Tasha Smith Talks Addicted Digital HD, Empire & PowerPosted by Wilson Morales
January 26, 2015
Coming out this week (Jan.27) on Digital HD from Codeblack Films and Lionsgate Home Entertainment is the racy and provocative thriller, Addicted, which is based on The New York Times bestselling novel by ”Queen of Erotica” Zane.
The film will be available on DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand on February 10th with the unrated version again being offered as an option On Demand.
Making Fifty Shades of Grey look tame, Addicted follows one woman as her perfect life is nearly destroyed when her sensual cravings lead her down a path she may not survive. This tale of erotic desire and the dangers of indiscretion features an all-star cast including Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, Tasha Smith, Tyson Beckford, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Kat Graham and William Levy.
Based on the wild and sexy erotic thriller by Zane, a leader in the erotica novel genre, with a screenplay by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, and directed by Bille Woodruff (Honey), Addicted follows a successful businesswoman, Zoe (Leal), who is irresistibly drawn to the sultry pleasure of a sexy painter and sculptor. Throwing caution to the wind, Zoe’s life spirals perilously out of control as she risks her marriage, her family and her dignity for the sweet taste of forbidden fruit.
For Smith, she’s having the best of times right now, being seen on the big screen and small screen with several projects. Not only is the New Jersey set to begin her sixth season and reprise her ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ role as Angela, with Michael Jai White as Marcus, on ‘Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse,’ but she can also been seen on the two of the hottest series on television, Lee Daniels’s ‘Empire’ and the Starz series ‘Power.’
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Smith as she talked about the digital release of ‘Addicted’ as well as her TV projects.
How would you described Dr. Marcella Spencer? Is the character different from the book?
Tasha Smith: I think there were changes that made for the character. At first, she was a hypnotherapist, but they had taken that out. Plus, with all the stuff that happens in a book, you can’t fit it all in a 100 minute film. So, you have to cut things down and streamline some things, and create a script that will connect. A lot of things had to get out because of the time constraint of the film.
How was working with Sharon Leal again?
TS: It was amazing. I got a chance to work with her on both Why Did I Get Married? films and she’s a very good friend of mine and I just think that she’s such an amazing actress. It was great working with her again.
What did you pick up from Bille Woodruff that was different from the other directors you have worked with in the past?
TS: Everyone has their own way. You don’t every director you work for to direct the same way. It’s a band leader. Everyone leads the band in different ways. Bille is honest. He always wants to go for the truth. The truth is the only thing that is important to him. He purposefully wanted to make sure Marcella was different from the other roles that I have played. Sometimes, in working with some people, they may want to same sound as Angela or other characters I have done, but he was a wonderfully director because he fought his butt and made it clear that I wanted something different. “I didn’t hire you because I want you to do the same thing you have already done.”
What’s a good reason to pick up the digital copy of “Addicted”?
TS: First of all, it’s sexy, entertaining, it has a beautiful message and I honestly believe the DVD sales will be huge because people are addicted to their novels and this movie was wonderfully done. People will come back to it just to see the naughtiness of the movie as well as the heart and the redemption of the movie.
How thrilling is it to done 100 episodes and going into the sixth season of “For Better or Worse”?
TS: Honestly, it’s unbelievable. It is unbelievable that this character could stay alive this long. I just give credit to Tyler (Perry). He’s knocking them out, writing these scripts and doing a great job at it. It’s exciting and I can’t wait for people to see the new journey of Angela and Marcus’s life and relationship.
Besides your show, you were recently on Lee Daniels’ Empire?
TS: Yes, and you will be seeing me more of Empire and then in the summertime, you will see me on Starz’s Power. On Empire, I play Carol Hardaway, the younger sister to Cookie, played by Taraji P. Henson. I’m the one that will bury some bodies and know where the bodies are buried.
How’s working with the cast?
TS: It’s magic! I would say that if you had an all-star basketball team that you would want to be on, who would be the players on the team? Would it LeBron? Would you go looking for Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or someone else? I’m working with the greatest players in the industry. I’m humbled and grateful to be on an all-star team and I’m patient. If I got to sit on the bench a little bit, I don’t mind. I’m watching a good game and I’m learning a lot.
How did it work out that you’re on Power as well?
TS: I tell you that it’s a great position to be in.
What’s next for you?
TS: Hopefully, you’ll see me in something soon. I’m reading scripts and I’m excited and waiting on all the wonderful opportunities. I also opened up a new acting studio in California on Ventura Boulevard. You can information on my website at www.tsaw.com. I’m excited about life and the creative opportunity that I have had so far and still to come.
