Naturi Naughton Talks ‘Power’ And 50 Cent’s ‘Shady’ Instagram Post

Many of us first met Naturi Naughton as one-third of early 2000s R&B group 3LW, but the star’s on-screen magnetism has led her to pursue memorable characters in both film and television, finding her most consistent and praised role as Tasha St. Patrick on STARZ hit, “Power,” now in its sixth and final season.

As the show slowly begins to wrap up loose ends, fans are clamoring to know #WhoShotGhost, aka James St. Patrick, Tasha’s husband played by Omari Hardwick. Along with several others, Tasha is a prime suspect, with Naturi telling Page Six that watching last week’s mid-season finale was surreal for her even while knowing how the story will unfold.

“Of course, I read the script and knew what was to come, but seeing it happen in that way, where you don’t know exactly who did it? I just can’t believe how the story has come to a head.

“I was secretly excited to act it out!” said the actress when it came to Tasha’s storyline this season. “Omari is killing it, the episodes are directed really well, I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to create over six seasons. It’s been an honor, and it’s not over!”

Indeed, “Power” fans will be waiting until 2020 to see how the plot plays out, with Naughton breaking down why she completely understands Tasha’s motive to kill Ghost after years of mistrust within their marriage.

“Tasha has actually tried to be a good wife, or at least a good teammate,” Naturi explains. “Tasha always wanted Ghost and her to work. She fought for her marriage, she asked him to stop sleeping with Angela, she tried her best to back him up. When he went to jail, she was raising the bail money. Tasha’s been consistent and has always been there for him.

“Her emotions just start to come to a head,” she continued. Tasha is thinking, ‘wow, I’m over here riding for you, lying to the police for you, and now you want to come for me and my son?’”

Tasha and James’ son, Tariq, is also a suspect after St. Patrick backtracks on his promise to take the wrap for his son’s criminal activity.

“When she sees that Ghost is willing to turn on his own family, it really upsets her. He’s become so arrogant! I mean, he was always arrogant, but that last episode? It was just ridiculous! And to come at his family like that? Tasha was there when he didn’t have anything!”

Tasha and Ghost have had a rough go of it this season, but Naturi and Omari couldn’t be closer after six years of holding down the hit series together.

“I love working with Omari, he’s really like my big brother, even though he plays my husband,” Naughton revealed. “We knew each other for years beforehand, and I’ve learned a lot from him over the last six seasons. He balances his family, he’s the lead on a hit television show and he’s always been a supportive friend. We became a true TV couple, and the friendship, love and respect between us has done nothing but grow over the years.”

“It’s an honor to share the screen with such a talented guy, not to mention he’s a handsome fella,” the actress gushed. “All my friends have been jealous of me for six seasons, like, ‘girl, if Ghost was my husband, he could do whatever he wanted!’ and I’m just like, ‘child, please!'”

While Tasha and Ghost have been at odds, she and on-and-off family friend Tommy Egan have been on great terms, partially due to the fact that he’s still unaware that she killed the love of his life, Lakeisha Grant, played by La La Anthony.

“The relationship between Tasha and Tommy is kind of scary because Tommy is such a loose cannon! At any point, he could just start killing folks, so it’s very intimidating for Tasha to know that if he finds out she killed Lakeisha, it could be really bad for her.”

The mid-season finale included a cameo from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, appearing as the spirit of his deceased character, Kanan. According to Naturi, 50 has always had faith in the Courtney Kemp series.

“He’s been very hands on, he’s super invested in ‘Power’ and he goes hard for the show. He was on set a lot even when he wasn’t shooting, and he always knew the show would be a success. He called it from the beginning.”

Naughton and the Queens rapper shared an awkward social media moment recently when the EP posted a meme to Instagram making fun of his leading lady, which he apologized for shortly after she called out the move as “mean.”

“He knew what he did was shady and apologized for it. He realized it wasn’t the nicest thing to do. I accepted his apology, I’ve moved on.”

She went on, “He’s an EP on the show, I’m a star on the show, I can’t be worried about something like that. He believes in the work that I do on ‘Power,’ so it was just a matter of making sure that that comes across. I think he gets it, we’re cool. I’ll see him at work within the next couple of days. I don’t hold grudges, it’s water under the bridge.”

Naughton is all about onward and upward movement, saying she has plans to get back to her first love once “Power” has come to an end.

“I’m actually recording right now for my new album. I’m excited to bring music to my fans, especially as an adult. I have a lot more to say, I’m a mommy now, and it’s exciting to record and get back to my first passion.”

The “Notorious” actress also has plans to leave her mark behind the scenes.

“I’ve been studying directing for film, directing for TV and hopefully there will be an opportunity for me, but right now, I’m just focusing on branching out outside of being an actress. I’ve never been one-dimensional and I don’t want to be kept in a box as just Tasha or just an actress.”

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