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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Saturday 24 auguSt 2019
Life-changing ‘Power’: Stars reflect on series’ impact

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. wick’s character, James
Associated Press “Ghost” St. Patrick, and his
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’s double life as a drug king-
tough to overstage the im- pin wanting to turn legit,
pact of “Power.” its supporting cast proved
The series turned Starz into a equally compelling.
must-watch cable network Ahead of the show’s sixth
for many viewers, proved and final season premiere
50 Cent’s instincts correct on Sunday, Hardwick and
and along the way turned other cast members reflect
its characters into internet on how “Power” changed
sensations and in some their lives.
cases, household names. OMARI HARDWICK (James
While much of the show “Ghost” St. Patrick)
focused on Omari Hard- Omari Hardwick didn’t

In this Friday, July 26, 2019, photo, Omari Hardwick poses for portrait during Television Critics
Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Associated Press
want to play Ghost after cold-hearted Tommy who said. “But whatever it is, I’m
reading script for “Power,” savors the drug world. He’s never afraid of hard work.”
because he was satisfied also Ghost’s best friend It might be slower than
with being a backup co- and business partner, who Sikora hoped, but he’s stay-
star as he’d been on BET’s he often tries to convince ing busy. During his “Power”
“Being Mary Jane” and the to stay in the drug game. tenure, he’s starred in the
films “Beauty Shop” and Tommy is a fan-favorite, film “The Intruder,” as Frog
“Sparkle.” But Hardwick’s and given Sikora the most Jack in the TV series “Un-
wife encouraged him to consistent acting work of derground” and will star in
take on the lead role. his career. the upcoming “Jacob’s
Best move ever. “How has it changed my Ladder” remake.
Hardwick may not have life? I’m able to pay my LELA LOREN (Angela Val-
had a problem landing bills,” he said. “I don’t have des)
roles before Power,” but to delegate where the Before Lela Loren was cast
he’s picked up even more money goes and decide to play federal prosecutor
in the last five years. on whether I’m paying the Angela “Angie” Valdes,
He’s had prominent roles in phone bill. Buying a gift for she was on the verge of
“Sorry to Bother You,” ‘’No- somebody’s birthday or just moving in with her parents.
body’s Fool” and “A Boy. draw them a card. It’s nice “That’s not a thing any-
A Girl. A Dream.” He’s also to have options. It’s good more,” said Loren, who au-
filming “Army of the Dead,” to know where your food ditioned for the role and
starring Ella Purnell, Dave is going to come from, and was uncertain if she could
Bautista and Garret Dilla- not get the day old vege- land it. She had appeared
hunt. tables from Chinatown.” in several TV shows includ-
None of those roles was But Sikora thought his ing “CSI: Miami” and “Cold
similar to Hardwick’s Ghost. breakout role would have Case” along with a small
The former college football led to more opportunities film role in “The Hangover
said “Power” helped him sooner. Part III.”
land parts that showcased “It was a much slower pro- But Loren said being a main
other facets of his acting. cess than I was ready for,” character on “Power”
“It’s definitely been a said Sikora, 43, who ap- changed the course of her
launch pad for me,” said peared in a McDonald’s career.
Hardwick, 45, a native of commercial as a teenager “You benefit from financial
Decatur, Georgia. “The with Michael Jordan. The stability,” she said. “With
great Al Pacino said, ‘I’m Chicago native starred anyone who takes a cre-
unemployed after every on Broadway and has ap- ative path, there’s such
job that was over.’ He did peared in an array of TV a hard road to navigate.
alright for himself.” shows including “Board- Most of us had crazy odd
JOSEPH SIKORA (Tommy walk Empire,” ‘’Grey’s jobs. I was a waitress for-
Egan) Anatomy,” ‘’True Detec- ever.” In the show, Loren’s
Joseph Sikora has been tive” and the film “Shutter character rekindles a re-
acting for more than three Island.” lationship with Ghost, who
decades, but his “Power” “I still audition. Unfortu- she dated as a teen but
character stands as his nately at a lower level than ultimately discovers is mar-
most memorable one. I was anticipating after the ried and a New York drug
Sikora plays the gun-toting, success of this show,” he kingpin.q