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As theaters closed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the creatives who populated their stages were plunged into a state of seemingly endless uncertainty. Aided by a delightful and metaphorically resonant piece of performance art, multidisciplinary artist Daniel J. Watts shares a personal perspective on reframing this moment of global stasis as an opportunity to reset and reflect on the potential of what comes after.
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Transcriber:
Hi there, my name is Daniel J. Watts,
I am a 2020 Tony nominee.
And I’m a storyteller.
This is my new jam.
Uh. Uh. Uh.
Uh. Uh.
(Tapping sounds)
“Maaaaaan …
You don’t really let paint dry,”
one of my mentors said to me one day.
He meant it as a compliment.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,”
I grinned back pseudo-shyly,
as I took said compliment
and placed it on my head
like a half-cocked crown.
I’ve always taken pride
in being the kind of artist
that’s always making moves.
(Tapping sounds)
We were having one of our catch-up
sessions, my mentor and I,
July 2019,
I, between shooting episodes
of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,”
and moving into my new apartment
uptown in Harlem.
I’d just returned from Paris.
I was just going out there to hang.
You know —
shop a little, take in a couple museums,
sit down at cafés
and watch the people go by.
You know — très parisien.
Laissez–faire and whatnot.
Little did I know that my vacation
would turn into a work-cation,
and I would be asked
to perform with my friend Ray
as he headlined at the international
music festival AFROPUNK.
OK, I might have known a little bit.
But I wasn’t going to let that paint dry.
Mm hmm.
(Tapping sounds)
Upon my return, Dave Chappelle
was making his Broadway debut,
followed by an invite-only
impromptu jam session.
I had an invite.
I jammed at the session.
Ehhhh!
That’s all right.
A week from then, Tituss Burgess’s
album will be released,
on which I had two features,
and two days prior,
“Deadline” would announce
“Broadway’s ‘Tina’ Musical
Finds its Ike Turner
in ‘The Last O.G.’ Co-star
Daniel J. Watts.”
Ohhhh, wet paint!
And I had not yet started
painting like this.
The week before rehearsals,
my mother and I would travel
to Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Memphis, Tennessee,
and Nutbush, Tennessee,
to see how a younger Ike Turner
might have maneuvered through life,
then back to NYC
to finish shooting “Maisel,”
then a quick trip to L.A.
for an album release concert,
then back to New York City
to start “Tina” rehearsal.
Four weeks of rehearsal,
three weeks of tech,
four more weeks of previews.
And now it’s November,
and it’s opening night.
My family, which consists
of my mother, my two aunts,
my two cousins and my 91-year-old granny
fly up to support.
They are drenched — drenched —
in Southern pride
and basking in familial glory
as Tina Turner pretends to give me a light
smacking around at the curtain call,
in front of 1,500 people.
(Tapping sounds)
It was awesome.
Skip over to Thanksgiving,
which means it’s basically Christmas,
so you might as well say it’s a new year.
Happy New Year 2020!
Spoiler alert: things are
going to get wild —
fast.
But I wasn’t about to let
that 2020 paint get dry.
Yeahhhh.
First off,
performances of my one-man show overlap
with my eight shows a week at ‘Tina,’
fully equipped with no days off
and a midnight performance
on a Friday night,
the night before a two-show Saturday.
Wet paint, wet paint, wet paint!
Bleeding into February,
I’m starting to feel the effects.
Everything’s starting to blend.
I’m only three months into
my one-year contract,
and I’m already feeling like
I need a break, I need a vacation.
Moving into March,
and now taking on the role of Ike Turner
has started to take its toll,
and I can’t tell whose trauma is whose.
I can’t tell whose trauma is hues …
And there’s news of this mysterious
illness making its Broadway debut.
Uh, but this paint, though.
All cylinders are firing,
I’m firing all cylinders
because there’s Tony buzz —
got to pack those interviews in! —
which means suits, purple suits,
blue suits, green.
Suits you, it suits me.
And is that a hazmat suit?
Aquamarine.
And as it seems the paint
is beginning to dry,
I ask myself:
Do I really want all this?
I mean, all of this, the fortune
and the fame and the celebrity?
Because Dave Chappelle said
to David Letterman
that the more you invest
into yourself as a celebrity,
the less of yourself you get to own.
Hmm.
And I asked myself:
Am I really going anywhere?
Like, what’s my sense of direction?
Because I feel like I’m not going anywhere
or like I’m running in place
on a hamster wheel
that I don’t know how to get off of.
And it’s like I have to ask permission
to do the thing that I know
that I need to do for myself,
and then, and then, and then, and then …
The world finally stops.
