Downloaded from YTS.MX
(dramatic music)
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
(funky music)
- Detroit, Michigan,
birthplace of Motown, Joe Lewis, and me, Dwen Curry.
Coming off the heels of the Detroit riots,
the city was facing a major decline
and an increase in crime and poverty.
Unfortunately, there was no inclusion for people like me,
and there damn sure wasn't much acceptance.
I had everything working against me
while struggling to figure out my sexuality
during the time of AIDS.
I needed an escape from reality,
and I found it, in drugs.
Yvette, make sure you get enough.
- Okay, Eddie, I know.
(cars honking)
(ATM keypad beeping)
(ATM whirring)
I got it.
- Good, girl. Hand over the cash.
(tense music)
All right, cool. It's enough. Let's go.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
This is good.
(eerie music)
Go, go, go.
(ATM keypad beeping)
- [Yvette] It ain't working.
- What you mean it ain't working? Try the next one.
(ATM keypad beeping)
- Fuck! - [Dwen] Fuck!
- What're we gonna do?
- What the fuck you mean what're we gonna do?
We got to find some more.
- Don't you have a couple people we can call?
- You don't think if I had somebody to call,
we would have more dope right now?
- [Yvette] What about your mom's TV? We could sell left.
- Oh no, we can't sell her TV. She'll see it's gone.
- [Yvette] There's gotta be something we could do.
(tense music)
- I know what to do. Come on.
(clothes hangers rattling)
This.
This one.
Oh, and this Gucci one.
- What the hell is going on in here?
- I...
(tense music)
- Where you think you taking my shit?
Answer me, Eddie.
- Nowhere, mommy.
(tense music)
- Are you stealing from me?
Are you really stealing from me?
- No.
- And now you're gonna stand here in my face,
and just lie to me like I don't know what's going on?
(tense music)
I can't do this no more.
I can't do it. - Do... Do what?
- I'm not doing it.
- [Dwen] Do what?
- Don't act stupid with me, Eddie.
You're a grown-ass man. You're 21-years-old.
You didn't go to college. You can't keep a job.
- Mommy...
- And now you stealing from me?
- Mommy, I'm gonna get a job. I am, for real.
- I'm done.
And I mean it.
(somber music)
I've been trying so hard to stop you from using.
- [Dwen] I'm trying!
- You're lying. Just like your damn daddy, on heroin.
- Mommy, I'm not like him.
Don't say that. - I'm not doing this again.
- I'm nothing like him.
- You're just like him!
I'm not doing this.
I love you too much.
(somber music)
You gotta go.
- Go? Where I'm gonna go?
Where I'm supposed to go?
- You gotta get the hell out. You can't stay here no more.
- You putting me out?
- [Cynthia] Eddie, you can't stay here no more.
I gotta take care of your brother and sister.
- What about me?
- You can come back when you get yourself together, Eddie.
You can come back when you get cleaned.
But right now, you've gotta go get some help.
- Help? You think putting me out is helping me?
I'm not going nowhere. You gonna have to drag me outta here.
- I got something for your ass, once and for all.
- Mommy... What...
- [Cynthia] Don't you move. - What're you doing?
- You got one of two choices to make.
- What...? Mommy...
- You either go and leave
and get help from your Uncle Leon to get clean,
or your ass is gonna leave in a body bag.
- Mommy...
- Now, which one is it gonna be?
Uncle Leon's gonna send you a taxi to the bus station
when you get to Oakland.
- Don't make me go, mommy.
I promise... Look...
- Eddie, these promises is empty.
I'm done.
- I know you mad and you hate me,
but you don't have to kick me out.
Look, I promise I'll do better.
- I hate you?
I love you.
I'm doing this because it's better for both of us.
- It's better for you.
It's better for you.
- Go.
Go!
- So I got my ass on a bus
and spent two and a half days headed to Oakland, California,
to stay with my Uncle Leon and Aunt Marsha.
(funky upbeat music)
(funky music continues)
- Look at here, it's my favorite nephew.
Welcome to Cali.
It's good to see you.
We're glad you're here.
- Hey, Uncle Leon.
- You have a good trip?
- It was cool.
Long as hell. I made it.
- Yes, you did.
And you're gonna continue making it.
Let's get that inside and then let's go for a ride.
Mama told me what you've been doing.
- I wasn't doing that bad, I told her I was gonna stop.
She didn't have to kick me out, Uncle Leon.
- That's why she sent you here, so I can help you stop.
- I don't need no help.
I can stop on my own.
- Eddie... No, you can't.
Trust me.
I know because I couldn't stop without getting some help.
I was an addict at one point,
got hooked on heroin when I was back in Vietnam.
I was down bad and almost lost everything.
I don't want that for you, Eddie, or for anyone else.
That's why I became a drug counselor.
Let me show you something.
This right here is what you're facing.
Now, I can support you 100% and I can help you get clean,
but you gotta be the one to do the work.
All these people down here
are a product of their own decisions,
and now it's your turn to decide.
You understand?
(somber music)
- Yeah.
I understand.
(somber music)
- Good.
- This is your room.
- It's nice. I like it.
I could fix it up a little bit,
make it more me, you know?
Add some style, color,
since I'm gonna be here for a while, you know?
- Yeah, you could. It's your room to do what you like.
Listen, Eddie, I need to...
I need to ask you a question
and I want you to tell me the truth.
- Okay. What is it?
- Are you gay, son?
- [Dwen] I had never had anyone openly ask me
about my sexuality.
Uncle Leon's questioning caught me off guard
and I didn't know how to answer.
It's a question I'd been asking myself since I was a child.
(tense music)
(Dwen stuttering)
- Eddie, your truth is your truth. Ain't no one else's.
I want you to be honest with me and yourself.
- Mommy's gonna be mad.
- Don't worry about your mom. I got your back.
I'm gonna ask you again.
Are you gay?
- Yes.
I am.
It was the first time I'd ever verbally spoken my truth.
I damn near passed out
because I didn't know what Uncle Leon was gonna say
or how he'd react.
But what he did next changed my life.
(heartfelt music)
- Come here.
(heartfelt music)
In order to be at peace in this life,
you can't live in secrecy.
You must own who you are.
Be proud of the man staring back at you.
- Okay.
I will.
- Now, your Auntie and I are glad you're here,
but in order to stay here, there's gonna be some rules.
First things first, you need to go to rehab.
Narcotics Anonymous.
You'll have a curfew and you need to get a job.
And Eddie, I don't expect you to be perfect,
but you gotta stay clean.
We won't tolerate any drug use in this house.
Now, I meant what I said
when I told you you would end up in that alley.
Drugs will cause you to lose everything.
- I know. I promise I won't let you down.
- I know you won't.
I know you won't.
Now, your Auntie is down there making you a welcome dinner.
Let's go eat.
(Uncle Leon chuckling) (heartfelt music)
Here we go.
- Hey, Aunt Marsha.
The warmth and acceptance for my aunt and uncle
was exactly what I needed for a clean start.
Yeah.
Oakland quickly became home
and after two years in the drug rehab program,
I was clean and found a job at a hotel.
- Oh! You looking sharp there, nephew.
You going on a hot date?
- Now you know I'm going to work my shift tonight.
- Well, working is good too, but so is socializing.
Remember that.
- Yeah, I will.
- I'm proud of you, Eddie.
You're doing good.
(heartfelt music)
- I continued my sobriety
with the support of Narcotics Anonymous.
It was there that I began to make friends.
(heartfelt music)
- All right, everybody,
I want to thank you all so much for coming.
I am Butchie. I'm an addict.
It is one day at a time.
- Thank you so much.
(heartfelt music)
- Excuse you.
- Hey! Not in here.
Not with him, and not today.
Now you can leave.
- You ain't gotta do that. I can handle myself.
- I know I don't have to and I know you can,
but this meeting space is my responsibility,
and while you're here, so are you.
