Within the late ’90s, Brandon Hammond appeared unstoppable.
Along with his soulful eyes and pure charisma, he carried scenes that might grow to be cornerstones of Black cinema—from the little boy in “Ready to Exhale” to Ahmad, the wide-eyed narrator of “Soul Meals.” By the point he was 12, he’d walked purple carpets, collected awards, and etched his face into the cultural reminiscence of a era.
However simply months after what ought to have been the largest evening of his younger life—when “Soul Meals” swept the NAACP Picture Awards—his rising star dimmed. Hammond, barely a young person, was instantly combating for his life after being recognized with a uncommon autoimmune illness.
Now, a long time later, Hammond is lastly opening up about that chapter. A latest “Soul Meals” reunion—with Irma P. Corridor, who performed the long-lasting “Huge Mama” for her ninetieth birthday—sparked recent consideration and reminded followers of his unforgettable presence.
“Lots of people don’t know … I used to be type of instructed to not discuss it,” Hammond instructed Folks journal in a latest interview.
Hammond was one of many busiest Black baby actors of the Nineteen Nineties, but behind the digital camera, he was navigating a daunting well being battle few knew about. Shortly after his profession peak, Hammond was recognized with Castleman illness, a really uncommon immune dysfunction through which the lymph nodes grow to be enlarged and infected.
The situation, typically in comparison with lymphoma, could cause chest ache, fevers, weight reduction, and in extreme circumstances, organ failure. Hammond recalled the way it started with alarming signs:
“My chest was hurting and considered one of my eyes was flushed out purple … my entire left facet was swollen,” he mentioned within the interview.
Trying again, he admits the secrecy took its toll: “It’s been robust over time, having to elucidate to individuals, ‘Why did you cease appearing?’ and giving them some imprecise reply,” Hammond shared.
Lately, Hammond has discovered stability and perspective. He’s leaned into writing and directing, turning his eye for story inward after years of appearing. His well being is managed, however the journey hasn’t been straightforward—coping has meant studying persistence, religion, and steadiness. And now, with a proper “Soul Meals” reunion within the works, Hammond is prepared for audiences to see him once more—not simply because the baby actor who lit up the display screen, however as a survivor who has grown into his personal voice.
That reunion will come within the type of a documentary titled “Sunday Dinner: The Soul Meals Reunion,” slated for launch in 2027 to mark the movie’s thirtieth anniversary. Produced by Hammond alongside Vivica A. Fox, director George Tillman Jr., and several other longtime collaborators, the mission will weave collectively new solid interviews, archival footage, and behind-the-scenes tales.
