By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
"The album and the movie were all over each other," Jill Scott recently revealed -- referring to her new album 'The Real Thing' and her starring role in 'Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?,' which opens Oct. 12.
The Grammy Award winning neo-soul diva has been on a whirlwind of activity since returning from South Africa to film the upcoming movie -- as the lead in the 'No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' -- two weeks ago.
While at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons hotel last weekend, the North Philadelphia native candidly discussed her role as Sheila, a super-sized, good Christian woman who, unfortunately, is married to a real son of a bitch -- played expertly by 'Judging Amy' hunk Richard T. Jones.
From getting kicked off of an airplane for being too obese, to being forced to spend the night in an empty jail cell, Sheila's trials and tribulations are some of the most harrowing aspects of the plot revolving around four married couples coming together once a year to fellowship and take a look at their marriages.
Scott, who had minor acting experience with the cable film 'Cavedweller' and in a touring production of the Broadway musical 'Rent,' played the role effortlessly.
"Having the divorce experience influenced everything," she confided.
Earlier this year, her divorce to graphic designer/former business manager Lyzel Williams made headlines.
"It influenced everything that I write, everything that I was lacking I wrote down and I sang," the 35-year-old singer continued. "All of the emotions that Sheila was going through I tapped into my own experiences to reach these places, to cry unabashed, to feel so low. And when we were finished shooting, I still felt it. It was hard to let go of these things."
"Sometimes, when you're doing a play or you're acting or something, you fall into the character and you play it and then when they say 'cut,' you walk away. This wasn't like this," she emphasized. "It wasn't that way for me. I felt it later. I felt it at night. I felt it before I got to work."
"And Richard T. Jones was such an amazing actor that he made sure I did," she added. "He wanted to hurt my feelings. It wasn't Jill he was trying to hurt but to get to Sheila, he had to go through me and he definitely hurt me. He wanted me and he did."
Already in its second week of release, 'Real Thing' sold over 200,000 copies and has garnered rave reviews. People magazine gave it four stars, hailing it as the "the sexiest album of the year."
During a recent press conference, Perry (who also stars in the film alongside Janet Jackson, Malik Yoba, Michael Jai White, Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Lamann Rucker and Denise Boute) summoned journalists that they "had to get the album."
So the pain of divorce -- Scott and Lyzel were married six years ago, after knowing each other for seven prior -- has morphed into something good for Scott.
And believe it or not, she has not ruled out doing it again, either.
"I'd get married because I want to share all of this with someone," she shared. "I just mean who I am and the blessings that I have, I want to share it. That's why I would get married again."



Comments: (117)
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By: Van Johnson on 10/11/2007 12:15PM
Jill Scott has that Glow! Music is a given every track on the cd is phenomenal and I will be on the front row for the movie release. And the speaking on the divorce; OH MY GOD! What fool would let Jill Scott out of his life? Never worry one mans trash is always another mans treasure believe that...
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By: REV. ISRAEL MALIK! on 10/11/2007 12:27PM
Thank God for good music again. I was suffocating to death with the junk that's out there...Jill Scott, she saved me...again!
www.myspace.com/awakeninglightlv
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By: Lynell on 10/11/2007 12:29PM
JILL ROCKS!!!!!!!! I have been loving her music since she first hit the seen. This new CD, man I can't even put it into words on how much I love it. Girl, you are my inspiration.... Keep ya head up with the divorce and all cause I hae been there and its a hard road ahead but with the things that you are doing now, you will see the light. I love your acting skills... I have been waiting on you to do somehthing else, since I seen you in girlfriends..... Looing forward to the movie girl.... DO YOU, Jill!!!!!!!!!
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By: Sonja B. on 10/11/2007 12:42PM
Jill Scott's new CD is WONDERFUL! I think that it is her best work yet! It's smooth, sexy, tasteful, erotic, OFF THE HOOK! I bought the CD!!!! and downloaded it to my iPod and have listened to it over and over because I love it! I do have my favorites but it is all good! GOOD WORK JILL! I also cannot wait to see her in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married. I know that she will be wonderful in her role - they all will be!
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By: BETTY NEWBOLD on 10/11/2007 12:37PM
Anyone remember her small role as William's "almost" girlfriend in "GIRLFRIENDS........
Yes, I remember that show. Actually she was the one who ended it with William, citing he was in love with Joan. I saw her, Tyler Perry and Janet Jackson on Oprah promoting the movie. Oprah was so infactuated with Tyler and Janet that she pretty much ignored Jill! But that's alright Jill, "...what God has for you!"....it's for you girl.
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By: Lisa on 10/11/2007 12:46PM
When she married Lyzell...didn't anyone else see this coming...? Lots of gold to be dug...Let's hope her eyes are open next time...
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By: romeo on 10/11/2007 1:11PM
yeah, that new cd is tight. It picks up where who is jill scott left off. it's tight. passion and desire, baby!
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By: Cassandra on 10/11/2007 4:10PM
JILL SCOTT YOU ARE AN AWESOME LADY, AND YOU CERTAINLY DO NOT NEED TO BE WITH A MAN TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE AWESOME!
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By: Deborah on 10/11/2007 4:48PM
I saw Jill in scott in a LifeTime movie and she was good.
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By: therealthing520 on 10/11/2007 6:22PM
ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!! JILL WROTE WITH HER SOUL ON THIS ONE. IF U HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT, PLEASE GO OUT AND GET IT!! IT'S WORTH EVERY DOLLAR.
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