Mekai Curtis on Raising Kanan's final season, cliffhangers answered, 50 Cent's influence, becoming Kanan Stark, Disney Channel beginnings, his parents' sacrifices, Hollywood highs and lows, behind-the-scenes stories and balancing life beyond the character
6/12/202652 min
"Everything Gets Answered In Season 5..."Mekai Curtis On this Friday special of The Pivot Podcast, we sit down with actor Mekai Curtis, the breakout star of Raising Kanan, for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, family, and the journey to becoming one of television's most compelling leading men as part of Powerbook III's hit drama series. Mekai reflects on his early days as a child actor on Disney Channel, the sacrifices his family made to support his dreams, and how his parents' unwavering belief gave him the confidence to pursue a career in Hollywood. He opens up about the challenges of growing up in the entertainment industry, finding his identity as an actor, and the lessons that shaped him along the way. The conversation dives into his starring role as Kanan Stark in Raising Kanan, including the pressure of carrying a hit series, the show's massive success, and what it's been like collaborating with executive producer 50 Cent and an accomplished cast and creative team. Mekai shares behind-the-scenes stories, discusses the relationships he's built with his fellow actors, and reveals how he prepares for one of television's most complex characters. With Season 5 marking the final chapter of Raising Kanan, Mekai reflects on the show's legacy, the emotional process of saying goodbye, and what he hopes fans take away from Kanan's journey. He promises that cliffhangers will be answered and the show will make viewers live and breathe every scene. He also discusses the importance of balancing real life with the darker realities of the character he portrays and how he protects his mental and emotional well-being while bringing Kanan to life. From Disney Channel to leading one of the biggest dramas on television, Mekai Curtis' story is one of faith, hard work, family support, and staying true to yourself. This is a conversation you won't want to miss. Pivot Family...comment, like, hit the subscribe button, we enjoy hearing and learning from you- the good and the bad, we want to know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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First 90 secondsRyan Clark· Host0:00
There are actors who play a role, and then there are actors who carry the weight of a legacy. Today's guest has spent the last five years doing exactly that. From being a Disney kid to becoming one of television's most compelling young stars, Mekai Curtis has taken on a challenge few actors would even want to accept, the responsibility of bringing a younger Kanan Stark to life, a character made iconic by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, a role that came with expectations, comparisons, and pressure from day one. But what makes Raising Kanan special isn't just the story of Kanan, it's a story of family. It's the story of Raquel Thomas, brilliantly portrayed by Patina Miller, whose performance has become really the heartbeat of the series and one of the most powerful on TV. And when you're surrounded by that level of talent, along with people like Joey Bada$$, competition isn't something you just run from, it's something that sharpens you. Today we'll talk about what it takes to stay present in a business that's constantly asking you to think about the next role, the next season, the next opportunity. And as Mekai puts it, you have to focus on doing the thing. We'll talk about the pressure of carrying a franchise, lessons learned from sharing scenes with stars who elevate everyone around them, and how Mekai has navigated growing up in front of an audience while still trying to find himself. And with the fifth and final season of Raising Kanan here, we'll get a glimpse into what's ahead as Kanan continues his transformation into the man we