>> whitley: The best advice a comic ever gave me was, "don't go out and write jokes.
Comic ever gave me was, "don't go out and write jokes. Write your experiences.
Go out and write jokes. Write your experiences. Write what you see.
Write what you know, and that's
write what you see. Write what you know, and that's what's funny.
If it's funny to you, it's gonna
be funny to someone else."
if it's funny to you, it's gonna be funny to someone else." a lot of stand-up comics don't
respect me as a stand-up comic.
A lot of stand-up comics don't respect me as a stand-up comic. They say --
and they've said it behind my
they say -- and they've said it behind my back, they've said it to my
face, "you came in the back door
of comedy."
I said, "what is that?"
and the reason they said that
is because I did not starve and
live in my car and go to the
clubs every night.
Live in my car and go to the clubs every night. I became an actress first and
then a stand-up.
You know?
Then a stand-up. You know? But I love stand-up, and I feel
you know? But I love stand-up, and I feel like there shouldn't be any
but I love stand-up, and I feel like there shouldn't be any rules.
Like there shouldn't be any rules. There should not be a rule to
being a stand-up comic.
I feel like you can do it at the
same time.
♪
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
well, here we go, honey. Buckle up. Enjoy the ride.
So, okay.
So, gerald levert and I grew up
so, okay. So, gerald levert and I grew up in cleveland together.
He lived down the street from
me, so I've known him for a
he lived down the street from me, so I've known him for a very, very long time.
Me, so I've known him for a very, very long time. And, you know, he had his little
group.
And I'm gonna say his "little
group."
and I'm gonna say his "little group." he was just starting off.
Group." he was just starting off. I was like, "ooh, that's cute.
He was just starting off. I was like, "ooh, that's cute. Little levert, y'all cute.
Little group.
And then, all of a sudden, he
little group. And then, all of a sudden, he had to go to "soul train,"
and then, all of a sudden, he had to go to "soul train," and I remember asking gerald,
I was like, "oh, my god.
And I remember asking gerald, I was like, "oh, my god. I want to go to l.A.
I want to be an actress.
You know, I'd love to go out
there.
And gerald said, "well, come on
out to los angeles.
I'll pay your way."
and -- but it gave me the
opportunity to come out to
los angeles because I don't know
if I would have done that on my
own.
If I would have done that on my own. I probably would have.
Own. I probably would have. But it was nice that I came out
with someone.
♪
the thing is, my mother wanted
me to go to hollywood.
The thing is, my mother wanted me to go to hollywood. But she heard vice is --
[ laughs ]
but she heard vice is -- [ laughs ] oh, gosh.
I don't know if it helped me or
hurt me.
My mother said, "now, when you
go to hollywood, you got to be
my mother said, "now, when you go to hollywood, you got to be afraid.
Go to hollywood, you got to be afraid. There's nothing there but sex,
drugs, and rock 'n' roll."
there's nothing there but sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll." and all I remember is, "sex,
drugs, and rock 'n' roll."
everywhere I turned, I was like,
"that's sex, drugs, and rock 'n'
roll.
That's sex, drugs, and rock 'n'
roll.
Oh, you are definitely sex,
drugs, and rock 'n' roll.
So, I think a lot of that helped
me, because I was fearful, but
so, I think a lot of that helped me, because I was fearful, but it also stopped me from doing a
lot of things that I probably
could've done.
Lot of things that I probably could've done. But my family wasn't that
pleased that I wanted to go into
but my family wasn't that pleased that I wanted to go into entertainment instead of
architecture.
Entertainment instead of architecture. So, my dad was not happy.
Architecture. So, my dad was not happy. He was like, "ain't no black
so, my dad was not happy. He was like, "ain't no black folks on tv.
How you gonna be on tv?"
and I said, "I really want to do
how you gonna be on tv?" and I said, "I really want to do this.
And I said, "I really want to do this. I have it in me.
This. I have it in me. It's a passion."
and my father had -- well, has
it's a passion." and my father had -- well, has an architectural firm called
whitley/whitley in ohio, and my
brothers worked there, and,
you know, had a big staff.
Brothers worked there, and, you know, had a big staff. And I remember walking in.
You know, had a big staff. And I remember walking in. The day I said I'm going to
and I remember walking in. The day I said I'm going to hollywood, I walked in my dad's
the day I said I'm going to hollywood, I walked in my dad's office, and I looked in the
conference room, and they were
all in the conference room, and
they had money on the table, and
I walked in, and I said, "what
are y'all doing?"
and they, you know --
you know how the cat looks
caught?
You know how the cat looks caught? And I was like, "wait a minute.
Caught? And I was like, "wait a minute. Wait. What's going on?"
and I was like, "wait a minute. Wait. What's going on?" they were all taking a dollar
wait. What's going on?" they were all taking a dollar bet that I would come back from
hollywood.
Bet that I would come back from hollywood. I said --
first of all, I was mad it was
just a dollar.
First of all, I was mad it was just a dollar. But then, when I saw dorothy the
secretary come in there with her
but then, when I saw dorothy the secretary come in there with her dollar, she's like, "kym, you'll
be back."
and she threw in her dollar.
Be back." and she threw in her dollar. That was the fuel that said,
"you know what?
I gotta make it."
the one thing that really made
me successful, I think, is my
parents said, "you can always
come home."
and when you have that, you're
comfortable.
And when you have that, you're comfortable. You can make it.
Comfortable. You can make it. You're like, "oh, okay.
I can always come home.
I'mma go out there, I'm gonna be
a stripper, and I'll be back."
but, you know, it was fun.
A stripper, and I'll be back." but, you know, it was fun. My dad flew with me and made
sure I was, uh...Ready and moved
my dad flew with me and made sure I was, uh...Ready and moved in.
Sure I was, uh...Ready and moved in. I moved in with a friend from
college, carla robinson, and I
lived in her back room like
cinderella out at her mom's
house out in carson, california,
and worked as a schoolteacher in
compton.
And worked as a schoolteacher in compton. But, you know, gerald was
excited.
He was on his journey.
Excited. He was on his journey. And while I was here, I, uh --
he was on his journey. And while I was here, I, uh -- while gerald was doing his
and while I was here, I, uh -- while gerald was doing his thing, I went over to the set of
this show called "227."
and I was sitting in the
audience, and I remember a lady
named simone sheffield.
Audience, and I remember a lady named simone sheffield. At the time, she was
stevie wonder's manager.
I love simone.
Stevie wonder's manager. I love simone. Simone's stood up and said, "I
got a question.
Is this jackée's sister?"
and I was like, "what?
What is she talking about?"
the whole audience is like,
what is she talking about?" the whole audience is like, "yeah, we were wondering, we
were wondering."
and marla gibbs sent a note up
and said, "have her come to the
back after the show."
and I, uh, went to the back, and
marla gibbs, they took my
information down.