I did what I was supposed to. It ain't personal.
- Man, as I can handle myself,
I don't back down from no fight.
- Neither do we, but we prevent them.
- Relax, Eddie.
It's cool.
You good?
- Yeah, we good.
- We was gonna be good whether you wanted to be or not.
Ain't that right, Jihad? - Yep.
- [Butchie] Baby. Do you see us?
Come on now. We got you.
Bitch!
(funky rap music)
- After spending so much time together,
eventually Butchie became my best friend and confidant.
I admired and respected him because he was so free
and made no apologies for who he was.
And he taught me how to embrace who I was.
- Hey, you ready to hit the streets?
- Damn, can you knock?
- Okay. This is cute.
You wearing it tonight?
Why not?
- I don't know. You don't think it's a bit too much?
Do you like it? - Do you like it?
The only opinion you need to be worried about is yours.
Every morning when you wake up,
you need to tell yourself, "I am fierce."
"I am fabulous."
"I am beautiful."
(Dwen chuckling)
- I am fierce. I am fabulous.
I am beautiful.
- Good. Now believe that shit.
Hurry up and get dressed. I ain't trying to be late.
- [Dwen] Okay.
- [Butchie] Ooh!
- [Dwen] I am fabulous.
- Yes, you are.
(Butchie chuckling)
Let's go, Eddie.
- Dwen.
- Say what?
- Eddie's my middle name,
but I wanna be called by my first name.
Dwen.
- Okay.
It does seem to fit you a little bit better than Eddie.
Now can we please go, Dwen?
(funky music)
- Affirming myself not only helped me with self-acceptance,
but it gave me the courage to be honest with my mother.
(funky music)
Yeah, ma, everything's fine.
I'm still working and going to meetings.
- That's so good. I'm so proud of you.
You know, out there with your aunt and uncle,
you doing really good.
What else is happening out there?
- I... Erm...
Mommy, I decided to go to cosmetology school.
- [Cynthia] Beauty school?
- Yeah, I start in a couple of weeks.
I know that's probably not what you want me to do,
but I feel like it'll be good for me.
- Well, Eddie, I mean, if that's what you wanna do,
you know you could actually make good money doing hair.
- Yeah, I can.
I didn't know what you were gonna say, ma.
- Well, what the hell you expect me to say?
If that's what you wanna do.
- Mommy, erm...
There's something else I need to tell you too.
(tense music)
I'm gay.
(heartfelt music)
Did you hear me?
- Yeah, I heard you.
I was just expecting you to tell me
something I didn't already know.
(Cynthia chuckling)
- You don't have nothing to say about it?
- I mean, I could say I know that you're gay
and the realization don't make me love you any less.
(heartfelt music)
- Thanks, mommy.
I love you too.
(Dwen chuckling)
Oh, and mommy...
- Yes?
- [Dwen] I prefer to be called Dwen now, not Eddie.
- Well, listen, you tell everybody else that
because I'm gonna call you what I've been calling you.
Don't forget, I named you.
And just because you gay
doesn't mean you turn into somebody else.
You understand?
I'm gonna love you no matter what.
I always have and I always will.
- It was the first conversation
with my mom about my sexuality that felt real and loving.
I had no idea how freeing the truth was.
Her acknowledging my sexuality
was the first step in her acceptance of who I was,
and let me know that although it wasn't perfect,
our relationship was rock solid.
(heartfelt music)
- Hey, nephew. How's class been?
- School's great.
I'm not the best stylist,
but my clients love me because I'm so damn entertaining.
(Uncle Leon laughing)
- Well, keep it up. You've come a long way.
I'm proud of you.
- Thanks, Uncle Leon.
(melodious music)
- We have those in two more colors, so...
Yeah, take that one.
Hey, handsome. - Hey, babe.
- What you got going on?
- Same old same, work, school, more work
and still ain't got no coins to show for it.
- Well, you look damn good. That's what's important.
- You want to hear something crazy?
- [Kimora] Hmm.
- My teacher thinks I should open a salon
and be my own boss.
- Why is that crazy? I can see that.
You're smart, Dwen.
- Well, first of all,
I don't know anything about running a business.
- Hell, I can help you with that.
I've owned this boutique for years.
Well, look who it is.
That's DJ. The one I was telling you about.
Ain't he fine? Hmm...
- How you doing? - Hi.
This is Dwen, one of our favorite customers,
and the friend I was telling you about.
- [DJ] Oh, nice to meet you, Dwen.
- Same here.
- Dwen was just telling me
that he's interested in opening up a business.
- [DJ] Oh, really? - [Dwen] Mm-hmm.
- [DJ] Okay.
- Maybe you two should go out to dinner and talk about it.
DJ is also into fine dining.
- Okay, DJ, I think you're probably a really nice guy,
but you're not really my type.
(DJ laughing)
- And you seem cool, but you aren't mine either.
- Girl, what the hell were you thinking?
- [DJ] Mmm-hmm.
- I mean, both of you are single, so I...
- Kimora, that don't mean that all gay guys
gotta like each other.
Like, that's crazy.
- Despite Kimora's failed love connection attempt,
DJ and I became the best of friends.
- Nice to meet you too, Dwen.
- [Dwen] Oh my God.
- [DJ] I can't believe they didn't have it.
- [Dwen] Oh, I know.
- [DJ] Like, that's...
How y'all doing?
Hurry up and get in this car
before people think we're like them.
- Well, what do you mean, DJ?
You know we are like them, right?
- The whole world don't need to know that. Get in the car.
- [Dwen] We were like night and day.
DJ was very conservative
and while he was closeted and unhappy,
I was finally learning to live freely
and embracing being an openly gay man.
I encouraged him to do the same.
I hate...
- Dwen, don't start.
We've talked about this. I'm not like you.
- Hey, I get it.
I'm just saying that's exactly how I felt
before I moved here,
and then I learned how to accept myself.
And I realized there's no shame in being gay, DJ.
- I know that.
I'm not ashamed of being gay.
It's just that my family's not like yours,
they're different, they're prominent in this community
and to them, me being gay would be frowned upon.
You have a support system, Dwen. I don't.
- I get it.
But you have a support system too, DJ.
You got me.
- I appreciate that.
- Good.
Now show you appreciation
by buying me dinner tonight, bitch.
Drive.
- Oh, whatever. You gonna pay for yourself.
- [Dwen] He fit in perfectly with Butchie and Jihad.
I decided to take my Uncle Leon's advice about socializing,
but travel costs were keeping me grounded.
- All right, what's wrong with you?
Why you in here looking like you lost your damn best friend?
- Because everybody and their mama
are at the damn All Star game and I can't go.
Those airline tickets are expensive as hell.
- Well, I know this dude named Chris that DJ's at the club.
He gets discount on airline tickets,
he can probably get you one.
- Well, call his ass up.
Hurry up.
Sure enough, Chris came in the clutch
and I was on my way to the NBA All Star weekend.
This was time to introduce the world to the new me.
(funky music)
(funky music continues)
Ooh!
I am fierce. I am fabulous. I am beautiful.
(funky music)
What the hell, Chris?
These people telling me my ticket is canceled.
- [Chris] Yeah, I know. My bad.
- Your bad. Are you crazy?
I paid you for a ticket that I can't use
and all you can say is "My bad,"?
I packed my bags, drove all the way down to the airport,
waited, and got booted from entering the plane.
Do you know how embarrassing that shit was for me?
Bitch, I'm pissed.
This was my first vacation since I've been in Oakland,
and now I'm stuck here
while all my friends are at the All Star game.
- [Chris] I'm trying to figure this shit out. Okay?
Everybody's calling me about the same thing.
Just gimme a minute. I'm gonna get new credit card numbers.
- Credit card numbers?
- [Chris] Yeah, Dwen, credit card numbers.
How do you think I've been getting the tickets?
I use credit cards that belong to other people.
