(dramatic music)
(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 A*DS.
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)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(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)
- f*ck!
- [Dwen] f*ck!
- What're we gonna do?
- What the f*ck 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 sh*t?
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-a*s 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
a*s, 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 a*s 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 a*s 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 g*y, 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 g*y?
- 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.
b*tch!
(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 sh*t.
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 g*y.
(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 g*y
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 g*y
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 g*y 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 g*y 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 g*y, DJ.
- I know that.
I'm not ashamed of being g*y.
It's just that my
family's not like yours,
they're different, they're
prominent in this community
and to them, me being g*y
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, b*tch.
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 a*s 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 sh*t was for me?
b*tch, 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 sh*t 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, b*tch, 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.
b*tch, 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
m*therf*cking 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, sh*t!
(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 sh*t.
How the hell can I owe
$25,000 to the IRS?
This sh*t is crazy.
- Calm down, Dwen.
- Calm down?
b*tch, 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 sh*t.
- 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 a*s 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 n*gga 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.
sh*t.
Come on.
Don't act like you
ain't feeling me too.
- The last thing I'm gonna do
is f*ck with a n*gga 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.
n*gga, your a*s got 20
years. That ain't soon.
You done lost your f*cking
jailhouse rabid mind
if you think I'm about to
wait 20 m*therf*cking 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. n*gga, 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, b*tch, 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 f*cking 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
f*ck 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 b*tch.
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, n*gga. Get the
f*ck outta here, b*tch.
The f*ck 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 f*ck I am?
Y'all laughing?
Y'all gonna help him?
I'm a Oakland legend, n*gga.
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 m*therf*cker, 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 g*y 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 f*ck 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, b*tch.
- 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.
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 g*y 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 f*cking 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 f*cking him?
- Come on, Dwen. It's
not even like that.
- Come here.
Are you two f*cking?
- I am sorry, Dwen.
(tense music)
- You f*cking my family and
lying to me about it, Zaire?
Get the f*ck out, Zaire.
- I love you, Dwen.
- I said get out.
- Hey!
Let's go.
- Get the f*ck 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.
Go home.
(safe keypad beeping)
(tense music)
What the f*ck?
Oh, sh*t!
(tense music)
(glass shattering)
(tense music)
- [Thug] Get off
the f*cking car!
- [Dwen] Get the f*ck off of me.
Get the f*ck off of me!
All right, all right, all
right. I don't have no money.
- [Thug] Man, stop
f*cking 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, f*ck it.
Let's take this b*tch.
(tense music)
(g*nsh*t echoing)
(tense music)
(police sirens wailing)
- I cannot believe this
sh*t 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 g*dd*mn jeans.
- Do you know how
much them jeans cost?
- Not your life.
- b*tch! What the f*ck?
- I'm fine.
- I'm glad you okay,
we was scared as sh*t
when Piper called us.
- Hell, yeah.
- We the f*ck were you?
- I'm sorry, ma.
- Sorry a*s.
- 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 a*s.
- Who is "they," n*gga?
Who the hell would even
do some sh*t 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
ill*gal 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)
(heartfelt music continues)
(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
g*dd*mn 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,
t*ts 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
ill*gal, 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 sh*t 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.
So many people I
lean on, lie too well
Baby, all I need is for
you to show and tell me
- I cannot believe you're here.
- You're so beautiful.
After all those years,
I must admit you still
looked good to me
I know you saw give
the looks I gave
- Damn.
Touch you here.
You feel so good.
I wanted to know
if you changed
- Let me show you
just how good I feel.
Ooh, I wanted to be
with you for real
That would seem so ideal
But I'm not sure if
I had time to heal
Here I stand with
my guarded heart
Nervously waiting for
the day when we'll part
Here I stand, with
my guarded heart
Nervously waiting
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 sh*t 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
sh*t 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 w*r
raging inside me...
- What w*r?
- The w*r 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)
sh*t. 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 sh*t 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, sh*t, 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] f*ck!
(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 sh*t 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 b*tch.
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 m*therf*cking 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 g*ng 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.
- sh*t, 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)
(funky music continues)
(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, sh**t.
This is a mess.
- Well, I see some
things haven't changed.
Your a*s is still a neat freak.
- And I see your a*s still
always got something to say.
- I do.
Maybe next time your a*s 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 a*s 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
sh*t 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 sh**ting 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, b*tch.
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 sh*t 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, b*tch.
- 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)
(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 b*tch,
I said my b*tch, Dwen Curry!
(upbeat music)
(people cheering)
(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 g*y, transgender,
a son, brother, uncle, friend.
I am Dwen Curry.
I am fierce, I am fabulous,
and I am beautiful.
(melodious music)
Show and tell, show and tell
You're gonna have
to show and tell
Show and tell, show and tell
You're gonna have
to show and tell
When we were younger
We used to play this game
And the rules were
easy to follow
Now that we're older
it still ain't changed
If you saying something
You gonna have to prove it
Because if you can't do what
you said you was gon' do
Then you gotta
keep it moving
If you love me
You gonna have
to prove yourself
Get ready to show and tell
And if you want me
So many people I
lean on, lie too well
Baby, all I need is for
you to show and tell me
Show and tell, show
and tell, show and tell
You're gonna have
to show and tell
Words don't mean nothing
If you ain't willing
to back 'em up
Baby, are you ready to
do whatever I ask of you
'Cause otherwise I aint
going for no fake love
You're just playin' around,
you such a nightmare
And I ain't waiting for you
To do anything that
you'll be faking
If you love me
You're gonna have
to prove yourself
Get ready to show and tell
And if you want me
So many people I
lean on, lie too well
Baby, all I need is for
you to show and tell me
Show and tell, show
and tell, show and tell
Is for you to
show and tell me
Show and tell, show
and tell, show and tell
Is for you to
show and tell me
If you love me
You gonna have
to prove yourself
Show and tell
And if you want me
So many people I
lean on, lie too well
Baby, all I need is for
you to show and tell me
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Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story (2025)
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