Omari Hardwick Admits He Was Initially Hesitant To Accept Role Of Ghost On ‘Power’: I Was Afraid Of Being ‘The Guy’ [WATCH]

Omari Hardwick Admits He Was Initially Hesitant To Accept Role Of Ghost On ‘Power’: I Was Afraid Of Being ‘The Guy’ [WATCH]

Omari Hardwick‘s role as James “Ghost” St. Patrick on Power may have garnered numerous accolades, but it turns out the star was actually hesitant to take on the part!

While appearing on The Fat Joe Show, Omari Hardwick opened up about how he landed the role–as well as how uncertain he initially felt! The actor revealed that his performance in the 2009 film Next Day Air interested Courtney Kemp and 50 Cent–the executive producers of Power–so much that they instantly sought him out to star in the series. Omari Hardwick stated:

“I think 50 [Cent] saw [Next Day Air], and the story goes that when he went and paired up with Courtney… they realized that they both were really head-hunting the same actor–that being your brotha Omari. And so they came at me, Courtney let it be known she wanted me.”

Courtney Kemp, 50 Cent

However, Omari proceeded to discuss how he “feared” this newfound pressure, as he was worried about being “the guy”–i.e. the lead actor. He claimed:

“I feared it for many a reason. Ultimately, I had to look in the mirror and put it on myself and say I think I was really afraid of grabbing that big-ass mountain and putting it on my shoulders and being ‘the guy.’ I think I was comfortable with people going ‘yo, that kid Omari, that n**** really be stealing scenes.’… But I guess whatever my gift was bro, I dealt with a bad insecurity of pushing that gift way down. As it pertained to being ‘the guy’ in the space and being the lead actor, I feel like I pushed, and pushed, and pushed.”

Shortly thereafter, the star mentioned how his wife’s support actually gave him the strength to go through with the lead role on Power, saying:

“Finally, [my wife, Jae Pfautch] was like ‘God, please allow this man… to embrace his power.’ She used that word bro, and I didn’t even know the title of the show yet.”

Omari Hardwick, Jae Pfautch

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by the Jasmine BRAND (@thejasminebrand)

Omari Hardwick also discussed future potential spin-offs for Power, including a possible pre-story that focuses on Ghost’s life. Omari seemed to express excitement over this possibility, as he stated:

“I would love to cut my teeth on the pre-world that Ghost came from.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by the Jasmine BRAND (@thejasminebrand)

What do you think about Omari Hardwick’s revelations regarding his role on Power? Comment down below to let us know!