- Okay.
So if I get you some credit cards, what do I get?
- You get me some credit card numbers,
not only do you get your flight for free,
I give you a cut.
- Oh, bitch, getting credit cards is easy.
I got plenty at my job.
I'm gonna call you in an hour.
(upbeat music)
When Chris told me how much I stood to make
by giving him credit card numbers, I went back for more.
(funky music)
And more.
(funky music)
Bingo.
And more.
(funky music)
Eventually, I no longer needed Chris as the middleman.
$8,000 in one weekend.
Bitch, I don't even care about missing a trip.
(Dwen screaming happily)
I became the airline plug myself.
(funky music)
And made me enough money to buy my first Mercedes Benz.
(funky music)
And buy my own place.
(funky music)
Yes, I'd like two round trip tickets
to Aruba from LaGuardia.
Business was booming.
I'd like to pay using my MasterCard.
(funky music)
Yes, I'll hold. Thank you.
(funky music)
It was just the beginning.
Yeah, I'm still here.
(funky music)
What was the departure time?
(funky music)
I took my skills to another level
and used them to my motherfucking benefit.
I couldn't just play the part. I had to look the part too.
(funky music)
Hello, hello, hello.
- Dwen!
Oh!
- Oh God.
- Where'd you get all that from?
- Oh, this is just a few. I got more in the car.
Jihad, will you help me with the other pieces?
- [Jihad] Absolutely, sir.
- Thank you.
(Dwen exhaling loudly)
- How much all this cost?
- About $40,000.
Now I put it on one of the credit accounts I created,
and it was easy as hell too, they didn't even ask me for ID.
- I don't know, Dwen.
Airline tickets is one thing, but this?
- Don't know what?
- What are you planning to do with all these?
- [Dwen] Keep some, sell some.
Take a few back.
- Take 'em back?
- And get the cash.
Use the cash to pay down the accounts and run 'em up again.
I got this thing nailed down to a science.
- Okay.
- This is for you.
And you.
Just a little something something,
I was thinking about y'all today.
It felt good to give gifts to the people I love.
Blessing others made me feel complete
and overshadowed the fact that I was stealing to do so.
Who do you love?
(Dwen and Butchie laughing)
(funky music)
And when the holidays rolled around,
I decided to push my luck even further with a luxury gift.
- What the hell is this?
(door squeaking open)
It's something.
"To mommy, with love."
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, mommy.
Hope this keeps you warm and makes you smile."
Keep me warm?
Oh, shit!
(Cynthia exclaiming in excitement)
Looky, looky, look!
Oh! Oh my God. Look!
You better be wise.
Oh my God!
(Cynthia screaming in excitement)
Oh my God. Oh my God.
(funky music)
(telephone ringing)
- Hello?
- Eddie. What up though?
Listen, you talking to the flyest of detail, baby.
(Eddie screaming in excitement)
(Eddie laughing)
- Merry Christmas, mommy.
- [Cynthia] Oh, it's gorgeous!
(Cynthia squealing in happiness)
- I was easily making between 10,000 and 15,000 a month
and living my best life.
And the gifts kept coming.
And coming.
- Another one?
- That is, until the IRS came knocking.
I can't believe this shit.
How the hell can I owe $25,000 to the IRS?
This shit is crazy.
- Calm down, Dwen.
- Calm down?
Bitch, did you hear what I just said?
- I heard you.
I warned you depositing all that cash wasn't smart.
Banks have to report that shit.
- Okay, DJ, right now is not the time for I told you so's.
They just took $25,000 from my bank account.
- Okay.
They took 25. Do you have any money left?
- Yeah. Why?
- You can use it to open a business. A legit one.
- Okay.
Say more.
(funky music)
Life was good for me.
Kimora was a woman of her word.
With her guidance, soon I had a thriving new salon.
I also had a second Benz and was still making money
with credit card fraud and checks.
But life for my family back home wasn't so great.
Mommy, I heard what's going on. You're not working?
Why didn't you say something?
- Eddie, I'm fine. I'm already looking for a new job.
- You don't need another job.
Just... Just come here.
- And do what?
- Live. What else?
- Where are we gonna stay, Eddie?
- Let me worry about that.
Mommy, you are coming here and that's final.
Don't bring nothing but your clothes.
Oh my God, look at my babies. I missed y'all so much.
Hey, go find yourself a room. Tell me which one you like.
- Look at here. Look.... Oh my God!
Look at...
- [Dwen] Hey, mommy.
- Look at you.
- It looks like your salon is doing real well these days.
- It pays the bills.
I'm just happy to have mommy, and Cleo,
and Magnificent finally here in California.
- I know, I know, but I just don't want to be a burden.
- Sis, I'm gonna make some phone calls
and see if we can't get you a job, all right?
- Okay, baby brother.
- You don't have to do that, Uncle Leon.
Now I told you
that when you got here I was gonna take care of you, right?
Huh? - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- And I promise, you all are going to love it.
- We up in this thing.
- I'm gonna go get the bags from the car.
- Uncle Leon, wait.
I have something for you.
Okay.
(Dwen laughing)
- What's this?
- You know, just a small token of my appreciation
for everything you've done for me.
You've been more than an uncle.
You've been my mentor, my confidant, my biggest supporter,
and I owe you this and so much more.
- I can't take this, Eddie.
Listen...
I don't exactly know what it is that you're doing
to be able to afford all of this,
but whatever it is, you need to stop.
- Stop what?
Showing my appreciation? It's just a watch.
- Don't stand there
and act like you don't know what I'm talking about.
You don't think I know how much this watch costs?
And it's not just the watch, Eddie,
it's all this other stuff that you've been buying.
The house, the car, the gifts.
Your salon may be doing good,
but it ain't doing that damn good.
Now your mama may turn a blind eye to all of this,
but I can't.
All money ain't good money,
especially when it's fast money.
Just stop.
- Stop what?
Stop making money? Stop taking care of my family?
Because that's not gonna happen.
I thought you would be proud of me.
I'm clean. I'm handling my business.
- Is that what you think?
Because all I see
is you still putting yourself in harm's way.
- Okay, Uncle Leon, if you don't want the watch, fine.
But I don't need you to stand here and lecture me.
- All right.
Good.
Because I'm done talking.
- The last person I wanted to hurt was Uncle Leon,
and I felt guilty for my actions.
Despite his concerns,
being financially responsible for my family
was something I was proud to do.
Hi, I'd like to return these items.
Just an Illusion was doing extremely well,
but my retail and credit card side hustles
were my main bread and butter.
So much so that I became a little too comfortable,
which led to a big problem.
- Mmm-mm. Look at her.
He ain't the daddy.
(telephone ringing)
Hello?
- [Dwen] Mommy, I'm in trouble.
- What's wrong? Where you at?
- I'm in jail. - What?
What you do?
- I returned over $30,000 in merchandise in three days
and they caught on to what I was doing
and hauled my ass here.
I need you to get me out.
- Oh, okay. Okay.
I'll see what I can do.
- All right, bye.
- What's hanging, Dwen?
I'm trying to get to know you better.
- To know me better?
You don't even know me at all. We just met two days ago.
- I know you enough to know I'm feeling you.
That's all that matters. Like, damn.
You can't give a nigga a chance?
- That's cute, but I'm not here to stay.
I'm outta here as soon as my bail is posted
and I damn sure don't do no jailhouse romances.
- I'm leaving here soon too.
You act like I got a life sentence or something.
I'll be outta here before you know it.
Shit.
Come on.
Don't act like you ain't feeling me too.
- The last thing I'm gonna do is fuck with a nigga in jail.
I gave in to Tookie's charm.
Especially after he convinced me
that he wouldn't be locked up very long,
which turned out to be farfetched.
Stop calling me, Tookie.
I'm done with this. For real.
You're a liar.
- I ain't lying, Dwen.
I swear.
Don't do this.
