Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict recently shared insights about their new movie, Divorce in the Black, during an interview with PEOPLE at the 30th ESSENCE Festival of Culture on July 6. The film, directed, produced, and written by Tyler Perry, mirrors the personal experiences of both actors, who were going through their own divorces while filming.
Art Imitates Life
In their discussion, Good and Hardrict opened up about how their real-life experiences influenced their performances. Good, 42, expressed the unique bond she shares with Hardrict, 44, saying, “Some experiences in life, other people can’t relate to unless they’ve experienced it. We’ve been friends for a long time, definitely support each other, and want to see each other win.” Hardrict added, “The support we have is like, less is more. It’s a look, a hug. We’re friends and we inspire each other.”
Both actors emphasized the importance of peace and love in their lives. Hardrict noted, “We’re all here doing God’s work and we’re blessed. It’s all love.”
Personal Journeys
Good finalized her divorce from producer and author DeVon Franklin in June 2022, ending their nine-year marriage. Hardrict, who split from actress Tia Mowry in October 2022 after 14 years of marriage, finalized his divorce in April 2023. Hardrict and Mowry share two children, son Cree, 13, and daughter Cairo, 6.
In May 2023, Good began dating actor Jonathan Majors. In a March interview with PEOPLE, she described herself as “the happiest I’ve been in a long time,” despite Majors’ unrelated domestic violence case in December 2023.
Divorce in the Black
The movie follows Ava (Good), a young bank professional devastated by her husband Dallas (Hardrict) abandoning their marriage. Determined to fight for their relationship, Ava discovers Dallas’ deceitful actions, which had previously sabotaged her destiny to find true love.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture Highlights
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture, presented by Coca-Cola, took place in New Orleans from July 4-7. It featured performances by Janet Jackson, Usher, Birdman & Friends, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh, The Roots, T-Pain, and Big Boi, celebrating 30 years of Cash Money Millionaires.
