Original subtitles

♪ Oh ♪

Okay, let's relevé, plié...

-Whoo! Girl. -leapé to your seat.

So I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

These budget cuts have hit every club on campus.

So we've had to roll this year's talent show, fashion show,

and dorm pageant winner reveals into this year's showcase.

Which means this will be the biggest Hillman's Got Talent ever.

So don't play with me. And don't play yourselves.

Thank you.

Performing at Hillman's Got Talent

and potentially becoming Miss Gilbert Hall in the same week?

-This week is gonna be everything. -Yes.

I went to every single talent show when my brother and sister went here.

But he can't dance, and she can't hold a note,

so this is my time to outshine them!

All right, girl. Well, I'm all about the prize shmoney.

See, my palms was itching this mornin'. I think some money's about to come.

I hope so, because I still owe my parents $13,750.

You only paid them $250 since last semester?

-$249.50. -And those are new.

-Those are new, aren't they? -They're not.

-I thrifted them. -Nneka, I heard you wanted to meet me.

I'm Kojo.

Big fan of yours and Haus Authority.

You heard wrong,

and we are the biggest fashion agency on campus, so...

Uh, believe me, I know, which is why I wanna give you

the opportunity to walk in my fashion show.

Sorry, but I only walk in my org members' fashion shows.

So make me a member. And then you can walk in mine.

It's not that simple. Membership is invitation only.

Come check out my rehearsal. You will be dying to invite me.

I'll be washing my hair.

But I didn't even tell you when it...

Oh. Now I see what you did there.

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Broke through the reflection ♪

♪ Invested in climate ♪

♪ Took every scar Turned it into timing... ♪

So before you and Shaquille broke up, were you two, like, doing it?

Doing it?

Not since we got back to Hillman, nosy.

Oh.

What's up?

Are you thinking of going there with Jalen?

Oh, we already have. Like, a lot.

Okay.

You're not saying that Jalen's stroke is broke?

Oh, no, no. No, no, no, no. It's good. Really great.

But I've just been having some, like,

unexpected sensations, like, down there.

-Oh. -Not like...

Not during sex or anything, but after.

It feels like Moses' burning bush.

Girl, that doesn't sound right. You need to get tested.

-Tested? -Tested.

I can't risk being seen at the Student Health Center

this close to announcing Miss Gilbert Hall.

A scandal like that could cost me everything.

I'mma catch you in class, girl.

-No. -Mm. Mm-hm.

-Don't leave. -Talk to him.

Hey. Birdie, wait. Birdie, wait. Look.

I've had a ton of time to think. Too much actually, and I feel like shit.

I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry.

I overreacted.

Yeah. You did.

Yeah, I... I know. I know, and I get that now.

Look, sometimes things happen outside of your control,

and it's not your fault that dude kissed you.

It's my fault for blaming you. I wouldn't want you judging me like that.

Look, birdie...

Can we start over?

A fresh start this time?

I'm tired of starting over with you, Shaquille.

I gotta go.

The stark truth is,

Black Americans die younger than white Americans.

-Yeah. -Well, damn.

In the medical community, it's what we call excess deaths,

which is mostly attributed to chronic illnesses

like heart disease or cancer.

That's the assignment.

I want you guys to connect the dots between Black psychology

and stress exposure.

So before we wrap up, I wanna thank our guest lecturer

and world-renowned heart surgeon, my mama, Kimberly Reese Boyer.

Mm-hm.

All right, so I'll see y'all next week. Please do your reading.

Do not let ChatGPT do it for ya.

-Thank ya. -Amir.

Amir...

Hey. Hey, Amir. Amir. Amir Rodale!

Hi. Why haven't you been answering my texts?

Dang, I just realized I got office hours with Professor Baptiste. I gotta run.

-Oh. Well, can we talk... -Yeah. Mm.

Oh, okay.

I mean, how can the academic committee not see how raw your talent is?

No... No, no, I'm confused.

I didn't even know that they could reject my independent major application.

Yeah, I'm sorry, Deborah.

Uh, as your advisor, I did my best to advocate on your behalf.

And as your cousin, I almost threw these hands.

-Yes. -I don't get it.

I just wanna bring people together with art and dance and music.

-How could they say no? -Yeah.

This is the same creative portfolio that got me into Tisch.

-Oh. -Maybe that's the problem, cuz.

Tisch isn't Hillman.

You have to figure out what it is you're trying to say...

-Mm. -as an artist.

Think specificity.

So that's just it? I'm out of luck?

I don't get approval,

and now I have to major in something I don't even care about.

No, no, no, no, no.

-No, no. -That's not what we saying.