And because everything is in flux,
I am forced to take
a much-needed reprieve
as that mysterious illness
has been granted an extension.
And though I know
the answer is not for a while,
I kept asking myself:
When’s Broadway coming back?
Because even though I really,
really, really need to take this break,
I really, really, really,
really, really need a check,
and I keep checking the status
on this mysterious illness
because I need that paint to dry now.
And now everyone’s dazed and confused,
our greys turned to blues.
I’m off all of the socials,
but I stay glued to the news
because I’m watching the paint dry
that will not dry fast enough
for me to keep going.
Hmm.
Skip to the summer.
Skip to the summer,
now the country’s on fire.
I’m back on all the socials,
because my one-man show has been
revived and revamped for the virtual space
so I can comment on the death
of Ahmaud, Breonna and George.
Broadway still doesn’t know
when it’s going to come back,
but now it’s in the hot seat
for all of its past transgressions.
And I think it might be time for me
to take a break from the city.
Three weeks in North Carolina,
two weeks in L.A., one week in Portland.
I come back to New York.
Broadway still doesn’t know
when it’s going to come back.
I need something to take my mind off
all these pandemics,
and the next thing I know …
I’m painting with my feet.
I needed something live and in color
that wasn’t “Live and in color!”
And now I realize I’m obsessed
with diving in colors.
Watching them splatter, swirl and blend
and do all the things people
shouldn’t be doing right now.
And as I’m in the midst of my deep dive,
I realize
I had to learn how to let paint dry.
I have to stop
and take a break,
because if I don’t,
my yellows and my blues will make green,
even if that’s not
what I really, really want.
And then I started to think about
all the other times
when I wasn’t letting paint dry,
when I wasn’t taking time away
to let things heal,
like when I was still dancing
on two sprained ankles,
even though the doctor told me I needed
to take a break for a while.
Or when I was trying to force closure
in a newly broken-up relationship
because I didn’t want to deal
with the healing process.
Or when I fussed out my reps
because … because Netflix
haven’t called to offer me a deal
a week after my one-man show.
All the times when I didn’t want time
to take the time it takes
to reveal itself to me.
All the times when I didn’t believe
that what I had already done was enough
and that I didn’t have to keep
going back in with more color.
Broadway can’t come back.
It has to come forward.
And when it does, it has to be more
expressive with the colors that it uses.
And unfortunately, I can’t finish
this piece for you right now.
Because in order for me to do
what I really want to be able to do,
I have to let this paint dry.
Ohhh, and that’s something that I’m …
I’m still really, really, really
learning to be OK with.
But I know it’ll be worth the wait.
Thank you.
Kelli Smith
May 5, 2021 at 7:52 pm
Thank you for sharing.
fill it
May 5, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Modern art is degenerate art. Only sheeps will disagree.
Jae KiDd N His 508Cents
May 5, 2021 at 7:58 pm
Well I’ve been letting the paint dry and I still haven’t accomplished great things 🤦🏽♀️😂
Tito Denino
May 5, 2021 at 8:03 pm
can we please stop acting and reciting a script and start being REAL
Tito Denino
May 5, 2021 at 8:04 pm
how to look nervous
Daniel McSween
May 5, 2021 at 8:07 pm
Love it
محمد الأمين حماه
May 5, 2021 at 8:07 pm
what
Nancy Ruth Deen, Breakup Coach
May 5, 2021 at 8:13 pm
Yes….this is what Im feeling right now.
Wood Ellic
May 5, 2021 at 8:23 pm
This is so bad, even as a metaphor.
Amber
May 5, 2021 at 8:28 pm
Thank you for your perspective and insight.
I have too often started something with the greatest intentions and the brightest of colors, only to turn it into mud as I lose focus and run from one place to another. Never letting one project gain its full potential as I’ve lost the excitement and adrenaline rush of starting something new but never knowing the satisfaction of completion that wasn’t rushed or done half-heartedly.
I’ll take a breather right now and let the paint dry and see what image I can create without the chaos.
Omar Niagne
May 5, 2021 at 8:35 pm
I learned the same lesson due to Covid. You don’t have to always be in motion. Sometime you gotta seat back and relax.
xxx xxx
May 5, 2021 at 8:39 pm
Who let that clown in? When will you bring the real schience back, TED? The quality drop in recent years is astonishing, you went full marxist.
Noma Khumalo
May 5, 2021 at 9:40 pm
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. He is the E in TED.
Arun Kamara
May 5, 2021 at 8:45 pm
am ashamed of my talent what should i do ?
Owlchemy
May 5, 2021 at 8:53 pm
This is like watching paint dry
MollyTheUkulele
May 5, 2021 at 8:55 pm
Can’t wait to hear more from him!