Marla gibbs, they took my information down. And two, three weeks later, they
called me to come out to be
and two, three weeks later, they called me to come out to be jackée's stand-in.
Called me to come out to be jackée's stand-in. Her double.
Jackée's stand-in. Her double. >> [ laughs ]
her double. >> [ laughs ] I can't believe this.
It's incredible.
>> jackée did not like it.
Let's just go ahead and be
honest.
Jackée did not like me looking
like her.
But I can't change my face,
jackée!
This is what I got is my face.
Jackée! This is what I got is my face. I look like you, okay?
You look like me.
So, jackée -- I don't know.
Back then --
so, jackée -- I don't know. Back then -- she's explained it now, but
back then -- she's explained it now, but we -- we were having some
problems, and jackée's sister
was threatening me, and she was
gonna kick my butt and all kind
of stuff.
Gonna kick my butt and all kind of stuff. And I was afraid.
Of stuff. And I was afraid. But during the filming of the
and I was afraid. But during the filming of the show, marla gibbs pulled me into
but during the filming of the show, marla gibbs pulled me into a closet on the set.
Show, marla gibbs pulled me into a closet on the set. She said, "you stop taking all
this abuse, and you stand up for
she said, "you stop taking all this abuse, and you stand up for yourself."
she said, "I want you to
remember one thing.
She said, "I want you to remember one thing. They cannot finish this show
without you."
they cannot finish this show without you." I was afraid, I was new.
Without you." I was afraid, I was new. It was the first thing I'd ever
done, and I probably should have
it was the first thing I'd ever done, and I probably should have listened to marla gibbs, but
that's why we are friends today.
Listened to marla gibbs, but that's why we are friends today. I love marla gibbs.
That's why we are friends today. I love marla gibbs. ♪
well, you know, when you're in
hollywood, you do a lot of
things, you know, before you
make it.
Things, you know, before you make it. I was in an acting class, and I
became really good friends with
desi arnez.
Became really good friends with desi arnez. And --
not -- not lucy's desi arnez but
and -- not -- not lucy's desi arnez but another friend of mine who's
named after him.
Another friend of mine who's named after him. He's black.
Named after him. He's black. And he had a little boy,
he's black. And he had a little boy, desi arnez jr.
And he got a role in
"harlem nights."
and he got a role in "harlem nights." so, desi, his daddy, couldn't go
and be the guardian on the set
one day, and he said, "kym, can
you go to the set and watch
desi?"
I said, "sure."
and I took desi to the set.
I don't know if you know
anything about sets, but on
sets, they have all these walls
and different things, and I was
going around the corner, and
there was richard pryor,
redd foxx, eddie murphy, and
reynaldo rey.
Redd foxx, eddie murphy, and reynaldo rey. I come around the corner, I was
like, "oh, I'm sorry.
I was just looking for a place
to sit."
and reynaldo rey says, "heh heh
heh.
And reynaldo rey says, "heh heh heh. As long as I got a face, you've
got somewhere to sit."
as long as I got a face, you've got somewhere to sit." I looked at him, and I said,
"well, as long as you got a face
like that, I guess I'll be
standin'."
oh, my god.
Standin'." oh, my god. Why'd I say that?"
honey, richard pryor, he spit
why'd I say that?" honey, richard pryor, he spit his coffee.
Honey, richard pryor, he spit his coffee. Redd foxx got up, and
eddie murphy was laughing, and I
redd foxx got up, and eddie murphy was laughing, and I was horrified.
Eddie murphy was laughing, and I was horrified. I was like, "oh, my god.
Was horrified. I was like, "oh, my god. What have I done?"
I'm like -- 'cause you can see
what have I done?" I'm like -- 'cause you can see reynaldo rey was red, and he was
trying to get me back.
Reynaldo rey was red, and he was trying to get me back. And then, richard pryor and all
them was laughing and cracking
and then, richard pryor and all them was laughing and cracking on him and going back --
and I was like, "oh, my god,
oh, my god."
and later on that day, redd foxx
came up to me, and he said, "are
you a stand-up comic?"
and I said, "no, I'm not.
You a stand-up comic?" and I said, "no, I'm not. But I've been writing some stuff
down."
but I've been writing some stuff down." and he said, "get 10 minutes of
material together, and I'll help
you out."
let me tell you something about
stand-up comedy.
Let me tell you something about stand-up comedy. You don't ask someone for
10 minutes of material.
That's like a lifetime.
That's like an hour to someone
that's like a lifetime. That's like an hour to someone who's never done it.
I was like, "oh, my god, I'm
never gonna be able to do this."
but the one thing I kept hearing
in my mind over and over was my
mother saying, "sex, drugs, and
rock 'n' roll."
and I was looking at redd foxx
and I was like, "ooh, that sex,
drugs, and rock 'n' roll, for
sure."
and then, when redd foxx died, I
felt like I missed an
opportunity.
Felt like I missed an opportunity. And I did.
Opportunity. And I did. So the lesson here is, if
and I did. So the lesson here is, if somebody gives you an
so the lesson here is, if somebody gives you an opportunity, take it.
Somebody gives you an opportunity, take it. Don't let fear stand in your
way or sex, drugs, and
don't let fear stand in your way or sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll.
>> whitley: Right. So it was crazy. Jackée's sister was threatening
so it was crazy. Jackée's sister was threatening me.
You know, she gonna run me out
of town, whatever, whatever, all
you know, she gonna run me out of town, whatever, whatever, all this stuff.
Of town, whatever, whatever, all this stuff. And, you know, you knew, and I
was nervous.
And I happened to go over --
a guy, it was a cookout or
and I happened to go over -- a guy, it was a cookout or something.
A guy, it was a cookout or something. And it was marsha warfield's
sister's house.
And I was telling the story, and
I was like, "I don't know what
and I was telling the story, and I was like, "I don't know what to do."
and all I remember is...
To do." and all I remember is... This angel...Coming out and
coming up to me and saying,
this angel...Coming out and coming up to me and saying, "no one's gonna hurt you here in
this town.
I got you."
and it was marsha warfield.
I stayed in los angeles and
pursued my career because of the
words of marsha warfield.
Pursued my career because of the words of marsha warfield. Sometimes you just need to hear
somebody say, "I got you."
sometimes you just need to hear somebody say, "I got you." and that's what marsha warfield
did.
And that's what marsha warfield did. She was like, "I got you."
♪ >> whitley: My father's an architect, and they had to build
some schools over in sudan,
africa.
Some schools over in sudan, africa. So, we left cleveland, and we
went over to sudan.
And I was kind of sudanese.
Went over to sudan. And I was kind of sudanese. What can I say?
A great experience living in
what can I say? A great experience living in africa at such a young age and
a great experience living in africa at such a young age and then living in europe and then
coming back to the
united states.
