Interviews
Trinity Whiteside On Family, Starring on ‘Sistas’ and Never Being Discouraged
Trinity Whiteside originally entered the universe of Tyler Perry’s Sistas for six episodes. In season one, Danni (Mignon Von), one of the four sistas, lassoes herself a cowboy named Preston, played by Whiteside, who urges her to “let her walls down.” Coming back for more in season two, their new on-screen romance has everyone engulfed by the North Carolina native’s performance. The audience is looking to know more about Whiteside and how his guest appearance landed him a continuous role on the BET’s hit show.
Tyler Perry Studios was the first to construct a whole series during a global pandemic. A space they call “Camp Quarantine” was established looking to keep everyone within the studio COVID-free. Whiteside reflected on the testing procedure that went on during set takes, he said, “…we take two tests prior to traveling to Tyler Perry Studios, and then we take one when we arrive.” Whiteside continued, “We quarantine for up to about 24 hours, waiting on those results. And once they get back, we are able to travel about the studio grounds.” No one is allowed in the so-called ‘bubble’ except for the talent and the crew. And so far, the experiment has been successful with no positive cases detected.
Whiteside was born in Asheville, NC. He was named after his father’s favorite old western movie character in They Call Me Trinity. In his childhood years, the actor displayed an array of intellectual and artistic gifts – he scored in the top eight percentile on California Achievement Test and was considered advanced in mediums of illustration. Although Whiteside reflected many various academic talents early in life, during playtime, when it was just “make-believe,” Whiteside dived deep into those roles.
It was the gentle push from his wife, Nikkia, that put him on the path of acting, first appearing on BET’s The Game. After that role, Whiteside flourished and exercised all different parts of his acting chops. Other appearances he made include The CW’s The Originals, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Lila and Eve, Masterminds, Barbershop 3, and The Fate of The Furious, which earned Whiteside his first screen credit.
Whiteside reflected on the deep conversation he had with his wife that aligned him with his destiny, “I was actually in the dental program. And I came home one day after being in class and I was just like— you know… I only do this to have a career. It’s not something I want to do, this is not something I see myself doing day after day, year after year. And we just had the conversation and she asked what I wanted to do, what would make me happy, what I see myself doing, and I told her I want to pursue a career in acting.”
On-screen, one can see how devoted Whiteside is to his character, but he pursues his role of being a father to his three children with all the passion living in his heart. He mentioned his concern for his kids, before finally taking the first step toward his purpose. Whiteside shared, “if I was to pursue a career in acting, I didn’t want to do that at the detriment of their mental health. In their early developmental years, I didn’t want them to go ‘where’s my dad’, ‘I want my dad’. I wanted them to be old enough to understand that if dad is gone, it is his job, he will be back.”
With season 3 of Sistas now underway and Whiteside as a series regular, it is hard to imagine him not playing Preston. The actor unveiled that he originally auditioned for The Oval, a different Tyler Perry series, but did not get the role. Whiteside recalled that after that audition he texted Perry and thanked him “for the opportunity.” He was disappointed, he said, but never discouraged. Shortly after, Perry reached out and offered him to audition for the role of Preston.
“I had those times when I didn’t get the role and wasn’t chosen, and I always told myself, “It’s okay to be disappointed, as long as you’re not discouraged.”
It seems that when Whiteside entered into the realm of Sistas, he was able to hold his ground effortlessly. Whiteside was surrounded by female powerhouses, and yet he captured the heart of the viewers, creating an opportunity to become a series regular.
Whiteside reflected on his foundation, crediting the Black women that shaped him to be the person he is today. Whiteside stated, “There are things at times that I draw inspiration from – what I’ve experienced at home, and with my father’s side of the family, all those being strong African American women that I grew up around, who were an intricate part in my upbringing. I do draw on those inspirations and from those experiences.”
One can catch Trinity Whiteside on Tyler Perry’s Sistas every Wednesday on BET.
As ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ enters its final chapter, actor O-T Fagbenle—who has played Luke Bankole since the very beginning — is taking it all in with a deep sense of appreciation. Speaking with Hollywood Melanin, Fagbenle opened up about his experience on the groundbreaking series, what it meant to him, and how his character evolves as the story comes to a close.
