Keep it Positive, Sweetie - Embracing the Pivot with Chester Tre' Rogers

Episode Date: April 2, 2024

This week I have my friend, Chester Tre’ Rogers, on the couch to discuss his journey from playing in the NFL to being a series regular on 50 Cent’s BMF. Tre’ is a great example of prayer, hard work and determination will always pay off. I hope his story inspires all of you to keep going. 

Hello and welcome to this episode of Keep It Positive, sweetie. I'm Krista Renee Hazlett and today I have my good good friend Chester Trey Rogers with me. We are talking about all things, just all things life. How are you doing? I'm doing great. Good, good. First of all I want to thank you for, know blessing me with your platform. I just want to say I'm proud of you. Thank you. I'm proud of you too. That's why I wanted you on the sofa. Had to get you on the couch so we could really talk about everything because people need to know your story. I feel like they really do. It's time. It is time. When I think about you I think about transitions and. And since I've known you, it's been a transitional period in your life.

And I think about the quote that says, many speak of opportunities when one door closes, another one opens, but rarely about the hallway, the transition, the in between where you are and where you're headed. The hallway doesn't have to be a scary, dark, endless confusion. It can be a space of massive transformation, great memories and peace. And that's where I feel like you are right now. I got one. Absolutely. Yes. So Trey, you are from Huntsville, Alabama.

You are an active, an actor and an NFL player, entrepreneur and investor. When I first met you, we were in the gym. We had the same trainer. And you were training, I think it's off season, but you were also just kind of getting your feet wet back into the acting world. Yeah, I think we had just started filming season two of BMF when I started at the gym. Wow, season, that was season two already? That was season two. Oh my goodness, okay. So we're gonna take it back. You started acting as a child.

Correct. So tell us about that because a lot of people know you as the NFL player, but Okay, so we're gonna take it back. You started acting as a child So tell us about that because a lot of people know you as the NFL player where they don't know that you also Was a childhood star. Yeah, so I started back in 2005 When I first got my first audition which was for the movie Constellation directed by Jordan Walker-Perman when I played the young Billy Dee Williams. So how that came about was I was sitting at the dinner table with my family and we watching the news and it comes across

as an open call audition for this movie. So this wasn't nothing that I was preparing for. I would just always, you know, like the life of the party, the class clown, and I saw the opportunity and we laughed about it. My parents was like, you want to do it? I was like, let's do it. And the thing was I had a basketball game that same day but I was like, no, let's you know, let's go to it, let's try it. My parents, I don't think they thought I was serious about it. I was up at like seven o'clock, like, we doing it or not? So we go

down to the audition and there's hundreds and hundreds of kids. I didn't think it was gonna be that. And I get in there and I knock it out and end up in my first role. And I go from this kid and what, third or fourth grade. And my life changed overnight. I'm in the backseat of the car with Gabrielle Williams and Billy D. Williams. Like, you know, wow, what did it feel like you were 10 years old? Right. Billy, let's years old riding with Billy D.

Let's first of all Billy D Williams. First of all, yeah, and Gab Union. Wow. So, you know, I heard about Billy D, you know, from all my aunties and grandmothers. They love me, you know, from Star Wars and everything. So when I landed that role, it was just major. But I didn't know the magnitude it had behind it and where it would take me. And I think like after I landed the role

and they saw like the charisma I had, just the talent I had, just from the small part that I had, they were like, you gotta move this kid out to LA. So from there, me and my mom, we picked up and moved out to LA. My dad and my brother, they stayed in Alabama because he was in high school. Wow. So I knew you were young then,

but like, what was that like being away from your brother and your dad? That was tough, but it just kind of shows, you know, the commitment we have as a family. Like we're going to sacrifice what we got to do. My dad, he had his own barber shop. And again, my brother was in school. And you know, for my mom to, you know, sacrifice

being away from her other son and her husband. Yeah. You know, I just got to, you know, just give her all the praise and the glory because she sacrificed the life for me. I love you mom. Shout out Miss Tammy. Amazing mother, just an amazing woman as well. I want to make note about how family oriented you guys are. You guys are the epitome of family and I absolutely love it. So you move out to LA, you're a kid trying to pursue this acting career. What was that like at that age? I know once you got in LA that's a different world than Alabama. Absolutely. Coming from Huntsville, Alabama going to LA it was definitely a culture shock

but you know I kind of fit right in. You know, I can adjust in any environment. I feel like that's one of my things, you know, just adapting. So just being out there in that spotlight, just being around other celebrities, other kid actors. I went to a school out there that was mainly for kid actors. We all stayed in this one apartment complex called the Oakwood Apartments. And we went to school right down the street.

So it wasn't too tough of a, you know, dabbing, but you know. Now what opportunities came up, what auditions came up? I know there were some almost where you were supposed to be certain characters and I want to talk about how that may have played an effect on your mental as a kid. Out there while I was out there, I think I landed, I landed quite a few roles

on the next movie was with Cooper gunn jr. dirty I landed that on I landed a TV show NBC it ended up not getting picked up we shot the pilot and I learned a few things and I'm the last thing that I landed was the DS family reunion yeah yeah thank you TP but um and from there, the next role that I almost got that you're talking about was Everybody Hates Chris. Yeah. I was auditioning for the role of Chris and I was right there.

