Showtimes "The Chi" Kids Talk Growing Up In Chicago, Auditioning For Role + More

True Star's Paris and Kaleeah sit down with the leading castmates of the Showtime hit series " The Chi", Shamon Brown Jr who plays "Papa" and Michael Epps who plays "Jake".
For more about True Star visit:
WEBSITE: truestar.life/
INSTAGRAM: / true.chi
FACEBOOK: / truestardotlife
TWITTER: / truestardotlife
Donating to our foundation allows us to provide jobs for Chicago's Youth.
Helps us to continue to create teen content creators.
DONATE TO TRUE STAR FOUNDATION: elevate.truestarfoundation.org/

[@ThatPSGGuY]

I'm from Ghana 🇬🇭... Is it weird that I watched the Chi??

[@TrueStarMedia]

Absolutely not, welcome to the family. Subscribe for more updates and more Chi clips coming soon.

[@lovelydae7455]

No

[@blairaaa]

no, why not?

[@masonpatrices]

No it's a TV show...

[@kirabella7143]

I am a 56 young women from michigan and I LOVE this show!! I hate when a season ends.

[@amandafitzgerald9380]

Papa seems exactly like the character he plays.. such an old soul

[@whatsthatthingcalled6843]

😂😂😂

[@groupncymotors2973]

for real papa is so cool

[@chicagomadejb]

😭

[@Joelmartinson1]

pop is so damn grounded and he got a good humble spirit.

[@BlaqPheonix]

The maturity is crazy

[@tthomas5999]

They had the eagle eye because they picked the best person to play Papa, the show wouldn’t be the same without him❤️🌷👍🏾

[@FauxStalgia]

the fact the he cant even relate to his character and has only played that role so well from following directions is amazing

[@tylaleona97]

Jake is one of my fave actors on the chi

[@PrettyBossOfficial]

Season 1 and 2 were absolutely classic and very well balanced. The character development was instrumental to the series. However, I only watched Season 3 and 4 to keep up with the story lines of the young actors. Salute to Chicago ❤

[@yayopolanco95_38]

As soon as jake spoke on the chi I knew he was really from Chicago

[@brescott8014]

On God😭😭😭💯

[@gbrowski]

Straight up. I'm surprised they don't say "jo" more on the show. When I was on the west side 20 years ago everybody was "was up jo" or "aye jo"

[@187tip7]

@@gbrowski slang culture changes every decade

[@gbrowski]

@@187tip7 well that hasn't changed in chicago. They still say it.

[@shayladru2]

@@gbrowski everybody dont tho.

[@TheresaofTheWorld]

I looooove Mr. Epps! He seems genuinely sweet. I just watched 5 seasons of The Chi in the past week.

[@thatprettyuniquemix3649]

I love jake his so damn handsome and the 3 boys are all great playing their part 👍

[@thickbowlofgrits2910]

My boyfriend always say Jake should have been the main character when it came to the kids lol

[@VSLIFE007]

He is the main character basically this season

[@007nate]

Nah Kev the main character and that's the way it should be and is

[@primeslime5909]

I get it but his role is perfect for him

[@seandafny]

He is the main character flick them other niggas.

[@2mk_official]

I love the kids on The Chi!

[@MoDavI-sl7iy]

Talented young men.

[@l.w.7443]

I love these guys. Pop, Jake and they're missing Kevin. I watch the show because of them. Keep up the good work guys.

[@MissShawwty]

I love Kevin's character

[@slimyummy9161]

Papa seem so humble💙

[@joannrabideau1657]

My son and his wife lived in Chicago for three years and when I visited I absolutely LOVE the city. It has so many good things to offer.

[@roblox.helper]

These young gentlemen are great actors. I really enjoy seeing their characters on the show. Great personalities here!

[@houseofmatrix6174]

S/O Jake he best character from the Chi

[@Mo-yd8xc]

All of those actors are good

[@neem4906]

@@Mo-yd8xc he never said they wasn’t, he just said Jake is the best CHARACTER… not the actor, the CHARACTER

[@Mo-yd8xc]

@@neem4906 WEREN'T

[@neem4906]

@@Mo-yd8xc ok grammar police

[@lg3zay615]

Fax my guy

[@ICE_1212]

Michael really sounds like someone from the chi fr 😂

[@cupid5370]

he is tho 💀

[@sabrinamassey9708]

He is from Chicago and always has been a natural talent

[@darealbonniechambers]

💝💝 I'm so proud of these young Men, keep doing your thing

[@nsgkiingx3699]

Lmao poppa brought up police brutality and they did it in season 4. I’m glad they listen to talk on some things

[@TaRonThomasTv]

These kids are super talented. I can’t wait to see their transitions from the CHI to box office movies. Respect!

