Exclusive: Vivica A. Fox And Tyson Beckford Talk Chocolate CityPosted by Wilson Morales
May 19, 2015
Coming out this week in theater and On Demand is the male stripper film Chocolate City, starring Robert Ri’chard, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Jai White, Tyson Beckford, DeRay Davis, Imani Hakim, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Carmen Electra, Ginuwine, Bolo the Entertainer, and Eurika Pratts.
Directed by Jean-Claude LaMarre, the story follows a young man’s immersion in the world of the exotic male dancer. His star quickly rises and he becomes the main attraction of the club – Chocolate City. The film is being seen as the urban version of “Magic Mike.
Robert Ri’chard plays Devin, a young college student who’s lured into the world of male exotic dancing to pay the bills. White will play owner of a male strip club who convinces Devin to give amateur night a whirl, while Beckford plays Adrian, the club’s former star attraction who finds his popularity fading as the new kid starts to steal the spotlight.
Fox plays Devin’s mom, struggling with the bills at home, while Davis plays his older brother and set the comedic tone for the movie.
For Fox, who first gained international fame playing an exotic dancer in the 1996 blockbuster “Independence Day,” playing a mom is something rare for the Indiana native. As for Beckford, who spent about two decades as a fashion model, taking his clothes off as part of a role is now becoming old hat. He was recently playing one of Sharon Leal’s lover in ‘Addicted.’ Nevertheless, the Rochester native still found this role a bit challenging.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, both Fox and Beckford discuss their roles in the film and working with Robert Ri’chard.
Vivica A. Fox: The story of Chocolate City is that I play the mom to two men, played by DeRay Davis and Robert Ri’chard, who play Michael. I’m a single mother and we’re going through some hard times. Michael is my precious child. He’s working and has a scholarship to go to college. While the brothers are at a strip club, Michael is discovered by the club manager played by Michael Kai White, who tells him he can make some quick easy money by dancing. So Michael gets to amateur night and makes a whole bunch of money. My character thinks that he’s getting on the wrong side of the tracks when he comes home with all this cash.
Then the story gets into what’s it like for Michael being the new kid at the club and Tyson plays a veteran dancer at the club. It’s a little jaded and it takes you on this really wonderful fun journey of watching this story play out.
What was the attraction to doing this film?
Tyson Beckford: For me, it was the script. I really enjoyed it. I felt that I could handle and connect with the character. I just chose to go for it. I was the first one to sign on and we kept going, they kept adding more names. When I found out Vivica was on board, I was just estactic and glad I made the right choice. Sometimes you hope to make the right choice and you hope the director is as good as he says he is and he can deliver. When he delivered on all these actors i was really excited.
Vivica A. Fox: For myself, it was because of the director Jean-Claude Lamarre and also we had seen ‘Magic Mike’ and I knew that they were missing that element of the African American storyline. When I watched that movie as a priducer, I said that whoever makes this film with African Americans is going to score. Jean-Claude called me and told me that they were going to do it. I had worked with him in the past so I jumped at the opportunity. When he told about the guys he got, I knew we were winning.
Working as a model for years, you have to be in shape. Was this a challenge for you at all physically?
Tyson Beckford: Yes, because I felt that I had to be in better shape than I have ever been in. I really pushed hard last summer and made sure I stuck to a serious diet. I started dieting for the film last March and April and stuck with it until August because Jean-Claude had told me that we were going to start filming earlier and we ended up pushing back the production. I was already dehydrated and ready to do the film and he’s like, “We’re not ready yet.” After getting back to where i’m normally at physically, eventually I had to start it up again. It’s not healthy to stay dehydrated for that many months so for me, it was definitely a challenge.
How is playing a mom to two adults?
Vivica A. Fox: Wow. I know. In our community, girls start having kids at a young age. It wasn’t that unbelievable. We made sure, especially for myself, that my wardrobe and hair choice would be believable for the audience to buy me as their mother. It was fun for me. I wasn’t there when the men were doing the strip scenes.
Can you talk about working with Robert?
Vivica A. Fox: Playing his mom, I got there the last four days of filming and we had very intense scenes because my character is worried about what Michael hasn’t been telling her. I loved working with him. I think Robert Ri’chard is going to be the next heartrobe. This film is going to do wonderful things for not only Robert but Tyson, Darren and others. Finally, I feel that they are not threatened by the presence and the power of African Americans being the lead actors in movies and television shows. It’s about time.
Tyson Beckford: I agree with Vivica on both of those. Robert was amazing to work with. We had been friends from before. We did a project together when he was younger and we kept in touch. When Jean-Claude had mentioned that Robert will take over for Romeo Miller, who was initially cast in the role, I was over the moon with that decision. I know Robert and I know he can dance and is such great shape and can step up in the role. Like Vivica said, it’s about time. I’m in Hollywood trying to get lead roles, but they keep giving me independent films but I hung in there and bite down on my tongue and just wait for my turn. The thing is that we are not given than opportunity. We have to take it and make it and that’s what we did with this film. We started out as an independent film with no backing. I know a lot of African Americans actors who have been given their shot from Will Smith to others, but no one as ever asked me to be in any movies with them. I never wanted that either. I never wanted any handouts. The best thing I can do is do my own thing.
What is the misconception of being a male stripper? Is it all about making money?
Tyson Beckford: Yes. A lot of these young guys are trying to pay their rent and trying to put themselves through school. No one wants to take their clothes off for free. They want to get paid for their talent.
Vivica A. Fox: It happens in modeling. It happens in acting and stuff like that.
What’s a good reason to see Chocolate City?
Vivica A. Fox: It’s a perfect Girls Night Out and they will not be disappointed when they walk out of Chocolate City. It’s got a great storyline and it’s fun. We have some hot guys that have some moves.