I love you.
- You told me you were getting out soon.
Nigga, your ass got 20 years. That ain't soon.
You done lost your fucking jailhouse rabid mind
if you think I'm about to wait 20 motherfucking years
for you to get out.
- I ain't gonna be in here 20 years,
but I need you to come and see me so we can talk.
- Come see you?
You aren't even in county, Tookie. You are in prison.
Ain't nothing for us to talk about. Nigga, that's crazy.
- I got a business proposition for you, Dwen.
Just come and see me this weekend.
I promise, it'll be worth the while.
- Not only did Tookie convince me to come and see him,
he introduced me to Sherrie,
the girlfriend of another inmate.
And before I knew it, I became a prison drug mule.
- All right.
Here you go.
Now hurry up, we gotta hit the road
so we can make visitation on time.
Okay, bitch, that was quick.
You good?
- You already know the tea is all wrapped up,
tucked up, and put up.
You good?
- Girl, you already know I'm already hooked and tucked.
- Okay. - All right, let's go.
- [Tookie] You hungry?
- I could eat.
For two years, I traveled to Corprin Prison with Sherrie.
(Dwen giggling)
We smuggled everything,
from weed, to heroin, to cocaine,
to Tookie and his fellow inmates.
And the money? It was fucking great.
I made enough money to buy a luxury home,
while my mother and siblings
continued to live in my old one.
It wasn't just about the money though,
I really loved Tookie.
Even behind bars, he seemed to be my prince charming.
Boy, don't you dare.
You know damn well if the guards see us touching,
they're gonna put you in lockdown,
then what you gonna do?
- I don't give a fuck about no guards.
You know how I feel about you.
And I want the world to know too.
I love you.
And I wanna marry you.
(melodious music)
- I had accepted the fact that weekend prison visits,
overpriced collect calls,
and putting money on the canteen
was just the price of being in love.
I didn't care. It was worth every risk and every penny.
To my surprise,
it didn't take 20 years for Tookie to be released.
Soon, he was home.
I can't wait till you come home.
(Dwen squealing)
It's my Tookie Bookie.
(Dwen and Tookie smooching)
You're a free man.
- [Tookie] Yes, I'm am.
What's this? - Look inside.
(Dwen laughing)
- You a real bitch.
Damn, you did all this for me?
- Who else am I gonna do it for?
- Thank you, babe.
- [Dwen] Of course.
- I got something I want to do for you too.
- Oh really? - [Tookie] Yeah.
- I was excited to have my man out.
But once he was a free man, our romance was short-lived.
(melodious music)
Oh, that's real cute.
Come on, nigga. Get the fuck outta here, bitch.
The fuck you laughing at?
Yeah, go to your friends.
Get your hands off me.
Did you really think I wasn't gonna find out
about you cheating, Tookie?
Huh? Do you know who the fuck I am?
Y'all laughing? Y'all gonna help him?
I'm a Oakland legend, nigga.
You ain't think I was gonna catch you with-
- It's not like that. - It's not like that?
What is it like? Don't do what?
- I'm sorry.
- Yeah, you are. You a sorry motherfucker, Tookie.
The moment I caught him cheating, it was over
and I was done with him and being a prison drug mule.
- [Customer] All right, so the Janet Jackson.
- Hello, hello everybody.
- Hey, Dwen.
- Hey, girl. I see you decided to come to work on time.
Despite the breakup with Tookie,
I got to keep Sherrie as an employee.
(funky music)
Just an Illusion was the hottest salon in town
and the go-to spot for the who's who of Oakland.
(funky music)
But what kept me living in the land of milk and honey
were the GG's.
(upbeat music)
The gay gangsters, otherwise known as the GG's,
were my babies.
Together, we had everything needed to make my credit card
and bank fraud activities foolproof.
(upbeat music)
Sherrie worked at the DMV and hooked us up.
(upbeat music)
Butchie, he handled the checks and picked up money
sent by wire transfers.
(upbeat music)
Jihad was good on the computer.
He opened all kinds of accounts
and ordered credit cards for us.
(upbeat music)
The GG's took care of me, and I took care of them.
We were a family.
(upbeat music)
Life was good, and was about to get even better.
(upbeat music)
Okay, so these are our expenses for the month.
I need to figure out
how to incorporate these with the others,
and if they are deductible or not.
- Oh my God, it's Yoyo.
- Oh.
That is her. She's pretty.
- Yoyo, come here.
- I need you to find out
how much of this is gonna be owed for, okay?
- [Sherrie] Dwen, this is my homegirl Yoyo.
She's the one that has the hit single
that everybody's playing.
- Oh, I have heard about you.
That's you for real?
- Yeah, that's me. The Y-O-Y-O.
- Okay. You from around here?
- No, I'm from LA.
I'm just visiting.
- All right, well...
Girl, you are way too pretty
to be walking around here looking like this.
I mean, I know you up and coming and all, but...
- Damn.
- Ooh.
You could fix yourself up a little bit.
- I'm a rapper. This is hip-hop flavor, baby.
- No, this is a mess, baby.
Look, I know you a rapper,
but if you want to be a star,
you gotta start dressing like one.
- Yeah, Dwen is right. You gotta be fly, girl.
You out here representing the Bay and LA.
- Come on, let's go.
- Erm, where are we going?
- Shopping.
I gotta get you together. Come on.
- All right.
- Sherrie, I'll be back in like an hour.
Hold it down for me.
- Okay.
- [Jihad] Hi, Yoyo. How you doing?
- Move out the way, boy.
Ah, yes. Here, try this.
Oh, take that.
And this.
Go ahead. Go ahead.
Try it on. Let me know how it fits.
- Man, I can't afford this stuff, Dwen.
- Don't worry about it. I got you.
Come on out. Let me see.
Oh my God! Yes!
Yes! That's what I'm talking about.
Now you look like a star.
How do you feel?
- I love it.
- Oh my God. You are fierce.
You fabulous.
You are beautiful.
Remember that. Don't you ever forget it.
- Thank you.
- Always.
Yoyo's career skyrocketed, and so did our friendship.
She would take me to all of her celebrity events
and introduce me as her personal stylist.
- You, baby. - That's right.
- You!
Baby, you got me looking good.
- [Dwen] Always. Always.
- I appreciate it.
- [Dwen] And don't forget it.
- [Yoyo] I won't.
Hey, girl! - [LisaRaye] Oh my gosh. Yes.
- It's good to see you too.
Oh, Dwen, I want you to meet my girl LisaRaye McCoy.
- It's nice to meet you, beautiful.
- She just got cast in Ice Cube's new movie, "Players Club."
- Oh, she did? Congrats.
- Thank you. So you are the infamous Dwen?
- [Dwen] In the flesh.
- I've been wanting to meet the one
keeping my girl together.
- Well, now you have,
and I'm glad 'cause you are stunning.
- And you are fly. I need to hire you immediately.
- When do you want me to start?
- Now.
- Yoyo and LisaRaye were the first of my styling clients.
Soon, I was shopping for Gabrielle Union,
Patti LaBelle, and other celebrities.
- And who are we dressing this week, Dwen?
- You know I can't be telling
my client's business like that.
Music video for DMX.
- I swear, Dwen, you were made for this.
It comes so easy to you.
- Don't get it twisted, girl. This is hard work.
I made it a point to keep my styling business legitimate
and never use any of my clients' personal
or financial information.
- [Kimora] See you next week.
- [Dwen] If you don't see me sooner.
Being a celebrity stylist
and co-owning the hottest hair salon in Oakland
didn't stop me from running the GG's.
I needed every coin I could make
to help take care of my family.
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music continues)
- [Piper] Hey, Dwen.
- Hey, Piper.
- Look, you gotta start being careful.
You walking around with this jewelry and those bags
like people don't want to pawn you.
- Look, people around here know not to fuck with me.
- In case they wanna take their chances,
how about I stick by you?