[@dripdreezy]

Jake has true talent

[@ilovethesoundsof1128]

Jake the fine one yall aint giving him enough credit🧡💛💙💚

[@debbiebailey8369]

My family just left Chicago and they took some pictures in some beautiful places..l want to go…l stumbled across the Chi in the beginning l love it….l love Jake he is so Chicagoan and fly….

[@xoperme]

Poppa spilled all the tea for season 3-4 smh

[@sfjohns12]

They are adorable 🥰

[@heavcee524]

this was so hard to watch lol i feel the awkwardness 😭😭😭

[@timbrelpriscilla]

No like are they okay 😂

[@CashedutMandi]

Right 😭 it’s like I’m scared for them I’m here like “y’all not scared?”

[@rashadhaughton22]

The interviewers need a lil help

[@slimthizzle11]

They did fine. This is not the worse interview, considering how young and still new to it they are. Their are adults who start off, who've done worse interviews, and they got better.. so let them grow, they are mature so I'm sure it will happen naturally with time

[@dking2114]

Yea, interviewers are bad

[@ZimboAi]

The Chi is the best show bros💯...I'm from Zim🇿🇼

[@bubacarrsaidy9342]

I really love them

[@lisalang4716]

And y'all are really good actors keep up the good work

[@sm00ie]

i haven't seen this. i'm glad this exists.

[@naomimolden3444]

I love jake so much

[@JohnWickkkk]

@@naomimolden3444 what about me

[@DMackHDE777]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4WQhouMbtx7jZY

[@DMackHDE777]

@@JohnWickkkk kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4WQhouMbtx7jZY

[@themandinkafamily]

Not the best interviewers to bring it to light but I enjoyed hearing the perspectives of Papa and Jake

[@latjuanwells6312]

I'm an actor myself! Best career a kid could ask for 😊 maybe I'll be on the chi for the next season 🙌

[@houseofmatrix6174]

Keep grinding you will be

[@latjuanwells6312]

@@houseofmatrix6174 I sure will💪💪💪

[@kHoPhAe]

Have some body of work to share with us so we can support you? Anything project, small or big.

[@unapologetictact6458]

You will!!

[@paperchasinjah5606]

Are u on there ?

[@katrinajohnson9409]

Love the chi have been faithful watcher

[@christineburrell88]

I love the chi because it's 100% Chicago good and bad

[@filmadcamp1512]

I don't understand Mike's thing with school work. Why isn't Lena paying for on set tutors for them for when they are filming?? It seems to me that that would be the obvoous thing to do when so many kids are in the show. And I agree with Shamron's point about them not showing the fun aspects of Chicago. I think that's how the first season differs from the rest. The first season had a lot of fun stuff mixed in, like the block party and the school play.

[@honeybee9239]

Actually it's a personal choice he doesn't want to be homeschooled, he does have a teacher online for days he have to work. It's good they get to go to school still, keeps them grounded.

[@filmadcamp1512]

@@honeybee9239 I'm going by what HE said about getting in trouble for not doing school work and missing days. He's still a minor so it's not a personal choice. Legally he should have a tutor on set and if he's planning on staying in regular school, it should be communicated to his school so that the tutor can liaise with the school.

[@honeybee9239]

@@filmadcamp1512 @FilMAD Camp and I'm going by what I know.. this video is old and trust his mom was on it either school and they all came together with a plan..subscribe to Keisha k official. She has a video showing and explaining the process etc.

[@filmadcamp1512]

@@honeybee9239 This video isn't that old. They started the show 4 years ago. They're pretty big in this interview so it's recent enough. I'm glad they eventually got it together but it should never have been an issue in the first place because there are laws and guidelines for kids working on set that should have been followed from jump.

[@honeybee9239]

@@filmadcamp1512 @FilMAD Camp I feel you and you right but that's why his mom had to put some order to it all and made sure her baby graduated. I know for a fact 10months ago Mikey didn't look like this but 😂 okay ..either way yeah Lena should have been the one to actually step up but then again that's what managers are for and luckily his mom is that and been doing a great job.

[@safiyyahtruss1891]

I wish Kev was with them

[@NFJIZZY]

Them Bois 💯💪🏾

[@charlespoter]

This whole interview was cool but hard to watch at the same time

[@rashadhaughton22]

It's the interviewers

[@Itsimplyrosie]

Interviewers are terrible!! Like, they add nothing to the conversation to push it along.

[@treelynntv7465]

Chicago is a great place! People thought I was nuts going there to vacation. There are tons of sights to see and things to do. There is also 30 blocks of underground bars and shops! I'd do it every month if I could.