Yeah. To the point where we pretty much signed a contract and you know how they do. They gotta recast if it don't look right. And you know, that was a tough, that was a tough blow. Yeah. For sure. Cause I really thought I had it. But as a kid And you know, that was a tough, that was a tough blow. Yeah. Sure, because I really thought I had it. But as a kid, you know, I just, I got used to, you know,

nose, you get a lot of nose in this industry. So I just kept going. And then from there, the next role was for House of Pain. So I want to say Ruben Cannon and Tyler, you know, they had to, that was his first show, right? Yeah, yes. With the CBS deal, yeah. He was filming in Atlanta and they called me down

and they like, hey, we got this role for you, come audition for it. And it was the same kind of exact way with Everybody Hates Chris. Thought we was setting up our apartment and everything here and it got recast. My goodness. So what was that like as a kid?

Cause I know that was, the first one was Everybody Hates Chris. And then you get to Atlanta thinking, okay, I got recast it. My goodness. So what was that like as a kid? Cause I know that was the first one was everybody hates Chris and then you get to Atlanta thinking, okay, I got this one. And then it's like stripped away from you. What, like what type of toll did that take on you as a kid? It took a lot out of me because I just thought it was, Ooh, this is finally my breakthrough. What I've been working for for the last three or four years.

But at the same time, you can ask my mom, it was like, I took it and it, you know, just fell right off my shoulder. I was like, now we good. You know, whatever God got for me, he got for me. And I don't know how I had that mindset at that age, but I did. And after I lost that last one, I told my mom that I was ready to go back to Huntsville and be a kid again, just to, you know, experience different things. That's man, I love that. Okay, so you moved back to Huntsville. I want to be a kid again, just to experience different things. That's right, I love that. Okay, so you moved back to Huntsville, I wanna be a kid again.

Yes. I mean, I can understand that, cause that's a lot as a kid to pursue, as an adult, we know what it's like pursuing acting. So I can't imagine what that's like as a child. Was your mom supportive or did she feel like, well, I done uprooted and did all this? No, I think she was ready too.

We had been out there on the grind for three to four years and I think we both just kind of needed a break or reset. I didn't know there was going to be that long of a reset. But again, I was missing out on so much time. I'm thousand of miles away from my friends and I'm on MySpace just seeing them have fun and I'm not here.

MySpace. Right, MySpace. That's how, you know, so. That's how old you are. Yes, yeah, come on. Don't do me like that. I thought I'd be dating myself when I talk about Myspace. Okay, you was into Myspace. I guess you're not a baby no more. There we go.

We settled that. But no, like I said, I just wanted to be a kid again. I wanted to go play sports because I didn't get to play sports out there. I was working. I was legit working and getting homeschooled on set. So I just wanted to- Be a kid. Be a kid for real.

Yeah, I get that. So I wanna talk about you being homeschooled as a childhood actor on set and basically missing your childhood. Do you feel like that's okay or would you even want your son doing that at a young age? It's tricky, it's a tricky business. I feel like you can get lost in it, you know, if you don't have a strong support group

because they throw a lot of things at you and they love the vulnerable people. And kids are very vulnerable in that industry. And there's a lot of things that happen out there that, you know, I'm just not with. You know, it was just not with, you know, it was different situations that came across when I was a kid. And thank God for my mama, she saw it and you know, no, we're not doing that. No, he's not coming there. You know what I mean? So, but as far as the homeschooling aspect, you know, it's definitely difficult. It's different from being in the classroom. I don't think it's necessarily normal. I would like for my child to be in a real school system

and learning. I don't know if I'll let my son go out there. I just want to protect him. I know. I just want to protect him. I'm doing it. Yeah, I even feel like kids would miss out on a lot of development.

For sure. Just being around other kids their age. For sure. I know you pick up at that age you're absorbing everything And I thought you almost grew up really fast because you meet a lot of childhood actors and they are so mature They almost act like adults know for sure and it's like, oh my gosh, and they one point you're so impressed But then it's like dang like you are another person Stories come from that you know, I met a lot of friends out there and I'm just seeing. Like, you could wait to this. I haven't seen too many good stories come from that, from childhood actors, you know.

And I met a lot of friends out there and I'm just seeing where they are now. And it's like, man, I just, sad, honestly. But I know it just comes from being in that spotlight and being in that industry at a young age, just taking over, so. Yeah, are you grateful that you had the wherewithal to say, hey mom, I wanna go home.

I wanna be a kid again. Absolutely, I don't know where I would be, you know. I would have stayed out there in Hollywood. It's scary out there. It is. So you get back to Alabama and that's when you realize you love football or what was it that sparked that? Honestly I really did start playing football against a high school. So wait a minute. Yeah. Okay, this is interesting Yes, I got back around middle school and I was playing basketball my brother played basketball. So I wanted to play basketball Yeah, that's what I was doing and they were like just come out just come back cuz I was good when I was a kid

But you know, I'm not tackling something like I'm good on that right? I'm gonna stay play basketball But uh, yeah, I got into football when I say my ninth grade year and it just took off. You know, I was never the five-star, you know, recruit. I never had, you know, all these scholarships, but I just grinded. I had the discipline and I knew what I wanted. You know, and then I was like, okay, my mom always told me, you're going to college. So that was another reason I wanted to go back because we talked about them. Okay, I go to college, but if I'm gonna go to college, we're not paying for it. So I need to get a scholarship.