Coming back to the united states. It was so funny, because in
sudan, it was a british colony,
it was so funny, because in sudan, it was a british colony, I guess, you know, and all the
people there spoke with a
british accent, which was very
interesting.
British accent, which was very interesting. So, I was always, "mummy, mummy,
scotty's such a naughty boy!"
so, I was always, "mummy, mummy, scotty's such a naughty boy!" and then, my mother said --
I came back to cleveland, three
weeks, I was like, "hey, ma, you
better get him!
Weeks, I was like, "hey, ma, you better get him! You better get this fool!"
yeah, it -- it didn't last.
♪
you know, I wasn't the smartest
student, but I was very clever.
You know, I wasn't the smartest student, but I was very clever. Like, I wasn't, like, a
straight-a, because I'm
like, I wasn't, like, a straight-a, because I'm artistic, so, you know, I was
very creative.
Artistic, so, you know, I was very creative. I hated math.
Very creative. I hated math. And since my dad was an
architect, I knew that I needed
and since my dad was an architect, I knew that I needed math, so I knew that I had
better go into something else.
Math, so I knew that I had better go into something else. But, you know, I had a fun
elementary school.
Oh, I did get in a fight.
Elementary school. Oh, I did get in a fight. Yep, I did fight in elementary
oh, I did get in a fight. Yep, I did fight in elementary school.
I did.
School. I did. And then in juni-- yep.
Fought in junior high.
Oh, yeah, high school, I had a
fought in junior high. Oh, yeah, high school, I had a fight, too.
So, okay, I had a couple fights.
Fight, too. So, okay, I had a couple fights. But I grew up with boys, so I
so, okay, I had a couple fights. But I grew up with boys, so I was a like a tomboy.
And then, we moved to shaker.
Was a like a tomboy. And then, we moved to shaker. You know, that was like
and then, we moved to shaker. You know, that was like "the jeffersons."
you know, that was like "the jeffersons." we moved to the other side of
the tracks, and, uh...
We moved to the other side of the tracks, and, uh... That was interesting, 'cause it
was all white people, so that
that was interesting, 'cause it was all white people, so that was --
and we were the black family,
and, you know, my parents, we
got hate mail.
And, you know, my parents, we got hate mail. And then, my mama looked white,
so that was a whole nother thing
and then, my mama looked white, so that was a whole nother thing of problems.
So that was a whole nother thing of problems. And the police would stop at our
house 'cause they thought my
and the police would stop at our house 'cause they thought my brothers were breaking in, but
they really lived there.
Brothers were breaking in, but they really lived there. I guess it was a mess, but it
was actually fun.
I had the opportunity to go to
fisk university, hbcu, which
actually was a wonderful
decision.
Actually was a wonderful decision. First, I didn't want to go
because I was like, "ooh, it's a
first, I didn't want to go because I was like, "ooh, it's a black school.
Because I was like, "ooh, it's a black school. I won't go to a black school."
I'm so glad my parents were
smart, because fisk university
changed my life.
Smart, because fisk university changed my life. While I was at fisk university,
I got interested in theater, but
while I was at fisk university, I got interested in theater, but I wasn't a great reader.
That was kind of crazy.
And I remember dr. Ford, I
that was kind of crazy. And I remember dr. Ford, I auditioned for a play, and she
and I remember dr. Ford, I auditioned for a play, and she was like, "baby, you gonna have
to get those reading skills up."
and I was like, "oh, is that
important?"
and, um...
Important?" and, um... I did a one-woman show,
and that was my first and last
experience with stage fright.
And that was my first and last experience with stage fright. I thought that you could learn a
play in, like, one night, so I
started to memorize this play,
and I went in front of the
student body, I was like, "I got
this."
but I hadn't realized, usually
when you perform, all the lights
are off in the theater.
When you perform, all the lights are off in the theater. The only light that's on is on
the stage.
Well, the lights were up in the
whole place.
Well, that's not good, 'cause I
can see to the back of the room.
I saw my friends in the front,
my boyfriend, and I was like,
"okay."
I got ready to say my little
lines, my knees buckled,
I passed out.
Lines, my knees buckled, I passed out. But I had to finish the show.
So I remember asking tweety --
but I had to finish the show. So I remember asking tweety -- I was like, "tweety, you gonna
so I remember asking tweety -- I was like, "tweety, you gonna have to get under the table and
take the play with you and throw
me my lines.
Take the play with you and throw me my lines. I'm too scared."
so, we brought the table out,
and, tweety was under it, and
she was crawling.
And, tweety was under it, and she was crawling. She crawled under the table with
it as we brought it out.
So I was like, "okay.
It as we brought it out. So I was like, "okay. You there?"
so I was like, "okay. You there?" and I finished the show, but she
you there?" and I finished the show, but she was under there, yelling the
lines, the wrong lines.
Was under there, yelling the lines, the wrong lines. Oh, my god.
Lines, the wrong lines. Oh, my god. It took me years to get over
oh, my god. It took me years to get over that.
But I really fell in love at
fisk university.
♪
well, okay, okay.
After I was a schoolteacher, you
know, I would look for jobs here
after I was a schoolteacher, you know, I would look for jobs here and there, and I really wanted
to get in the business, and
arsenio hall was looking for an
assistant.
Arsenio hall was looking for an assistant. And I got a chance to be
arsenio hall's assistant.
And it was great for a little
while.
And arsenio did the
mtv music awards, or one of
and arsenio did the mtv music awards, or one of those award shows, and I dropped
him off at the after party in
the limo.
Him off at the after party in the limo. And I said, "you know what I
always do, arsenio.
I'mma go back and check on your
dressing room, make sure you
didn't leave anything."
well...
Didn't leave anything." well... I said, "I'm gonna just take a
little ride in the limo," 'cause
I hadn't been in limos.
Little ride in the limo," 'cause I hadn't been in limos. So I was riding around in the
limo, waving out the window to
so I was riding around in the limo, waving out the window to people.
Limo, waving out the window to people. And the limo driver was letting
me do it.
I was like, "let's go back.
Me do it. I was like, "let's go back. We'll check the dressing room."
it was fine.
Let me tell you something.
It was fine. Let me tell you something. Arsenio was sitting at the after
let me tell you something. Arsenio was sitting at the after party, outside, steaming.
What happened was, he had gone
to the after party, you know,
what happened was, he had gone to the after party, you know, said his hellos, and then he
left.
Said his hellos, and then he left. He was outside waiting on that
limo.
Let me tell you something, I
came up with a story.
I told him our car was stolen, I
got beat up.
I told him all kind of things.
Got beat up. I told him all kind of things. Then he pulled me in the office,
and then he fired me.
But I wasn't out here to be
arsenio hall's assistant.
I was out here to be a comedian
and an actress.
And I did that, so it was always
good to go back and say, "ha ha,
and I did that, so it was always good to go back and say, "ha ha, ha ha!
