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Kam Williams Interviews Naturi Naughton
Starring as
Lil’ Kim in motion picture, Notorious,
a
bio-pic about the late rapper Notorious B.I.G
Naturi Cora Maria
Naughton was born on May 20, 1984 in East Orange, New
Jersey where she started singing in the choir at New
Hope Baptist Church at just 5 years of age. She turned
pro by 14, when she became a member of the girl band
3LW. The group soon signed with Sony/Epic Records and
went on a nationwide tour while their debut album,
entitled “3LW,” went platinum, selling 1.3
million copies.
Away from the
entertainment business, Naturi always remained an honor
student, attending Seton Hall University where she
majored in Political Science until her career became too
demanding. Just before her junior year, she joined the
Broadway production of Hairspray as Little Inez.
As gifted as gorgeous newcomer may be, she remains
humble and grateful to God for her blessings, and
praises her parents for supporting her dreams and for
raising her with so much love, encouragement, and faith.
Here, Naturi talks about
her performance as
Lil’ Kim in the much-anticipated
motion picture,
Notorious, a bio-pic about the
late rapper
Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Christopher
Wallace). In addition, she recently landed a lead role
in the re-make of the screen version of Fame, the
1980 musical revolving around students at the New York
Academy of Performing Arts.
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KW: Hi Naturi,
thanks for the time.
NN: No
problem, thank you.
KW: What
interested you in
Notorious?
NN:
Well first off, just the fact that it was a biopic about
Biggie Smalls. I was a fan of Biggie growing up and I
felt it was about time that someone told his life story.
KW:
What song of his is your favorite?
NN:
“Juicy!” That’s my song.
KW:
What did you think of the East Coast-West Coast turf
war? Whose side were you on?
NN:
I think it was senseless and I am so glad that we have
risen above that East Coast-West coast rivalry. I’m from
the East but I never felt like I had to choose a side. .
. . .Both coasts have made great music.
KW: Who do
you think killed Biggie?
NN:
I have no idea and that’s why his death still hurts so
many people to this day. His murder is unsolved.
KW:
How would you assess Jamal Woolard’s work in the title
role?
NN:
Jamal killed it! He captured Biggie so well, it was
scary at times. He was made for this role and I had a
great time working with him.
KW:
How was it to make your screen debut with such a
talented cast which also included Angela Bassett, Derek
Luke and Anthony Mackie?
NN:
Wow! I still can’t believe it. I feel so honored. These
actors are people that I looked up to and admired, and
here I am, making my debut in a movie with them. It’s
really a dream come true!
KW:
How did you prepare to play
Lil Kim?
NN:
I studied her...HARD! I watched her in videos, stage
performances, behind the scenes footage, and listened to
her voice in radio interviews. I also read a lot of
material that the director [George Tillman Jr.] gave me
about Kim’s back story. It helped to understand her
struggles as a child growing up in Brooklyn. I even went
to Brooklyn and spent time in her neighborhood. Talking
to the guys from Junior Mafia, especially Lil Cease,
helped me out a lot too.
KW: Has Kim
seen the film? What does she think of your portrayal of
her?
NN: I don’t
know if she has seen the film, but hopefully when she
does see it she will be proud of my portrayal.
KW:
Is it true that you’re planning to do a duet with her on
your debut album? How would describe your sound?
NN:
I don’t actually have an album coming out any time soon.
A lot of people are referring to my song “Real Chicks”
which was a song I wrote and recorded way before I even
knew about Notorious. It’s crazy because, back then, I
was working with producers from “Full Force” and we
thought it’d be hot to get Lil Kim to do a verse on the
song. So they made it happen. We never actually did that
song in the studio together, though—the song was done
and then we put Lil Kim on it. But this all happened
over a year before my first audition for “Notorious”.
Little did I know that I would soon be playing her in a
movie. I am still looking forward to doing solo music. I
am just waiting on the right situation and the right
team to put it all together. I don’t just want a
deal...I want a GOOD deal, so sometimes you have to be
patient for that to come around. But when I make my
album, it will be R&B with sprinkles of Hip Hop.
