*For actress Amber Reign Smith, landing a role in “Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip” was more than just a career milestone — it was personal. The film, written and directed by Tyler Perry, follows Joe as he takes his grandson BJ on a cross-country road trip filled with real-world lessons and plenty of laughter.
Smith plays Destiny, a character she describes as a bridge between the film’s two central figures. “She bridges the gap between Joe and BJ because she knows a lot about history,” Smith explained. “She’s pretty layered, and she teaches BJ about some things that he doesn’t know. He’s able to get a different type of perspective about the things that his granddad is attempting to teach him.”
The Madea franchise has long held a special place in Black households across the country, and for Smith, that connection runs deep. “My mom actually watched all of the plays. She bought all of the tapes. Whenever Mr. Perry had a play in Atlanta, she would take my grandma, and they would go see the play,” she shared. “So, for me, it really hits home to be a part of it.”
Working closely with Perry on set gave Smith a front-row seat to the filmmaker’s creative process. She described Tyler Perry Studios as “like Disney World for actors,” noting the energy that permeates every production.
Scroll to continue reading
“Just working so closely with him on this project was different because I was able to see in real time how his brain works and how quick-witted he is,” she said. “And he improvs a lot. So just being able to work that improv muscle and play with him, it was so much fun.”
Perry’s approach to directing creates a distinct atmosphere for performers, one Smith characterized as freeing. “It’s safe. He allows you to play, to go off-book a little bit,” she said. “I would consider him an actor’s director. He’s played both sides, both roles when it comes to filming.”
On screen, that freedom translated into natural chemistry with co-star Jermaine Harris, who plays BJ. “He’s just such a genuine guy and he’s funny in real life,” Smith said of Harris. “We were able to take our off-screen, just our banter and our just giggling between scenes, and just take that onto camera.”
The film carries a message that resonated with Smith on a deeply personal level, particularly around Black identity and cultural awareness. Growing up in Atlanta, she found BJ’s sheltered worldview striking. “It’s like, how can you be black and you come from these black people, but you don’t know what’s going on or you don’t care to know,” she reflected. “That was probably the most personal part for me.”
Ultimately, Smith hopes audiences walk away with something meaningful alongside the laughs. “I hope that audiences realize that history is important,” she said. “We can’t make any progress if we don’t know where we’ve come from. So I think that’s the main takeaway, but also it’s okay to not know something and then be open to learning.”
“Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip” is now streaming on Netflix.
Watch our full conversation with Amber Reign Smith below.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Netflix Docuseries Exposes the Troubling Behind-the-Scenes Truth of ‘America’s Next Top Model’
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