Good to go back and say, "ha ha, ha ha! You fired me!"
it made me a better person.
♪
oh, my gosh.
I finally got a job in
hollywood, a paying job, and
that first gig was
"angels of the city," a movie
produced and directed by
lawrence hilton-jacobs.
Produced and directed by lawrence hilton-jacobs. Y'all remember him from
"cooley high"?
He still look the same.
And I got to play a prostitute.
So, that was my humble
and I got to play a prostitute. So, that was my humble beginnings.
And so now I'm starting to get
television roles like -- y'all
and so now I'm starting to get television roles like -- y'all probably don't even remember.
Television roles like -- y'all probably don't even remember. I was on a show called
"vinnie & bobby."
matt leblanc was on this show,
so I still feel like I'm friends
with him for some weird reason.
So I still feel like I'm friends with him for some weird reason. But my cousin, calvin brown, was
a writer on that show, and if
but my cousin, calvin brown, was a writer on that show, and if you think about nepotism and how
my career really started, you
know, once you get one, you'll
get another.
Know, once you get one, you'll get another. And I remember going over to
"martin."
and I remember going over to "martin." martin lawrence had a show, and
I had a friend, jacque edmonds,
at the time.
She was a writer.
At the time. She was a writer. You know, my daddy was like,
she was a writer. You know, my daddy was like, "make sure you see, you know,
you know, my daddy was like, "make sure you see, you know, the edmonds girl when you get to
l.A. And look her up."
and I looked her up, she was
like, "come over.
And I looked her up, she was like, "come over. You can audition," and I
auditioned for a part.
And I guess they wanted me to
win.
And I remember bentley evans, in
the middle of the audition, he
and I remember bentley evans, in the middle of the audition, he was like, "cut! Cut!
The middle of the audition, he was like, "cut! Cut! Hold up."
he takes me outside, and bentley
hold up." he takes me outside, and bentley gets in my face.
He takes me outside, and bentley gets in my face. He was like, "what's wrong with
you?
What are you in there doing?"
he said, "you come back in
what are you in there doing?" he said, "you come back in there, and you give me what I
know you got!"
now, I'm wanting to really,
literally use the bathroom on
myself.
Literally use the bathroom on myself. And I go back in, and I do it,
and I get the part -- boom --
and I go back in, and I do it, and I get the part -- boom -- on the "martin" show.
And I get the part -- boom -- on the "martin" show. Then I went and did
"my brother and me."
then I went and did "my brother and me." that was the first
african-american sitcom on
nickelodeon.
African-american sitcom on nickelodeon. And, of course, my cousin,
calvin brown, was the writer on
and, of course, my cousin, calvin brown, was the writer on that.
Calvin brown, was the writer on that. Like, I -- I have talent.
That. Like, I -- I have talent. So, those were my humble
like, I -- I have talent. So, those were my humble beginnings.
But I always felt like I was
already there and I was already
but I always felt like I was already there and I was already a star.
Already there and I was already a star. But I wasn't.
>> whitley: I didn't have an agent. You know, getting an agent in
this town is difficult.
But one thing I was good at was
networking, and I would go to
but one thing I was good at was networking, and I would go to parties, and I would talk to all
the casting directors.
Parties, and I would talk to all the casting directors. And I remember going up to a
party with robi reed, and she
and I remember going up to a party with robi reed, and she said she was casting this new
show called "sparks."
and I said, "you know, I don't
have an agent, robi, but, you
know, I'm really funny.
Have an agent, robi, but, you know, I'm really funny. Give me a chance."
and she had seen me a couple
give me a chance." and she had seen me a couple times at parties, and she's
like, "okay. Come on in."
I went in for robi reed, and I
obviously did well.
And I'll be honest with you --
I got to the end, and I did not
and I'll be honest with you -- I got to the end, and I did not get the part.
But ed weinberger, who did
"taxi," et cetera, "amen," all
but ed weinberger, who did "taxi," et cetera, "amen," all these shows, he was executive
producer, and he told me to come
back.
Producer, and he told me to come back. Well, at that time, I had worn,
like, a bunch of clothes and a
well, at that time, I had worn, like, a bunch of clothes and a fat suit, and I went in regular.
Like, a bunch of clothes and a fat suit, and I went in regular. I had a little tube top on and
some overalls, and he was
like... [ gasps ]
he was like, "what --
you're not the girl.
He was like, "what -- you're not the girl. W-who are you?"
I told him, I said, "oh, I, you
w-who are you?" I told him, I said, "oh, I, you know, wore some padding for the
part," and he was like, "well,
you were very good.
Part," and he was like, "well, you were very good. Come back in."
and, "you got the part."
come back in." and, "you got the part." I had a parking spot with my
name on it.
Ha ha!
Name on it. Ha ha! It said, "kym whitley," boom.
Rode in every day to work.
♪
rode in every day to work. ♪ back then, there was upn and wb,
which was fantastic.
Back then, there was upn and wb, which was fantastic. This is when the black people
were hitting the scene.
You got to see yourself on tv.
Were hitting the scene. You got to see yourself on tv. This was when we were exploding,
you got to see yourself on tv. This was when we were exploding, and without upn, I mean, we had
this was when we were exploding, and without upn, I mean, we had "good news," we had "sparks."
you know, some good shows back
in the day, and I'm definitely
thankful for those networks.
In the day, and I'm definitely thankful for those networks. They -- they went away, but they
were definitely instrumental.
♪
ha!
I love the wayans family!
Ha! I love the wayans family! And when I got a chance to do
"the wayans bros." --
and when I got a chance to do "the wayans bros." -- well, first of all --
hoo! I'm telling y'all all my
business.
Hoo! I'm telling y'all all my business. First of all, doing
"the wayans bros.", let me tell
first of all, doing "the wayans bros.", let me tell you, they wouldn't give me that
part.
You, they wouldn't give me that part. Leah daniels -- I love her.
Part. Leah daniels -- I love her. She's a friend.
But leah was casting, and she
she's a friend. But leah was casting, and she was like, "kym, you can't come
but leah was casting, and she was like, "kym, you can't come in.
Was like, "kym, you can't come in. You not coming in."
and that was the thing.
When you don't have an agent,
you're just struggling, you're
when you don't have an agent, you're just struggling, you're trying to -- I was hungry.
You're just struggling, you're trying to -- I was hungry. I was send faxes.
Trying to -- I was hungry. I was send faxes. That's back in the day you have
a fax, you just keep sending the
that's back in the day you have a fax, you just keep sending the fax, talking about, "let me in,
let me in.
Fax, talking about, "let me in, let me in. Please, girl."
you know, and calling and,
please, girl." you know, and calling and, "just let me.
You know, and calling and, "just let me. I want to do this role."
she'd say, "kym, you're not --
you're not right for this role."
and then, finally, she just got
sick of me.