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KW:
You got your start in showbiz in music as a member of
3LW. How hard was the transition from singing to acting?
NN:
I must admit, it is challenging and requires a lot of
hard work. Growing up, though, I always knew I would be
a singer and an actress. I just felt it! To me, singing
and acting have always gone hand and hand. Even though
my career started off as a singer, there is still a
level of acting you have to bring to be an artist.
Singers have a lot in common with actors because you
have to dig deep into a song and show the audience what
you are feeling as you sing. You have to be expressive
and vulnerable as a singer which is some of the things
you have to do to be a good actor. I’m still learning
what it takes to be a great actress, but I don’t feel
like I am in completely foreign territory.
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KW:
Which do you prefer at this point?
NN:
I want it all! I love to sing...it’s in my heart and
it’s a major part of who I am. But I also love to
act...its organic. Growing up all my friends used to say
“Naturi, you are soooooo dramatic!” and I would think to
myself, “Thank you!” [LOL]
KW: You’ve
been on Broadway playing Little Inez in Hairspray for a
couple of years. Are you going to have to leave the show
in order to be able star in the remake of Fame?
NN:
I have been on Broadway for two and one-half years.
First off, I am so blessed to have maintained a Broadway
gig that long. I loved my experience in Hairspray and I
credit a lot of my acting success to that experience. I
learned so much. But all good things must come to an
end. I left the show on October 12th to take the role of
Denise” in MGM’s Fame. I had a great run and I’m excited
to start this new chapter of my life. I have recently
started shooting for Fame and it’s been a blast. I’m so
excited to be a part of such an amazing project.
KW:
How do you feel about Barack Obama’s becoming President
of the United States?
NN:
I feel so inspired because he achieved something that so
many people said was unattainable. I feel triumphant! I
voted for Obama and as a young person, it feels good to
be a part of history. I believe in change and so many
other things that he represents.
KW:
The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?
NN:
Extremely happy, thank God! Both personally and
professionally.
KW.
The “Realtor to the Stars” Jimmy Bayan question: Where
in L.A. do you live when you’re out there?
NN:
I just keep it simple. I have a nice apartment right
outside of L.A. I’m enjoying my experience out in LA. I
am mad they don’t have a “Roscoes” back home in Jersey!
[LOL]
KW:
You’re originally from East Orange, New Jersey. Do you
still have family there or live there yourself?
NN:
I was born and raised there and most of my family still
lives there.
KW:
The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last
book you read?
NN:
Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father.
KW:
The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?
NN:
A lot of times...this is a scary business.
KW:
Is there a question no one ever asks you that you wish
someone would?
NN:
Umm, I don’t think so.
KW:
Music maven Heather Covington’s question: What music are
you listening to nowadays?
NN:
I love Beyonce’s new album, I Am… Sasha Fierce. The song
Halo is great!
KW:
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow
in your footsteps?
NN:
My advice is to be prepared for rejection, but never let
people tell you that you can’t do something. If you
think Big...you can achieve BIG!
KW:
Rudy Lewis asks: Who’s at the top of your hero list?
NN:
Barack Obama!
KW:
Do you have a website where fans go to hear a sample of
your singing?
NN:
Actually, yes. Go check out my MySpace page:. The song with Lil
Kim, “Real Chicks” is on there and a few others.
KW:
Do you answer your fan mail?
NN:
Yes, I do, on my
MySpace. If it wasn’t for the fans, I
would not still be here. They’re dedicated to me and I
am dedicated to them.
KW:
How do you want to be remembered?
NN:
Professionally, I want to be remembered for how hard I
worked and how I put my heart and soul into my work.
Personally: I want people to remember my heart. I hope
they say, “She really loved people!”
KW:
Thanks again for the interview, and best of luck with
all your endeavors.
NN: Thank you
so much. I appreciate it.
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posted 26 December 2008 |
