And that’s still a battle. I love myself, but sometimes you can be your own worst enemy. And I think I’ve been my worst enemy in life, because others haven’t been able to do anything to me unless I allowed them to do it.
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