“My overall feeling is one of gratitude,” he shared. “So few people get to be part of a big show, let alone one that means so much to so many people. And you know, everything ends—that’s the ephemeral nature of the universe. The fact that we’re ending it in style, the way we want to, and in a way I think the audience will find really satisfying, makes me happy.”
Filming the final scenes was both emotional and physically demanding, especially in the freezing Toronto weather, where the show is filmed.
“I’ll never forget how cold it was—my goodness, Toronto can get freezing!” he recalled. “But what really stood out was having Lizzie [Elisabeth Moss] direct the final episode. Watching her blossom into this powerhouse artist—acting, producing, directing—she does it all so brilliantly. Everything started with her. The very first scene of the show was her, Hannah, and me in the car. So this final season feels like a full-circle moment.”
Throughout the series, Luke has faced intense emotional and moral challenges. His journey mirrors the reality of many displaced people around the world—those caught in the chaos of war and political upheaval, struggling with a lack of power and control.
“One of Luke’s biggest challenges has always been his sense of helplessness—his inability to act,” Fagbenle explained. “He can’t get his daughter back, he can’t get his wife back. That reflects the reality of so many refugees today who have no power over the machinery of big governments. But what’s satisfying in this final season is that you finally get to see Luke take some chances—he starts to make a bit of a difference.”
As ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ enters its sixth and final season, Fagbenle’s reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the emotional depth and cultural relevance the series has carried since its debut. With new episodes dropping weekly from April 8 through May 27 on HULU, fans can expect a poignant and gripping conclusion to the story of June Osborn and those around her. For Fagbenle and viewers who’ve followed Luke’s journey from the beginning, this season promises a payoff that’s both meaningful and hard-earned.
Celebrity News
‘A Snowy Day in Oakland:’ Nicole Ari Parker Stars in New Dramedy From ‘Sister, Sister’ Creator Kim Bass
A Snowy Day in Oakland is heading into theaters this week. The magical-realism comedy starring Nicole Ari Parker is gearing up to be introduced to the world on Friday, March 17. Hollywood Melanin sat down with the leading star to explore some of the critical issues addressed in the film.
At the center of the story is LaTrice (Parker), the successful psychologist from San Francisco who longs for a more purposeful life. Leaving her unfaithful, high-profile psychiatrist boyfriend and business partner behind, she establishes her practice in a vacant office space on a small commercial block across the bay in Oakland. Surrounded by minority-owned businesses, LaTrice is determined to provide support and gently guide the residents of this predominantly Black neighborhood to embrace the importance of communicating one’s feelings through therapy.
“I think there is an issue of trust in the Black community where we just keep our problems close to our chest,” Parker expressed while discussing mental healthcare in minority groups. “It’s also an expense. It’s an investment. So, when you are trying to make ends meet and prioritize your income, it feels like a luxury. But I think that that’s an expense worth taking.”
Helmed by Sister, Sister creator Kim Bass, the film was initially shot six years ago. Parker says she attributes her involvement in this project not just to the powerful and relevant script but also to “Kim’s vision, his magical realism, his playing with time, and his saturation of color,” she added, “We don’t really get to have that kind of whimsy in most independent Black films.”
Produced by Planet 9 Productions and distributed by People of Culture Studios, this dramatic comedy also explores other meaningful themes like navigating complex relationships and struggles of entrepreneurship. Those conversations are explored through the town’s biggest personalities, Davis (Deon Cole), Jeanette (Loretta Devine), Theona (Kimberly Elise), and Rodney (Evan Ross). The star-studded cast also includes Keith David, Marla Gibbs, Michael Jai White, Tony Plana, Arden Myrin, and others.
Watch A Snowy Day in Oakland in selected theaters on Friday, March 17. Watch the trailer below.
O-T Fagbenle Reflects on the Final Season of The Handmaid’s Tale: “A Full Circle Moment”
Viola Davis Makes a Grand Entrance At The World Premiere Of ‘G20’ (video)
Garcelle Beauvais Exits The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills After 5 Seasons: What’s Next for the Bravo Star?
‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ Trailer: A Farewell to Tony Todd
Eleanor Deshauteurs
March 4, 2021 at 1:04 pm
Im Trinity Whiteside biggest fan I love the show Sistas I never miss it can’t wait till the next week . I pray this pandemic gets under control so I can meet him one day.