Wayans became a household name in the Black community over the past couple of decades as the family of successful directors, screenwriters, comedians and actors were brought into the spotlight. Productions such as “In Living Color,” “Major Payne” and the hit sitcom, “The Wayans Bros.” helped propel several of the 10 Wayans children into the public eye. The youngest of the clan, Marlon, had his debut in “Mo’ Money” and since has established himself as an actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer.
The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper spoke with Marlon about growing up in the legendary Wayans family, his upcoming comedy tour, the state of Black America and much more.
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: What should fans expect from Scandal-Less, the comedy show you’ll be doing in Indianapolis May 8?
Marlon Wayans: Expect the unexpected, because I don’t even know what I’ll be doing from time to time. I want the audience laughing, because it’s like a ride. It will go up, go down, and sideways, so it’s like an hour roller coaster.
One of your latest projects was “Fifty Shades of Black,” which you starred in and wrote. For those who have not seen the movie, explain the concept and where the idea came from to spin off the original “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
It happened when I watched “Fifty Shades of Grey” and thought, ‘What if Christian Grey was Black and was a really bad lover?’ (laughs). Every time I do a movie, I try to put as much life experience in it, as long as funny characters are involved.
We hear you are quite a healthy eater. Have you always been that way?
My brother Keenan has always been a healthy eater, and many of us watch what he does and then try to follow, because for someone his age to look as good as he does, it’s amazing. At the end of the day, it’s all about a good diet, and your diet helps a good spirit to keep your energy up and ultimately keep diseases away.
How do you balance eating healthy while having such a busy schedule? Many people say they don’t eat healthy because they don’t have time.
Every now and then you should treat yourself, but 90 percent of your time should be eating healthy. I try to limit my sugar and my drinking, and that’s not to say I don’t do either of those, I just try to limit them.
We took a look at your Instagram profile, and you post a lot of graphics with inspirational quotes on them. Is there a particular quote you live by? You seem to have a lot of positive energy around you.
I actually don’t. We come across a lot of negativity every day, and I think the key is the most positive thing in your life should be you. I try to take or find a positive approach to things. Sometimes I feel like I’m waked out of my sleep to deliver a message someone else needs to hear. I’m a pretty positive person, and it takes a lot for me to not be positive.
With you being the youngest sibling, talk about how you went about making your way in the acting industry. Did you experience any difficulty showing people who you are and what you’re about because of the family you come from?
Absolutely, it was difficult. When you’re Keenan and Damon’s little brother, it’s harder for you. Shawn and I had to talk about this. I’m very blessed to come from a tribe of Wayans and I wear the badge because I’m part of a legacy, but I haven’t done anything in my life yet that says Marlon means as much as Wayans, and that’s what my journey is right now; I’m on the Marlon mission.
We learned before you got into the acting industry that you attended Howard University for a couple of years. Explain your experience, as many people may believe actors don’t attend college.
I went to Howard for two years, and it was a great experience. I met a lot of friends. To me, college wasn’t about learning the industry or the craft; it was about me growing up, being on my own and being my own man. I could have always skipped college and gone straight to California with my brothers, but I always wanted to be my own man.
What do you think is the state of Black America?
We made a lot of progress from the ’60s to the year 2000, but as I watched in the past few years, we’ve been slowly pulled back — not just Black people, but white people, as a country. We worked too hard to help get rid of racism for it to come back in different forms. At some point in our lifetime, I hope to see one love. It seems impossible, but I’m hopeful.
I see all of the things occurring with the Black Lives Matter movement and a lot of people get upset by saying ‘all lives matter,’ and they do, but with Black lives, we have to scream, because if we don’t, who will? Our Black lives have not mattered in the country, and we have to remind people we are equal. You can’t just blame the police; it’s about the government and the legislation that needs to change. Cops are trying to do their job, but there is room for change and improvement. As Black people, we have to look at ourselves and say, ‘How do we make ourselves better,’ and that’s what’s so beautiful about our people.
We lived under oppression for so long; that’s why our athletes are so great, that’s why our musicians are so great and that’s why our politicians are so great. When Black people do it, nobody is going to do it better, because we know it’s time to exercise our muscles. One thing we must do is always support each other. Often times, it’s so bad we’ve turned on each other, and at all costs, we must stay united. White people love white people, so we have to love ourselves like that and then some.
See Marlon Wayans May 8 at the Old National Centre in the Egyptian Room. To purchase tickets, visit concerts.livenation.com.