- Oh, you trying to be my body guard?
- I prefer the turn personal security.
But either way, you'll be safe. I'll make sure of it.
- All right, we'll see how good you do at securing things.
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music continues)
- Welcome to The Ball.
(Divine laughing)
Yes, baby.
All right, that's enough.
(upbeat music)
- Yes, you better work, bitch.
- Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. Yes.
- Oh, she is good. - She is.
- The best of the best.
Oh, life is treating you so kind, Dwen.
You look so good.
- I always look good, Divine.
Ain't that right, LisaRaye?
- Oh, Dwen slays all day, every day. Okay?
- Okay.
- No, I mean, everything is great.
The salon has been doing very well and I'm still styling.
I have no complaints. I'm happy.
- Are you sure about that, Dwen?
- [Dwen] You don't think I'm happy?
- I think you'll be happier
if you let love in just a little.
- Well, I do think that's a good point right there.
We can toast to that.
- What the hell are we toasting to?
- To you finding true love, that's what.
- Pick up your damn glass. You know you want to.
To true love!
(Divine laughing)
- And sure enough, a few weeks later
love walked right into my salon.
Kwana, your client left a long time ago.
Get outta here. Go home.
You good?
All right, I'll see you next time.
I'll close up.
Okay.
Oof.
- How you doing?
- Can I help you?
- I'm an MC. I got a show coming up.
Looking for a stylist,
and I heard the best in business is here.
- Oh, is that what you heard?
- It is.
So, Dwen, you gonna help me get ready for my big night?
- Oh, well, that depends, Mr. Zaire.
- Oh, so you know my name, huh?
- I might have heard it mentioned a time or two.
So what's your budget?
- When it comes to quality, there is no limit.
(sultry music)
- Until that moment,
I didn't believe in love at first sight.
It was instant.
(sultry music)
Let's talk.
(sultry music)
Here, go put this on.
(sultry music)
(sultry music continues)
Okay.
Yeah. I think we good, yeah.
(sultry music)
You look good. How you feel?
- I feel good.
- I never met any man like Zaire.
He was open, honest, and sensitive.
I see you. I see you, Mr. Zaire.
Whether we were going on special trips,
just kicking it at my house,
it was always a good vibe.
- Beautiful, just like you.
You like it? - I love it.
âª I wanna be with you
- And I love you.
- I love you too.
(sultry music)
(sultry music continues)
- So you leaving, huh?
- Yeah.
I have Fajr and I have to be at the mosque before sunrise.
I didn't mean to wake you.
- Are you coming back tonight?
- Probably not.
I got dinner with my family.
It's Eid and we're gonna be celebrating the end of Ramadan.
- That sounds like fun.
- It is.
And Dwen, as much as I'd love to bring you,
you know that's not possible.
- I thought you said I wasn't a secret
and your family knows about-
- They do.
They do.
I'm not hiding you. They know how much I love you.
But knowing and seeing are two different things.
And I have to respect our faith.
- I understood Zaire's emotional turmoil.
Being a gay man came with many struggles,
especially when you were of a certain faith.
It wasn't easy for him or I.
My inner circle wasn't as accepting as I was.
The Trap Room in the back of my closet
was where the GG's and I handled business.
(telephone ringing)
Hey, baby. You still at the studio?
- I am, but I stepped out to call you.
What you got going on?
- Not much. Just working.
Hold on, I'm stepping out where I can have some privacy.
- Okay, hurry up,
I gotta get back in the studio in a few.
- [Jihad] I don't like it.
I think Dwen deserves better.
- Dwen is happy. That's all that matters.
Stop being so selfish.
- Selfish?
Oh, y'all don't get it.
I live here with Dwen,
I see how hard he's falling and not getting clean.
- Why you so pressed?
They're in love, Jihad. Leave it alone.
- [Jihad] That's exactly what I'm afraid of,
him breaking Dwen's heart and leaving Dwen all alone.
- Hey, you.
- Hey, baby.
What took you so long?
- Just GG stuff.
I can't do this no more, Zaire.
- [Zaire] What do you want from me, Dwen?
- I want you to act like I fucking matter.
Dammit, Zaire, I...
I feel like your mistress.
Sneaking around, hiding.
I love you, I don't care who knows about it.
- I love you too.
But my faith and my family are important to me.
You know that.
- [Dwen] And I'm not important to you?
- You are.
I value you just as much as my beliefs.
- I can't tell.
So what is it?
Is there someone else?
Huh?
(tense music)
(somber music)
Are you fucking him?
- Come on, Dwen. It's not even like that.
- Come here.
Are you two fucking?
- I am sorry, Dwen.
(tense music)
- You fucking my family and lying to me about it, Zaire?
Get the fuck out, Zaire.
- I love you, Dwen. - I said get out.
- Hey!
Let's go.
- Get the fuck out.
- [Piper] You good?
(somber music)
- I'm sorry.
(somber music)
- You told me the truth.
That's what matters.
We're family.
The heartache of my breakup was painful.
I felt like I lost a huge part of me.
Oh.
Thank you, Piper.
You can head out, I'm gonna go to The Ball with the GG's.
- Streets is hot, Dwen. I'm going with you.
- It's cool. I'm gonna be low key tonight.
- Ain't nothing about you low key.
You need protection, Dwen.
- Damn, I said I'm fine.
Go home.
(safe keypad beeping)
(tense music)
What the fuck?
Oh, shit!
(tense music)
(glass shattering)
(tense music)
- [Thug] Get off the fucking car!
- [Dwen] Get the fuck off of me.
Get the fuck off of me!
All right, all right, all right. I don't have no money.
- [Thug] Man, stop fucking with me.
- I'm not. I'm not. - [Thug] Get his bag.
Get his bag.
- Take it! That's all I got.
That's all I got.
- [Thug] Come on, man. Let's go.
- [Thug] Where's your purse? - [Dwen] That's it. That's it.
- [Thug] Man, fuck it. Let's take this bitch.
(tense music)
(gunshot echoing)
(tense music) (police sirens wailing)
- I cannot believe this shit happened to you, baby.
- I'm fine, mommy.
I'm just mad they cut off my Jean Paul Gaultier.
I told them not to, they didn't listen.
- You got shot.
They was trying to save your life
and you're worried about the cost of some goddamn jeans.
- Do you know how much them jeans cost?
- Not your life.
- Bitch! What the fuck? - I'm fine.
- I'm glad you okay,
we was scared as shit when Piper called us.
- Hell, yeah.
- We the fuck were you?
- I'm sorry, ma.
- Sorry ass.
- Like, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have left.
- It's fine. You came when I called.
- No, no, look, Dwen, we you went to your house
and found rope and electrical tape,
they was gonna kidnap your ass.
- Who is "they," nigga?
Who the hell would even do some shit like that?
- I don't know, but we damn sure gonna find out.
- Sure is.
- In the meantime, Oakland isn't safe for you anymore.
We gotta get you outta here quietly and safely.
- What are you even talking about?
- Here.
Get dressed. Put this on.
We leaving tonight.
- Where the hell we going?
- To LA.
- After the robbery, business slowed down tremendously
at Just an Illusion.
I decided it was best to cut my losses,
dissolve my partnership, and leave the salon.
LA was my chance to start fresh.
I stopped all of my illegal activities
and the GG's were disbanded.
Yeah, I'm really happy with this, Marnie.
Let's take her for the next look.
- [LisaRaye] Hey you. - Hey gorgeous.
(Dwen and LisaRaye smooching)
- [LisaRaye] You wanna go to a party tonight?
- Of course I do.
- Good. I told them we going to work.
You got something for me to wear?
- [Dwen] I got you. - Okay, perfect.
- But I can't stay out too late.
DJ and I have a flight to catch tomorrow morning.
- [LisaRaye] Oh my God. Where are the two of you off to now?
