{"id":67516,"date":"2013-11-25T11:56:08","date_gmt":"2013-11-25T11:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2013\/11\/25\/mary-j-blige-talks-black-nativity\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T08:43:21","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T08:43:21","slug":"mary-j-blige-talks-black-nativity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/mary-j-blige-talks-black-nativity\/","title":{"rendered":"Mary J. Blige talks Black Nativity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mary J. Blige talks Black Nativity<\/a><\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

November 25, 2013<\/p>\n

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Coming out this week in the musical film, \u2018Black Nativity<\/a><\/strong>,\u2019 directed by Kasi Lemmons<\/strong> and starring Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese Gibson, Jacob Latimore, Mary J. Blige, Nas, Luke James<\/strong>, and Grace Gibson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes\u2019 celebrated play, \u201cBlack Nativity\u201d follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs\u2019 rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Langston embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey and along with new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family.<\/p>\n

For Blige, who plays an \u201cangel\u201d named Platinum Fro, the Grammy Award singer gets to reunite with her \u2018Betty & Coretta\u2019 co-star, Angela Bassett. This film also comes out while Blige currently has a new album in stores, \u2018A Mary Christmas.\u2019<\/p>\n

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In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Blige talks about her character and working with Lemmons.<\/p>\n

How would you describe Platinum Fro?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mary J. Blige:<\/strong> I would say she\u2019s an angel. She\u2019s a guide. She\u2019s an inspiration who leads young Langston out of trouble. She\u2019s always there<\/p>\n

What attracted you to the film?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJB: <\/strong>The attraction was being the angel and what she was going to look like and how the part was fun and light and I needed that, at the moment. I needed something to be fun and light.<\/p>\n

How much time did it take to put on the makeup and wig?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJB: <\/strong>I knew I was going to wear a blonde Afro because in the script, the character was named Platinum Fro. On the set, it took 2-3 hours to get ready as far as the angelic makeup, the hair, and the long silver coat.<\/p>\n

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How much did you know about the story prior to taking on the role?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJB:<\/strong> I feel bad for saying this, but I did not know the story. Someone mentioned to me that I should read a poem by Langston Hughes called \u201cMother to Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can you talk about working with Kasi and the rest of the cast?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong>MJB: <\/strong>It was an amazing energy on the set. Everyone was so professional and helpful and supportive to each other. Working with Jacob was amazing because he\u2019s so young. I thought he was a seasoned short guy who\u2019s about 23-24, but he\u2019s in his teens. He\u2019s so calm and ready. This kid is the real deal. I\u2019ve been a Forest Whitaker fan for a long time and just seeing him work on the set was a thrill. The same goes with Angela, who I had the pleasure of working with on \u2018Betty & Coretta.\u2019 Seeing her turn into Coretta was pure inspiration and to see her on this set, it\u2019s not the same, but she\u2019s still Angela the great actress. It was good to hug her and talk to her after the time we spent together before. I didn\u2019t see Jennifer Hudson until the last few days that I was there, and it\u2019s always good to see her. She\u2019s a great actress and an amazing singer. I love Tyrese to death. He\u2019s very super supportive. He wants everyone to win, and that meant a lot to me. He gave me some information that helped with my small role. Kasi is just one of the best directors. She\u2019s a female and so calm and sure of herself. She knows exactly what she wants and made everyone happy and comfortable.<\/p>\n

What did you learn from her? <\/strong><\/p>\n

MJB: <\/strong>She was completely sure on what she wrote. She wasn\u2019t changing things on the fly. She knew the story she wanted to tell and was very patient. There were some areas I watched where she could have gone nuts but she was very patient.<\/p>\n

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You have a song in the film. How was working with Raphael Saadiq on that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJB: <\/strong>Raphael and his team wrote the song and I loved working with him on it.<\/p>\n

You also have a Christmas album in stores now. Can you talk about that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJB: <\/strong>I had done several Christmas songs before I did my album. David Foster had produced Andrea Bocelli\u2019s first Christmas album and I did a song on that called \u2018What Child is This.\u2019 I also did a song on Rod Stewart\u2019s Christmas album, and back in the day I covered Stevie Wonder\u2019s \u2018Someday at Christmas,\u2019 wrote my own Christmas song with Angie Martinez. When David Foster came to me and asked if I was ready to do my own Christmas album, I immediately said yes. I wasn\u2019t doing anything at the time and this is something I\u2019ve always wanted to do and it was beautiful.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a good reason to see Black Nativity?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MJB: <\/strong>Go see it because it\u2019s a good story about hope and faith and it\u2019s relatable. It\u2019s about learning how to forgive people and understanding that we\u2019re all human and we make mistakes and love changes everything. If you want that message, go see it. If you want to be entertained, go see it.<\/p>\n

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