With three NAACP Image Award nominations, books, and accolades in choreography, it’s not hard to believe why Darrin D. Henson continues to excel in his acting career. He’s taking those acting skills to the television screen again with BET Network’s drama The Family Business.
The mini-series first appeared last winter. Henson spoke to the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper over the phone about the show, why motivation is important, and his love for acting.
LOS ANGELES SENTINEL: How’s your new year going? Do you have any resolutions?
DARRIN HENSON: This year has been amazing and no I don’t have any resolutions. The definition of resolution is resolving. I resolved those things last year and I’m already in enlightenment with them this year.
LAS: That’s a great response. Why do you think some people fail at resolutions?
HENSON: Some people can’t handle it. They want the responsibility and goals but can’t handle the pressure. It’s because they haven’t built up to it. They want something but they are thinking of something else. Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time.
LAS: What’s the story behind The Family Business? Can you talk about your character?
HENSON: It’s about the Duncan family. They are from New York and are very affluent. The family desires to be the leading ones above ground and underground. My character Orlando creates a new drug called Heat. Because of that, the family goes through money issues and more problems.
LAS: With your history both on stage and in front of the camera, which dynamic do you prefer?
HENSON: I just love acting. It doesn’t matter if it’s the camera or stage. I try not to worry about all that. People who do that are trying to be famous. If your good at what you do, fame comes. I know on stage there isn’t a second take but if you focus on what’s the truth, there doesn’t need to be one.
LAS: You mentioned fame. What’s your opinion on social media and how it impacts our fame hungry society?
HENSON: It’s all about instant gratification. They call it IG but it really means instant gratification. They are not focused on the long term. If you know anything about investments, you never do short term goals but long-term goals instead.
LAS: I want to end this conversation on motivation. What advice do you give to people who can’t figure their life out?
HENSON: Sometimes when you want to get ahead, you might forget to be still. When your racing and everything else is racing around you, you have to stop and meditate. Sit still and listen. When you do that, you can get light years ahead. That’s because you can finally hear. As long as you can hear and pay attention, then you can move. Get a definite aim and purpose and follow one course. Until that’s successful, then move on to something else. Don’t get stuck doing too much at the same time.
You can watch The Family Business on BET every Tuesday at 9 p.m.
