[IMG:L]From scorching turns in Independence Day to Kill Bill, four words come to mind when conjuring up the name Vivica A. Fox: Don’t mess with her! She’s bad with a capital “B,” talented with a capital “T”–and gorgeous with a capital “G.”
This leading lady has spread her wings so broadly, it’s no wonder that few have witnessed the invisible work she’s done in kicking down barriers and embedding herself into mainstream fare, while juggling numerous endeavors in the entertainment industry: from publishing to producing, TV to feature films, blockbusters to indies.
In the sexy thriller Cover, she takes on director Bill Duke‘s indie film dealing with thorny themes of dual sexuality, deception–and its growing, adverse impact on black America. Fox plays Zahara, the best buddy of Valerie (Aunjanue Ellis), who suspects her dreamy, stalwart psychiatrist husband, Dutch (Razaaq Adoti), is having an affair. Zahara’s the tough, nimble-thinking investigative cohort you want to have in such a hotbed situation.
[IMG:R]Hollywood.com: What interested you in this film’s subject: “brothers on the down low?”
Vivica Fox: I think it’s a subject that has been a little taboo in the African-American community. Also, it was an opportunity for me to work with Bill Duke and the other actors that he got involved with.
HW: You’re playing a rich supporting role versus the strong lead–was that a choice?
VF: I could’ve played either to be very honest with you. Both of the characters interested me, but at the time Bill already had Aunjanue [Ellis] on board to play the lead character. I just really wanted to be involved with it and it worked with my schedule. [Laughs] And Aunjanue, she killed it! That was her role.
HW: Your character, Zahara, is the type of solid best friend one wants to have. Are you anything like her?
VF: I try to be! I try to be a supportive friend. I try to be a real friend who would look out for her friend and tell the truth.
HW: Did you know Aunjanue previously to this film?
VF: We actually knew each before … [from] over the years at auditions–events and I just always thought she was great. I had never had an opportunity to work with her … we arrived a couple of days early in Philadelphia and had a couple of cheese steaks. She was warm and open … It was great that Bill allowed a little bit of time for rehearsal.
[IMG:R]HW: It’s so rare to see thrillers performed by a predominantly black cast. Script-wise, were you into doing a genre film?
VF: I’m just so happy that we’re getting a theatrical release. Like you said, African-American films that are basically thrillers don’t get the theatrical release … This one delivered. It was an independent thriller with a great, great script and a great cast. That was definitely something that interested me–it was a little bit grittier not one of the over-the-top popcorn comedy type of film.
HW: Unaware wives keep walking down the same road of deception. What can young Black women take away from this film?
VF: Hopefully it will educate them not to be blind–just because the bills are being paid. You need to pay attention! That’s really what I’m hoping–that women are inquisitive and to follow your instincts. If your woman instinct is telling you, “Something ain’t right?” Then girl, check it out!
HW: An extremely high percentage of black women–married–have contracted HIV from their (pansexual) husbands…
VF: Yeahhhh. It’s an incredible statistic. When Bill told me I was like, “What?!?” If anything, hopefully this film teaches people to not be so trusting and practice safe sex. Look out for you first, at all times.
[IMG:R]HW: Working in the industry, have you seen a bit of this “down-low'” lifestyle going on behind closed doors?
VF: Oh!! Sure. I have a lot for friends who are in the fashion and entertainment industry. The reason I like having my gay boyfriends, as I call them, they can let you know who’s in the down-low club. You know what I’m sayin’? You appreciate that … Yeah, everyone needs a good gay boyfriend. They keep you in the loop!
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[IMG:L]HW: What was it like working with Black acting legends such as Clifton Davis?
VF: It’s just great that we have actors who are icons that we’re not forgetting about. Bill could’ve cast those roles with younger guys but he didn’t. He went out and got Clifton Davis and Louis Gossett Jr. These guys show that they can still “bring” it!
HW: You seem to make really smart decisions when it comes to your career. How do you map your career?
VF: I have a wonderful producing partner and manager–Lita Richardson … one of the first people to inform me, “Vivica, make sure to really learn the business about show business. That way, if you’re the lead the actress and that’s how financing comes about–because of your name–you should get a producing credit–because you’re going to get other actors involved, and…bring money in.” So, it’s just getting more involved in the business aspect of it and to learn–so you’re not sitting around saying, “I can’t believe my phone ain’t ringing?”
[IMG:R]HW: Has there been anyone in your life who you’d call a mentor?
VF: Pam Grier was just so inspirational for me. When I met Pam she was sweet and smart lady. People think it’s all beauty–and it’s so much more brains than what people know. Also, me having a little experience in the music industry I was inspired by Puffy, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez … They’re capitalizing on what they bring to the market. I love people who have staying power.
HW: The idea of church/faith in black film, it’s all usually either satirized or made too serious. What did you feel about it in Cover, as it felt balanced?
VF: Yes, that’s the perfect word you just used. Balanced. There was the funny element of it, the serious element of it. It showed how young people think and older people think. It showed old and new and the different thoughts we have, instead of beating your head over it. And a little bit of comedy in there too. Because sometimes you have to learn laugh at life, ’cause it can deal you some cards I tell you.
[IMG:L]HW: Halle Berry thanked you for her Oscar win. Were you surprised when she did that? How did it affect your career?
VF: I was absolutely shocked. I was just blown away that she would share this moment with us. I thank her because whenever people bring up that speech that my name will be there along with and the name of some other great women. So I thank Halle for sharing that moment with us. I think it puts us on the A-list. These are the women she has respect for. These are the women she’s entrusting to keep opening doors for our sisters that are coming up next.
HW: ‘Black History Month’ often brings African-American images back into the forefront. Do you have any strong opinions of it being too reductive–or are you just happy that these images get attention?
VF: You know what I do? I try to think every month is Black History Month. You know what I’m sayin’? But if that’s [February’s] that one month that we’re going to get the theatrical release, or books, and there’s concentration on the African-American contribution to the entertainment industry–yeah, then we’ll take it. As far as I’m concerned every month is Black History Month. [Laughs] We doin’ things!
HW: On another note, your name is so recognized do you think of it as a brand and protecting that brand?
VF: Yes, I do. The business has changed so very much. I do have to fight for the right dialogue, the right images. I try to be a “do-right” person and not just a “yes” person.
HW: What’s your definition of professionalism?
VF: To respect your writers, your directors, and the production; so that means–as a true professional you show up and give 110% and do the work.
[IMG:R]HW: What separates iconic actor/director Bill Duke from other helmers you’ve worked with?
VF: Bill is an actor’s director. He can relate … as an actor he can know when it’s [a scripted word’s] coming out of your mouth, and not right. He’d take you to the side and ask, “What would you say?”
HW: Would you say you’re the sort of person who dreamed big? A lot of actors will say they just sort of fell into the life they have.
VF: I was definitely a dreamer. I loved fashion. I loved entertainment. I was just totally into it. My late aunt, when I was 13-years-ol, was the first person to cut my hair and put me on a runway. I modeled in her hair show in Chicago, Illinois. That introduced me to the whole feedback, glamour, fashion–and I thought, “This is what I am going to do in life!”
HW: What’s your own support system like?
VF: I have a wonderful system from my family who are there through the good, the bad, the ugly, the controversy, the lies, the celebrations, that keep it real that when I get home I’m Angie Fox, the baby sister.
