What does power look like when it’s rooted in self-awareness… not ego?
What does leadership feel like when you’re still finding your footing?
And how does a man step into the Oval Office — on screen — while staying grounded in his truth?

This week on AW Confidential, AW sits down with Russell Thomas, the thoughtful, soft-spoken force behind Eli, the Vice President (and newly rising acting President) on Tyler Perry’s hit BET drama The Oval.

But this isn’t the conversation you’ve heard anywhere else. Russell opens up about the real man behind the mantle:
The son grieving a father who shaped his discipline, the athlete who learned resilience on the field, the stuntman-turned-actor who started at the bottom, and the artist who has faced rejection without letting it rewrite his self-worth.

Together, we go deep into:

• How leadership and authenticity collide — on set and in life

• The quiet strength Eli carries, and how Russell channels his humanity into the role

• The difference between performing power… and becoming it

• Why self-awareness matters more than confidence when the pressure hits

• What it really means to stay human first, even when the world sees you as larger than life

This episode is intimate, grounded, and layered with emotional intelligence — the kind of conversation that stays with you long after the credits roll.

If you’ve ever struggled with finding your footing, owning your voice, or stepping into a space that feels bigger than you, this is your reminder:
Even leaders tremble… and still show up.

AW Truth Bomb of the Week:“Power isn’t a performance. It’s who you are when no one is clapping.”

To learn more about Russell, follow him on Instagram: @russellthomasofficial