Jacob Latimore Discusses His Most Emotional Scene Filmed on ‘The Chi’

As ‘The Chi’ approaches its conclusion after eight seasons, star Jacob Latimore reflects on some of the most unforgettable moments from his time on the acclaimed drama series. While there have been numerous enjoyable scenes throughout the years, one particular moment stands out as the most challenging experience he has faced as an actor.

In an interview with PEOPLE at the premiere of ‘The Chi’s’ eighth and final season in New York City, Latimore shared insights about filming the poignant death of Emmett Washington’s mother, Jada, portrayed by Yolanda Ross.

Latimore noted that the scene from the Season 7 finale was unlike anything he had encountered before. Jada’s death from cancer marked one of the show’s most heart-wrenching moments, and capturing those emotions on screen proved to be a significant challenge.

“I’m really close with my mom,” Latimore told PEOPLE. This personal connection made filming a scene about losing a mother particularly impactful.

He explained that the fast-paced nature of television production leaves little time to prepare for emotionally charged moments. Despite spending days mentally gearing up for the scene, he had only a brief window to film it.

“I had such a short window [to film it]. With television, we gotta move on to the next scene. So, I only had about 10 to 15 minutes to pour out all that. It took me all day, maybe all week, to get there,” he shared.

Latimore described the experience as profoundly emotional and challenging. However, once the cameras started rolling, he allowed himself to fully immerse in the moment.

“It was a very fragile moment,” he said. “I think, really, the first take I just let loose and I felt so good afterward.”

While that scene was the most difficult for him to film, Latimore also reminisced about one of his favorite memories from the series. He mentioned that a house party scene from Season 6 remains one of the most enjoyable experiences he had during the show’s run.

This scene featured Emmett and Kiesha celebrating their move into a new home, surrounded by friends and family for a night filled with music, dancing, and plenty of drama. For Latimore, it encapsulated the sense of community that has been a vital part of ‘The Chi’ throughout its eight seasons.

As the series nears its final episode, Latimore admitted that saying goodbye has been emotional. The cast wrapped filming just a week before attending the New York premiere, making the reality of the show’s conclusion feel even more tangible.

“This week, it feels really good, and it makes it feel really real,” he said. “I’ve been hearing the voices of my castmates behind me. I’m missing voices all the time, us linking up four, five, six months out of the year.”

The actor also revealed that the cast has shared many emotional moments together since production wrapped.

“We’ve been crying,” Latimore admitted. “It’s bittersweet, but we’re proud of what we’ve done.”

Fellow cast member Jason Weaver echoed those sentiments during his own interview with PEOPLE. Weaver, who joined the series in Season 4 as Shaad Marshall, described the finale as an emotional milestone for everyone involved.

“I think this really puts the cherry on top of this beautiful cake that we’ve baked throughout the course of season 8 and throughout the course of the series,” Weaver said.

As reported by PEOPLE, both actors expressed gratitude for their time on the show and the relationships they built along the way. After eight years on the air, ‘The Chi’ is gearing up for its final chapter, with new episodes streaming every Friday until the series finale on July 24.

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