If the committee can't see it in your portfolio,

what you're gonna do is show them.

Right.

For the talent show, I could rework my act.

Make it more layered. Could that convince them to reconsider?

See what I'm doing?

When you walk, there needs to be a rhythm.

You understand?

Okay, Tyra Banks. Helpful.

Hello?

Wait, what? You're outside now?

I thought I said I would meet you at the hotel.

Oh.

Okay.

-Jo, you good? -Nah, man.

My parents are here.

Hold on, hold on. Your parents took a whole-ass international flight

and didn't text and let you know they was coming?

No, I knew they were coming. I just didn't know they were coming here.

-Now. -Damn.

All right, listen very carefully.

I am an engineering major, not fashion merchandising.

There's absolutely no Chop Lyfe, and definitely no fashion show.

You understand?

Let me find out you out here living a whole double life.

Is your accent fake too?

Yo.

Mom, Dad, welcome to Hillman.

-Oh. Mm. -You look beautiful.

-Mm. -Mm-hm.

-Dada. -Mm-hm.

Um, let me introduce you to my, uh, roommate.

This is Shaquille.

He's a top, top, very successful student athlete.

-Nice to meet you. -This is Amir.

-He, uh, puts in a lot of effort. -Hi. Nice to meet you.

Yes, I'm a psychology major.

Psych major.

-Yeah. -A pleasure to meet you boys.

Wish I could say I've heard a lot about you, but Kojo doesn't call us.

-Kojo. -Wow.

-Sir? -What have you been eating?

You look fat.

-Eh, and skinny at the same time. -Mm.

Uh, spe... Speaking of, actually, we gonna go grab a bite to eat.

-You was hungry, right? -Yeah, we gonna go.

We'll see you, man. Nice to meet you.

Lovely to see you. Wonderful head wrap.

-Like we said... -Yeah.

-In the messages you ignore... -Hm.

We are here to find out what you have been up to,

since you don't tell us anything.

And your mother has been very worried.

Mm-hm. The American ICE have been snatching up Ghanaians

and shipping them off to God knows where.

Well, if the Ghanaians would spend a little more time in church

with the Nigerians...

This is no joke, Chukwu. Abeg. Ah.

Okay.

-Kojo. -I'm sorry.

I just been busy with my studies, that's all.

-Every day. -So you say. So you say.

Five and six, and five and six and seven.

Go one, two, three, four, five, six. Rashida, you are shuffling.

Hazel, move into your two-step.

Into your two-step, and then pop right.

-Pop right. Your other right. Stop, stop. -What? What? What?

No, no.

We need to rethink all of it.

We need to rethink all of it,

because right now is the moment to dig deeper.

To make a statement. And we cannot do that in parachute pants.

-Hazel, this is ridiculous. -That's my favorite part.

No, no, no. No. All right, follow me.

We are going to start with...

Annie's opening monologue from Sinners. Yes, and then you are going to...

-You are going to praise dance over there. -Wha...

-And hit the... Yep. -Uh, what?

And then you can recite a Nikki Giovanni poem.

Girl, what? This is a talent show. We're supposed to be showing our talent.

And we don't have time to switch up everything now.

No, but our performance is not giving what it needs to give.

And we are not saying what it needs to say.

All right, see, now you messing with my money.

-What? -You messing with my money.

-Ladies, please. -Get her out of my face.

Have we not learned anything

from the multiple breakups of our favorite girl groups?

You know what?

Beyoncé sure did.

And it's time for me to be an independent woman. I'm out of here.

Have fun.

Uh, well, then, "to the left, to the left," then, sis.

-I can't do this. I can't do... -We'll be okay. Shoot.

She trying to be Beyoncé.

-I'mma be Kelly, though, you know? -It's okay. I like Michelle.

All right, sound good. Let's go. Five, six, seven, eight, and...

We need to take this more serious.

Dapping each other up. Like, don't touch me.

Durag, what's going on?

They burnin', bro.

-Burnin'? -Burnin'?

-Burning. -Yo.

A few brothers tested positive for chlamydia.

Cuffing season may have claimed a few victims.

It's okay. If you have any reason to worry,

go to the Student Health Center.

Get tested. Get treated if you have to.

A'ight? And in the meantime, I'mma need all y'all to strap up.

A'ight? Yo, there are literally condoms everywhere.

Use them.

And get the ones that fit. A baggy condom doesn't keep anyone safe.

Even if it's just the tip?

I mean...

Yes, bro.

Okay, but hold on. What about Plan B though?

Bro, what are you talking about?

-I'm just... -Please, help me. Somebody help me, man.

Okay, okay, okay. I see I'm gonna be volunteering as tribute.

