Coming this week to Netflix is the romantic comedy film Falling Inn Love, starring Christina Milian, Adam Demos, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Anna Jullienne, Claire Chitham, Blair Strang, Jonathan Martin, William Walker, Daniel Watterson, & Simone Walker.
A woman from the big city has her life crumbling down, only to win a small bed and breakfast in rural Auckland, New Zealand.
When Gabriela Diaz’s (Christina Milian) San Francisco design firm folds the week of her break-up, she’s inspired by a potent concoction of wine and Wi-Fi, she successfully enters a contest to “Win an Inn” overlooking New Zealand’s countryside. Thousands of airline miles later, she discovers The Bellbird Valley Farm boasts a crumbling facade, floorboard-treading goat, and meddling neighbor who covets the space.
Eager to renovate and sell the property fast, she partners with Jake Taylor (Adam Demos), the Kiwi contractor and volunteer firefighter observing much of her city-girl culture shock. Once the final fixtures are hung, she’s hesitant to leave him, the inn, and the inviting community that nurtured her creative side.
For Milian, who’s done numerous films and is best known for her roles in Love Don’t Cost a Thing, Be Cool, and Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, Falling Inn Love gave her the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and bring something different to the romantic comedy genre. She was recently seen in the second season on Crackle’s The Oath, where she played against type.
Blackfilm.com spoke exclusively with Milian about her role in ‘Falling,’ working with her co-stars and staying relevant in this business after over 20 years.
What was the attraction to taking on this role?
Christina Milian: There were several factors. I was excited about working in New Zealand because I’m really big on travel and seeing new places in the world and exploring new things. That got me really excited and on top of that, the script is super funny. I was like laughing out loud while I was reading it. The comedy factor of your usual rom-com didn’t feel like I had seen it before. Then when I got the director Roger Kumble, who directed The Sweetest Thing and Cruel Intentions, which I’m a fan of both films and his body of work, that was special. Putting those three together got me excited, and it definitely turned out to be exactly as I would have imagined.
How was filming in New Zealand?
Christina Milian: It’s such a beautiful place, honestly. When you get to be in a place where you can truly appreciate nature and the views everywhere you look gorgeous from the sunset, the sun coming up and then you have the water, you have great food and restaurants everywhere you go. And, of course, the Maori people, and infusing that culture into location, it’s a dream come true for any traveler. I feel very fortunate. The whole cast and crew was 95% from New Zealand. I was shown around by a lot of the locals.
I’d to think that every time a person takes on a role, there’s a little bit of themselves in the character. How would you compare yourself to Gabrielle?
Christina Milian: I think she’s passionate person. She’s a passionate about the environment. She’s passionate her career, but she’s also interested in growing and for me, I feel the similarities are that she took a chance, and she leaped instead of being stagnate. I believe I’m the same way. I never feel that I can be stuck. I’m always willing to jump in and try something new and take a chance and you never know where it takes you.
How are you at being a homeowner and fixing things? Are you as good as Gabrielle?
Christina Milian: Yes, I have. When I was younger, I was the fix-it girl with the wire stuff in the house and hooking up the cable, but later on when it comes to moving furniture, I’m the fix-it girl when it comes to that too. Eventually when I got my own place and doing renovations, it was time for someone else to do it, but I’m good at it. Maybe I’m make it a hobby or one of my passions projects.
You’re playing opposite Adam and Jeffrey and interesting enough, they both were on the same show, UnREAL. What was it like working with these guys who already know each other?
Christina Milian: They’re both very handsome guys. They’re both from different worlds but they are such humble guys. They are nice. Jeffrey has a lot to offer with educating people and being so outspoken about everything from just what the world is talking about. He’s like the male Oprah because every time we would sit down for dinner or lunch or just have a break, he would bring up interesting conversations that not everybody is ready to talk about. It was dialogue that so detailed beyond regular conversations with people that you have. There’s so much to learn about him. I think he’s an incredible person and a great to be around overall.
The same thing goes with Adam. I think this says a lot when two people are on one successful project and then magically end up on another project together. The first project was a great one, so why break the chemistry and break the flow of what women like.
What’s the beauty of doing romantic comedies?
Christina Milian: I think the fun part of doing a rom-com is that this what life is like. Especially when it comes to love. People love that feeling and making people feel good and making people laugh on top of that is the reason we’re actors and actresses. It’s about making people feel. When it comes to romantic comedies, there are people who just want to watch and they just love seeing them. So when you successfully can achieve making a really good one, you feel on top of the world. You made it made it stand out. It takes a certain chemistry between the two characters as well as the script to make it stand out. It will make people want to watch it over and over again.
This is totally different from The Oath. That was a project that folks wouldn’t expect to see you in. How much fun did you have working on that series?
Christina Milian: The Oath was amazing. That was the first time really getting to play such a tough character. The storyline was different from what I had done before. I loved that I had the chance to do that, hold a gun and play a cop. Someone who’s just trying to survive and do good at the same time and also take care of her family. I think that’s what survival is all about in most cases, especially as a woman. Just making sure people around you are good. She was a loner and trying to fit in but at the same time she had to make sure her sister was good. I understand that survival mode, coming from a family of strong women. I felt very fortunate to be on the series.
Being that you’ve been working in the business for over 20 years, what’s the secret to staying in and staying relevant? What did you pick up from Roger that you can take on to your next project?
Christina Milian: I learn every day I’m working. 20 years ago in the game me, you learn from the other actors around and you feel fortunate to have to have longevity and continue to be working and growing and trying new things. Hollywood is giving me those types of chances. I think the most important thing is to stay humble. Be willing to learn and keep your eyes wide open and don’t forget your fans. They really are the people that help drive other people watch and have your back. That’s part of why we do it. You grow a fan base eventually that support you. I feel very fortunate 20 years plus that I’m still doing this. This is definitely a dream come true when I was a child.
When it comes to Roger and what I learned from him to expect to do the unexpected. Being petulant, doing comedy, even if it means giving in the silliest thing. If you can get the opportunity to do that, it can add a lot of fun to what’s already on the page and make it even better.
Congratulations on another round of motherhood coming up. What’s next for you?
Christina Milian: I have a series on Netflix called Soundtrack. That will be coming out at the end of the year. That’s a dramatic musical.
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