And then, finally, she just got sick of me. She said, "okay, kym, just
come on in."
she said, "okay, kym, just come on in." well, she didn't know I was
ready.
Well, she didn't know I was ready. And I went in, and I -- and I
did some really crazy, amazing
and I went in, and I -- and I did some really crazy, amazing things in the audition.
Did some really crazy, amazing things in the audition. And she was like, "oh, you're a
fool," and I got the part.
So, I'm on "the wayans bros."
and all of a sudden, you know,
so, I'm on "the wayans bros." and all of a sudden, you know, he had on these red sweatpants,
and I thought he was trying to
be funny 'cause he's a fool.
And I thought he was trying to be funny 'cause he's a fool. And I kept looking, I said,
"this boy done put a little bat
and I kept looking, I said, "this boy done put a little bat in his shorts, in his red
sweatpants."
and I was like -- kept looking
at him, I was laughing.
And I was like -- kept looking at him, I was laughing. I was like, "stop being silly.
At him, I was laughing. I was like, "stop being silly. Boy, you crazy. Stop --
y'all -- y'all see this?
He's so silly."
and all of a sudden, wasn't
he's so silly." and all of a sudden, wasn't nobody laughing.
And all of a sudden, wasn't nobody laughing. I was like -- [ stammering ]
they're like, over the speaker
thing, they're like, "oh, she's
seen it."
I was like, "seen it?"
I was like, "that's real?"
first of all, you need to put a
rope on that thing and tie it
up, whatever that is."
and then, for the whole week, I
was distracted, and they were
like, "he has a reputation in
hollywood.
Like, "he has a reputation in hollywood. He just is blessed.
Hollywood. He just is blessed. He's blessed."
he just is blessed. He's blessed." and it's burned into my brain.
That marlon, he thinks I'm
stalking him.
I don't stalk him.
Stalking him. I don't stalk him. Marlon wayans is blessed.
He's blessed.
But if you get a chance, call
he's blessed. But if you get a chance, call me.
[ laughs ]
♪
I ran into mr. Gatson at bet.
And they were looking for a
magazine show, and I remember
and they were looking for a magazine show, and I remember talking to him about --
I said, "well, why don't we do a
show with all women?"
and they named it "oh drama!",
and --
'cause I wouldn't have named it
"oh drama!"
I don't know what I would've
named it, but...
And, you know, the rest is
history.
It was me,
vanessa bell calloway, and
it was me, vanessa bell calloway, and mari morrow, the very beginning
of it, and I said, "I only want
to do something that I can have
creative control."
and I wanted something that
would be on television that no
one had ever done.
Would be on television that no one had ever done. And I said, "if we're gonna do
something, let it be edgy.
You know, let's put things on tv
that people haven't seen
you know, let's put things on tv that people haven't seen before and give, especially
black people, a place to talk
about whatever they want to talk
about."
and if I can get people to
laugh, I can get them to learn.
And if I can get people to laugh, I can get them to learn. So that was the biggest thing.
Laugh, I can get them to learn. So that was the biggest thing. If I can catch them, then
so that was the biggest thing. If I can catch them, then they'll watch the show and learn
if I can catch them, then they'll watch the show and learn something.
They'll watch the show and learn something. ♪
okay.
So, let me just say this.
Okay. So, let me just say this. Having a talk show, all kind of
so, let me just say this. Having a talk show, all kind of things happen.
You know, I got a tape with a
young lady that was with
you know, I got a tape with a young lady that was with r. Kelly at the time.
Young lady that was with r. Kelly at the time. She was of age, but she had
presented herself as a virgin to
she was of age, but she had presented herself as a virgin to her husband.
Presented herself as a virgin to her husband. So I think that was, like, the
big problem that, um...
She didn't want him to know that
she wasn't a virgin, or she was
she didn't want him to know that she wasn't a virgin, or she was about to marry him or something
like that.
About to marry him or something like that. So I thought I was doing her a
favor by letting her know I had
so I thought I was doing her a favor by letting her know I had this so-called tape.
Favor by letting her know I had this so-called tape. You know, "I don't know what you
want to do about it."
you know, "I don't know what you want to do about it." well, there was another
publicist lady.
Well, there was another publicist lady. She -- [ laughs ]
she told the girl that, you
she -- [ laughs ] she told the girl that, you know --
she was like, "she probably is
trying to extort money," and
blah blah blah, whatever the
case is, without telling all my
business and what have you.
Case is, without telling all my business and what have you. Because that was a very hurtful
time in my life...
That the fbi started following
me, because, uh, this person
that the fbi started following me, because, uh, this person felt like I was trying to extort
her.
Felt like I was trying to extort her. I -- that word is way too big,
and if you know kym whitley, you
know kym whitley ain't extorting
anybody, okay?
Know kym whitley ain't extorting anybody, okay? I know the lord, and the lord
knows me.
But it -- it turned into bad.
Knows me. But it -- it turned into bad. The fbi was following me.
I was up for a big job, and I
the fbi was following me. I was up for a big job, and I was out for the audition for
like the fourth audition,
and, um, they called me when I
was on the way to the audition
and, you know, said, "this can
happen, and that can happen if
you have this tape in your
possession."
and I got to the audition, and I
fell out on the floor.
And I got to the audition, and I fell out on the floor. And I cried, and I lost that
gig.
So, um...You know...
Gig. So, um...You know... You know, it hurt my -- it
so, um...You know... You know, it hurt my -- it really hurt me, trying to help
you know, it hurt my -- it really hurt me, trying to help somebody out.
>> whitley: Why are youse asking me about gerald levert being my first true love?
Me about gerald levert being my first true love? I was so young, I didn't know
what love --
well, okay.
What love -- well, okay. Yes. Okay, I said it.
Well, okay. Yes. Okay, I said it. I've said it out loud --
yes. Okay, I said it. I've said it out loud -- "gerald levert was my first true
love."
it was that casanova.
Love." it was that casanova. He got me with that...
It was that casanova. He got me with that... ♪ casanova ♪
he got me with that... ♪ casanova ♪ okay.
I don't remember how gerald and
I met because we'd been knowing
each other since we was kids.
So, living in the same
neighborhood, we went to the
so, living in the same neighborhood, we went to the same high school, so did my
parents like it when we got
closer?
Parents like it when we got closer? Nope.
Closer? Nope. My mom and dad were like, "ugh.
You can't go out with a
my mom and dad were like, "ugh. You can't go out with a musician," you know?
You know, they just weren't into
the music situation.
His family was all into music,
and, um...
But we remained friends and hung
out for many, many, many, many
but we remained friends and hung out for many, many, many, many years.
Out for many, many, many, many years. I say we'd have gotten married
as we got older, because when we
were younger, gerald told me one
thing.
Were younger, gerald told me one thing. He said, "you can go out to
hollywood, and you can pursue
he said, "you can go out to hollywood, and you can pursue your career, but if you want to
be with me, I'mma let you know
there can only be one star in
this family."
