By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
"The album and the movie were all over each other," Jill Scott recently revealed -- referring to her new album 'The Real Thing' and her starring role in 'Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?,' which opens Oct. 12.
The Grammy Award winning neo-soul diva has been on a whirlwind of activity since returning from South Africa to film the upcoming movie -- as the lead in the 'No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' -- two weeks ago.
While at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons hotel last weekend, the North Philadelphia native candidly discussed her role as Sheila, a super-sized, good Christian woman who, unfortunately, is married to a real son of a bitch -- played expertly by 'Judging Amy' hunk Richard T. Jones.
From getting kicked off of an airplane for being too obese, to being forced to spend the night in an empty jail cell, Sheila's trials and tribulations are some of the most harrowing aspects of the plot revolving around four married couples coming together once a year to fellowship and take a look at their marriages.
Scott, who had minor acting experience with the cable film 'Cavedweller' and in a touring production of the Broadway musical 'Rent,' played the role effortlessly.
"Having the divorce experience influenced everything," she confided.
Earlier this year, her divorce to graphic designer/former business manager Lyzel Williams made headlines.
"It influenced everything that I write, everything that I was lacking I wrote down and I sang," the 35-year-old singer continued. "All of the emotions that Sheila was going through I tapped into my own experiences to reach these places, to cry unabashed, to feel so low. And when we were finished shooting, I still felt it. It was hard to let go of these things."
"Sometimes, when you're doing a play or you're acting or something, you fall into the character and you play it and then when they say 'cut,' you walk away. This wasn't like this," she emphasized. "It wasn't that way for me. I felt it later. I felt it at night. I felt it before I got to work."
"And Richard T. Jones was such an amazing actor that he made sure I did," she added. "He wanted to hurt my feelings. It wasn't Jill he was trying to hurt but to get to Sheila, he had to go through me and he definitely hurt me. He wanted me and he did."
Already in its second week of release, 'Real Thing' sold over 200,000 copies and has garnered rave reviews. People magazine gave it four stars, hailing it as the "the sexiest album of the year."
During a recent press conference, Perry (who also stars in the film alongside Janet Jackson, Malik Yoba, Michael Jai White, Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Lamann Rucker and Denise Boute) summoned journalists that they "had to get the album."
So the pain of divorce -- Scott and Lyzel were married six years ago, after knowing each other for seven prior -- has morphed into something good for Scott.
And believe it or not, she has not ruled out doing it again, either.
"I'd get married because I want to share all of this with someone," she shared. "I just mean who I am and the blessings that I have, I want to share it. That's why I would get married again."
1. Jill Scott's CD "REAL THING" is hands down the BEST CD of the YEAR ! It's the one we've been waiting for since her debut "WHO IS JILL SCOTT" (I sho hope thats the right title) Well, peoples we ALL know who Ms. Scott is NOW. Jill is one of the best, if not THE BEST neo-soul artist out there. EVERY track is good listenin'. EVERYone ! It's smart and sexy and just damn good. Better than good, most EXCELLENT. Kudos to Ms. Scott and continued success in her career. And, may God bless her with someone to share it all with. I luhs me sum jill scott. lol
***peace***
PS: looking forward to seeing her in Tyler Perry's new film. Anyone remember her small role as William's "almost" girlfriend in "GIRLFRIENDS". He met her on the bus stop. lol And, she was just a lil too much for Po' William to handle. lol Can't wait to see how she does on the big screen. Everyone should get her new CD. One of THE best of the year.
linda aka lindalu aka lindy aka linne* at 10:59PM on Oct 10th 2007