You were just in DR two weeks ago,
and didn't you go to New York two weeks before that?
- Yes, we did.
Oh, I think he's just trying to keep my spirits up
because of Zaire.
- It's been over a year, he still sniffing around?
- Yes, girl. You know he is.
We just keep falling back into the same old pattern and...
But I'll never trust him.
Jihad's like my son,
and I know damn well he ain't the only one
that Zaire stepped out with.
- Mmm-hmm.
You gonna forgive him like you forgave Jihad?
- Even if I did, it wouldn't change anything.
He wouldn't risk losing his family or giving up his faith.
And I wouldn't want him to.
I only wanna be with someone
who truly accepts me for who I am.
- Look at me.
You deserve someone like that.
Okay?
- Okay. - Okay.
Now, find me something to wear under this coat.
(Dwen laughing)
- I mean, you look great. What else do you want?
I am fierce. I am fabulous.
I'm fierce. I'm fabulous.
I am fierce. I am fabulous.
I am...
(heartfelt music)
(heartfelt music continues)
(doctor knocking on the door)
- Mr. Curry, how are you today?
- Hey, doctor. I'm good.
- Good. What brings you in to see us?
- I want to start hormone therapy.
It's time for the outside to match how I feel on the inside.
- Are you also looking into gender reassignment
at some point in the future?
- No, not at all.
I have no desire to become a woman.
I mean, I have nothing but the utmost love
and respect for biological women,
but that's not who I am or my goal in doing this.
- And what is your goal?
- I want to be beautiful.
I want to soften my looks.
I want my inner reflection to match the one on the outside.
You know, I just want to look as beautiful as I feel.
You know, I've come to a place in my life
where I know true acceptance for me
means fully becoming who I am.
- I see.
Well, you should know
that there's a process you have to go through,
and it takes some time.
- I've waited this long.
I can take as much time as needed, doctor.
- Okay. - Okay.
- [Doctor] Yeah, we'll get started.
- Okay.
All right.
- Okay, good.
- I am fierce.
I am fabulous.
After several months of therapy, physical exams,
and more doctor visits than I could count,
I was finally approved for hormone therapy.
The physical changes were exactly what I hoped for.
Oh.
I am beautiful.
I had to educate my family and friends
on who I was becoming.
- Hey, baby. Could you grab me a spatula please?
Thank you.
Oh, look who's here.
I didn't think you was coming.
- Now, Uncle Leon,
why would you think I wasn't gonna show up?
- For one, because your mama said you wasn't coming.
And also, I've been calling you
and you ain't been answering any of my calls.
- I mean, I've been really busy lately.
- Well, you're looking good. That's for sure.
There's something different about you.
- Yeah, there is,
because you're taking those goddamn hormone shots,
trying to turn into a woman.
- Mommy, that's not what I'm doing.
- Look at him.
All that silky hair, silky skin, voice all light and sexy,
tits bigger than mine.
- Now why you gotta be telling all my damn business?
Just because I'm taking hormone shots
don't mean I'm trying to become a woman.
That's not what I'm doing.
- That is what you're doing, Eddie.
Ain't that what the medicine does?
It turns you from a man to a wo-man.
- Cynthia, will you please calm down?
If Eddie says that's not what he's doing,
then that ain't what he's doing.
- You in denial. You confused.
And I'm not doing neither one of y'alls foolishness.
I'm gonna get a drink.
And put that hand down.
- She will never understand.
- Probably not, but she is your mama, so...
Is that why you ain't been coming around or taking my calls?
- No, Uncle Leon. Like I said, I just been busy.
- What's these shots you've been taking?
You ain't taking anything illegal, are you?
- No, I'm still clean.
They're hormone shots prescribed by my doctor.
- All right. That's good to know.
Yeah, I just...
I think it's just gonna take us all some time
to get used to.
We're gonna respect what you're doing.
You just might have to extend us a little grace too.
Especially your mama.
Can you do that?
- Yeah, I can do that.
- All right.
It's good to have you home.
- It's good to see you.
- Mmm-hmm. Oh, hold on a second. He just walked in.
Here he is now.
- Who is "he"?
- Apologies, girl,
I'm gonna have her call you back
when she's available to talk.
Oh, okay.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- I'm sorry, Dwen.
You look amazing though.
- Thank you, boo. And it's all good.
I'm gonna let you slide 'cause I know it's a learning curve,
but don't do that shit again.
The transformation into who I wanted to be
still didn't change the reality of some things,
especially when it came to my one true love.
(telephone ringing)
Hello?
- [Zaire] What you doing?
- Nothing. Just chilling.
What you want?
- [Zaire] To see you.
- To see me? Zaire, I told you-
- Dwen, somebody's here to see you.
- [Dwen] Somebody like who?
- Zaire.
- [Dwen] Zaire? What?
- It's me, baby. Let me in.
- Piper, let him in.
Oh my God.
Wh-What?
What are... What are you doing here?
How did you even find me?
- I have my ways.
Damn, you look good as hell.
- [Dwen] Oh my God.
- I'm so happy you let me in.
- I can't believe you right now.
Welcome.
âª So many people I lean on, lie too well âª
âª Baby, all I need is for you to show and tell me âª
- I cannot believe you're here.
- You're so beautiful.
âª After all those years,
âª I must admit you still looked good to me âª
âª I know you saw give the looks I gave âª
- Damn.
Touch you here.
You feel so good.
âª I wanted to know if you changed âª
- Let me show you just how good I feel.
âª Ooh, I wanted to be with you for real âª
âª That would seem so ideal
âª But I'm not sure if I had time to heal âª
âª Here I stand with my guarded heart âª
âª Nervously waiting for the day when we'll part âª
âª Here I stand, with my guarded heart âª
âª Nervously waiting
âª All day long
- What the hell are you doing, Dwen?
This ends in nothing but heartache.
- Who you in there talking to? Yourself?
- Yep.
I am.
- They say as long as you're not answering yourself,
you're not actually crazy.
What's this?
- It's my medicine. Give it back.
- Medicine for what? You sick?
- No, jackass. I'm not sick.
It's my hormone injection.
- Hormones?
- Yeah, I'm taking hormone treatment therapy.
- You...
You transitioning?
- No, I'm not.
I'm just taking it for aesthetics, that's all.
- Aesthetics? Why?
Why you putting that poison in your body for looks?
Allah created us in His image.
- Here you go with this Allah shit again, Zaire.
When you got here,
the first thing you said was how good I looked.
And just a minute ago, you were talking about
how good I felt and how much you love touching on my body.
- And those things I've always said.
I've always thought you were beautiful.
- Well, now I feel beautiful.
Beautiful enough for us to finally be together
and not have to hide from anyone.
- Dwen, that's not even fair.
It's never been about your looks.
It was never that.
- Well, then, what is it?
- [Zaire] Why can't you see how hard this is for me?
- And you think this shit is easy for me?
- It's different. - Different how?
You came and found me, Zaire.
You showed up on my doorstep, not the other way around.
- You're right.
I'm sorry. I should have never done that.
I should have left well enough alone.
- No, that's not what I'm saying.
- I found you because I wanted to see you.
I wanted to be with you.
And now this war raging inside me...
- What war?
- The war I fight daily,
'cause I'm in love with a man
knowing that it violates Allah's law.
You're right, Dwen. You don't deserve to be hidden.
(heartfelt music)
- I always wanted Zaire back,
but as a man who was ready for a full relationship with me.
His leaving that night was proof that his faith
had won the moral battle he'd been fighting
and I'd lost the love of my life.
(alarm beeping)
Shit. 9-1-1.
But this is crazy.
What the hell was Sherrie even thinking?
- I don't know, Dwen.
Probably what we all think when we do shit like this,
that she wouldn't get caught.
- Well, she was wrong, wasn't she?
- Dwen, she's facing about 20 years for felony bank fraud.
- My God. - We're gonna need
to hire a good lawyer
if she's got any chance to beat this thing.
