💬 A Conversation So Good, We Had To Spin The Block
When a conversation is that good, you run it back. I recently caught up with the incredibly talented Cortez Smith, who plays the fan-favorite (and complex) character Nuck on the hit Showtime series, “The Chi” — and let me tell you, the conversation was just as layered as his character.
With the Season 7 finale right around the corner, Cortez opened up about Nuck’s internal tug-of-war, the character’s deeper motivations, and why so many viewers are finally seeing past the street persona to the man underneath.
🔥 Inside Nuck’s Loyalty, Love, And Lessons
We jumped right in talking about “The Chi”’s most recent twists, including Bakari’s impossible situation — caught between loyalty to Nuck and the lure of a scholarship from Alicia.
Cortez didn’t hold back in his take: “His loyalty could be life or death.”
But it’s Nuck’s emotional layers that really stood out in our convo.
Cortez described him as a “lost individual” who’s a product of trauma, abandonment, and survival instincts.
And when fatherhood came into the picture? That shifted everything.
“All the decisions he’s been making, he feels are normal… But now he’s trying to dial back and fix everything because he doesn’t want that to happen to his son.”
We see Nuck navigating the streets while trying not to lose himself — or his life — to vulnerability.
He wants redemption, but in his world, that can look like weakness.
And with his growing connection to Tiff (Hannaha Hall), the stakes are even higher.
❤️ The Complications And The Chemistry
Let’s just say it: Tiff has a type, and Cortez knows it.
“She loves a roughneck guy,” he said with a laugh, breaking down why Nuck and Tiff’s chemistry is undeniable — even if it’s messy.
Still, Cortez admitted (as a fan of the show) that Nuck might be in over his head trying to smooth things over with Alicia just to please Tiff.
“It’s best to just leave her alone,” he joked, but you could tell he understood the deeper pull between these characters.
🎭 Who Brings Out The Best In Cortez On Screen?
When I asked who he enjoys sharing scenes with most, Cortez gave big love to his co-star and on-screen little bro Bakari, played by Ahmad Ferguson.
But the surprise? Pastor Zeke, played by Daniel J. Watts.
“He helped me unlock parts of Nuck that weren’t even on the page… He helped me see that Nuck is a broken man, not just a street guy.”
The behind-the-scenes insight made me appreciate Nuck’s growth arc even more.
It’s not just good acting — it’s a powerful collaboration that brings the character to life in ways we don’t always see coming.
🌹 A Real-Life Story That Hits Close To Home
One of the most moving moments in our conversation came when Cortez shared how a storyline from “The Chi” mirrored something deeply personal.
After filming the episode where the community gave Jada her flowers, he was inspired to do the same for his cousin, who was battling terminal cancer.
“We threw her a barbecue. We sat her in the middle of the party and gave her flowers, cards, all her favorite things. Two days later, she passed.”
It was raw. It was real. And it reminded me why this show — and actors like Cortez — connect so deeply with fans.
It’s more than TV. It’s life reflected through art.
🙌🏾 Giving Cortez Smith His Flowers
As we wrapped up, Cortez mentioned he’s been getting love in the streets (literally — folks hopping out of cars for selfies) and it’s well-deserved.
From his first scene on “The Chi” to now, he’s brought nuance, heart, and edge to Nuck.
And while he doesn’t have any big finale plans just yet, we both agreed on one thing — we’re holding out hope for Nuck to survive and continue evolving in Season 8.
“Just being a part of history… It’s amazing how we’re cultivating this industry and changing how people think.”
🎥 Watch Our Full Convo
Frens, are you ready for Season 7 finale of “The Chi?”
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