Two words, preventative measures.

I'm popping PrEP and DoxyPEP left and right so I don't catch any STIs.

And before you ask, 'cause I know you were going to,

they not just for the gays.

Y'all straights could take them too.

Oh, and go get tested, regularly, even if you think you're all right.

I'm going tomorrow.

Yes, good talk, boys. Good talk. I'm done talking.

Bro, stop trying to dap people up. That's how it spreads.

-Y'all don't know nothin'? -Nah, you got it.

I'm... I'mma go with you.

-Why? -For moral support.

We gotta... Black men have to stick together.

And I'm gonna be spinning. It's...

The lights are going to be very bright, okay?

Uh, I brought you a little something.

The most exclusive restaurant in Hillman.

Oh wow.

-Here. -Thanks. I actually, uh...

I forgot to eat today. How did you know?

-Mm. -Spring rolls.

Huh.

-Is this your way of apologizing for... -Nah.

Nah, nah, nah. I'mma stop you right there,

'cause I don't regret our kiss, and I don't think you do either.

That kiss blew up my entire relationship.

Look, uh, I don't know your boy,

but I never would have let a woman like you go.

Especially not over some goofy stuff that wasn't even on you.

I think you and I are like complementary colors.

When we're side by side, everything feels way more...

Way more vibrant

and intentional.

I apologize for upsetting you,

but I don't regret trying to shine with you, and I never will.

So...

Can we be cool again?

Why you switch up your performance last minute?

You know, Candace lost her mind...

when she heard you went solo.

My, uh,

independent arts major application was rejected

for not having anything meaningful to say.

And I'm getting a second chance showing them what I'm all about.

So I had to go solo.

You're an artist.

You can't be boxed in.

But sounds like you need to lock in, so I'll head out.

-Mm? -You got this, okay?

You were made to stand in the spotlight.

Eat. All of it.

♪ I got dollar signs... ♪

That's nice.

♪ I was made for the city life ♪

♪ This ain't how they do it back home ♪

♪ Got dollar signs in my eyes... ♪

I have a yeast infection!

Come on, yeast infection.

-Thank you. -Um, uh, what am I missing?

I had to take a trip to the Student Health Center

'cause I was having some unfavorable symptoms.

-Mm-hm. -But now that I've tested negative,

I am positive that I'm going to win Miss Gilbert Hall.

And Jalen and I are on the safety train from here on out.

-Okay. -Good.

So... it's not too late for the two of you to stop fighting

so we can perform together instead of you doing solo routines.

All you have to do is let go of your ego and move on.

Just like I did when I got that STI test.

Yeah, sorry, Haze, but this is bigger than any ego.

Or STI.

It depends on the STI and the ego.

What?

Hey, what happened to all that "come on, yeast infection" energy?

So this is what we call, uh, Fried Chicken Wednesdays.

-Mm. -Every week,

the whole campus tries to get here and tries to grab a plate.

-Uh, Mom, you really gotta try these yams. -No.

-I'm trying to tell you. Nah, trust me. -No.

They're... They're... They're a bit sweet, but they are really, really delicious.

Hm.

Uh... Oh.

-Hey. What you doing here? -You know I work here, right?

Yeah. Um, well, meet my parents.

-Mom, Dad, this is my friend Rashida. -Hi.

-Oh! -Nice to meet you.

Such a pretty face, huh?

Hi.

Where are her books?

-Dad. -See?

You all don't take your education seriously.

Uh, okay, well, I, uh, have to go to work.

-Mm-hm. -But it was really nice meeting you.

Pleasure.

Dad, that was rude.

-Mm. -Black Americans, eh?

They just don't understand how easy they have it.

Dad, you know about four Black Americans, and you met them all today.

-Now, this is why I've been avoiding you. -Oh.

No, I'm serious.

I've met some of the best people at Hillman.

They're not the problem.

You just don't respect anything I say or do.

What are you saying, Kojo?

I'm a fashion merchandising major, and I'm gonna become a designer.

So you've been lying to us.

Can you imagine that?

Oh my God!

You would rather make dresses than build bridges.

-Eh! -And risk your freedom doing it.

Shut up!

I'm debuting my new line at Hillman's Got Talent.

Maybe you should stop by and see just how big I'm going

before you tell me I'm a disgrace.

-Anything? -Nothing.

Me neither.

Just waiting to see if I need to make a really uncomfortable phone call.

It's just been you and Deborah, right?

Right?

Same night me and Deborah got into it and she broke up with me,

I slept with somebody else.

I wasn't in the right headspace. I had just fired my pops.

Like, I just tweaked, bro.

Okay. Um, well,

you and Deborah were broken up, so what's the big deal?

