VALENTINE’S DAY
Press Conference Interview with Jamie Foxx

Damien Smith

February 8, 2010

After playing fierce dramatic characters in films such as ‘Law Abiding Citizen,’ ‘The Soloist,’ ‘The Kingdom,’ ‘Dreamgirls,’ and ‘Miami Vice,’ Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (‘Ray’) finally gets a chance to relax in a lighthearted supporting role for ‘Valentine’s Day.’

Directed by Garry Marshall and featuring a fistful of talent (Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, Emma Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Bryce Robinson, Patrick Dempsey, Eric Dane, Carter Jenkins, and Queen Latifah), the film is a comedy about 10 people in Los Angeles whose lives intersect on the romantic holiday.

Foxx plays TV sports reporter Kevin Johnson who reluctantly is assigned by his boss (played by Bates) to cover stories related to Valentine’s Day.

At a recent press conference in LA, Blackfilm.com briefly got a chance to catch up with the red hot Foxx on the heels of his most recent star studded project.

It seems like your really enjoyed yourself in this film. How much freedom did you have to improv? Jamie Foxx: We had a great time. To work with Garry Marshall and to be back in comedy, working with Jess (Biel) and Jen (Garner) in my scenes, it was great. There was a Laverne and Shirley type energy going on. I'm serious. We had a great time and, to be able to be back to some comedy, I was excited for the chance to work with everybody. It was a ball. I had a good time.

Do you have a favorite love song for Valentine Day?

Jamie Foxx: Coming out on my new album make sure you get that (laughing) be out in March.

Since Valentine’s Day the season of love, do you have a love story for us?

Jamie Foxx: Well, love in L.A. is tough. When I first got here and I didn't have the name tag, it was a little interesting to even try to date in L.A., but it was great. I met this girl and it was incredible. We partied, kicked it, went back to my crib, made love and then, after that, we cuddled and talked, and I woke up that next morning and smelled breakfast. She was cooking breakfast. I was like, "Wow, she's great." We hung out, and then she left. That was Monday. That was back when there were no cell phones, and I didn't call Tuesday or Wednesday. Then, I was at the club on Thursday and I saw her with another guy and she said, "Hey Jaime, how are you? This is Michael. I told him all about you. Oh, and by the way, he has a Range Rover like yours, only it's this year's." So that’s my experience with LA dating.

We all know Valentine’s Day is coming and all men feel like they have to do something but the entire year we are doing things that are forgotten. Why do you think that is?

Jamie Foxx: You put in so much work during the year why is this day so important? It’s because we are built different. Women and men are just built different. They’re just different. Guys have to remember dates, birthdays, anniversaries. You have to put them in your phone calendar, because women will make up anniversaries like our first anniversary when we went to Bowa. You like what is that and she says “You don’t remember that 3 years ago we went to Bowa. You don’t remember that.” Women will make some shit up on you. Just make sure you keep a record of all that. When it hits 4 or 5 days before that date get something going so when that day come you are prepared. Guess what if you get that date wrong you can blow it for the rest of the year

If you would like to catch Valentine’s Day, it will hit theaters February 12th.