This week’s guest on The Crew Has It with Michael Rainey Jr & Gianni Paolo was Daniel Bellomy. They discussed numerous topics, including when he was told that Monet Tejada was Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Cross’s mother. So she [Courtney Kemp] told me Monet was his [Zeke] mom like the first table read. She came up to me and Mary [J. Blige] and she was like, okay, you’re his mom. So she told us the the secret on the first day,” said Bellomy.
“So but a lot of people even in the cast didn’t even know that was that until [the table read or episode nine of last season] because I wasn’t telling nobody. I wanted to kind of keep that sort of contained, so I could focus on the given circumstance and not be trying to, I guess, get ahead of myself in that regard.”
Unfortunately for Zeke Cross, Monet and the rest of the family hid a lot from him. He didn’t know about his life. Cross did not find out that Monet was his mother and not his aunt until episode eight of season 2 of Ghost. His half-sister and not his cousin Diana Tejada delivered the news at the dinner table in front of the whole family.
The actor who plays Diana Tejada, LaToya Tonodeo shared via Instagram Live while chatting with the creator of Power Courtney Kemp, that the episode eight’s dinner scene took two days to film.
“We shot it over two days Shana [Stein] was not playing. There was this one part that people don’t know; originally, when we did our coverage, Mary J. Blige [Monet Tejada] was actually seated. So, when they went to her coverage, she decided to lunge; she told Woody McClain [Cane Tejada], yeah, I’m going to lunge at her; I had no idea. So, when she jolted up and at me,” said Tonodeo.
“Let me tell you; I was really low-key nervous. I was like, whoa, and went towards my dad to save me. She threw the napkin, and you all didn’t catch it visually; it went on my face, and I was trying to move it. It was the most fun, and we literally fed off each other we weren’t playing. Everyone in that room brought it the energy; it was literally the nuclear dinner. Like it was written in our arc, the nuclear dinner. It was the best. I love that scene.”
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