Daddyz Goodgurl
May 5, 2021 at 9:14 pm
So much name dropping and bragging it was difficult to see any other purpose for the story.
Malcolm Noble
May 5, 2021 at 9:25 pm
We should be careful on money disposal , if you’re not spending to earn or get back money, then stop spending.
Melissa C Davis
May 6, 2021 at 12:12 am
Expert Andreas M. Antonopoulos have been my trader, His techniques are marvellous and he made me see binary and forex trading from another angle.
Fred G Womack
May 6, 2021 at 12:18 am
@Melissa C Davis How can I contact him I wanna invest too?
Melissa C Davis
May 6, 2021 at 12:28 am
+,,,,,1,,(,,,,,,,9,,,,,,3,,,,,,6,,,,,),,,,5,,,,,4,,,,,9,,,,,,3,,,,,2,,,,,,,4,,,,,8
Melissa C Davis
May 6, 2021 at 12:28 am
He’s availability is on what-ss-app 👆
Fred G Womack
May 6, 2021 at 12:36 am
@Melissa C Davis Thank you so much, I will surely write him.
iamnex2c
May 5, 2021 at 10:13 pm
Well said 👏🏿
Marina Fathy
May 5, 2021 at 10:13 pm
If my overthinking was a person it would be him 🤯
Manny Rae
May 5, 2021 at 10:20 pm
Great visual demonstration and storytelling weaved in an explanation for the fitness of the mind to think. Clearly, this man’s talent should inspire any race, creed, etc. Life pulsates through visual interpretations of life. Letting the paint dry is the one conclusion we should make decisions that are not knee-jerk.
Daniel Abbey
May 5, 2021 at 10:42 pm
He reminds me so much of a young Ben Vereen: incredible talent, and a consummate showman!
Verena Satriani
May 5, 2021 at 10:51 pm
He entertained me and inspired me at the same time.
Henry Strauss
May 5, 2021 at 10:57 pm
Don’t bother watching. Makes no sense. Plus he’s memorized a script and fails at making it work.
WTF dude?
Zenn Exile
May 5, 2021 at 11:56 pm
No to accomplish great things you need great wealth, or the support of great wealth, and greater luck. And even if you manage to get lucky, you owe every other human being on the planet who failed for your success. Every other human that supported you, supported your existence, your culture, your economy. No one does anything on their own. Not in all of recorded History has anyone ever done anything alone. Success itself is a dehumanizing measure of failure among peers. Failure that without which success itself, couldn’t even exist. This is just a man living in a delusion and enabled by ignorance.
loving683
May 6, 2021 at 12:38 am
You know what this reminds me of is when haul from Malcom In the middle whe he was trying to get the a picture that was stuck in his head and paint it and no matter how many he went to sleep.. but I have to say that looks really really good
asmakitto
May 6, 2021 at 2:39 am
So powerfull! I loved this; I needed to hear it; I need to learn how to…
” The more you invest into yourself as a celebrity the less of yourself you get to own”.
Hazelle Atendido
May 6, 2021 at 2:49 am
Note to self: Let the paint dry.
aka aly houston
May 6, 2021 at 3:49 am
LET THE PAINT DRY = JUST CHILL AND WATCH N WAIT
GOT IT, WILL DO…THIS WAS FOR ME
Aman Ahmed
May 6, 2021 at 5:17 am
who loves the tap sound
slphaccad
May 6, 2021 at 5:22 am
This is the most obvious and self indulgent TED talk I’ve heard in a long time. And that’s saying something. Are all Broadway artists like that?
Naley By Nature
May 6, 2021 at 6:13 am
Wow, this was far more powerful than I thought it would be. I related to him on such a deep level. Thank you for sharing your brilliance with us all.
Curious Doc
May 6, 2021 at 6:52 am
Love his presentation style
MrPenguin Fly
May 6, 2021 at 7:22 am
where’s the art?! show me now while it’s wet because I don’t like dry!
UnKnown_Drive
May 6, 2021 at 8:08 am
Honestly, I needed the reminder that there’s people out there who speak and express themselves in such quirky ways. The clinical grey and white paints desensitize you from color after a long time.
Ishani Dutta
May 6, 2021 at 8:38 am
This was amazing!
Reccaman
May 6, 2021 at 9:23 am
“It’s hard to see things when you are too close. Take a step back and look.” Bob Ross
Rushikesh Ware
May 6, 2021 at 10:05 am
It take some motivation to perform without the live audience. kudos!
Sabrina Newton
May 6, 2021 at 11:15 am
I don’t know who needs to hear this but stop saving all your money. Invest some of it if you want financial freedom.