Yeah. You thought like that as a kid? Yeah, I mean, I didn't think that we had the money to pay for college. I didn't, you know, but I knew I could get a scholarship and I ended up not getting a scholarship, you know, through. So here's another situation that happened right before my senior year.

I was at a camp, a 707 camp, and I broke both of my jaws. You know, I ran face to face with another player and I shattered, I shattered everything. So I got wires and screws, all plates in my jaw. So I was wired down for six weeks and all of the recruitment and momentum that I had going into my senior went away.

So that was just another tough situation and it ended up leading to me having to walk on to Grand West End University. So it's kind of how I am. I love it. So it's given underdog and it's definitely given the story of an underdog for sure. And an overcomer.

Yeah. It seemed like you had to overcome a lot. I truly, I live that, you know, the underdog. So that's me. Okay. So we get to college. What was next? Cause how did college go? Were you like a breakout star?

You walk on another situation. I want you guys to pay attention to the story because a lot of times people Were you like a breakout star? You walk on another situation. I want you guys to pay attention to the story because a lot of times people see you where you are now on a hit show, but don't understand like what it took to get there and the different avenues that you take to find your passion. And yours has been like blow after blow after blow,

even from a childhood actor to now we're in college, didn't get the scholarship you wanted, walked on, so you're constantly having to prove yourself. So what was that like? Truthfully, I think that everything that I went through as a kid in high school, it prepared me for that journey that I was about to take when I got to college. Because legit, when I walked on, maybe one coach knew

who I was, and that was through a friend of a friend, my best friend that signed a scholarship there. And I was like, if I'm going to walk on somewhere, I'm going to go with you. So we ended up choosing Grand Misty University. And like I said, nobody knew me. I wasn't a big time recruit, but I worked. I worked hard, and I earned my spot to the point where they had to play me. I didn't get a scholarship until like my junior year. Wow.

So yeah, and I broke out and I just started balling honestly and the moment I picked up, I started getting a lot of scouts coming and checking for me by my senior year. And I thought I was gonna get drafted, you know? And of course I didn't get drafted, I went undrafted. So again, that story just continues with me. At any point, we're to college now,

at any point where you like leaning on God or losing faith because it's like, dang, I like, every time I get, I feel like I'm making a step, it's like another roadblock. Was there any moment where you were kind of like, come on now. No, definitely. I think, you know, once you go through those type of moments, it's actually your faith. And it puts you in a type of moments, it's extra your faith.

And it puts you in a lot of moments where it's just, you gotta sit alone and truly figure out, is this what I want? And then you have to lean on your support system. I had an amazing support system, my parents, my brother, and they just sticking with me. And at times, honestly, they believe in me more than I believe in myself,

which I thank them so much for. But definitely, I didn't know that I was good enough. I always had that back in the back of my mind. Can I do this? I'm coming from a small HBCU in a little Louisiana. So I didn't know if I was good enough. I knew I had the formula to make it where I wanted to make it. That's good.

I love that. So you get, we're in your junior year of college, you're getting all these recruits, scouts are looking at you, thinking you're going to get drafted to the NFL. You don't get drafted. What happens next? And it's crazy because I legit thought I was going to get drafted, man. I say my phone was ringing multiple times a day. I'm having a conversation with these scouts

and these coaches and draft day comes and you know, day one, you don't get picked. Day two, you got all your family around, you're watching it and day two, day three, and you still don't get picked, but you're getting calls throughout the draft to where the point, like, hey, you still there, we're just checking on you.

So I'm like, okay, cool. At least I'm gonna get picked by six, seven rounds. And you don't get the call and it's like. How many days is the NFL draft? What is it, two to three days? Okay. I think it's two or three days. So just not getting that call is another gut blow.

Yeah. But I got a call. I can't imagine that one. Soon as the draft was over, the Indianapolis Cokes had called and they were one of the first ones that really connected with me throughout the process. It was between them, the Jets and the Giants.

And I ended up going with the Cokes, just based off their roster and just how much they really, you know, important to me. I love that, I love that. So you are in the NFL and then something traumatic happens with your family. Yes. I feel like it's important to touch on this because there's so many highs and lows in all our stories

and you just never know what people have gone through. Would you like to share what happened? So I mean, going back to the draft day, I'll never forget the moment I got the call and accepted going out, being drafted to the coast. It was a special moment that me, my mom, being on drive to the coast. It was a special moment that me, my mom, my brother, my dad had, but after we celebrated, my mom, she got this discernment that God blessed her with.

Your mom, she so do. She has it. Tammy got that discernment now. Mama always know. And it was a moment where she was like, I hope y'all ready because the devil is, he's mad. We just got blessed with this, but whatever you got going on, clean it up.

You gotta walk a straight line because the devil's about to be busy. You hear it, but at the moment it's like you celebrate. You're like, oh yeah, yeah. Yeah. Turn it up. Right, like I'm not trying to think negative, but she just gotta keep it real.

So going into my rookie year, I ended up making a team. And the first, so the first away game we had, my parents came and the house got broken into, right? Like they came, they took everything. I'm talking about everything, like wiped it clean. Like it was probably one of the most traumatic moments for my family. Yeah So that happened boom Second is it didn't happen. My dad is coming home from work

Two men, you know jump out at gunpoint trying to rob my dad It was nobody but God because he didn't have a weapon He just ran in they ran away. Mm-hmm ran away. And then the last thing that happened was my dad ended up getting jammed up in a situation to where he ended up going to prison. And this all happens, back to back to back in like in a five week span. Oh my God, of your rookie year.