It was with Candace.

Shit.

You probably think I'm a piece of shit now, don't you?

Well, no.

It... takes one to know one, actually.

Um...

I...

I slept with Jalen Hughes.

What?

-Eight-assists-a-game Jalen? -Mm-hm.

-Stepback-middy Jalen? -Mm-hm.

Hazel?

-Amir. -I know, I know, I know.

That's why you been ducking and dodging her. What happened, bro?

Look, I was feeling vulnerable after everything that happened with Marquise,

and he came over, and he came on to me, and now I can barely look at Hazel,

let alone talk to her.

-Negative. -Negative.

-Whoo! -Whoo.

God, yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

You know, if I'm being real, bro...

I don't feel no better.

We have to tell them, don't we?

So I'd start with saying something about revolution or whatever

and how I spit on the patriarchy.

-Because vaginas, free beat, feminists... -Stop the music and stop the talking. Shh.

Oh.

Look, uh, the performances that people remember

are personal and connect with the audience organically.

Start there.

Ellington swears you're this amazing artist,

so I'm sure you can pull it together,

which is why we even let you make this last-minute change. I...

You know, you two must have something going on

for him to put his neck out like that for you.

No.

-Well, kind of. -Mm-hm.

-Yeah. -Uh...

Okay, the thing is, I was dating this guy.

-I don't know if you... -Yeah, Shaquille Johnson.

Not a secret, babe. Continue.

Okay, well, Ellington sort of

kissed me, and it led to me and Shaquille breaking up.

And now I feel like there's this something between me and Ellington, and I just...

I don't...

I don't know what to do.

Deborah, remember that what's behind you is behind you for a reason.

Ellington is great.

And not like any of these other guys around here. Trust me.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

And before we get into our talent showcase,

our final residence hall pageant of the night,

let's crown Miss Gilbert Hall.

And the winner is...

Miss Hazel Henry!

The Gilbert girl, you're gorgeous, you're gifted.

The Gilbert girl, you're gorgeous, you're gifted.

The Gilbert girl...

Y'all ready?

Then let's get this show started!

Raise y'all hand if you ever put on a baggy condom.

I like my condoms the same way I like my durags.

Snugger than a mug!

-Boy, bye. -Damn.

And now let's give it up for our next performer,

Rashida Duvall!

♪ Ba... ♪

Are you gonna sing or not?

♪ You act like you don't love me no more ♪

♪ Maybe you need space Or some time ♪

Eh.

♪ Your attitude is unpredictable ♪

♪ And I don't wanna make you unhappy ♪

♪ If you're not happy Then you're free to go on ♪

♪ 'Cause I don't want you staying around ♪

♪ If I make you so miserable ♪

♪ If you don't want me Then don't talk to me ♪

♪ Go ahead and free yourself ♪

♪ If you don't want me Then don't talk to me ♪

♪ Go ahead to someone else ♪

♪ If you don't want me Then don't talk to me ♪

♪ Want me then don't talk to me ♪

♪ Go ahead and free yourself ♪

♪ If you don't want me Then don't talk to me ♪

-♪ Want me then don't talk to me ♪ -♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Go ahead to someone else ♪

♪ Oh yeah ♪

And now up, Kojo Achebe.

♪ People think I'm crazy Like I've lost my mind ♪

♪ Like I've gone wild and drifted away ♪

♪ It's the music that possesses me Have mercy on my soul ♪

♪ Carry me gently, Allah protect me ♪

♪ I move softly like an acrobat This energy won't kill me ♪

♪ It's rapid fire, your mind over matter It's intense now, no weakness, no mercy ♪

♪ I give them a different style Like Zlatan ♪

♪ Move your body, don't freeze up ♪

♪ They want to size me up Small like Bandle ♪

♪ I stand tall ♪

♪ Powerful energy ♪

♪ Energy, energy, energy ♪

♪ Bring the loud energy ♪

♪ How many hits have I dropped Are we counting? ♪

♪ Baby bend it like Beckham If your guy is dull, cut him off ♪

♪ Hold me tight like a bra ♪

♪ Don't leave me It's already serious now ♪

♪ Jah, I've fought my battles ♪

♪ I've gone to the met a verse And returned with fresh slang ♪

♪ I came with the crown ♪

♪ If it's not about money What are you talking about? ♪

♪ We don't do it for Instagram ♪

♪ My flow is packed tight in my head Like something crammed ♪

Ah.

I am so proud of you, Kojo!

Eh! Your show was amazing!

Thank you, Mum.

-Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. -Thank you.

And, you know, I'm sorry that I lied to you.

But this is what I wanna do.

I see.

