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Wednesday, September 12th 2012

That Grape Juice Interviews Jenifer Lewis

jenlewis logo That Grape Juice Interviews Jenifer Lewis
Click ‘PLAY’ to hear Jenifer Lewis shout out That Grape Juice!
‘Jenifer Lewis & Shangela’ is the new, hilarious web series everyone is talking about!  We’re loving the first episode.  Tell us what was the inspiration behind the series.
I can’t tell you how excited I am about this series.  When I said this was a gift for our devoted fans I really meant that.  It’s really just scripting all the things D.J. (Shangela) and I do anyway. As soon as my man leaves for work (laughs), we act a fool and just quote every movie in the world.  The show is the exaggerated version of how we carry on around the house.And with the fans’ help, we’re looking for this thing to go viral!  The next episode (episode 2) is my favorite!
Why is that?  What happens?
I can’t give too much away, but I’ll say this:  Shangela gets recognized over me and I go off!
How has the response been overall?
The reviews have all been raves.  As far as the comments, I mean the other day I really did cry. I mean I just had to.  The fans  used the word “love” over and over.  I’ve built a great career for myself and to put the cherry on top of the cake is being able to give back. I wanted to make people laugh with these webisodes and I have.
Given that you’ve had a career of doing just that in comedies, drama, and even animation, what appealed to you about the concept of doing a web series?
The Web series is a great way to say “thanks” to my devoted fans who have been so supportive over the years.  Plus, we want to demonstrate that audiences are interested in watching a middle aged African American woman who is funny, sexy and relatable.
With that, have you found that African American actresses are limited in their selection?
Of course they are! There should be a range of diverse roles for Black women but there is not. I’m fortunate to have found my niche in playing people’s mothers, due to my authoritative personality.  I’ve always tried to portray African American women with respect!  I know what a middle aged African American women is – she’s real!  She has sass, depth and wisdom !I am here to represent and let me tell you, when I  am out and about and run into fans and they tell me “Thank You”…I am humbled by that.
Awesome.  But, you’ve had some pretty great roles over your career.  What has been your favorite role of your own so far?
Honey, please! That’s a no-brainer…Zelma Bullock in ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’.  If I’d had one more scene, I would’ve snatched that Oscar!  One more scene and I would’ve landed that sh*t like a 747 (laughs)!
We agree!  And, with over 60 films and more than 250 television appearances to your credit, do you still have a dream role?
A movie has been written for me by the writers who did “Jackie’s Back!”  It’s called   ‘Ventura Boulevard’.  It is a mockumentary of ‘Sunset Blvd’ (Gloria Swanson)…it would pretty much be like a “Jackie’s Back 2″.  It’s still in the works, but that’s what I want to do. Getting it out there would be a dream for me.
We will certainly be keeping an eye out for that.  So Jenifer, tell us:  given that you’ve accomplished so much, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?I came from poverty and I took the steps to success.  I didn’t take the elevator!  The elevator to success is broken…you’ve gotta take the stairs.  And, now all I want to do is reach back and help children on a massive scale.  That’s my reward.
Definitely!  Now, switching gears just a bit, recent years have seen you be quite forthcoming about living with bipolar disorder.  What encourages you to be so open?
Bipolar disorder is a disease like any other disease, such as diabetes.  It should and must be treated.  I told 60 million people I have bipolar disease when I sat down across from Oprah.  There is no shame in my game.  Unfortunately, mental illness has been taboo for too long.  This stops people from seeking treatment.  It prolongs suffering. I came out and talked because I want others to know they’re not alone and there is a way to manage bipolar disorder so you can live your full life.I got better through treatment — including therapy and medication.  And, I encourage other people who think they have this disease to do so same.

Lastly, tell us all something we should know about your co-star Shangela that we may have not known from his time on Rupaul’s Drag Race.

DJ is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known.  He’s ambitious!  Has a heart of gold.  He goes to gay/lesbian centers to inspire and help kids who have been thrown out of their homes for being gay.  He doesn’t tell people about those things!Let me tell you why I love him and why he lives in my house:  I went down into his room, with all those big ass wigs and sh*t (laughs), and he was sitting on the floor counting the tips he’d gotten from a drag show.  And, as a joke I said, “what you gonna do with all that money Anna Mae?”  We laughed.  Then, with honesty, he looked up at me and said “I’m saving to buy my grandmother some carpet”.  For me that’s the epitome of who D.J. is and I am proud to call him my baby boy.

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Interview:  Q.R. Taylor (That Grape Juice US)

Watch episode 1 of the hilarious series by clicking here!

Posted By: Rashad

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