An Interview with Actors Michael Rainey Jr., Gianni Paolo & Alix Lapri from ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

Michael Rainey Jr. and Gianni Paolo make up the dynamic duo of Tariq St. Patrick and Brayden Weston on the STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, and their roles and work are essential in this series. Since these two gentlemen are indeed series leads that drive the story forward, and Alex Lapri is just as important, since her character, Effie, has been a part of Tariq’s life for some time now and we here at Nerds That Geek had the opportunity to sit down with Michael and Gianni and Alex to talk about their characters and the upcoming second season of this phenomenal show.
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John Betancourt: What was it that attracted each of you to your respective characters?

Michael Rainey Jr.: Well, at first when I when I got the news that they wanted me to be cast, my character, he didn't really have much to him at first, you know? He was just a little son of Ghost, you know, kind of casual, but what really drew me towards it, they told me 50 Cent was an executive producer. So, I just said. “Oh yeah.” Obviously, that's what drew me in, and then just as time went by, and they kind of started making the storyline for my character, bigger and bigger, I kind of just started falling in love with playing the character and being able to grow and change the character. So, I would say 50 Cent, efforts, and then everything else, just kind of happened. Everything was just good. I like it.

Alix Lapri: I had actually been waiting for a role to come along from Power for a super long time, actually, since I did Den of Thieves with 50. It took forever and then Effie came along. And when I seen what she was about, and all the crazy things that she was going to be doing. Instantly. I knew this is it was exactly what I wanted to book, and I did.

Gianni Paolo: Oh, four years ago, what attracted me to the character was not being a broke actor.- laughs- No. I think, you know, when I originally read for the character, it was total, totally opposite of what Brayden is now. It was only one episode. And he was just someone buying drugs. And now it's totally flipped into you know, someone who's, running the game with Tariq. So, um, yeah, he was originally just a lacrosse player. So honestly, I just loved the show and that 50 was a part of it. And it was a show about drug dealing. Those are my favorite shows to watch. So that's what attracted me to it.

John Betancourt: Now, it’s obvious that everyone is reeling from the events of season one and they’re trying to figure out what comes next. With that in mind, what is it your characters are searching for in season two?

Michael Rainey Jr.: I guess he's looking for like loyalty. He’s trying to trust. Obviously, he has people he can trust. But it is hard for him to trust people in the business that he's in. So, I guess he's searching for, you know, trust, of course. He's also just searching for just; I want to say help. But that's definitely one thing that he does need, is help. Someone to help him out a little bit and make stuff happen, but he's definitely searching for help.

Gianni Paolo: I'd say independence from his family, you know, kind of do his own thing, make his own money and be his own person and, you know, not have anything to do with, you know, what the Westons have built and who they are. And I would also say a purpose, like, um, you know, what am I here to do? So, I think that's what we really see. Brayden is like, he just wants to not be a part of his family and what they stand for.

Alix Lapri: I would say, a way out. When we first meet Effie, Tariq is telling her how you know she has busted up shoes, your phone is broken like ,I have nothing and so when I'm you know, finding my way into this lifestyle, I'm gonna be able to pay for all these clothes and I'm able to look a certain way and I'm able to provide myself a certain lifestyle and in that journey I've kind of came across someone that I may or may not actually really like, so I think she started to explore those options a little bit more too.

Gianni Paolo: Yeah, we seen you with those Balenciaga’s in the trailer! -laughter-

Michael Rainey Jr: I also want to double back and say Tariq is also trying to find himself too. That's another thing he's trying to do ‘cause the thing about him is like, he's fighting the fact that he's so much like his father, and he doesn't want to accept it. And that's the biggest part of him… just knowing who he is. I feel like that's one thing that he's also looking forward to trying to find himself.

John Betancourt: So, what do you as actors do, to prepare yourselves mentally… to portray characters that operate in such grey areas?

Michael Rainey Jr.: My preparation process isn't really much because I've just been kind of in the character for such a long time, you know, I've been pushing this character for like, nine years, eight years now. So, it was just like, once I'm there it’s just like, “Tariq Mode”. I'm kind of just in it. As soon as I'm there. It's just, I don't know, it's weird. I’m Tariq. -laughs-

Alix Lapri: For me, I think living in New York helps, because it's so rough. And it's different than where I live, which is Atlanta. I'm also just clinging on -- when I have scenes that are, you know, more on the emotional side or on the romantic side, I really clean to the relationships of my fellow actors. So, I completely submerge myself into the feelings that these characters have for each other and just keep myself in that mindset.

