Vivica A. Fox is Hotter Than Ever, and Disarmingly Real (Exclusive Interview)
Vivica A. Fox is
Hotter Than Ever, and Disarmingly Real [Exclusive Interview]
By
Allison Kugel
Photo
Credits for Images: Blake Little, Vivica A. Fox, D’Andre Michael
Kind,
conscientious, courageous and refreshingly candid, Ms. Vivica A. Fox has proven
that as Hollywood careers go, second acts are often the sweetest. The
multi-hyphenate actress-director- beauty entrepreneur-author is embracing life
and not looking back, except to pull from her well of wisdom for her new
memoir, Every Day I’m Hustling. And
if you know Vivica like I got to know her during our conversation, you’d think
the book’s title quite fitting. She enjoys hard work and has no plans to slow
down.
Born
Vivica Anjanetta Fox on the outskirts of Indianapolis, she went by Angie Fox,
one of four siblings being raised by divorced mother who worked overtime to
provide for her children. Her childhood home was hectic but loving and provided
fertile ground for Vivica to aspire for things grander than her midwestern
upbringing.
After
high school, she made her way to Southern California to attend college, all the
while seeking out opportunities in Los Angeles to model and act wherever she
could. It was in LA that Angie became Vivica A. Fox. She worked her way through
the ranks on sitcoms and daytime soaps, and in 1996 got her breakthrough role
opposite Will Smith in the classic blockbuster, Independence Day. Next came
a string of fan favorites including Set
It Off, Soul Food, Two Can Play That Game, Kill Bill Volume I and II, and a string
of subsequent roles in film and television, including Larry David’s sharp-witted
houseguest, Loretta Black, on Curb Your
Enthusiasm and Skye in the campy Sharknado
franchise. Her eclectic career has kept her on the move for nearly three
decades.
In
2016, Vivica joined the cast of the smash hit television series, Empire, playing conservative suburbanite
Candace, Cookie Lyon’s (Taraji P. Henson)
older sister and character foil.
During
our interview we covered everything from movie stardom and maternal instincts
to social media drama, setting boundaries and finding love.
Allison Kugel:
When are you Angie and when are you Vivica? When do you take off the Vivica and
become Angie from Indianapolis?
Allison Kugel: Do you prefer yourself that way?
Vivica
A. Fox: Oh my gosh! To be honest with you, the older I’ve gotten, the more I
prefer it. I work so much; I’ve been so blessed and so busy lately that I enjoy
when I can have that Me Time. In fact, today I don’t have to be on. That’s what
I really love about being with my godchildren. When they see me, I’m just G.G.
or G-ma. G.G. stands for Gorgeous Godmother. G-ma, I don’t know where they got
that one from, but I have five godchildren. Two of them call me G-ma and the
other ones call me G.G. They like hanging with me. Not the drama or the
glamour, they just want me.
Allison Kugel: I love
the part in your book where your godson, Christian, sees you all done up as
Vivica A. Fox, and he gives you that side eye like he doesn’t recognize you,
and you say, “It’s okay, I’m just wearing my Vivica costume.” Then he asks,
“You’re still my G.G., right?” And you reassure him that it’s still you.
Vivica
A. Fox: It’s funny because he was just a baby the first time he saw me like
that, and he was like, “Who are you!?”
He was so used to seeing me in my tracksuit and baseball cap. But now at seven,
he kind of likes it when he sees the reaction I get from people. He’s done a
couple of red carpet events with me and he knows the difference between the
two.
Allison Kugel:
Coming from the Midwest, your father was a school administrator, your mother
worked for a pharmaceutical company, so you really had no ties to entertainment,
or Los Angeles for that matter. What gave you that spark of courage, that spark
that made you believe that you could
become a successful actress?
Vivica
A. Fox: I was introduced to the world of fashion and modeling by Madame King,
my late auntie. She had her own beauty salon back in the day. She was the first
one to cut my hair and put me on a runway. I was kind of bitten by the bug at
thirteen. From that point forward, I just fell in love with magazines and
fashion. Then I went to go see Michael Jackson in concert, and Diana Ross in
concert. I had never seen African Americans being so fabulous, and I was like,
“Where do they live? That’s where I’m going! That’s what I want to do.” I
decided that during my senior year in high school. But I had to trick my mama (laughs) and tell her I was going to
college in California, and I did go to college. But I would be sneaking up to
Hollywood and going to modeling agencies. I had a girlfriend who was an actress,
and I used to read lines with her. She would say, “You’re pretty good at this,
you should try it.”
Allison Kugel: Your
book is part memoir and part motivational guidebook for success. Tell me about
your mentor, or mentors…
Vivica
A. Fox: My mentor would have to be a good friend of mine, and my first acting
coach, Sheila Wills. I’m her two daughters’ godmother. Sheila, I met when I was
doing [the daytime soap opera] Generations.
She took me under her wing, and she would work with me with auditions. I would
go into those auditions and just nail them. I attribute my success to her. She
would say, “Vivica, you’ve got to stay ready. You got to be ready. You’ve got
to take care of yourself.” And people who inspired me to be who I am would be
Diana Ross and Pam Grier.
Allison Kugel: Do
you know that you’re incredibly sexy? Is that something you’re aware of?
Vivica
A. Fox: Well, okay now!
Allison Kugel: I’m
not pulling your leg. You really do ooze sensuality. Do you know that?
Vivica
A. Fox: Thank you! I appreciate that. Got to keep it tight and right, girl (laughs)!
Allison Kugel:
More so now, than twenty years ago, in my opinion…
Vivica
A. Fox: Maybe because… No, not maybe!
Because I am comfortable in my own
skin. I’m very comfortable with me. I have embraced my womanhood through my
pluses and my minuses. I’m good with me right now, so that’s what you’re
seeing. My spirit is happy, more than anything else. It’s taken awhile, and
that’s something I want to share with people. My book is a motivational memoir.
