Mark Stefanos
Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story premiered on BET+ this week, the latest biopic in its acclaimed Trap Queens series. The film follows the life of Dwen Curry — a Detroit native, celebrity stylist and criminal mastermind — exploring identity, ambition, and redemption in a world of high-stakes fraud and underground power struggles. Directed by Joe Carroll, a filmmaker known for his passion for character-driven drama, the film brings a real-life story of resilience and transformation to the screen.
Carroll, the writer/director behind Lethal Legacy on BET+ and the viral “Sinful Confessions” book series, has a background that spans reality television, scripted content, and feature films. He says he was drawn to the project for its unapologetic intensity and emotional depth.
“The drama,” Carroll says … dramatically, when asked what drew him to the project. “I grew up watching soap operas with my grandmother, so drama has always been in my blood. Dwen is a person, first and foremost, but the heightened level of drama in this story is what drew me to it because there were endless possibilities with the directions we could have gone.”
Director Joe Carroll, Greg Mathis Jr as “DJ,” Rodrick Covington as “Butchie” and Mike Rob as “Jihad” (Joshua Freeman/MegaMind Media)
The film follows Curry’s rise from struggles with depression and addiction to becoming a stylist for stars like Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and YoYo (depicted in the film by Chantal Maurice). But behind the scenes, she was running a criminal empire known as the “Gay Gangsters,” pulling off high-level fraud schemes while battling deep personal conflicts. As she navigates gender identity, societal pressures, and the consequences of her actions, Curry’s story unfolds as a powerful narrative of self-discovery and redemption.
Bringing Curry’s gripping life to the screen is director Carroll, a Nashville-born filmmaker whose love for storytelling started at an early age. “I was a theater kid growing up,” Carroll shared. “During high school, my mom gifted me my first video camera, and that’s where my love of directing began. I turned every project into a video — even when it wasn’t supposed to be!”
Those early years cutting his teeth as a director would later prove beneficial prep for this project. Carroll described the 15-day shoot as both exhilarating and challenging, praising the instant chemistry among the cast and crew. “It was amazing watching a cast who didn’t know each other come together like a family so quickly,” he shared. “The crew worked seamlessly, and everyone was so polite and respectful, which is very important while handling sensitive subjects. Laughing was a requirement. Even in the serious moments, we were able to not take each other seriously while doing what needed to be done.”
A unique aspect of filming was having Curry herself on set every day. “Dwen’s story is important because it teaches us that everyone is deserving of a second chance,” Carroll explained. “Most times, especially in a biopic, the stories end differently — the person is deceased or in jail, and the production doesn’t have the opportunity to work with them firsthand. In this case, we did. Dwen was by my side every day and was able to add authenticity to the pivotal moments of this movie.”
Carroll (right) directs intently (Joshua Freeman/MegaMind Media)
Carroll, who is repped by Larry Robinson of Avatar Entertainment, already has multiple projects in development, including television pilots, thrillers, and international productions. “I usually gravitate toward thrillers, so this was a bit of a departure,” he admitted. “But I’m excited to bring new works of literature and cinema to audiences.”
In addition to his film work, Carroll is working on his next installation of his “Sinful Confessions” book series, fueled by his passion for literature — “reading is still important and helps fuel the mind and the imagination in a world where it feels like our daily news is straight from works of fiction.”
And he’s got big plans to mentor up-and-coming filmmakers. “I think it’s important to take the knowledge you’ve gained and pour it into the next generation,” he said. “We can even be inspired by them as we attempt to show them the way.”
With Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, Carroll has created a film that blends crime, identity, and redemption into an unforgettable narrative. As Curry’s journey proves, life doesn’t always follow a predictable script — but with resilience and self-acceptance, a new chapter is always possible.
“Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story” is streaming now on BET+.
