Discussions around generational differences are in the news every other day. Does Gen Z lack a work ethic? Are boomers too harsh? It goes on and on and on, but rarely are these conversations looked at through a comedic lens. Enter “Joe’s College Road Trip,” Tyler Perry’s latest installment in the MCU (Madea cinematic universe). Jermaine Harris, who plays BJ in the film, spoke with NYOTA about getting into character, his advice for aspiring actors, and what he hopes audiences take away from the story.

What initially drew you to acting?

I originally started performing within the dance space before acting. So entertaining was always there for me, but my 5th-grade teacher got me into acting. It all started with an audition for a school play she encouraged me to try out for. That’s where the love of the craft really started for me. 

Who are some of your acting inspirations?

Some of the actors that inspire me are Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, and Martin Lawrence. Those actors are who truly shaped me growing up. Watching all of their work at a young age really did inspire the type of art I aspire to create in my own career.

Your character, BJ, couldn’t be more different from Joe. Was it fun to work on establishing BJ and Joe’s dynamic with Tyler Perry?

It was extremely rewarding! I got a decent amount of prep from the previous film, Madea’s Destination Wedding. Since Joe and BJ shared scenes in that film, it allowed me to build the foundation of what their relationship is. Once we hopped into filming Joe’s College Road Trip, it was a smooth, very fun transition to build on what we started in the last project. 

BJ is very health-conscious and always trying to be politically correct. What did you do to get into character?

I drew from people in my life and the internet. It’s no surprise that a lot of people in my generation actually think as BJ does, so finding the inspiration for him was fun. There were also people I knew from when I was in high school who would have certain mannerisms, too, that I would think were cool. From the very first audition, I had a clear vision of how I wanted BJ to move, sound, and respond.

You’ve said that Tyler Perry gave you a lot of freedom on set. How much were you able to experiment in certain scenes, and did you grow as an actor through this project?

I was able to try something new every day! He’s the type of director who does very long takes. We would shoot it as written most of the time, but after we got that within the take, I was able to get out as many ideas as I wanted within the scene, as long as it made sense. I learn something different about myself as a performer from every project I work on. Working with Tyler has taught me to really trust my instincts within the character. 

Although the movie is a comedy full of laugh-out-loud moments, it also aims to shed light on what Black Americans have endured and on the history that younger generations shouldn’t overlook or erase. What do you hope viewers take away after watching?

I hope that viewers feel good about who they are after watching. I hope they can hug their parents or grandparents and say thank you. That they know Black history isn’t the sum of our culture’s pain, it’s resilience. It’s love, and it’s the will to keep going another day. It’s acknowledging that we are blessed to be where we are because it was the hard work, strength, and prayers from those before us that propelled us here in the first place. 

Do you want to continue exploring your comedy chops, or is there a different type of work you want to pursue more in the future?

I do. Comedy is very near and dear to me. I feel like it’s a lost art within the storytelling space. There aren’t many comedic projects that are being made, and I want to be the guy the people can trust with that. I most definitely would love to explore other genres within film as well, like action, horror, or drama. But right now, I just want to make people feel good when they watch my projects.  

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Seek. Always seek. I believe our jobs as actors are to be sponges, to seek truth and points of view. Keep your imagination alive and remind yourself why you love acting. There are also a lot of different ways to become an actor nowadays, so don’t be discouraged if your journey doesn’t look like everyone else’s. Every story isn’t meant to be told the same way. We are all in the same race to be who we believe God called us to be. You only lose that race when you decide to stop. So, keep going and seek.