Of my rookie year. This was supposed to be like the highest moment of your life. Absolutely. And all these things are happening. All these things are happening. For the longest, I kind of, I don't know if the word or the name for it

is survivor's guilt, but I kind of, I held it on me. And I felt like I brought this attention to the family to where all this bad stuff started happening. So I was just walking around depressed for the longest because I lost my father figure. And my father, in this special time in my life, I wanted to celebrate with him. And I needed him.

And he was gone for three years, so it was tough. Wow. So every Sunday that you had to go out there, what was that like playing, knowing that, I know your mom and your grandparents and your brother were probably there, but what was it like looking out there knowing that my pops is not here?

It was tough. It was tough, because you knew you want him there. He was there when I scored my first because he didn't end up you know getting convicted and leaving until my second year but he was there for my first touchdown. When I scored I took the ball up there to him. We came down running down so just knowing that he wasn't there for the next three years it was tough but I knew he was inside. I wanted to put on for him because I know he in there watching this. So yeah, it was tough, but we made it through.

Yeah. You talked about depression and that's something that I feel like our community battles a lot. And we're just getting to the point now where we are embracing therapy or embracing talking to someone. I don't feel like therapy was as popular

or trendy as it is now then when you were going through it. So how did you even deal with it? Or did you even realize I'm depressed? Or is it now that you were able to identify that was actually depression? Yeah, I didn't really, I didn't know what it was. I didn't know what that feeling was. I never went through it.

It wasn't until like I had no other choice and no one to lean on, except my God and my family and ended up having to do my own research and try different people out to talk to, to be able to release certain things. And it really, really helped. And I'm doing it to this day. So, you know, depression is something that I think

is relevant now. It's important. You gotta be self-aware. And don't be embarrassed about it, like we all go through something. We do, yeah. Cause I think we, especially, I can't speak for me and myself, but I know the, the,

the stress and the pressure that's put on our black men to where you had to be so strong. And even black women, we had to be strong, we gotta keep pushing. And a lot of times we don't deal with what we're dealing with. We don't take the time to just sit down and be like, wait a minute, I'm really going through something right now.

And you do feel embarrassed or you don't know how to talk to somebody about it. Like it's okay not to be okay. Like we're human. Yes, exactly. We're not robots. So, like, don't not be embarrassed. Yeah. I love that.

I love that. So let's fast forward. You're playing football, and then I meet you in 2022? I think 2022. Yeah, 2022. And this is when you are still playing football. This is something that I don't feel like a lot of athletes

have gotten to do, like actively acting and playing football. You were doing both at the same time. What was it like when you found, well actually, no, let's go back to, how did even the role of Sterling Black come apart? Because I know you were in Atlanta off season, and then this happened.

Like, how did that even come about? So, going back a little bit, I was with the Tennessee Titans and we had just finished the playoffs, second round, we lost to the Bengals. Shout out to the Titans. Lost to the Bengals, we was supposed to go to the Super Bowl that year,

I'm still sick about that. But, yeah, so off season hit, probably one month into the off season and I'm going into my, you know, I just really got into my entrepreneur stuff and I'm looking at buildings for a business that I'm going into my, you know, I just really got into my entrepreneur type stuff and I'm looking at buildings, you know, for a business that I'm about to open. And, you know, we're still on the side of the road

and the family pulls up and they're asking, you know, where to go get breakfast. You know, it's another little spot down there called Two Thumbs Up. Love Two Thumbs Up, yes. So we tell them where to go and they're like, oh, we're hungry too. So we go to Two Thumbs Up and we're standing out there,

it's a long wait. We see this guy over there with a BMF hoodie, him and his wife. So we ain't thinking nothing of that, we're like, hold on, he can't be in the real BMF. Right. He can't be. Rocking the, rocking the T-shirt.

Right, right, so it's like, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. Can't be with me, you know. Right. No, my dukes, she always thinking, she always 10 steps ahead. So I see her walk away, I'm still talking to Plops, she go over there and talk to him, okay cool. She come back, she's like, yo, that's the producer.

You know, she has to produce a BMF, she introduced herself, they were just talking. So we go, we get sat down. They're still standing out there. So we're like, let's just invite them for breakfast. Right. See where it goes. They come, they join us. So we're like, let's just invite them for breakfast. Right. See where it goes. They come, they join us and we just hit it off.

You know, it's one of the most amazing families. Ian Wolf and Miss Patricia Wolf. I love them. Yeah. And we really just hit it off and and I just shot my shot. You know, I'm just going now. Sometimes you got to shoot your shot. Yeah, you got to shoot it. You can't be scared. So I didn't have a resume or my head shots.

I put all that together like this. And once he reached out to Randy and you know. Hey, sweeties. Have you ever wondered what's in the products you use on a daily basis? Well, let me tell you about Elle. Elle, like the letter, is a brand committed to providing you period care products inspired by nature,

made without dyes, fragrances, and synthetic pesticides. Their pads have a breathable cotton top layer and a plant-based core, and their tampons contain an organic cotton core. Now not only can you feel good about Elle's ingredients, but also Elle's price. With tampons and pads that protect for under $5 a month, ELL believes access to period care is not only a fundamental right for everyone, but an opportunity for change as well. That's why ELL is on a mission to make exceptional period care accessible for all by providing funding each year to non-profit community-based organizations around the world focused on period care accessibility, menstrual health education,

and employment opportunities. So if you're looking for a brand that aligns with your values of giving back and using products inspired by nature, look no further than Elle. If you want to learn more about their mission or browse their full range of products, visit their website at thisiselle.com. And the next time you're in the period care aisle, look for L pads and tampons. Choose love, choose L. Told him about me. I left it at that, you know what I'm saying?

