Overview of INTERVIEW: Kelly Rowland, Method Man & DeVon Franklin talks “Relationship Goals”, Personal love challenges, Hiphop + More
This Breakfast Club interview (The Black Effect Podcast Network / iHeartPodcasts) features producer DeVon Franklin and stars Kelly Rowland and Method Man promoting the rom‑com Relationship Goals — a film adaptation of Pastor Michael Todd’s self‑help book. They discuss the film’s premise, character motivations, creative decisions (including original music and wardrobe), and broader conversations about love, grief, vulnerability, faith vs. therapy, workplace romance, and how hip‑hop has shifted in its messaging.
Film & release details
- Source: Inspired by Pastor Michael Todd’s Relationship Goals (book + YouTube series).
- Producer: DeVon Franklin (Franklin Entertainment).
- Director: Linda Mendoza.
- Leads: Kelly Rowland (Leah) and Method Man (Jared).
- Premise (brief, non‑spoiler): Leah and Jared — who share a past — both compete for the same job at a news outlet. Jared proposes doing a story on the Relationship Goals book for Valentine’s Day, which catalyzes the group to evaluate love, aims, and expectations.
- Supporting elements: girlfriends’ subplots enrich the story; themes drawn directly from the book’s principles (especially “fix your aim”).
- Release: Available on Amazon Prime Video (promoted as releasing Feb 4 in the interview).
- Extras: Kelly and Method Man recorded an original song, “Complicated,” created organically during production.
Key topics & main takeaways
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Film themes
- Love as an “aim”: define what you want in a relationship rather than copy someone else’s ideal.
- Healing, grief, and vulnerability: characters confront grief and past hurts; healing is necessary before healthy connection.
- Men can change: the film deliberately portrays a male character (Jared) who recognizes past mistakes and works to reform.
- Friendship & community: girlfriends and friendships play a major role in relationship growth — it’s not only about the romantic pair.
- Hope vs. cynicism: the film is optimistic and designed to provoke real conversation and practical change.
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Personal growth & relationships
- Faith + therapy: DeVon advocates for both — faith sustains hope for love, therapy helps resolve trauma so partners don’t “bleed” wounds onto each other.
- Work‑life “balance” is a myth: prioritize different things on different days; integration and consistent consideration matter (small texts, notes).
- Workplace romance: possible but requires discretion, clear boundaries, and awareness of professional consequences.
- Bitterness vs. protection: lists/standards may mask insecurity and fear of getting hurt; sitting with pain and doing the internal work is crucial before opening up again.
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Creative & production notes
- Wardrobe: Kelly curated looks (Pinterest boards), costume designer Gershaw Phillips, stylish “power suits” used to communicate Leah’s exterior armor.
- Performances: Devon praises Kelly and Method Man’s acting dedication; they are presented as trained actors who prepared intensively.
- Song creation: Kelly wrote from character Leah’s perspective, shared with Devon and Method; Method Man added his verse.
Notable quotes & insights (paraphrased)
- “Love is the most powerful force in the universe.” — DeVon Franklin (on why he made the film).
- “Fix your aim” — central tenet from Pastor Michael Todd’s book applied as a film principle: know what you’re shooting at in love.
- “If you’re breathing, you need therapy.” — frank assertion from DeVon about therapy’s role in addressing trauma that affects relationships.
- “Work‑life balance is a myth. You just prioritize different things on different days.” — Kelly Rowland.
- On vulnerability: men often guard vulnerability due to daily external battles; home should be the safe space to decompress and be transparent.
Notable moments & anecdotes
- Kelly used a Pinterest board to help shape characters’ wardrobes and even styled Method Man on set; some designer pieces (e.g., Amiri) were returned after filming.
- Kelly opened up about grief: she linked the film’s emotional beats to her own experiences around the time of her mother’s passing and the birth of her child.
- Method Man discussed staying meticulous with lines and preparation — likening craft to musical rhythm and “getting the bar right.”
- DeVon describes adapting a self‑help book (non‑narrative) into a rom‑com and the casting process that led organically to Kelly and Method Man.
Practical takeaways & action items
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If you’re reflecting on your love life:
- Define your own “relationship goals” (fix your aim) rather than copying social media or others’ templates.
- Take inventory after painful relationships: note what didn’t work so you’re clearer next time.
- Sit with grief and hurt instead of fast‑forwarding; feeling is necessary for healing.
- Use both faith and therapy: faith supplies hope; therapy addresses trauma that can sabotage relationships.
- Small, consistent acts of consideration (texts, notes) sustain relationships during busy seasons.
- Be mindful of boundaries if dating someone at work; protect professionalism and integrity.
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For viewers: watch Relationship Goals (Prime Video) to experience the film’s ideas applied to relatable characters and to spark conversations about realistic expectations in modern dating.
Where the conversation goes beyond the film
- Hip‑hop’s relationship messaging: Method Man and others note the genre has evolved — greater focus on business and wealth creation but sometimes less diversity and substance in messaging compared to earlier eras.
- Cultural responsibility: social media fuels unrealistic expectations; media and creators have an obligation to offer nuanced portrayals of love and relationships.
Final note
The interview is promotional but substantive: it mixes behind‑the‑scenes production stories with candid reflections on grief, healing, therapy, vulnerability, and what it takes to pursue love today. The film is positioned as both entertaining rom‑com and an application of relationship principles intended to prompt personal change.