Known as Preach on “All American,” Kareem Grimes is a rising star on the CW’s number one show. In addition to “All American,” Grimes is a part of the new Netflix series “The Vince Stapes Show” where he plays the funny and ambitious Uncle Mike. With the late John Singleton mentoring Grimes early in his career, the Los Angeles native has made a name for himself and has been in a number of shows and movies.
Grimes spoke with rolling out about his role as Uncle Mike on “The Vince Stapes Show” and transitioning from a serious role to a comedic role.
What interested you in being a part of “The Vince Staples Show?”
Me and Vince Staples worked together a few years ago. I did his first video and was able to spend time with him; he’s a super cool brother. We fast forward a few years later, and boom, there’s an audition for “The Vince Staples Show.” I auditioned, and they had me audition for one role. They came back and were, like, “Yo, we want you to play his uncle.” That’s how I ended up on “The Vince Staples Show” playing Uncle Mike.
Tell us about your character.
Everybody has an Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike is that uncle, especially if you’re doing really good, he always has these ideas. Uncle Mike will be the type to where if you’re an actor, he’ll be, like, “Listen, I got this idea, go on and call Tyler Perry and see if we can get this thing going.” Everybody has an uncle or an aunt who they just think you have Tyler Perry’s number in your phone or speed dial. That’s who Uncle Mike is — he’s got great ideas with no follow-through. Sometimes execution is bad, but he’s always looking to make it happen. But he’s definitely conscious. Like he said in the show, he can bring the Black Wall Street to the beach.
How was the move from a serious role in “All American” to a comedic role in “The Vince Staples Show?”
The past couple of seasons with “All American” and Preach, there was a little glimpse of comedy that Preach was able to input in conversations. So it’s there. As an actor, you wear many hats, so you just want to be able to show range. “The Vince Staples Show” shows that I have a comedic side. I love comedy; comedy is one of my first loves, and it was easy. I was just able to pull from family members, such as my uncles and cousins. All of these people who were very influential in my life I was able to just pull from them to put them in this character of Uncle Mike. And vice versa with Preach — there were guys that I grew up with that kept me out of trouble and I was able to draw from them for Preach. For me, it’s just wanting to show my range and to let Hollywood know: you guys see me every week on “All American” playing a serious character, but I do have comedy in my bag.
Why is it important to have to have a Preach or an Uncle Mike in a young Black kid’s life?
It’s very important. Especially with Preach, you have somebody who has been there, done that got the t-shirt and the hat. He’s getting a second chance at life to kind of rewrite his wrongs and to really become a productive citizen. At the same time, seeing a young man or a young woman who may be going down the path that he went down as a youth to kind of intersect that and say, “Hey, I did this, these are the consequences that come with that. I want you to do better and avoid the pitfalls that I was able to go through.” I think it’s good on both ends. Then, with Uncle Mike, it’s nothing like family to be able to not only support you and champion you, but also — even through the comedy — they kind of give these ideas and just kind of push you to just be a better person. I think the two work hand in hand to be able to give information, but also be able to be supportive and champion whatever you have going on in life.
