After completing seven years as host of BET’s 106 and Park, Terrence has begun to expand his empire past that of just being an on air television host. Although he has taken over Ryan Seacrest’s hosting gig over at ‘E! News’, he still continues to work on his acting career, acquire endorsement deals such as his current one with Crown Royal and he has plans to release a relationship book. .
He recently sat down with Ebony Magazine, and in the candid interview, he revealed that his main goal is to be a Will Smith-meets-Ryan Seacrest entertainer and host, while blending the broadcasting and acting worlds in the same way as Oprah has been able to. He also dished on why he believes his gig at E! News was a smart choice and what it will be like for him to be an actor in Hollywood while also reporting on his Hollywood peers.
Peep a few excerpts:
On why he chose to continue hosting at E! versus focusing entirely on actingDefinitely inspiring!
I think that Hollywood is this sort of hybrid now. You have incredible broadcasters like Oprah Winfrey who are now doing movies like The Butler. You have people that are building careers that don’t just have to fit in one lane. I want to be a trendsetter in that space. I look at a mentor of mine like Ryan Seacrest and the incredible amount of equity he’s been able to bring to the broadcasting arena, and the branding and the world that he’s been able to build around himself. I look at another mentor of mine, Will Smith – I call him the greatest actor alive right now – and I’m trying to merge the two. I have a long way to go, obviously. Those are some very big ambitions. But I’m shooting Think Like a Man 2 next year and I have two more film projects that’ll be coming out relatively soon. And I’ll be every day on E! News. Hopefully people just won’t get sick of me!
Why ‘E! News’ Is Good For Him
They’re at the pulse of pop culture, and that’s where I’m at. I think that they’re excellent at what they do. They have a very great staff and amazing people that I get to work with. I think Giuliana Rancic is amazing, and they just get it. They’re a show on the rise and I’m happy to be a part of the program.
On Being in Hollywood While Reporting on Hollywood
If anything, it’ll give me some credibility. When I talk to artists and actors and entertainers, I can understand it from both sides. Hopefully it’ll lead to some better interviews, because I can understand both perspectives. I plan on having the credibility and integrity of being a part of an entertainment news program like E!, in addition to being on the actor side as well.
On How ‘Think Like a Man’ Has Changed Him
It let me know that we’re headed in the right direction. You get a lot of people that tell you you can’t do something. We can make an impact, we can make a difference, we can get numbers. I’m just really humbled to be around all of the things that are happening and to be a part of it.
On What Keeps Him Motivated
My mother. She and my stepfather moved from New York at a young age to build a more safe life for me in North Carolina. And I just watched them grow and work – they had five jobs – and just their drive and their hustle is what fuels me to this day. I come from humble starts. I went to an historically Black college where we’re always told that there’s limitation. And so I’m happy to represent for Black colleges. I’m happy to represent for my fraternity. We work hard, man. And we don’t stop, man, we don’t let up. As soon as I get in one door, I’m simultaneously working to be the best person in that door, open up doors for other people to walk in and opening up the next door for myself to walk through.
On What Changes He’s Going to Bring to ‘E! News’
One day I’m going to sneak in a pair of Jordans! I’m going to wait until I’m there a while, but I’m going to be the first guy to wear a pair of MJs on the show! No, I look forward to being myself and having a lot of fun. I’m just really happy to be here. My entire story has been public. The first time I was on television nationally, it was broadcast so people got to see me from day one to where I’m now in this new position. So I just appreciate everybody that’s been there along for the ride. I’m just a puny kid from North Carolina.
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