The film Divorce in the Black by Tyler Perry is set to be released on Prime Video on July 11. During the 28th annual American Black Film Festival, film stars Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict spoke with MadameNoire to discuss the film. Reflecting on their respective characters’ complex journeys, Good and Hardrict provided a glimpse into the emotional depth and/or intensity of the story. “It’s about finding strength in the face of betrayal and rediscovering oneself,” said Good. Hardrict added, “It’s about understanding the darkness within and portraying it with vulnerability and authenticity.”

Divorce in the Black promises to be a powerful and emotional film, with Good and Hardrict delivering standout performances. The story of Ava’s journey through betrayal and self-discovery and Dallas’s complex and dark character will resonate with many. As we eagerly await the film’s release, the insights from Good and Hardrict provide a compelling glimpse into what audiences can expect from this Tyler Perry masterpiece.

Source: Cory Hardrict, Nicole Friday (co-founder of ABFF) and Meagan Good (Photo Credit: Porsha Monique) / Porsha Monique

When asked about embracing his character’s complex side, Hardrict vulnerably answered, “Wow, how did I approach him? Like I do all my characters, I create backstories and just see why is he this way? I watched some of my favorite movies that are kind of relatable to this character, including ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It?’ So what I do is see how I can pull from the great films that went down in cinematic history and see what I can build.”

Hardrict went on to comment about his portrayal of Dallas and how his real-life experiences contributed to his excellent performance, “I’m very intense when I’m acting, passionate. I put it all on the camera, but what I loved about the character is that I was also allowed to be vulnerable. Sometimes, when you’re going through things in your personal life, you don’t really have an outlet to express yourself or get out the tears, frustration, or pain. The film came at the right time in my life, and like with all things, I give all praise to God; things happen in His time. So, getting that call from Mr. Perry and knowing that my sister Megan nudged him a bit, God did the rest—amen—I just knew it was my time to move on to something greater. I put it all into the character. I left it there.”

Please read below for more from our exclusive interview with Megan Good, and catch the film on Prime Video on July 11.

MadameNoire: In Divorce in the Black, Meagan, you play Ava, a young bank professional whose life is turned upside down when her husband, Dallas, abandons their marriage. How did you prepare to portray Ava’s significant emotional journey?

Megan Good: “You know, it’s interesting because I haven’t experienced that in real life, but going through the experience of suddenly being divorced and suddenly having to pick yourself up and decide, how am I going to respond to this? Am I going to fall apart and curl into a ball? Or am I going to accept that if this is what God has allowed, then God has something incredible for me and him, you know? So, I think that part of the journey I could relate to so much. Then, for the other part of it, I had to figure out what this would be like, talk to other women who have had that experience and try to convey it honestly and authentically.

MadameNoire: How was it working with Cory, and from the looks of the trailer, how did you both manage to create such great chemistry on screen?

Megan Good: I was so excited about Cory playing this part because he differs from the character. He’s such a gentle person, a class act. I knew he would find the humanity in this character that somebody else might miss because they’re playing at the idea instead of giving the empathy, the research, the reality of what will make the villain good—making them human. And he did it.

MadameNoire: What do you love most about Ava’s journey in Divorce In The Black?

Megan Good: I love that she has this journey because I think so many women either have portions of this journey or have this almost exact journey. So, the biggest thing for me was making sure that she came into the fullness of self-love; she came into the fullness of understanding what she deserves. She came into the fullness of understanding that there is life and life more abundantly on the other side and that she actually got excited about that and is empowered by that image. She found herself in not just who she used to be but who she’s growing into now. So, I hope that women are able to see that for themselves, and I hope that is encouraging and inspiring.”

Watch the trailer below, and be sure to tune in on July 11 for the premiere.

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