I put it in God's hand, I left it at that, and legit two weeks later, I'm in Houston with my son, I check my email like 10 o'clock at night, and it says you have an audition during 48 hours. You know how that is. That quick, you know what I'm saying? I get them from the neuro all the time, like, I can't even get them.

So I legit did not think that it was gonna happen that fast. I really didn't think I was gonna get an audition. It was just like a long shot. I ended up getting that audition and like, we went right back to when I was 10 years old in LA. Yeah, it was almost like muscle memory. Yeah, it was muscle memory. I flew back to Atlanta, went and got my wardrobe.

I called an acting coach and 24 hours audition. How long did it take for you to find out that you actually booked the role? Truthfully? Uh-huh. I got hit back in probably like an hour. You are lying. I promise you.

I got hit back. I wish I would get through. I know, right. I need to know now. They'd be like yeah we just decided to go in a different direction. There was nobody but God. There was nothing but God. Wow. Yeah GP, George P.A. hit me back in like an hour checking my Oh well shout out George P.A. Shout out George. He's my guy. Yes. You know checking my availability but I didn't get confirmed probably like until two weeks later but I kind of you know, checking my availability. But I didn't get confirmed probably like two weeks later, but I kind of, you know, knew. Knew, you was waiting. I was just waiting for confirmation, so it happened quick.

Okay, so waiting on this confirmation, was there any moment where you had a little doubt, thinking like how you had gotten, almost gotten all these other roles, where you were like, ugh, like is this gonna fall through? Did that come through? For sure, that's why we didn't tell anybody, like I told my parents about it,

but we didn't want to tell anybody. We were like, look, we've been here before. Twice actually. So let's just keep it between us, pray about it, and just let it happen. Yeah, I love that. So now we are in season three. Three.

Three is on right now, and we're about to shoot season four, starting this month. This month, this is crazy. And you're killing it. Killing it, true. BFF is one of my favorite shows. It's so good month, this is crazy. Absolutely. And you're killing it. Killing it, true. Like, BFF is one of my favorite shows.

It's so good, the cast is amazing. And every time I see you come on the screen, I'm like, that's my dog. Okay. So proud of you, you're killing it. Thank you so much. So a lot of times when athletes come out of that, where that's all they've known all their life,

and they're stepping into a new area or even trying to figure it out. I feel like you're super blessed in the area that, or in the, I feel like you're super blessed that you were able to go straight from playing football right into acting. You really didn't have like that phase of like, what am I gonna do?

You know? But it was also, it's a new world. You're an adult now. You're not a kid anymore. And what you're portraying is a real life character. This isn't just like a character, this is actually a person that you're portraying. So what type of, I don't wanna say pressure,

but like, was there any pressure when it came to, I've gotta really nail this role because this is an actual person? At first, so, you know, a lot of these guys that we're really portraying are going through real life situations. Mm-hmm. A lot of them still are in prison.

So it was a lot, it was very minimal of the information that we got about the character, especially mine. Yeah, I tried to look him up. It's not a lot of information. He's like a ghost almost. Right, exactly. Like, I legit had to go through, like, court documents and read their cases just to get some information but now fortunately you know especially

this season a lot of the guys from pure to nav pa boy boys they're reaching out to me to give you information on your character so it's thrilling is he still alive is he locked up yeah no so one of them still locked up and so like the group but another one is out So but they're still best friends to this day So, yeah The process of portraying this character has really started to pick up I still want to say the last two seasons because like one of the characters I see her sister She connected with me and like we just been communicating. I'm really trying to you know, get this character development down

As much information like last night. I watched the documentary on the PA boys and I'm okay I wish I had this in season two, right? I was blind in season two I'm just going out there just like just reading the description I got in my audition and winging it Yeah, I feel way more prepared and that's good. I love that it's amazing when you can actually like find information and actually build the character because sometimes when you like Even with my character on sisters, I'm not learning a lot of things until the writer writes about it So I'm like, oh this is why she's like this But if I had known this in season one, I may have played some things differently, you know

So I know exactly what you mean when it's like you feel like you're behind the mark in the character development part. How does he walk? How does he talk? He got family, like what is he? Like, tell me who this guy is. And I had nothing, so. It was a little difficult. Yeah.

Something I struggle with as an actor is the character I portray and who I am in real life and my relationship with God. And it kind of gets tricky sometimes. Do you ever have moments playing like this gangster, this killer, because Sterling Black don't play. He don't play. He does not play.

Do you ever have any like moments where you're like, God, is this cool? Because I know for me, it's Fatima. Like there's certain things that they have me doing. I'm like, OK, I know this ain't who I am, but this is the character I'm playing. Yeah, well, I can truthfully say, in the moment, I don't think about it,

but after I'm done with it, and my grandparents have to go watch it, you know, stuff like that, I'm like, oh, please, look, grandma, it's not me for real. Right. I'm still your baby, you know what I'm saying? So. She's like, is my baby a killer? Yeah, and they are into it, you know what I'm saying? Oh, I love it. like, is my baby a killer? Yeah, they are into it.

