Omari Hardwick Reveals How He Landed ‘Ghost’ On Power
It has been almost two years since the series finale of season six, the original Power on Starz, ended. The star of the show Omari Hardwick was a guest on The Big Show with Fat Joe on Instagram Live. The two discussed various topics, including how Hardwick got the now-iconic role of Ghost [James St. Patrick].
“So, as far as I know, I believe it was 50 [Cent] first on Next Day Air. Shout-outs to every fan that found Next Day Air to be cool. Shout outs to Inny Clemons, our producer, and Benny Boom. Also, shout-outs Wood Harris, Mike Epps, Mos Def, Donald Faison, and Lauren London. All of us were really able to get down on this ‘little’ small film called ‘Next Day Air,’ and it became a hood cult classic. And I think 50 saw it first, and when he went and paired up with Courtney [Kemp], they were both repped by CAA. When they were put together, they realized they were both headhunting the same actor, that being your brother Omari [Hardwick],” said Hardwick.
“So, they came at me, and Courtney like it be known that she wanted me. I feared it, so ultimately, I had to look in the mirror and put it on myself and say, I think I was afraid of grabbing that big a** mountain on my shoulders and being the guy. I think I was comfortable with people saying that n*** Omari is stealing scenes. I was so used to athletics and being a part of a team, but I guess my gift was I dealt with a lousy sense of insecurity pushing that gift way down. As it pertains to being a lead actor, I pushed and pushed, and finally, I think it was Jennifer Pfautch. She was like, god, please allow this man, who is the father of my kids’ embrace what makes him big to have this extra food on our table. He also needs to embrace his power.”
He would continue: “She used that word; I didn’t even know that was the title show yet. So, we go on vacation; my daughter is about four months old. And en route of the vacation, my manager said they wouldn’t take no for an answer. I thought it was an HBO comedy that I went out for, but that actually went to my boy, Dorian Missick. Shout out to Dorian, and that went to him, and he was like the other thing ‘The Untitled 50 Cent thing,’ he said they wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
A couple of weeks ago, Hardwick was a guest on ‘Welcome to Higher Learning’ hosted by Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay, powered by The Ringer. During the appearance, he was asked to rank ‘The Wire,’ ‘Power,’& ‘Snowfall.’
“Awesome question. I think were as f***, so we were dominate AF for four seasons. Dominate, like bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. I think ‘Snowfall,’ shout outs to our beloved late and great John Singleton. Which is partly why Damson [Idris] are going to work together because John was very keen on both of us as young actors. And We decided to continue what John would’ve wanted us to continue, so Damson and I will do that. And I can’t wait to start curate work with him. I’ll say it’s a fascinating thing story-wise as to what they created. So, i’ll give it a great ranking, but it can’t be in the ranking of those two that are tried, tribulated, and now done. And remember the spins off of power are not necessarily consistent to that which I’ve done,” said Hardwick.
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