::EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW::   
LE NEWSLETTER - May 1, 2005

Exclusive Interview with Vivica A. Fox

(May 1, 2005) Ms. Vivica A. Fox glides into Trattoria Vaticano looking fabulous.  We sat down and talked about her latest projects (including Missing currently being shot in Toronto), being an actress in Hollywood, producing, her role models and much more! 

We started instantly talking about Vivica's latest film and television projects. 

LE:

Tell me about The Salon.

Note: The Salon opened the ReelWorld Film Festival in April 2005, where I first encountered the spirited Vivica A. Fox.  It is a sassy and heart-warming film written, produced and directed by Mark Brown (“Barbershop”) and also produced by Vivica A. Fox who stars as Jenny, the owner of a neighbourhood beauty salon. 

Vivica:

I think of The Salon as The Beauty Shop meets Soul Food.  It had a lot of messages, it had comedy, it had drama and it was an experience.  You really felt like you went on the journey with these characters and what they were going through.  I was really fortunate to work with Mark Brown that I worked with on Two Can Play that Game.  It was the second or third movie that I produced.  I think a lot of people think that when you produce, that it’s just a title.  But not for me - I’m very involved with the script, with the casting, with the wardrobe, with everything.  I like it because I feel like I’m in control of the product that I present to my audience.

LE:

What's been your experience on your current series Missing?

Note: Missing stars Vivica A. Fox as Nicole Scott, an FBI agent teamed up with Jess Mastriani (Caterina Scorsone), a novice agent who has a proven track record of using her psychic abilities to solve mysteries.  Missing is on the Lifetime Network and is currently being shot in Toronto.

Vivica:

The show on the first season was called 1-800-MISSING and had Gloria Rubens on the show.  After the first season, she decided that she didn’t want to do the show anymore.  Debra Martin Chase who is now my co-executive producing partner, said, ‘I’m going to find something for us to work on together.’  When they first approached me, I said 'No' because I just didn’t believe that network television supported their shows long enough.  Debra said ‘This is on the Lifetime network - their longest show has been on for six years and they support their shows.’  Debra kept persistently calling and explained that she was also going to offer me co-executive producing. 

And it films in Toronto, which is one of my favourite places.  I love filming in Toronto.  This is my fourth project that I’ve done up here.  So, it worked out and we closed the deal! 

We took the show and added myself, Mark Consuelos and Justin Louis [Canadian]. We revamped the show and made it sexier and edgier.  Now they can’t wait for us to come back - June 12^th in America.  We got picked up and we’re back here for our third season.  I love it, I love it.

LE:

What do you like most about working in Toronto?

Vivica:

Great shopping!  I’m such a girl!  My credit card got blazed up at Holt Renfrew!  That whole strip is Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vitton and for us, you get the nice exchange on the money.  I also love the restaurants here.  And the people are really nice.  Everyone that comes and does our show, is like, “I really like it up here.” 

When people ask me what I feel about Toronto, I always say it’s a small, clean, friendly New York. 

LE:

And you’ve got Canadian actors on your show …

Vivica:

My two co-stars, Caterina Scorsone and Justin Louis are Canadians and most of the day-players are all Canadians and I’m just really glad that the talent here is really good.  A lot of actors are from theatre and they don’t disappoint. 

LE:

What have you found challenging when it comes to producing?

Vivica:

The most challenging thing about producing is delivering the project on time and on budget, as well as getting the talent and the quality.  Being an independent film producer, the budget’s a lot smaller. 

LE:

Tell me about your indie film “Getting Played” and your upcoming projects?

Vivica:

I play the bitch this time.  I mean, I was a bitch a little bit in Two Can Play That Game but I was the bitch that you rooted for.  I wanted to play that role – someone else wins - and I had a great time playing her.   I’m the straight up stuck-up movie star.  It’s starring myself, Bill Bellamy, Carmen Electra, Stacey Dash.  They’re in negotiations right now – hopefully it will come up and not go straight to DVD.  For me, it was a learning experience and another film under my belt. 

And then there’s The Starlet, I’m really hoping that gets picked up for a second season.  And I’m also the voice of Cadillac for GM. 

And then there’s Missing.  So for 6-7 months of the year, I know that I’ve got a great job because I love being here.  I’m not searching, I’m not looking.  I’m very happy.

LE:

How do you feel about the recent dialogue regarding the issue of whether other nationalities are taking over the parts originally intended for Black actresses?

Vivica:

If you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em.  I’ve got a Latin lover on my show, Mark Consuelos.  What actors have to learn is marketability.  If the film is going to be made, if you’re going to get a budget and distribution by hiring a person that is a little bit more worldwide, then … this is the business.  It’s not personal baby.  Embrace it, learn it and keep it moving.

I think the sad thing is that the bitterness that comes with that – what they don’t realize is that being bitter is a turnoff to other nationalities.  I’m a businesswoman after I’m an actress.  The fact is that they’re accepting different cultures loving each other.

LE:

Do you see yourself as a Black actress in Hollywood?

Vivica:

The wonderful thing is that I think finally I’ve become colourless to people.  But my role models were Will Smith, Whoopi Goldberg.  You don’t want to be considered a Black actress – you want people to say I like her as an actress.  I learn from other people, I’m a sponge.  I say, what is it that they’re doing that makes them successful?  I don’t hate on them.  I don’t get pissed off at their success. 

There’s been times in my career that I’ve gotten frustrated and a friend of mine, Cassandra Mills, told me a couple of things.   Watch what the next generation is doing and stay young as long as you can.  You’ve got plenty of time to play somebody’s mama, somebody’s grandmamma.  Look at who’s hot and stay in their rear view mirror.  Look at what they’re doing – stay right there with them and sooner or later you’ll be beside them and then maybe you’ll go in front of them.  But as long as you stay in the race, you’ll be all good.  That’s the best advice she ever gave me. 

You have to look at longevity and not just the moment.  Don’t look at the small picture, look at the big picture.  Thank goodness I’ve been mature enough not to hate and to learn. 

LE:

What’s been one of your favourite projects?

Vivica:

Can I name my top five?  (laughs) I’ve had some wonderful experiences.  Kill Bill was amazing.  It gave me a second energy boost for my career and provided a lot of wonderful opportunities.  I always love working with females. When an audience goes to a movie, they think the girls are attractive but they’re not expecting acting, action and believability.  The girls were incredible.  And the opportunity to work with Quentin Tarantino -  that was a wonderful experience.

Independence Day – because it opened the doors to my destiny. I fought really hard to get that project.  Originally they wouldn’t even audition me because I didn’t have a big enough name.  I auditioned six times and I got it!  And the movie did so wonderful.  It was my first big movie – it grossed $800 million worldwide and led to a lot of other opportunities. 

LE:

If you could work with any artist, who would they be?

Vivica:

Samuel L. Jackson – the ultimate professional and Lena Horne, the screen goddess that radiates pure entertainment.