You know what I'm saying? Like, they love it. It's kind of a little embarrassing sometimes and I'm cussing and doing all that. Right. You know, we're trying to care. She's like, you did that real well, grandson. Yeah, you've been doing that.

Right. I'm like. Yeah. Like, this ain't your first time doing that. You look comfortable smoking that. You know what I'm saying? So, nah, so, yeah. That is funny. you know what I'm saying? So, yeah. That is funny.

But yeah, I definitely struggled with that as well. I finally come to an understanding that it's my job and that that's why I go extra hard in making sure that people know who Crystal is and that I set the example as Crystal, not as my characters that I play. You're doing an amazing job at doing that. Thank you. Thank you so much. I remember this part of the scene where you had to do like the switchblade and you told me like you had to learn,

they didn't give you any training. You literally had to learn that like right on the spot. Yes, that was my first day on set. I'm reading the script. I'm reading the auditions. So I got to just like a regular night the whole time as I'm preparing for this. I get on set, sitting in my trailer,

stunt double just walks up like, hey, it's what we need you to do. Get on YouTube, figure it out. Get on YouTube and figure it out, what? Like a real knife, so a switch was like a, was it a switch blade? It was something, but it's a certain way, it's a technique too, it's like you just can't open it up.

So I had like an hour, maybe two at the most to figure this out and nail it for my first scene. So it went from, oh, I got this, I'm confident, I know my lines, it was one scene altogether. I know my lines, I got this to, now I'm trippin'. I didn't even forgot it when we got on set, I forgot my lines, because I'm so worried about this blade. Right.

But it looked good. It did look good. It made it look good. But that just goes to show you can be ready, and then anything can be thrown at you on set. No, for sure. Yeah. No, you do.

But I couldn't tell. When you told me that story before I watched the episode, I was like, I couldn't even tell. I was so stressed out. Yeah. Oh my God. But you're an actor, because I couldn't even tell. Like, yeah. I was so stressed out. Oh my God. Well, you're an actor because I couldn't not tell. For real. And then I'm at the same time of opening the blade,

I'm trying not to stab this man for real. Cause you know, I got to come down. Oh, right. Yeah. So they didn't have, it wasn't like a fake, like when you got ready to stab, it wasn't fake. So, so no. So I had to stop right in between his fingers

and we, we cut it. And then we did a reverse, you know, I had it in the table and then reverse it. And then you see it, it just looks, you know. Wow, TV magic, that's crazy. I got another scene this season too. I legit stabbed him this time and it's gonna be crazy. Oh wow.

Grandma is gonna be like, oh Lord, my baby's a killer. Oh Lord. So what is it like, you're walking on set, you're the new kid on the block. You got Lil' Meat, who is, we're like literally telling his legacy story, you know, of his father. And then you had Da Vinci,

who's been on a lot of things. What was it like working with him? Was there any like timidness, or were you kind of like, ugh? Kind like working with him? Was there anything like timidness or were you kind of like, ugh? Cause I know for me, I definitely felt a little timidness when I first walked on Sisters. I think just being in the NFL kind of prepares me for that. You know, going on to new teams, it's always new faces.

It was just like, you know, walking in a training camp, you know, seeing your new teammates. But you know, you're definitely a little nervous cause you know, you're new to it. I'm a new kid on the block, even though I started at the age of 10. I'm new with this. Everything is different. So everybody's not really there to make friends when you first get on there until you get

chemistry and all. Oh, he cool. He cool. He cool, yeah. It took a little time, but I was just staying to myself and working, showing, letting my work speak for itself. I'm not trying to win nobody over over I'm here to do a job. So that's kind of how I approached it. I love that. So you made it to your first big

acting gig. What is next for Trey? Well for me you know just really continuing to kill you know BMF. I have a book that I'm working on, a children's book. Okay, what prompted the children's book? So what prompted it was basically my story and then my son. So, you know, I have a two and a half year old, he's about to be three in May. Lord, growing up so fast.

No, I know. Just, you know, having him, it just opened up my imagination again. And man, I would truly say that process of writing that book and illustrating it was one of the best times I had. It's so fun. And I'm gonna turn it into an entire series. But outside of that, you know, by the start working on the documentary, I really want to, you know, get some work behind the camera, as much as I do in front of yeah for sure executive credits and

producing credits you know what I'm saying so that and you know just really you know get into my entrepreneurship and open up more businesses. I love that. What's next for me? That's what's up. I want to touch on the spirit of rejection. You chose two of the most, I would say, careers that you get rejected the most, an athlete and an actor. And I can speak on the actor part where no after no after no after no after no. But has that spirit of rejection ever flowed

into other areas of your life? Because I'm sure, like, I know for me, like, that insecurity definitely has come up in other areas of your life? Because I'm sure, I know for me, that insecurity definitely has come up in other areas of my life. No, for sure. And a lot of people probably wouldn't believe it, but I think, again, I started at the age of 10. I've been here and know all my life.

So I definitely have a lot of insecurities. Just never knowing if I'm good enough or something. Always doubting myself, feeling like others are better than me in certain things that I'm maybe not, you know, experienced in, so I just have to fight that all the time. It's like, even in relationships too though, you know, just wondering if you're good enough for somebody and it's like, yo, you are him.