♪
the reason gerald levert and I
never got married is because he
died.
Never got married is because he died. He died, and that's what he did.
Died. He died, and that's what he did. He left me here to fend for
he died, and that's what he did. He left me here to fend for myself and deal with this life
he left me here to fend for myself and deal with this life alone.
Myself and deal with this life alone. But had gerald lived, we
definitely would've gotten
but had gerald lived, we definitely would've gotten married.
Definitely would've gotten married. Absolutely.
Married. Absolutely. Because we were friends.
Like, we were friends, and we
because we were friends. Like, we were friends, and we always talked about we're gonna
like, we were friends, and we always talked about we're gonna get married, and we set an age.
Always talked about we're gonna get married, and we set an age. I think our age was when we
50 --
"when we turn 50," I said, "you
not married and I'm not
married," he was like, "we gonna
get married."
yep.
Get married." yep. We made a little solid bet on
it, and we was like -- boom.
He dated a lot of people.
It, and we was like -- boom. He dated a lot of people. Gerald liked women.
[ chuckles ]
gerald liked women. [ chuckles ] and, you know, I was doing my
thing, and I couldn't -- "oh, I
can't believe you dating her."
and, of course, I was young and
probably jealous.
And, of course, I was young and probably jealous. I was, but what you gonna do?
Probably jealous. I was, but what you gonna do? I would say --
when you say "cause problems,"
you mean between me and him or
me and the women?
You mean between me and him or me and the women? Let's just say this.
Me and the women? Let's just say this. I remember when mo'nique wanted
let's just say this. I remember when mo'nique wanted to date gerald.
See, that's one thing people
don't know.
Mo'nique is a very mature woman
even when she was young.
She came up to me -- we were
somewhere -- and she was like,
she came up to me -- we were somewhere -- and she was like, "look, I want to date
gerald levert.
I know y'all used to date or
whatever, but I'm, you know,
coming to you as a woman to let
you know I'm interested."
I've never had a woman do that.
You know I'm interested." I've never had a woman do that. So I was like, "wow.
That's like some grown-woman
so I was like, "wow. That's like some grown-woman stuff right there.
Mo'nique a grown woman."
and, uh, I gave her my blessing
mo'nique a grown woman." and, uh, I gave her my blessing even though, secretly, I was
like, "did I do the right
thing?"
but I believed, in the end, when
it's all said and done, gerald
would've come back to me.
It's all said and done, gerald would've come back to me. And I say that because there was
a sister 2 sister article.
I didn't know anything about it.
A sister 2 sister article. I didn't know anything about it. I'm telling you, I did not.
I could pull up the article.
And it actually broke up the
relationship I was in at the
and it actually broke up the relationship I was in at the time.
Relationship I was in at the time. And gerald said, of course, in
the article, "my true love is
and gerald said, of course, in the article, "my true love is kym whitley.
The article, "my true love is kym whitley. My heart will always belong to
her."
my heart will always belong to her." now, why he go and say that?
Her." now, why he go and say that? 'cause gerald likes to start
mess.
And I was like, "why would you
do that?"
and I was like, "why would you do that?" and even if it was true or not
true or whatever, for you to put
it in print, it got everybody
upset.
It in print, it got everybody upset. And we laugh about it like that,
and he was like, "you know it's
and we laugh about it like that, and he was like, "you know it's true."
and that's why I believe that,
eventually, we would've been
together.
Eventually, we would've been together. Um...
Together. Um... So, I loved gerald, and gerald
um... So, I loved gerald, and gerald loved me.
Just wasn't time.
Loved me. Just wasn't time. ♪
just wasn't time. ♪ you know, I think that I have
really been into my career.
You know, I think that I have really been into my career. It's unfortunate.
Really been into my career. It's unfortunate. I, um...
I come from a solid family.
My mom and dad were married for
54 years.
You know, all my cousins.
I didn't even know divorce until
you know, all my cousins. I didn't even know divorce until my friends started getting
divorced.
My friends started getting divorced. But I believe I was focusing on
my career and not focusing on
but I believe I was focusing on my career and not focusing on getting married.
My career and not focusing on getting married. I didn't understand it.
Getting married. I didn't understand it. ♪
a young lady had a baby that I
had been knowing, and she left
him at the ho--
well, not "left him" at the
hospital but for me to pick him
up at 4 days old, and I was
like, "I'm not ready for a
baby."
I remember my mother.
Baby." I remember my mother. They called me and said, "we got
a baby for you here at the
they called me and said, "we got a baby for you here at the hospital.
A baby for you here at the hospital. And I was like, "ha ha!
Hospital. And I was like, "ha ha! That's a joke. Whatever."
and I was like, "ha ha! That's a joke. Whatever." and I remember my mother saying
that's a joke. Whatever." and I remember my mother saying to me --
and this is how I grew up.
To me -- and this is how I grew up. My mother said, "what's wrong
with you?
You ain't got no man,
you ain't got no kids,
you ain't got no man, you ain't got no kids, and you are 97 years old."
she was like, "what -- what you
doing?
She was like, "what -- what you doing? You ain't got no eggs left,
maybe one or two."
you ain't got no eggs left, maybe one or two." she's like, "go on and get that
baby."
I was like, "damn!
Baby." I was like, "damn! My mother was like wow, wow!"
she was like, "what you doing in
my mother was like wow, wow!" she was like, "what you doing in life?"
she said, "oh, you want to do
another movie, get another tv
show? Ooh!"
my mother said, "get something
in your life that means
something."
>> whitley: So, I worked on my very first, I would say, really big blockbuster movie was
"next Friday," with ice cube.
Big blockbuster movie was "next Friday," with ice cube. And I really wanted that part.
That was another role I really
and I really wanted that part. That was another role I really wanted.
But it was a -- a very important
role in my career.
I played suga, and I had to be
this sexy, uh, girlfriend to
d.C. Curry.
This sexy, uh, girlfriend to d.C. Curry. And, you know, ice cube was
young.
We had a good time on that set.
Young. We had a good time on that set. Just craziness.
I remember that one scene when I
just craziness. I remember that one scene when I had to go up the steps, and
d.C. Curry slapped my behind.
Had to go up the steps, and d.C. Curry slapped my behind. Let me tell you something,
d.C. Curry took his hand --
let me tell you something, d.C. Curry took his hand -- I think it was in alaska.
D.C. Curry took his hand -- I think it was in alaska. He swung from alaska to
cleveland -- pow! -- On my
he swung from alaska to cleveland -- pow! -- On my behind, and it was my first
movie, and I didn't know to
say --
you know, I was like, "just take
it."
he did it three times.
It." he did it three times. And, finally, ice cube, he
knows.
He said, "cut! Stop!"
he said, "hey, man!
We gonna add the sound later!
