Fast-shot Holiday Romance, Mysterious Leading Man, & One Very Nosy Fake Twitter Account.
Tyler Perry is back in his festive bag, and “Finding Joy” is bringing love, lessons, and a snowstorm of emotions. To discuss his role in Tyler Perry’s highly anticipated winter return, Kori Nicole Barnes conducted an interview with actor Tosin Morohunfola, and honey, he spilled as hot as a spiced hot toddy.
“This Ain’t Your Average Hallmark Man”
When Tosin opened the script for the first time, he knew immediately that Ridge was no cardboard cutout Christmas beau.
“The minute I read him on the page, I knew that there was more to him than meets the eye. I knew that there was gonna be some secrets. Some mystery that we just had to get to the bottom of.”
“Mysterious characters fascinate me,” he revealed that he has been obsessed with characters that make people whisper, “Wait, what is he hiding?”
“When I understood what he was holding, and how heavy that was, I knew a lot of people would relate to that.”
This is not a peppermint-cocoa romance. This is a Holiday movie with layers, such as secrets hidden under sparkly tinsel.
Lurking in the Hash Tag Shadows
Unlike most celebrities, Tosin operates in “stealth mode” when responding to his fans’ tweets.
“Well, I do enjoy lurking. I enjoy just listening to see what people are saying and looking at the hashtag.”
He joked about running a burner account but claims he doesn’t want to spoil the magic.
“If I say too much, then my answer becomes gospel. Films are meant to be interpreted.”
Tosin is reading your posts; he won’t enjoy them. Somewhere out there is an imposter user sipping cocoa and reading your tweets.
“Gospel of Joy”: “It’s Your Duty to Find It”
“Forget the mistletoe.” In fact, the overall message of “Finding Joy” revolves around spirituality.
“Whatever life brings your way, and believe me, it will bring you a lot, it is your responsibility to be happy. Literally.”
Tosin was talking not only about the character Joy but also about real, soul-changing happiness.
“You might find it in unexpected places as long as you keep looking. You might find love where you don’t expect it as long as you keep your heart open.”
This is your holiday sermon. Your happiness is your birthright, baby.
“Tyler Perry said, “Five Days, No Sleep, Let’s Roll.”
Five Days. That’s how long it took to shoot this entire film.
“It was crazy! It was a challenge to produce so much in such a short period. To sift through all those feelings in creating a character arc.”
“It was so rushed that it actually made the art more raw and more instinctual,” Tosin explained. “It was kind of like tearing open a present before Christmas.”
“It’s definitely one of my rawest moments. To make art that’s that unique is a huge experience.”
So if you cry while watching this movie, just keep in mind that that feeling was captured at 3 a.m. after getting no sleep and downing two cups of coffee.
“Finding Joy” is more than just a movie; it’s an entire vibe.
“Madea’s Big Happy Family” is a welcome return to Tyler Perry’s roots as a playwright after his success in films, but it also marks his first holiday movie in twelve years.
Shannon Thornton is a fashion designer named Joy, who is highly overworked and underappreciated, and just so done with terrible men. She decides to pursue her crush in Colorado, but a snowstorm and Ridge intervene.
It’s cute, it’s crazy, and it’s a movie that will have you texting your ex, “Hope you’re doing well,” before you delete it five seconds later.