Gianni Paolo: I'm the complete opposite of a normal actor, like a lot of people will be like, “I need quiet on set. I need to pray.” I'm the total opposite. I am just making jokes. I'm making everyone laugh because it kind of keeps you in that headspace and like, you know, Brayden’s and having fun. It's also who I am. So, the second I get on set. My goal is to make everyone in the room laugh and it's kind of it kind of goes on throughout the day. Does it take nine coffees? Probably. -laughs- Yeah. I kind of just like to be in a fun headspace. Even when I'm doing a serious scene. I just feel like when you get too “actory” like that's when your work is the worst. For me personally.
Michael Rainey Jr.: Yeah, me and Johnny on set is madness. There’s never a dull moment.

Gianni Paolo: Oh yeah!

Alix Lapri: Oh my God. -laughs-

Michael Rainey Jr.: We’re crazy. I love us.

John Betancourt: Oh wow. So clearly, you guys have a lot of good stories that we sadly don’t have time for today.

Gianni Paolo: Hit me up when you’re in New York… we’ll take you out!

John Betancourt: I am so good with that. We’ll keep it off the record. Now, what would you all say, you’re most proud of when it comes to your time in the Power franchise?

Michael Rainey Jr.: What I'm most proud of is just being able to, you know, just get up and just come to work and come to set and be prepared and just have everyone on the same page and just, you know, have good energy while we work. And that's really what I'm proud of just being able to have fun while we are working no matter what we're doing no matter how serious the scene is. But, um, yeah, that's really what I would say I'm most proud of just us being able to just be, you know, coming together as a family and just have fun while we work.

Gianni Paolo: Um, I'd say two things. Like, one thing I'm most proud of is that this was originally two scenes for me. And, um, you know, I just showed Courtney and 50 and everyone, you know, what I can do, and, you know, Mike and I's immediate chemistry. And, you know, I trailblazed it into, you know, being a part of this universe full time. So, that and I'm also, you know, super proud of… a lot of people doubted us, a lot of people, you know, when we were doing the spin off, nobody wanted to watch it, everyone was like, “we don't want to watch a show about Tariq, we don't want to, you know, watch a spin off. If it doesn't have Ghost in it. We don't want to watch it.” And we totally changed their minds. A lot of people are saying that they like this show even more than the original Power. Am I saying it's better? I don't know. But I'm just super proud of the whole cast. And you know, what we did and how we made this into, a show that that competes with it.

Alix Lapri: I would say the same I think me, and Gianni were in the same boat. I started as a guest star then moved to recurring, then this season, I became a series regular. So that was a huge accomplishment for me. And I'm just kind of I'm also super proud of my growth as an actor. You start to sink into the role, and you get more comfortable, and it just keeps getting better and better. It's beautiful to watch.

Michael Rainey Jr: Yeah I’m pretty proud of my progress too. Because like Power… I used to hate watching myself on Power.

Gianni Paolo: I go back to watch those episodes! Those are my favorite! Little chubby Mike in the kitchen, at Ghost’s Penthouse! Because those are the best scenes.

Alix Lapri: Oh my gosh. The scene with Michael at the funeral. I watched that so many times. You just did an Incredible job.

Michael Rainey Jr: Thank you.

Gianni Paolo: It's so funny ‘cause I'll be watching like, it's like, I forgot who I was showing like the original pilot of Power to. But Mike walked in the room. And someone who knew Mike, like one of my friends personally was like, “IS THAT RAINEY!?” Like, oh my God! ‘Cause that was like nine years ago, ten years ago!

Michael Rainey Jr: Yeah man, it’s been a minute. That’s really crazy.

John Betancourt: Well, everyone, that’s all the time we have for today. Thank you all so much for your time today, I really do appreciate it. Looking forward to season two.

Gianni Paolo: Hey, we’ll see you in New York, when you come out with us!

John Betancourt: Yes!

This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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