Like, I have to do, like, you know, so you gotta tell yourself, like, you are the catch, you are him like I have period like you know you got to tell yourself like you are the catch you are him you're good enough and you know stop doubting yourself like truly truly be that guy and um and I think that insecurity has caused me to kind of play myself down a lot of situations being too humble. You are very, you kind of like, in a room you kind of like disappear. Like you don't like, you know what I'm saying? Once you get to know, he's like, oh, he is a standout. But like in a room you are super quiet, like tucked off,

like not attention sinking at all. I gotta fix that, you know what I mean? Cause you can play yourself out of position, you know what I'm saying? Out of certain situations when you're too humble and it's OK to be humble, but you got to be a little arrogant. You know, you got to be a little fully yourself in certain situations. And no confident. Absolutely.

And then you got to come off as, you know. Yeah. Pompous or like, I'm better than you, but right. I know what I bring to the table. Exactly. And that's really what I'm getting to over the last two years. It's truly just believing in myself. Because sometimes that spirit of rejection can turn into insecurity, and then in relationships we use it

as a defense mechanism to not get hurt. You know, we can kind of sit something with our partner, whatever the situation may be, and I know for me, like, I'll get ahead of him, be like, before you try to cut me off, I'm gonna go ahead and cut you off. That is me, oh my God. I shut down so quick,

I ain't even gonna give you a chance to hurt me. I'm gonna just, look here, I'm gonna just shut it down. Yeah. So, yes. Yeah, cause we put ourselves on the line time after time after time, with every audition, with every tryout, that I think when it comes to other areas,

we just wanna protect ourselves. For sure, for sure. I've definitely became numb to it. Now, if I do auditions, I forget that I audition when it comes to other areas, we just want to protect ourselves. Sure. Yeah, I've definitely became numb to it. And you know, auditions, I forget that I audition for it. But once I'm done with it, I have to. Yeah, you have to. You have to leave it at the audition room. When you walk out, send it to your agent. I send it to Nora and I wait on her reaction.

All right. After that, I'm done with it. I don't think about it. Worries, because I when I first started back auditioning, I auditioned for something like, oh, I killed this. And I'm checking my email all day, every day. You know what I'm saying? Don't let you get a call back. I got a call back or a check my availability, I'm calling my manager, yo, what's up?

What we doing? That check your availability, boy, will get you every time. What? So, yeah. No, you got to erase it, short-term memory. I love that. That's good. So, with Relay, how are you now with it?

Do you feel like you're getting better with managing that and not getting in your own way as far as the spirit of rejection? In what aspect? In relationships. Relationships? Relationships are just even personal with business. Yeah. I mean, I think it's an everyday fight, you know what I'm saying?

Just being more self-aware. Yeah. Just working on myself. That's kind of where I'm at now, everything. So, I'm not really, you know, focusedaware. Just working on myself. That's kind of where I'm at now with everything. So I'm not really focused on the relationships, but. I got so much to. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha. Cause you know we gotta get to that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So I'm just working on myself. That's good. So are you dating? Do you, like, what are you looking for?

Like, cause you're, I feel like you're in a space now where you've got the job, you know, you you're settled, you successful. Like what are you looking for? And are you still in a space where, no, I don't have time for that. I gotta get it. No, I truly just don't think I have time to really pour into a relationship. Like I would like to, like if I'm going to commit to something, I want to be a hundred

percent there. Yeah. And with everything that's on my plate right now, it's like, it's kind of impossible. So for me, it's like, just learning to prioritize, trying to be there for my son as much as possible. I'm missing out on so much time, trying to juggle all this stuff.

That's probably one of the hardest things about this right now. It's like, do I sacrifice this for this? But I know I have to do what I have to do, you know what I'm saying, for him, for his you know future. It's just I'm figuring it out. I love that guy Is it kind was his guy? Yes, Kyron is it other come Cairo cuz there's a DiVale Codice Kyron Yeah, I felt like when you're trying to balance that the kid has to come first

I have to do you know and then make time for other things as you have time. Everything will take care of itself. It will. Yeah, for sure. That's good. All right. So ladies, he is not looking for anything right now. He doesn't have the bandwidth or the capacity. So check back later. All right, guys, it is my favorite time of the show. Positive outcomes were you, the listeners, right into me and me and Tre going to give you advice on it. All right, so this one says, I saw one of your recent interviews and it literally changed my life. I was having a really tough time dealing with a career

that I knew wasn't for me, especially knowing that I was meant to be doing something more. You talked about pivoting careers and being in a season of pouring into yourself, which is something that I need to work on. But I believe God often uses people to speak to others. And that day, he definitely used you to speak to me because that was a moment I

felt this flood of emotions and a voice say that it was OK to go after my dreams of being a graphic designer, video editor. And that feeling has not gone away. But in pursuing my passion and finding my purpose, my life has been turned upside down on multiple occasions. I swear it seems like every time I start to gain momentum, there's a major life event that happens. A divorce, multiple deaths in the family, losing my job, you name it, that knocks the wind out of me. Sometimes it feels like I'm so close to my breakthrough, yet so far

away. How do you find strength, motivation, and the courage to continue pursuing your passion, walking in your purpose during those moments when it feels like everything is stacked against you? Well I feel like this is both our stories. We both can relate to this. First of all, thank you so much for writing in. I'm glad that my interview spoke to you. That's my story, you know, and that's why I tell my journey and I tell it as many times as possible, because you just never know who's going to be impacted on that particular day and inspired. But I would tell you that there's