[@lwrncjms]

Every city has it's good and bad parts

[@treelynntv7465]

@@lwrncjms I'm not an idiot. 🤦

[@suavonyc]

@@treelynntv7465 then stop acting like one

[@suavonyc]

Ok pull up to Fuller park then and you will see Chicago is a sad place

[@akeemthomas729]

I’m glad I watched this interview planning to move there for better life and acting career

[@Imnotgoofyidonttelljokes2009]

They need too put the chi on KZbin ❤

[@jessicamrtnz3jm]

Young Kings 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Ni-wl9uh]

seems like their parents raised them respectful and humble 👏

[@Footballl942]

That's so true about the school district's

[@AshleySpeaks09]

I just discovered The Chi and Jake is my son in my head lol

[@elisemalik8111]

Jake is my favorite

[@WildPhilsOsophy]

Is the camera man on an oxygen tank 🤣 I keep hearing a random rapid inhale and exhale

[@zultivapour7962]

Jake looks the same....Papa is awesome in real life too....✌

[@shevonnerodgers5051]

I think the interviewers sometimes forget they were interviewing kids.

[@MkG-ce8ul]

Okay

[@reginawhite2536]

Awesome talent 👏

[@fifty1fifty923]

I just finished watching the last episode of season 4.. they need like 4 more seasons of this show.. this is in my top 5 shows! 1.GOT 2. Snowfall 3. The Chi 4. Power 5. The Walking Dead

[@PrettyBossOfficial]

Definitely a good series. Imo, the first 2 seasons of the Chi were classic

[@jannelle5708]

He’s so cute the one with the braids

[@TheresaofTheWorld]

Right!

[@patriciacrenshaw2475]

I'll be back to visit President Obama's Presidential Library when it opens! Can't wait. Also, these young men are super talented.

[@jazzy4110]

pop was the best character

[@djlaughs7034]

i wish i was on the chi

[@expandingtheculturemedia5115]

fire

[@TrueStarMedia]

Shoutout to our new subscribers and viewers. Let us know if you'd like a reunion with the cast of #TheChi and who else you'd like to hear from.

[@quanisheastephens4341]

Yes. Reunion please. Bring on as many as possible. My favorite show.

[@SaydeeLashaeClay]

Yesssss

[@alih8126]

Cute. These hosts need practice

[@lovelydae7455]

Yes a lil unprofessional

[@MkG-ce8ul]

@@lovelydae7455 exactly the dude more so

[@rashadhaughton22]

The dude spent more time on his hair vice preparing for his interview skills 👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽

[@clarence5996]

I guess they all are new to interviewing. The host should have moved the microphone 🎤 out of everyone faces. Should have had some prepared questions

[@Imnotgoofyidonttelljokes2009]

I like Jakes voice

[@Imnotgoofyidonttelljokes2009]

That’s funny if Jake still remembers me there’s so many pretty women in the comments 😭 😂❤

[@khalise213]

is it me, or is jake sooo cute😭?

[@JamayaNevaeh]

Yessss😭

[@kiaramarshall08]

He fine lol

[@JamayaNevaeh]

@@kiaramarshall08 he fine for no reason 🤣

[@khalise213]

@@JamayaNevaeh right lmao😭

[@khalise213]

@@kiaramarshall08 yess😭

[@pochantis3478]

I like Michael

[@santricejarrett3059]

What about Kevin?

[@Netta-jb1dv]

They interview skills is terrible not the kids the hosts

[@kirstenewings9811]

Right

[@HisgGalore]

🤦🏿‍♀️

[@vonandmixmix4596]

Jake went to my old school in forest park

[@AestheticallyC]

How was he

[@Imnotgoofyidonttelljokes2009]

Mikey bae 😱 💍 😂🧡

[@Mimi-cg2cw]

E40 Hammer do something for Bay Area kids .

[@youngbucks6504]

Bring Brandon back, he learned his lesson 😒😤we get it !

[@ejura9853]

Let’s go out Jake

[@nikkiwilliams3393]

Lord,Jake was congested and keeps sniffing costantly I know he can't help it but he needed to blow his nose!!

[@yolandalann]

Thats not jake sniffling..its the person filmin i think...watch his face...not him

[@kirabella7143]

The producer for this show is "50 Cent"?

[@kristiholland2112]

How many seasons of chi is it

[@kash762]

4 about to be 5

[@johnnythunder8382]

this is a terrible interview. yall dont even have questions ready. asking kids if there is tension on set. clearly you never been on a production set. its tension in all depts. and these are kids dont ask them those types of question they cant always break down responses as eloquent as their adult counterparts

[@thelananicole11]

totally agree. this was a terrible interview and very awkward!

[@Unjust726]

How many times are y’all going to day period

[@janetjohnson8236]

Lol what's its like growing up on the westside?