He said, "hey, man! We gonna add the sound later! You don't have to hit her that
we gonna add the sound later! You don't have to hit her that hard."
you don't have to hit her that hard." and it was like --
so they had to stop.
And it was like -- so they had to stop. So, you know, you learn as you
go.
D.C. Curry, hitting me that
hard.
But it was a lot of fun.
Hard. But it was a lot of fun. ♪
but it was a lot of fun. ♪ okay. There's "Friday,"
"next Friday," and then
"Friday after next," which is
the third movie.
And, of course, I gotta come
back and reprise my role as
and, of course, I gotta come back and reprise my role as suga.
Back and reprise my role as suga. Well, I was already offered a
movie, called
well, I was already offered a movie, called "deliver us from eva," and
ice cube said, "no, I need you
to do 'Friday after next.'"
and I said, "well, I already got
this movie."
now, I stayed on
"deliver us from eva," and
ice cube was mad at me.
It was just the truth.
Ice cube was mad at me. It was just the truth. He knows he was.
He will say, "yes, I was mad.
It was because you should have
he will say, "yes, I was mad. It was because you should have known, you know, it was time for
it was because you should have known, you know, it was time for our movie."
no one had told me, so I didn't
know.
No one had told me, so I didn't know. But it was -- it was --
it was -- ugh.
It was rough.
It was -- ugh. It was rough. And I'm glad that we're friends
it was rough. And I'm glad that we're friends now.
♪
I was working at the time, and
this role came up on this show
called "curb your enthusiasm."
and larry david --
I remember watching the show,
and I was like, "oh, that's a
funny little white man.
And I was like, "oh, that's a funny little white man. He's funny."
I didn't know who he was.
Crazy.
So, the audition came up for me
crazy. So, the audition came up for me to play the prostitute, and I
so, the audition came up for me to play the prostitute, and I was working on probably
"the parkers" or something like
that.
And I had to leave the audition
and run over there and audition.
They were like, "this is the
only time kym can audition right
they were like, "this is the only time kym can audition right now because she's working."
so no one else was there.
Now because she's working." so no one else was there. It was just me.
So no one else was there. It was just me. And I got ready for the audition
it was just me. And I got ready for the audition because I was like, "ooh, ooh, I
and I got ready for the audition because I was like, "ooh, ooh, I get to play this prostitute,"
and I was friends with
katt williams.
And I was friends with katt williams. And I remember going to katt,
and I was like, "katt, you kind
and I remember going to katt, and I was like, "katt, you kind of pimpish.
And I was like, "katt, you kind of pimpish. I need some prostitute lines."
and I remember katt --
I think katt gave me "lollipop
love."
he's like, "just use a bunch of
crazy words.
He's like, "just use a bunch of crazy words. You know, put 'em together."
[ as katt williams ] and now
you know, put 'em together." [ as katt williams ] and now katt was talking like, "you
know, kym, you know, you just
gotta put these things together.
Know, kym, you know, you just gotta put these things together. You know what you're doing."
[ normal voice ] now, this was
you know what you're doing." [ normal voice ] now, this was the saving grace.
I didn't know who larry dad
was.
Had no clue.
Was. Had no clue. I just knew he was a a funny
had no clue. I just knew he was a a funny little white man that I liked in
this tv show.
Little white man that I liked in this tv show. So I went in to the audition,
and, um, he was there and all
so I went in to the audition, and, um, he was there and all the producers were there --
cheryl hines, of course.
The producers were there -- cheryl hines, of course. And larry was sitting there in
the chair 'cause I had to get in
and larry was sitting there in the chair 'cause I had to get in the car.
The chair 'cause I had to get in the car. And one thing you got to know
about "curb your enthusiasm,"
and one thing you got to know about "curb your enthusiasm," it's all ad-libbed.
About "curb your enthusiasm," it's all ad-libbed. So they'll give you the
scenario, but you ad your own
so they'll give you the scenario, but you ad your own lines.
Scenario, but you ad your own lines. So, I remember in the audition,
I just was cutting a fool, and I
so, I remember in the audition, I just was cutting a fool, and I loved improv, and I got in the
pretend car where larry was
talking crazy to him, and he was
laughing, he was like, "do that
again."
and next thing I know, I got the
part, and what was great about
it is, all the actresses had
gone out for it.
It is, all the actresses had gone out for it. Every black actress I know was
like, "you know every black
every black actress I know was like, "you know every black actress in hollywood went out
for that role."
so I was like, "what?"
but it changed my career.
So I was like, "what?" but it changed my career. And it was a lot of fun.
But it changed my career. And it was a lot of fun. ♪
and it was a lot of fun. ♪ so, we were at
the house of blues, and
magic johnson was giving his
wife, cookie, a party, which is
so funny.
Wife, cookie, a party, which is so funny. Every time I see magic and
cookie, they remind me of the
every time I see magic and cookie, they remind me of the story and bust out laughing.
Cookie, they remind me of the story and bust out laughing. So, bobby had gone up on stage,
I think, with whitney, and they
so, bobby had gone up on stage, I think, with whitney, and they was singing, and they were
trying to get bobby offstage,
and, you know, this was in the
wild years of bobby.
And, you know, this was in the wild years of bobby. And bobby came up, and he was a
fan.
It was the "oh drama!" days, and
he was a fan of "oh drama!", and
it was the "oh drama!" days, and he was a fan of "oh drama!", and he saw me, he was like,
"kym whitley!"
and I put my arms out, I was
like, "bobby!"
and bobby came up to me, and he
grabbed me, and he went to my
neck, and he bit it.
Grabbed me, and he went to my neck, and he bit it. Bit it, blood, everything.
Neck, and he bit it. Bit it, blood, everything. I don't know if he thought he
bit it, blood, everything. I don't know if he thought he was a vampire.
I don't -- I don't --
I don't know what happened.
But, of course, I went down to
the ground.
Security whisked me --
'cause they were trying to get
security whisked me -- 'cause they were trying to get him out of there.
They took him out, and I
remember -- he's a senator
they took him out, and I remember -- he's a senator now -- but steven bradford was
there, and he was like, "uh, you
need a witness? You okay?"
they was putting towels,
everything.
They was putting towels, everything. I went afterwards, and people
were like, "you gotta sue him,
you gotta sue him."
but I -- it wasn't like I felt
like, "ooh, I want whitney's
money," or I wanted any more --
you know, it was like, I didn't
want anything else bad to
happen to him.
Want anything else bad to happen to him. Now, had bobby done that like he
was mad and hurt me, of course.
But he was just excited.
Was mad and hurt me, of course. But he was just excited. And crazy.
And I've bitten people before.
So, yeah.
Yeah, there's that.
[ laughs ] oops.
>> whitley: So, me and sherri shepherd join the "tom joyner morning show," and
we had to get up at 2:00 in the
morning and be at the radio
station.
Morning and be at the radio station. But working with tom joyner,
I mean, he's a legend.