been so many times in my journey where I felt like the eyes were stacked against me and that I was almost there. And I know Trey can attest this as well, moments where we really felt like we're getting closer and closer to our breakthrough and then something else happens or the job doesn't come through

or we pick somebody else. In those moments, I just made sure that I stayed firm in my faith. If this is what God has planted in your heart and you know this is what you really wanna do, just stick to it because it's gonna happen. But it's gonna happen in God's timing. And often I feel like when I find myself in those moments where I'm starting to say, okay, God, is this what you really have for me? And I start to

doubt myself. I just take a moment to be still because in those moments that's when God really reveals himself. He'll send you some type of affirmation, whether it's watching my interview or talking to a friend or getting that phone call that shows you, okay, I am on the right path. That's when you know to stick with it. But I would say just to continue to go after what you really want and don't let anything deter you.

Life is gonna life. So, you know what I'm saying? Life is gonna life, but you have to keep going. What do you think? Yeah, piggybacking off what you're saying, just, you know what I'm saying, staying the course. For me, I truly embrace, again, like I said, the underdog mentality and just knowing that, you know,

God's not gonna take you out of a storm that he can develop you in. So whatever it is that you're going through, just try to figure out what you can learn through it. He got you in it for a reason. Oh, he said, what you going through, we gonna get to that, that was good. Yeah, like whatever it is that you're going through,

that's kinda how I try to look at things, change my perspective. Like not, oh, why me, but okay, why am I here? What can I learn from it? And I just try to keep my faith strong and knowing it's gonna work out. And it always does. It always works out exactly how it's supposed to be,

but it's all in God's timing. I cannot stress that enough because there's so many times where I'm like, Lord, I need this to work right now. I need this to happen now. And in church yesterday, they were talking about how we're always like seeking progress, but we're not always seeking God's presence. So sometimes you can be chasing after this thing,

but you're leaving God behind. And Pastor Todd gave an analogy where he was, him and his wife were in the airport. They're trying to make it to their gate and he's walking fast, but he's not realizing he's leaving his wife behind. So he looks back and he realized, he's like, where am I going?

Cause I know if I get to the gate, if she ain't with me, I'm not getting on the plane. So what am I doing? So I would say make sure that whatever you're chasing after that you also seek God's presence as you're trying to progress. Absolutely. Yeah, that was good. All right, so what we're going to do next is what I'm going through and what I'm growing through and I'll go first. Right now I'm in a season where I feel this immense like feeling of growth, transition, elevation.

And I find that anxiety kind of creeping back in like, Oh Lord, okay, this is almost like, all right, we're going to another level now. Am I ready for this? Making sure like everything is right. I'm a perfectionist and I'm trying to get out of that because, shout out to Linda Zimmerman, my therapist, she tells me all the time that perfection is a cancer. So I'm trying to still like battle with letting that go, but I want everything to be right

and I want to make sure that I seize the moment, you know what I'm saying, as it comes. And I think you can probably attest to this as actors whose careers are moving right now, you want to strike while the iron is hot and you want to make sure that you don't, you know what I'm saying, you don't want to fumble the moment, you know? So right now that's where I am. And also what I just talked about,

making sure that as I'm trying to progress, that I keep God's presence in my life and I seek that first. I think we're kind of on the same page, you know, for me, I've just been getting back grounded, spiritually, mentally, physically, getting back, you know, in the gym. Yeah, I gotta get.

Yeah, just that growth, I feel like over the last 12 months, I've just been baking a lot of things. Just a lot of different things. Just working on it from my businesses and the careers and just it's time. I feel like it's finally time. It's about to really take off. So I'm ready for it. I love it. That's good. Awesome. All right. So the last thing we're going to do, keep it blank, sweetie, where we take something that we've kind of talked about that you want to tell the audience, just some words of encouragement for them. So I'm going to tell you guys this week to keep it persistent, sweetie.

Keep persistent. Yeah. Keep it persistent. Copy that. persistent. Yeah, keep it persistent. We have a copy of our car, have a good one. So Trey, what would be yours? Your takeaway for this week? Keep it focused, sweetie. There we go. Keep it focused, sweetie.

There you have it. Guys, thank you so much for tuning to this episode of Keep It Positive, sweetie. If you want to write into our open listener letter, you can write into keepitpositesweetieatgmail.com. And that's sweetie with an IE. You can also follow me on all platforms at love, Chris or nay on Instagram and Twitter and tick tock,

all the things try to tell the people where they can find you. Are you even back on it? Cause you're on and off Instagram. I know Instagram is at trip with three P's T R I P P P. You can follow me on there. Okay. So make sure you guys follow him. Check out the newest season of VNF, which is out right now. If you haven't caught on to the other ones,

make sure you catch up on all of them. Trey, I'm so proud of you. Trey, thank you so much for stopping by. I'm inspired by your story. I hope you guys are inspired as well. Take this into your week with you. I love you guys. In the meantime, in between time, you know what to do.

Keep it positive, sweetie. [♪ soft music playing in background. [♪ soft music playing in background. [♪ soft music playing in background. Dora, thank you so much for this day. Thank you for this opportunity to just bring your glory to other people, dear God. Thank you for everyone in this room. Thank you for their talents. I ask that you just be with us today, let us have fun, let this be an amazing interview. Thank you for letting DeNorma

make it here safely, thank you for Tray making it here safely in Wyoming as well. We do not take it for granted dear Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.