Sabrina Newton
May 6, 2021 at 11:31 am
You can just send an Email directly to him..
Sabrina Newton
May 6, 2021 at 11:35 am
Or send a message to him on Whats-App
Sabrina Newton
May 6, 2021 at 11:35 am
*+ 1 (5 1 7) 5 1 3 6 – 4 9 2*
Alison Greenwood
May 6, 2021 at 11:36 am
@Sabrina Newton Thanks for this I do love to reach out to him too
Sandra Sterling
May 6, 2021 at 11:36 am
@Sabrina Newton
That’s it you convinced me and am doing this thanks
Omari Ramsay
May 6, 2021 at 11:29 am
Brilliant. Just remarkably brilliant.
Anna Dyson
May 6, 2021 at 11:36 am
Wonderful poetry, lesson and art. Thank you
Buildings1772
May 6, 2021 at 11:42 am
ehh to me it all comes across as abit contrived.
but hey if you enjoy it dont let me tell you otherwise.
aLaa aLi
May 6, 2021 at 1:14 pm
This is crap
Machine Mechine
May 6, 2021 at 3:04 pm
You didn’t listen.
Machine Mechine
May 6, 2021 at 3:05 pm
Thanks.
Sam T
May 6, 2021 at 3:23 pm
TEARS .. SO MANY TEARS, BC THIS IS SO ACCURATE.
Sommer Ray
May 6, 2021 at 4:54 pm
+ .1 / 5/1/2/3/6/4/0/5/3/1
Mr. Pink
May 6, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Yes
Sommer Ray
May 6, 2021 at 4:58 pm
What has been your past trading Experience in crypto
Monday PositiviTea
May 6, 2021 at 5:12 pm
In a way, the ‘paint dry’ can be used as a metaphor for so many situations in life. Things need time to grow, to heal, to reveal, to understand, and so much more.
Ryan Chan
May 6, 2021 at 5:24 pm
Good stuff
Mrs. Tucker
May 6, 2021 at 5:43 pm
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. Looking forward to doing a Ted Talk soon on “Patience”. Another book coming soon! Blessings!!!!
Marlene Tucker (Author, “Loosed, you can live again”)
See N
May 6, 2021 at 8:14 pm
Really need to hear this
Katy Smith
May 6, 2021 at 9:43 pm
Ike Turner is definitely not a compliment….. Hit me again Ike and put some stank on it!! 🤣
André Lima
May 7, 2021 at 3:09 am
Amazing.
Gretchen Sauer
May 7, 2021 at 11:50 am
He spends his life running around overwerking everywhere all the time at all costs
“Turns out all I need is to take a break”
*you don’t say*
love music
May 7, 2021 at 12:12 pm
they are truly an amazing speaker, it differs a lot from other ted talks and thus makes it a great talk, the whole rythm and intonations
ashtha tamang
May 7, 2021 at 1:08 pm
I have an online class to attend but i think this is more important 🙂
Venusianjonel
May 7, 2021 at 2:26 pm
This was a great metaphor for how we perceive life. We are so use to the rush that we never got use to letting things marinate for a new transition. I also love that he was a New Yawka, represent !
S M
May 7, 2021 at 8:38 pm
2020 did get wild
S M
May 7, 2021 at 8:42 pm
boardway is still not open
Youssef Elbahtimy
May 8, 2021 at 4:13 am
Despite having nothing in common with what I do professionally, the words ring true to me. Though, the reality is, we do this to ourselves to impress and keep up with our peers, customers, and rivals.
Amghbd
May 8, 2021 at 4:50 pm
I like this man
Robyn Coleman
May 9, 2021 at 5:43 am
As a creative. I totally get you. Thank you for confirming the importance of letting paint dry. Excellent 👏
Diana Van winkle
May 9, 2021 at 6:15 am
This is much appreciated.
Louella Mahabir
May 9, 2021 at 8:47 pm
I love itttttt. Thank you for your message.
Kisha Peterson
May 10, 2021 at 4:17 am
That was awesome
Valerie Gerke
May 10, 2021 at 1:13 pm
I totally get it
Me Me
May 10, 2021 at 9:50 pm
that must have been fun to do
Phoenix Johnson
May 10, 2021 at 10:46 pm
Super cool and powerful and true!
sasunaru6788
May 12, 2021 at 1:35 am
I truly loved this! Now, if he could just paint a story as beautiful as this… for those who keep letting the paint dry.
Kandas
May 12, 2021 at 10:16 am
Pointless…
ChrisCDXX
May 12, 2021 at 7:30 pm
eh