Where's, um... Where's Dad?

I'll keep working on him. Hm?

I love you, son.

-Mm. -Be safe.

I see you growing.

I see your joy radiating from your soul.

By the way, I like that Rashida.

Ah, she's a strong one!

Just like my mama.

Ah.

You're learning something.

-That's my boy. -I love you.

I love you. Eh. I'm so proud. I'm so proud.

Next up, the incredibly talented Deborah Wayne.

♪ Know ♪

♪ That you are loved ♪

♪ Even ♪

♪ If you don't love yourself ♪

♪ Know ♪

♪ That you are loved ♪

♪ Even ♪

♪ If you don't ♪

♪ Love yourself ♪

Your performance art centering around Black women

is exactly what the academic committee looks for in candidates they accept.

Oh.

-Wait. -Accept.

-Wait! -Yes.

-You're not saying that they approved me? -Yes, they reversed their decision.

You're in. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!

Oh my God. We did it, we did it, we did it, we did it, we did it!

You can do your independent major now.

This performance, I think,

has helped me realize that I want to create art

-that is centered around self-love... -That's right.

And showing Black girls that they can be themselves and still soar, you know?

Especially right now with everything feeling so heavy.

-That part. -Yes.

Yeah, we have to go back to our seats, but we love you.

I love you too.

-And you look adorable. Oh my gosh. -Yes.

Oh!

Oh.

-What's up? -What's up?

And the winner of Hillman's Got Talent is...

-Rashida Duvall! -Rashida Duvall!

Go!

I won!

I won, y'all!

Okay.

Congratulations, superstar!

Uh.

Bye, girl.

-I couldn't have done it without you. -I know that's right, man.

-And your show was cute too. -Wish you would've walked in it.

Boy, you did not need me stealing the show.

Um, look, I have to apologize for my dad and his superiority complex.

It's all rooted in fear.

Part of the reason I came to Hillman was to get away from all that.

I mean, he was giving angry Mufasa.

Excuse me, but I had to come congratulate him.

I talked to the e-board,

and I'm happy to extend an invitation to join the Haus Authority.

You're joking?

Oh wow.

-Oh, so now you're talking to me? -I was never not talking to you.

-I was going through something. -So was I.

And you would know that if you hadn't been avoiding me.

Tonight was literally a dream come true.

The only thing that would've made it better

would be if you weren't acting so weird

and if Jalen were here and not traveling with the team.

Hazel, I'm sorry, but I gotta tell you something.

Something bad that never should've happened.

I had sex with Jalen.

What... What do... What do you mean? Why would you say that?

Because you're my best friend, and you deserve to know.

And I'm truly sorry. Like, I...

You're lying.

You're... You're a liar. I don't know why you would even say something like that.

Listen, Rashida, I am so sorry I broke up the group.

Then why did you?

I had a full-on menty b.

-What? -I did.

And I didn't wanna tell you and Hazel

that my creative portfolio got rejected by the academic committee.

-Because I was too embarrassed. I know. -What?

-You should've been honest. -I know.

-We could've helped you. -I know, okay?

You're right, as always.

But I promise, I promise it will never happen again.

Girl, I know you lying.

I'mma holla at you.

-Uh-huh. Yeah. -I'mma holla at you.

Yeah, yeah.

-Hey, pink. -What's up?

Thank you, um, for my flowers.

You're right.

I do deserve the spotlight.

Mm.

Come here.

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Just take me back ♪

♪ Uh ♪

♪ I don't like frustrations ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ I ain't made for that ♪

-♪ Oh ♪ -♪ Oh ♪

♪ All these complications ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I thought that I could carry it all ♪

♪ But now I think I made the wrong call ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ 'Cause it's not what I thought it would be ♪

♪ Not what I had in mind ♪

♪ I hate that I fell so deep ♪

♪ I wish that I could go back in time ♪

♪ In time ♪

♪ Rewind ♪

-♪ Rewind ♪ -♪ Go back in time ♪

-♪ In time ♪ -♪ Redo my life ♪

-♪ In time ♪ -♪ In time ♪

♪ Rewind ♪

-♪ Rewind ♪ -♪ Go back in time ♪

-♪ In time ♪ -♪ Read all the signs ♪

♪ Take me back ♪

♪ Uh ♪

♪ I don't like frustrations ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ I ain't made for that ♪

-♪ Oh ♪ -♪ Oh ♪

♪ All these complications ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I thought that I could carry it all ♪

♪ But now I think I made the wrong call ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ 'Cause it's not what I thought it would be ♪

♪ Not what I had in mind ♪

♪ I hate that I fell so deep ♪

♪ I wish that I could go... ♪