Urban Grandstand Digital Issue 8 | Page 38

Urban Grandstand Digital: Of all of the things I want us to touch on, I think the biggest is obviously The Haves and The Have Nots. The show has become insanely popular, and you have a pretty big character in the show. What’s to expect with your character this new season? Ro Brooks: Basically the same thing you expect each time. Tyler continues to bring it and up the ante. He blows your mind with these storylines that continue to twist and turn. It’s never-ending with the ideas he comes up with. The shock factor is crazy. Without giving it away, prepare for what you’ve seen already on steroids. He brings that shock factor to a higher level. Urban Grandstand Digital: What’s new with you and Hannah this season? Ro Brooks: Well when we last left off, she was saying to me that she needed some space. She left everything on an edge where she let’s people know she’s interested in my character but needs to get herself together. He’s just waiting for that phone call. Urban Grandstand Digital: What has been the best thing about you being a part of this show? Like I said, it’s insanely popular, and every time it ends, fans are clamoring for the return. Ro Brooks: Normally, the way it’s done, it’s 3-4 months before it returns. I think there was one season where it took a little longer for us to return. Urban Grandstand Digital: I think that Tyler does so much, and If Loving You Is Wrong is out there too, so it kind of plays off each other. Ro Brooks: That’s the way television works. It’s usually quarterly. When our show goes off, the other show comes on. That’s just television. When Scandal goes off, then How to Get Away with Murder comes on. He’s following the protocol for television. This time, it does seem a little earlier, but for me it’s just right. I’m glad people think it’s a little earlier because they are craving for it, and they lose their minds when it’s over. Waiting for it to come back is a headache for fans. Urban Grandstand Digital: People love the show, but they love your character as well. Obviously, doing this interview gave me the time to research the things you’ve done, and you’ve been a part of some things that I didn’t realize. Like for instance, the Lil’ mo video you did…. Ro Brooks: Before you get into that, I want to backtrack to answer the question you had asked before, about what I’m most happy about with being on the show…. first and foremost, I’m happy to be working, and then after that, it’s working with Tyler and Oprah Winfrey. That’s the icing on the cake. Who else would you want to work with at the top off their games? She owns the network, and we’re breaking a lot of ground. I’m part of a historical movement. It’s not just a show. This is their first drama together. Urban Grandstand Digital: I think what makes it so good with Oprah is that although she owns the network; she’s not just doing it for money. She really believes in the show and everyone involved. Regardless of the flack she’s gotten with running the network, she’s worked so hard for it. Ro Brooks: Like you said, she is a business lady, but it’s easier to sell something you believe in. She and Tyler both, they really love all the shows that are new to Own, and that includes my show, Love Thy Neighbor, and If Loving You is Wrong. For The Haves and The Have Nots to be the actual anchor is something. I think that’s what really saved the network. The numbers were astronomical, and I don’t think it was expected for that kind of audience to automatically fall in love with the show. That’s a blessing in itself. Urban Grandstand Digital: That goes back to the acting though. Everybody on that show is doing his or her thing. I haven’t seen any