Look, now I know a guy that says he could take the case,
but he ain't cheap.
- How much is he?
- About 50,000.
- Dollars? - Yeah.
- Where the hell am I supposed to get
those type of coins, Jihad?
- Maybe this'll help.
- What the hell is this?
- This chick my brother's dating
works for something called a Wealth Management Company.
She gets access to these IRA accounts
with damn near millions in some of 'em.
- [Dwen] Hmm.
- Look, maybe you could figure out
how to transfer the money into one of the checking accounts
we sometimes use.
They probably won't even miss it.
- I don't know about that. That's risky.
- Well, shit, taking risks is what we do, right?
Sherrie is a GG and part of our family,
so we don't have a choice.
Take it.
- [Dwen] Fuck!
(tense music)
Hello, this is Dennis McKeachin.
I'm calling to transfer funds from my IRA account
into a personal checking account.
- [Banker] Okay, Mr. McKeachin, I can assist you with that.
How much did you want to transfer?
- $375,000.
- [Banker] Not a problem.
And the routing and account information
where you'd like to have it transferred?
- Yes. The routing number is 9-4-7-8-7-5-4-6-3,
and the account number is 5-9-8-4-3-3-4-7.
- [Banker] Okay, Mr. McKeachin,
I put the transfer request in.
The funds should be available in three days
once the request is approved.
- Thank you so much. Bye-bye.
Okay. - Well?
- Three days.
Now we wait and see if this shit works.
Oh, I hope it do.
(funky music)
(funky music continues)
- [Banker] Your most recent transfer
of $375,000 is available.
(Jihad and Dwen screaming in excitement)
- Okay. Let's go get our bitch.
My last scam was a success
and brought in enough money for Sherrie's bail,
her returning, her freedom, and a little extra for me.
After a little taste of being back in the game,
it was hard to stop.
Jihad brought me more accounts
and the money kept pouring in.
I was back at it for years.
Little did I know while I was rebuilding my empire,
the feds were building their case.
(funky music)
(Dwen and friends laughing)
(telephone ringing)
Hey, mommy.
- Eddie. The feds are here.
They are going through the house.
- What do you mean? What are they doing?
- [Cynthia] And they have a warrant.
- [Officer] Get on the floor!
- I'm not getting on no motherfucking floor,
do you know who I am?
- What's happening? Mommy?
- [Cynthia] And you can't go in there.
- [Dwen] Go... Well, what's happening? Go up where?
- Eddie, they're going in your room.
- What the hell do they want, mommy?
- They want everything.
(tense music)
- After all these years, I'd finally been caught.
The last thing I wanted
was for my family to be put in danger
or caught up in any bullshit from the feds,
so I turned myself in and took the deal,
charged with felony identity theft,
grand theft of personal property, and wire fraud,
and ordered to serve 77 months in the federal penitentiary.
(tense music)
- If y'all wanna wait here,
I'll grab the car for us real quick.
- So I'm trying to understand, where are they taking him?
- Her lawyer says she wasn't approved
to be placed in a female facility.
- Female facility? Why would they do that?
Eddie is still a man.
Courts don't care what he trying to be.
- She isn't trying to be anything other than who she is.
And yes, Dwen may be still biologically a man,
but she is taking medically-approved hormone therapy.
- Those people don't give a damn about all that.
Medicine or no medicine, the facts don't change.
I just want my child to be safe.
- And so do we.
That's why we're trying to do something
before it's too late.
I've made some calls to a couple higher ups
I know in the State Department.
Hopefully they can assist us.
- All right.
I'm gonna stay on top of Dwen's lawyer
to let me know when Dwen is placed.
In the meantime, all we can do is pray.
- Come on, God.
Whew!
(heartfelt music)
(heartfelt music continues)
(tense music)
- Can I help you?
(tense music)
Oh, no!
(tense music)
No!
Stop!
No!
Stop!
(Dwen crying)
(Dwen coughing)
Auntie Jazzy was trans and came to my rescue.
Not only did she take care of other LGBTQ inmates,
but she was well respected by everyone,
including the gang members.
Once Auntie Jazzy took you under her wing,
you were protected.
(Dwen crying)
- Come on.
It's okay.
Don't worry.
He won't hurt you again.
It's over.
You're safe.
(Dwen crying)
Come on, come on.
Come on.
- I would've never made it through prison
without Auntie Jazzy and the other LGBTQ inmates.
We protected each other.
- [Auntie Jazzy] I got you.
(Dwen crying)
- Of course, having support on the inside
was just as important as the support I had on the outside.
(somber music)
(somber music continues)
- How you doing, Dwen?
I've been waiting on you to call me, but you didn't,
so I decided to come on down here and check up on you.
- Ain't nothing to talk about, Uncle Leon.
And those calls cost money.
- You know I ain't worried about how much all that costs.
Now I need to make sure you're okay.
- I'm fine, just taking it day-by-day.
You don't need to worry about me.
I talked to mommy.
I told her to sell the house.
Thank God the feds ain't take it.
That should give her enough money to hold them for a while.
- Don't worry about your mama,
or anyone else.
They're gonna be fine.
We all are, including you.
- You think so? - I know so.
It ain't gonna be easy,
but I got faith in God and I got faith in you.
- Shit, that's a whole lot of faith.
- Well, the good book tells us
it only takes the size of a mustard seed.
And I got way more than that. So do you.
- Yeah.
Yeah, I do.
I don't even know how I ended up here in the first place.
I got caught up in the easy money
and helping family and friends live in luxury.
It was kinda like a high.
- Hmm.
Every addiction comes with a price, Dwen.
Eventually, it leads to a downward spiral.
Ah, well, I've definitely hit rock bottom.
- Then there's only one place to go from here,
and that's up.
- I'm sorry, Uncle Leon.
I never wanted to disappoint you.
- The only thing that would disappoint me
is if you let this place
turn you into something that you're not.
This isn't a lecture, but I'm gonna give you some guidance.
This ain't gonna be easy, but you've got this.
Just stay true to who you are and don't let it change you.
Promise me that.
- I promise you.
- Good.
This is all on you now to make things right.
But know that I got your back.
(heartfelt music)
All right?
(heartfelt music)
- You have a good visit? - [Dwen] I did.
- That's good.
So I heard a rumor you used to do hair. Is that true?
'Cause I need you to fix this, girl.
- Ooh! - [Auntie Jazzy] Uh-uh.
- Ah!
- Don't do that.
- [Dwen] I was a hairstylist, not a miracle worker.
- Why you being funny?
- Come here.
I'll see what I can do.
- [Auntie Jazzy] Thank you. - Ooh, Jesus.
- [Auntie Jazzy] Don't... Why you crying?
- When's the last time you got your hair done?
- [Auntie Jazzy] It seem like forever.
How long I been here? Eight years.
- Oh my God. Well, I'm glad I'm the one to...
- [Auntie Jazzy] Thank you. - Fix you up.
Let me look at you.
Ooh, look at you.
You are fierce. You are fabulous.
You are beautiful.
- [Auntie Jazzy] Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Of course.
Thank you.
- Yeah. I worked a miracle.
This is me walking on water, child.
Turning water to wine, honey.
- See, why do you always act like it's a drink.
- After four and a half years,
because of the RDAP rehab program and good behavior,
I was released from the federal penitentiary
and eventually allowed to return home.
(funky music)
(funky music continues)
- Dwen did a damn good job keeping this from us.
- Mmm-hmm.
- You know someone had the nerve to try to tell me
that she took money from the labels and a few clients?
Without question, I said, see, that's some bullshit.
- You're damn right it is.
I mean, folks need to stop with all these lies.
Even with the conviction, I know Dwen.
You know what I mean?
She would never do anything harmful to anyone she knows
or works with, ever.
- I just wish everyone felt that way.
- Me too, but our girl is home now.
