30 August 2013 (released)
16 September 2013
Kevin Hart is no stranger to our screens and the world of comedy and now the hugely successful US comedian is back with what you could call his best work to date. Kevin Hart hit the UK for the launch of his brand new film 'Let Me Explain' which was released on 30th August 2013.
The film 'Let Me Explain' took over $40 Million at the US Box Office when it was released earlier this summer. In the UK, Kevin Hart sold out the UK leg of his comedy tour, including the O2 Arena - making him only the second American comedian to do so!
Music News' Tasha Demetriou went down to the UK Premiere of the film which was followed by Q&A that was streamed live across cinemas nationwide. We even managed to have a chat with the man himself, keep scrolling to read what he had to say...
First of all, congratulations on the success so far with 'Let Me Explain'. We all know you've starred in a number of movies, but this is pretty special as it's the fourth film of your own. How is this one different to the others you've made?
Thank you! Well they all tell a story. 'I’m a Grown Little Man' talks about me being a little guy, but I’m grown because I have grown people's problems; 'Seriously Funny' was me trying to convince people that I’m seriously funny, 'Laugh At My Pain' was me talking about darker things and making people laugh at it and 'Let Me Explain', I feel like it’s my best work to date. What I did was take the opportunity to actually tell the truth about things that the public felt like they knew. When you become a celebrity, everybody’s involved in your life, everybody has a reason or an idea of what they feel like is the truth, so I addressed it all! I talked about getting divorced, I talked about why I got divorced, I talked about moving on in a new relationship, I talked about my insecurities, I talked about being a dad… I addressed everything! So, with it all coming out of my own mouth, I think my fans can appreciate me being real and they get to see that I’m not a gimmick and that I’m a real person. I've got the same problems that you have!
You've been doing all of this for nearly 20 years now, which is a huge amount of time! Looking back at the times where you nearly gave up, and for those people that are going through that phase right now, what was it that got you through it all?
Having a solid base around me you know! My surroundings don’t change, my surroundings are me and my friends. I've literally had the same group of guys around me since I started. These guys are not only my friends, but they’re now business men for me and my company. When you have a grounded group around you, it’s really hard for people to infiltrate what you've built. That's what keeps you level headed, that's what keeps you focused. That's how you balance it all - well for me it is anyway!
You're really hands on with all of your movies, and you've produced this film completely yourself... How important is it to have full control over your products?
Oh my goodness, its huge! I'm 34 years old and I'm self-made right now and I can honestly say that I did it by myself and I'm not even done! The goal is to do more and build a brand that can be global. That's why coming over here to the UK is so important to me because, yes, in the States I might be this or might be that but over here I wanna be the same thing. I want people to see me for my talent and respect me for my hard work the same way. I'm trying to produce good content... funny things that'll be around for a long time!
Your work is based a lot around your own life. Topics often include your divorce, your relationship with your dad as a child, your kids... Has anyone ever got mad at you and been like 'why are you telling people about that?!'?
(Laughs) Nooo! You know what... I don't think nobody's been able to get mad at me because I'm not malicious in my attacks of talking about people. It's all self evolved, its self deprecation. To be honest with you I just put other people in my stories, because of what happened to me while they were there. I'm not an angry guy, I'm a nice guy. My motto is more positive than negative which is why all of my shows have a sense of positivity to them.
Playing at Madison Square Gardens and selling out both dates on it's own is a huge deal, but doing that and also knowing that you're filming the show for your film must add on even more pressure. What were you feeling as you walked to the stage, was there a lot of pressure on you?
Yes it was crazy! I was scared! I was shitting myself! But you know, at the end of the day, I had a job to do. You don't work hard to freeze up when the moment that you worked so hard for arrives. So I made sure that I was prepped, I made sure I was ready and we ended up selling out 2 shows and knocked them both out the park. Saying that though, doing the O2 Arena is no walk in the park either! The same prestige that comes with Madison Square Gardens comes with the O2 Arena. Both of them have a very small group of comedians that have sold those places out.
You spend your life making people laugh, so what makes you laugh?
My kids make me laugh effortlessly, I think they're the funniest people in the world! And other comedians... I'm a fan of comedy so watching other stand up comedians is a fun thing for me. My girlfriend makes me laugh, just because she doesn't think I'm funny anymore. She's at that place where shes like 'I've heard it, Kevin, arghhh'. And life too, because I don't take it too seriously that I don't enjoy myself.
**Quick Fire Round!**
What is your song for the shower?
'Push It'- Salt 'n' Pepper
What would you do if you woke up in the morning and you had a woman's body?
(Laughs) I would lie there and play with my titties!
What is your weakness?
Personality!
What is the weirdest thing to happen to you whilst on stage?
I got hit in the face with a buffalo wing in Atlantic city because a guy just didn't wanna hear my jokes anymore!
'Let Me Explain' us out now in selected cinemas nationwide. A real must-see for any true Kevin Hart fan!
Interviewed by: Tasha Demetriou (@xoTashaa)
