Woody McClain Breaks Down in Tears and Storms Off Set of Cam Newton’s “Funky Friday” [Video]

Woody McClain, widely recognized for his intense portrayal of Cane Tejada on “Power Book II: Ghost,” recently had a vulnerable moment on Cam Newton’s podcast, “Funky Friday,” that left fans deeply moved. Days after publicly apologizing to Newton, viewers now understand the emotional weight behind that moment.

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In a newly released clip, McClain gets emotional while discussing the way his on-screen characters have shaped public perception of him.

“I want to be very strategic of what I pick because I don’t want everybody to keep perceiving me as this bad person,” he said, voice trembling with emotion. Struggling to compose himself, he stood up and briefly left the set, leaving Newton visibly surprised.

The emotional response came after Newton asked a powerful question about the acting process: “When you tap into an emotion, have you acknowledged that emotion as real or fake—it’s always real?”

The question hit a nerve. McClain’s response and decision to take a moment for himself weren’t about weakness. It was about protecting his mental space and addressing the emotional toll of constantly portraying “dark” characters.

To his credit, McClain later returned and finished the episode, earning praise for his honesty and emotional transparency. In a world that often capitalizes on celebrity vulnerability, McClain’s moment was authentic, and his decision to address it publicly shows growth and courage.