But we developed a friendship.
We still hang.
Let me tell y'all something.
That tom joyner knows how to
let me tell y'all something. That tom joyner knows how to treat a woman.
Or should I say "women"?
Treat a woman. Or should I say "women"? There was a valentine's day he
or should I say "women"? There was a valentine's day he flew out to l.A. And said,
there was a valentine's day he flew out to l.A. And said, "I'mma take y'all out for
valentine's day."
now, had we known he was gonna
take us out like that, baby,
we'd have started at 6:00 in the
morning.
We'd have started at 6:00 in the morning. He said, "you can go anywhere
you want and buy anything you
he said, "you can go anywhere you want and buy anything you want."
so we said, "let's go into the
louis vuitton store, and we'll
start there."
but we were afraid at first.
Start there." but we were afraid at first. We was picking up key chains and
sunglasses.
Tom was like, "what are y'all
doing?
Get what you want."
I ran up to them, I grabbed some
get what you want." I ran up to them, I grabbed some shoes, I was like, "oh, my god!
This is so exciting!"
and we's like, "is this too
this is so exciting!" and we's like, "is this too much?"
and we kept texting tom, "can we
get some shoes?
And we kept texting tom, "can we get some shoes? Can we get this?"
he was like, "get whatever you
can we get this?" he was like, "get whatever you want."
that was really a fun time.
Want." that was really a fun time. Me and sherri really bonded over
that.
That was one valentine's day
I'll never forget.
Love you, tom.
♪ >> whitley: You know, looking back on it, you'd think --
I was thinking joshua was 4 or 5
when my mother passed.
Joshua was 6 months old.
When my mother passed. Joshua was 6 months old. I was like, "how did that
joshua was 6 months old. I was like, "how did that happen?
My mother --"
joshua was born, my mother
my mother --" joshua was born, my mother stayed with me for three months.
Joshua was born, my mother stayed with me for three months. And that's when we said how god
does things and how things work
and that's when we said how god does things and how things work in life.
Does things and how things work in life. Joshua was brought to me because
god knew my mother was leaving
joshua was brought to me because god knew my mother was leaving soon.
God knew my mother was leaving soon. And joshua and my mother had
such a bond when I think about
and joshua and my mother had such a bond when I think about it.
Such a bond when I think about it. You're not gonna mess up my
makeup.
But, um...
Makeup. But, um... He was 6 months old, and I got a
but, um... He was 6 months old, and I got a call, my mother had the stroke.
And I rushed to cleveland.
Call, my mother had the stroke. And I rushed to cleveland. I remember they said, uh...
"you can't bring a baby into the
icu."
and my mother was laying in her
bed, and her and joshua had
bonded.
Bed, and her and joshua had bonded. And I finally asked the nurse, I
was like, "really, just let me
and I finally asked the nurse, I was like, "really, just let me take him in there."
she hadn't said anything.
Take him in there." she hadn't said anything. She hadn't made a sound.
She hadn't said anything. She hadn't made a sound. And I brought joshua in the
she hadn't made a sound. And I brought joshua in the room, and my mother raised up
and I brought joshua in the room, and my mother raised up out of the bed, and she reached
her hand out to joshua, and she
touched his hand, and after
that, I heard nothing else.
Touched his hand, and after that, I heard nothing else. I will always remember that.
That, I heard nothing else. I will always remember that. Now, I don't know if it was,
like, a transferring of souls,
now, I don't know if it was, like, a transferring of souls, but something happened there.
Like, a transferring of souls, but something happened there. Because I didn't believe in,
you know, things that, you know,
because I didn't believe in, you know, things that, you know, you see later.
You know, things that, you know, you see later. What happens.
You see later. What happens. But after my mother passed, I
what happens. But after my mother passed, I was in cleveland, and my cousin
but after my mother passed, I was in cleveland, and my cousin called and said, "kym, there's
this dove in your yard."
my mother's favorite bird is a
dove.
My mother's favorite bird is a dove. Came every day.
Dove. Came every day. We flew back, every day at 3:00,
came every day. We flew back, every day at 3:00, the dove sat up on a pole.
One day, I brought joshua out.
The dove sat up on a pole. One day, I brought joshua out. What do you think the dove did?
The dove flew down to joshua's
what do you think the dove did? The dove flew down to joshua's feet.
I'm telling y'all.
Feet. I'm telling y'all. I couldn't tell this if I didn't
see it but with my own eyes.
And I knew, I said, "that's my
mother right there."
and I knew, I said, "that's my mother right there." so, you know, you believe in
what you believe in, but when
you see it or you want to feel
it or see it, my mother and
joshua had a very, very special
bond.
Joshua had a very, very special bond. And I'm grateful to her,
because, you know, without my
and I'm grateful to her, because, you know, without my mother, I would not have
accepted this responsibility.
Mother, I would not have accepted this responsibility. I'd be still in the streets,
trying to date everybody, trying
to do my career.
Trying to date everybody, trying to do my career. But my mother saw a greater
purpose for me in this life.
>> [ speaking indistinctly ]
[ clacker snaps ]
>> whitley: [ laughs ]
currently, I am working on a
work-life balance.
Currently, I am working on a work-life balance. I've recently lost 30 pounds.
Work-life balance. I've recently lost 30 pounds. I am an ambassador for ww, which
is formerly weight watchers.
Very happy about that.
Is formerly weight watchers. Very happy about that. I have truly been blessed to
very happy about that. I have truly been blessed to continually work in this
industry.
Continually work in this industry. ♪
the future for kym whitley is to
be the best mother that I can
be.
Be the best mother that I can be. And, um...
Be. And, um... Get married.
Or should I say fall in love
get married. Or should I say fall in love then get married?
Yeah, something like that.
Then get married? Yeah, something like that. And directing and write another
yeah, something like that. And directing and write another book, where you can hear all
and directing and write another book, where you can hear all this stuff in detail.
Book, where you can hear all this stuff in detail. And, um, you know, produce.
This stuff in detail. And, um, you know, produce. I have an animation movie that
and, um, you know, produce. I have an animation movie that I've been working on for many
years that I hope to put out
soon.
Years that I hope to put out soon. So, that's it.
Soon. So, that's it. And just to keep making people
so, that's it. And just to keep making people laugh.
And be a light to this world.
Laugh. And be a light to this world. ♪
and be a light to this world. ♪ you know, the best advice I can
give anyone --
I always feel like when I'm
giving advice, I am a legend or
about to die or something.
Giving advice, I am a legend or about to die or something. Okay.
But, no, for real, everybody.
The best advice I can give you,
to anyone, is do what makes you
happy.
That's what you will be
successful at.
The things that you will do for
free every day, that's the thing
you should do.
If it's -- you make pies and you
love making pies, then sell the
pies, 'cause you're gonna love
doing that, and you will work
for free, and that's what you
will be successful at.