[@MindfulOfTheBear]

Why do they got sisqo interviewing

[@nolimit5854]

Where is kevin tf

[@VSLIFE007]

He not from Chicago this is a Chicago based interview/KZbin page

[@404pooh7]

jake so damn fine

[@Jefflefty1m]

Ayoooo

[@meka3701]

It's like that in every state... You have good and bad... Chicago no different.... 🥴

[@seandafny]

Jake a real nigga in real life too look how he sitting. Plus chewing gum mid interview

[@truleekemp5768]

Lol these interviewers had very low and boring energy

[@representing50plus]

Open fire hydrants in NEW YORK

[@CashedutMandi]

YUUH THEM SHITS BE FIRE IN DA SUMMER

[@arienneave3588]

they do the same about baltimore

[@demonizedqggz1011]

I’m still confused bout Brandon death

[@blynn4108]

I read the girl he was dating on the show accused him of sexual harassment

[@blasiansaii6807]

Douda said he killed him because he teamed up with the feds

[@taniyahdadon_4288]

He went to jail in real life so they had to kill him .

[@jurneealise]

This is so hard to watch 😭😭.

[@jazzyfour]

I don't know much about Chicago nut I thought the south side was the roughest part

[@kirabella7143]

Me too???????

[@dbw.william991]

he look just like king von

[@therockobama3018]

Big facts

[@cstc1235]

and g herbo

[@LilRichh_]

If he start a rap career I wouldn't be mad he look like da type he's not gonna always wanna act for Sure

[@caatkashhtv4242]

Lol no he don’t

[@BeyondXclusv]

Jack should play King Von

[@chan2009ify]

Lol definitely

[@CashedutMandi]

Jake*

[@lbelle2798]

I heard Michael Epps was 28 yo....is that true??? He looks so young

[@EarthQueen-1111]

On his moms IG, she stated that he was 14 from his graduation post last year. Idk why google played him like that 🤦🏾

[@chan2009ify]

He is definitely not 28, he is child!

[@jadagreen]

There are two different Michael epps

[@CashedutMandi]

No he’s is 15 atm

[@TheresaofTheWorld]

Born in 2005

[@lovelydae7455]

I saw Jacob cursing in #blackchicagobelike It rubbed me the wrong way

[@DWEthiopia]

Does Michael Epps have vitiligo?

[@NatashaGrace]

That’s what I was thinking

[@monaemitchell6497]

Seems like it maybe

[@sugarbarhtx]

Eczema

[@dbw.william991]

y her voice so deep ?

[@Joelmartinson1]

Nothing wrong with her voice. What is going on with the guy on the right ?

[@brejustliving5180]

@@Joelmartinson1 nothing is wrong with him

[@NBA2KLTT17]

@@brejustliving5180 Yes something is wrong.

[@jahnaysianolastname4428]

@@NBA2KLTT17 no yall are just homophobic

[@NBA2KLTT17]

@@jahnaysianolastname4428 Sure. Call me that lol

[@thelananicole11]

Love these kids and the show. But these interviewers weren't really good. This was dry and awkward a lot of the way through and the one on the right came off a bit rude. Idk I ain't like it. I couldn't even make it all the way thru.

[@BreBre025]

I wanna know who wrote all the profanity in for these kids. Lol that’s always bugged me. Because they curse more then the adults. Every other word is profanity.

[@kalifharden377]

Believe it or not when kids are away from their parents they curse up a storm!😂😂

[@PrettyBossOfficial]

@@kalifharden377 very true! That just gave me a flashback to my adolescence... Our mouths were way fouler than adults especially in middle school 😭

[@mariel4067]

They really showed how inequality looks like. Too sad.

[@gabriellegamble4169]

Why its so hot.

[@kaefinessedya9221]

This interview was trash. These interviewers need training

[@johnnythunder8382]

agreed

[@uloveleyah2]

how will they get better without practice ? this is clearly their training

[@johnnythunder8382]

@@uloveleyah2 try interview friends first

[@igobynell9180]

Wtf was funny to the interviews when micheal said he wants to be an A-list actor and skip auditions … like y’all do know that’s how acting works in real life right ? Bozos.

[@Joelmartinson1]

I would never come to that state

[@sharioden5853]

City? Or State ? ... Chicago is actually beautiful

[@ceoxboards4802]

Bro don't let the stereotypes scare you to come see our beautiful city💯

[@EarthQueen-1111]

City... And Chicago is beautiful tbh

[@nicholehenson5126]

You don’t have to we are not pressuring you to come either. It’s crime everywhere we are the best state ever

[@1kayylife]

@@nicholehenson5126 Chicago isn’t a state

[@therockobama3018]

King von son ?🤔

[@meaganhollingsworth6303]

Exactly

[@therockobama3018]

@@meaganhollingsworth6303 that’s Exactly who I thought it was LOL

[@thagoat4759]

nope just an another black boy with dreads. They literally look nothing a like

[@DREAMzzzzzZzzzZZ]

@@thagoat4759 facts lol I don’t see it

[@NeemPesci]

That’s king Von lil brother that his pops didn’t tell him about 🤣