- [Yoyo] Mmm-hmm.
- [LisaRaye] Let's celebrate
- Y'all okay?
- We're good.
- Oh, shoot.
This is a mess.
- Well, I see some things haven't changed.
Your ass is still a neat freak.
- And I see your ass still always got something to say.
- I do.
Maybe next time your ass should start a cleaning service.
- Hmm.
- That was a joke, by the way.
- Actually, I think that's a great idea.
- I'd damn sure hire you.
- Impressed.
And just like that,
my clean start included the birth of my new business,
Squeaky Queens, a premier cleaning service.
Okay.
(energetic music)
It was the perfect situation for me.
I had a flexible schedule, worked for family and friends,
and fulfilled my probation obligation
of maintaining employment.
I was back to getting on my feet.
Soon, I had a new place of my own.
(energetic music)
And connected with an old acquaintance.
(doorbell ringing)
Hey, doll.
- [Monica] Hello.
- Monica was a single mother
and ex-girlfriend of a famous R&B singer.
I haven't seen you in such a long time.
What's the tea?
What's been going on with you?
- Well, not much good, if I'm honest with you.
- What you mean?
- It has been so hard lately,
and once again, I got no child support from my trash ass ex.
- Girl, are you serious?
- Yes. Which also means our rent's not gonna get paid.
- [Dwen] Girl, stop.
- It's just not fair, Dwen.
Me and my son don't have nowhere to go
and it's all because he wants me to suffer.
And he's badmouthing me
so I can't get a recording deal anywhere
and I'm out here trying to find a job.
- Okay, listen,
I have an extra room.
You and your son can stay here with me
until you get your shit together, okay?
- Really, can we? - I got you. Of course.
I know what it's like to start over.
- Thank you.
- Unfortunately, my big heart
and willingness to help someone else
led me back into trouble.
And this time, the only crime I committed
was letting a so-called friend live with me
and didn't set boundaries.
- [Monica] Can you fan me please? Thank you.
Okay, this is what I think we should do.
All right, so I think we should push in on this wall.
Have the fireplace going. It'll be nice.
We do confession-
- What the hell is going on in here?
- Oh. Just shooting a couple scenes, that's all.
- [Dwen] Scenes for what?
No, you're not. These people need to get out of my house.
- The new reality TV show I told you about.
I'm a cast member.
You just congratulated me about it the other day.
- Okay, yes,
but you didn't say nothing about nobody filming here.
Come here.
Look, this is supposed to be our safe space.
I don't want these strangers in my house.
- This is my job.
You have people here that I don't know all the time.
- Yeah, but those are my friends.
These people need to go now.
- Go? - Yes.
- Dwen, you can't trip like this. I need this gig.
- And I need these people to go, Monica,
you ain't even talked to me about this.
- Are you for real now? - Yes, I am, bitch.
Look, I'm sorry,
but y'all gonna have to do this someplace else.
This is private property.
Okay? Wrap it up.
- If you mess this opportunity up for me,
I swear you will regret it.
- Wrap it up.
(tense music)
- Okay, so we're gonna take five guys. Thank you so much.
- Okay, I'm headed out for the weekend.
I'll be back Sunday night late.
- Okay. Have fun.
- I didn't take Monica's threat too seriously.
I should have
because she proved herself to be more dangerous
than I could have ever imagined.
- Hello, is this Bobby McNeil?
Are you the probation officer for Dwen Curry?
I'm Dwen's roommate.
I came across some items in the house
I think you need to see.
(tense music)
- [Dwen] Monica's revenge landed me back in jail
for another crime I didn't even commit.
The personal banking information file she gave them
was old paperwork from back in the day.
The feds didn't care. I was locked up for another two years.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
- [Uncle Leon] I know being back in that place
seems like a setback for you.
And in a way, it is.
As unfair as things may seem right now,
we have to trust that God's ways are not our ways.
He's got everything in control the same way He always has.
One thing that you've proven
is that you can handle whatever comes your way.
Your resilience is your strength,
and you've survived things that others haven't.
I'm proud of you.
Love, Uncle Leon.
(somber music)
- I love you too, Uncle Leon.
(somber music)
(somber music continues)
This is my last stint in prison.
I've learned a life lesson that I can be kind, generous,
fruitful, accepting, and loving without committing crimes.
Going forward, I'm determined to do just that.
The best part about my story?
It's not over yet.
I'm gonna be just fine.
And you are too.
You know why?
Because you are fierce,
you're fabulous, and you are beautiful.
(heartfelt music)
I'm gonna be back to see you in a few weeks, okay?
You take care of yourself.
(heartfelt music)
(heartfelt music continues)
(Dwen laughing)
Oh, child.
- It is so good to finally have you back home.
- [Dwen] Again.
- Yes, again. For good.
- Damn right for good. - Okay.
I hope this will teach you
to finally stop letting rats in your home.
- Girl, you ain't never lie. You could say that shit again.
- So, what's next?
- Oh God.
Well, I have been thinking
that maybe it's time I start using my voice
to support the LGBTQ community.
I don't know, maybe by telling my story,
I can help other people
avoid all the trauma I've experienced.
- Are you thinking about becoming an advocate?
- Yeah, I think so.
I mean, I'm still figuring out the best way I can help,
but I even have a trans inmate
that I'm mentoring back at the prison.
- Oh my God, that's amazing. That's amazing.
I'm proud of you.
- Thank you, Flawless.
- Well, I think that this calls for a celebration
in more ways than one,
so what the hell are we doing tonight?
- Whatever you wanna do. You tell me.
- Oh, it's my choice?
You already know where I wanna go, bitch.
- Well, if we're going to The Ball,
you know we gonna have to step correct.
Okay?
- Okay.
Impress, impress. - Impress, impress.
(upbeat music)
(upbeat music continues)
- We have royalty in the house tonight, dolls.
It's going to be a night to remember.
And give it up for my bitch,
I said my bitch, Dwen Curry!
(upbeat music) (people cheering)
- [Divine] Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!
(upbeat music) (people cheering)
- [Dwen] Native of Detroit,
former drug addict, convicted felon, celebrity stylist,
business owner, Oakland legend,
interior designer, openly gay, transgender,
a son, brother, uncle, friend.
I am Dwen Curry.
I am fierce, I am fabulous, and I am beautiful.
(melodious music)
âª Show and tell, show and tell
âª You're gonna have to show and tell âª
âª Show and tell, show and tell
âª You're gonna have to show and tell âª
âª When we were younger
âª We used to play this game
âª And the rules were easy to follow âª
âª Now that we're older it still ain't changed âª
âª If you saying something
âª You gonna have to prove it
âª Because if you can't do what you said you was gon' do âª
âª Then you gotta keep it moving âª
âª If you love me
âª You gonna have to prove yourself âª
âª Get ready to show and tell
âª And if you want me
âª So many people I lean on, lie too well âª
âª Baby, all I need is for you to show and tell me âª
âª Show and tell, show and tell, show and tell âª
âª You're gonna have to show and tell âª
âª Words don't mean nothing
âª If you ain't willing to back 'em up âª
âª Baby, are you ready to do whatever I ask of you âª
âª 'Cause otherwise I aint going for no fake love âª
âª You're just playin' around, you such a nightmare âª
âª And I ain't waiting for you
âª To do anything that you'll be faking âª
âª If you love me
âª You're gonna have to prove yourself âª
âª Get ready to show and tell
âª And if you want me
âª So many people I lean on, lie too well âª
âª Baby, all I need is for you to show and tell me âª
âª Show and tell, show and tell, show and tell âª
âª Is for you to show and tell me âª
âª Show and tell, show and tell, show and tell âª
âª Is for you to show and tell me âª
âª If you love me
âª You gonna have to prove yourself âª
âª Show and tell
âª And if you want me
âª So many people I lean on, lie too well âª
âª Baby, all I need is for you to show and tell me âª