I, too, have fallen down and had to figure out how to get back up and create
new chapters for myself. I want to encourage, enlighten and inspire other
people.
Allison Kugel: Why
did you choose to share your journey with menopause in the book?
Vivica
A. Fox: It’s part of life. It’s going to happen. And it’s like you just asked,
“Do you know that you’re sexy right now?” But do people also know that for the
last few years, that’s what’s been going on in my life? I embraced it and I got
in front of it. I didn’t let it define me or make me want to whittle away. I
don’t know why with women, we can’t talk about our bodies and what we go
through, share it with others, and not feel like we have to hide that from
people. I’m sharing it, and I got in front of it and took care of myself. I
really feel like it made me take good care of myself.
Allison Kugel: And
being that your image is sexy, you weren’t afraid of putting that out there…
Vivica
A. Fox: No, not at all. You’re going to have naysayers and people that are
going to try to come and say something, and they can. But I’m still me. It
doesn’t change who I am. I’m still all woman.
Allison Kugel:
When it comes to social media feuds and this clap back culture we’re living in,
when do you take the high road and not respond, and when do you feel the need
to clap back?
Vivica
A. Fox: I will clap back occasionally, but to be very honest with you, if it’s
not necessary, I don’t like that. I’m not one of those people who became famous
by being a controversial celebrity. Normally, I’ll click on who that person is
and see if they’re even worth it. If it’s somebody that you can tell is wanting
to make TheShadeRoom or seeking attention, I just block them. They’re not worth
it. When I clap back, it’s when somebody comes at me or I have to set the
record straight.
Allison Kugel:
Technology has made it very easy for people to say something mean spirited or
join in the angry mob. For me, I try my best to practice the art of what I call
Non-Reaction, where I feel like every time I don’t react I’m passing that next
spiritual test. But occasionally, something will get me and I’ll react. And
then I’ll wonder, was that a failure on my part, or was it warranted in that
situation? Do you share that same internal struggle?
Vivica
A. Fox: It’s an internal struggle with me too. Some days I’m like, “Why did I
give that person my energy?” There are some people, they just come on your page
to be mean, and you kind of want to go, “You looked me up, and took the time to
write a response to be mean to me. Hmm, what does that say about your character?” There’s an old saying
your mama told you. “If you ain’t got nothing nice to say, don’t say nothing at
all.” I try to live by that old school motto. I don’t try to pass on bad energy
to others, I don’t. If I don’t have anything nice to say I just keep my opinion
right on over here. But you know, this generation with the social media, a lot
of people like that negative feedback. They feed off it. I don’t.
Allison Kugel:
Let’s talk about motherhood. I know you have all these nieces and nephews, and
godchildren. I feel like motherhood, meaning the energy of motherhood, is
something that is innate in all women. We have a need to nurture. How does that
energy express itself through you?
Vivica
A. Fox: I’m Mama Bear all the time! I have a nurturing instinct and I think I
get that from my mother. My mother always loved to take care of others. Still
to this day, she doesn’t take as good care of herself, because she is always
looking out for others. I got that quality from her. When I’m on the set, I’m
always looking out for others. When I walk on a set, I’m always making sure
that I speak to everyone, that I try to make people as comfortable as
possible. In that way, I am very
motherly. It’s just something in me, I like to look out for others. But the
older I’ve gotten, I’ve learned to look out more for myself, as well. And I’ve
learned a very important word: No. Because people will take, take, take from
you child, till you drop! Then they’re satisfied, and you’re left over there
feeling completely empty.
Allison Kugel: At
what age did you learn how to say No?
Vivica
A. Fox: It was in my late forties, or maybe just when I got to be about fifty,
that I started really looking at my relationships and asking myself if they are
all reciprocal relationships. I had that tendency to give, give, give, and I
finally took off my Captain Save-A-Ho cape.
Allison Kugel: (Laughs).
Vivica
A. Fox: I mean that. Sometimes you’ll talk to friends on the phone, and we all
vent, it’s human. But if you talk to somebody that is constantly draining and
negative, at some point… I’ve cut ties with a couple of friends and not felt
bad about it. I call it the season of shedding, where not everyone’s going to
the next chapter or the next level with you. And it’s okay. You don’t have to
hate them, but there’s nothing wrong with making good choices for yourself.
Allison Kugel: How
do you define glamour and beauty?
Vivica
A. Fox: Someone who is a goddess, who just radiates confidence; someone who
owns her moment, who seizes her moment. The older I’ve gotten, I believe that
beauty radiates from the inside. Especially nowadays with these build-a-bodies,
and everything is just makeup and fakeness in my opinion right now. It’s when
you meet a person and they are a beautiful person, they radiate confidence and
kindness. I find beauty in a woman that has no makeup on, but she’s confident
in her own skin and radiates kindness and does for others, to me that’s
beautiful.
Allison Kugel: In
your book you give advice on achieving different areas of success in one’s
life. I personally think that so many people have a misconception about
success. People want that insta-recognition, that insta-success. I said to
someone the other day that for all the people who think they would love to
trade places with Mark Zuckerberg or Oprah, for example, most of those people
wouldn’t make it through the first week if they saw the tremendous amount of
work, pressure and sacrifice that it takes to be in that type of position.
Vivica
A. Fox: To piggyback on that point, for myself, people don’t realize that for
the last two to three years I slept on planes. I was always traveling, always
busy, taking meetings, not sleeping, going here, going there, and going through changes of life and
never letting it slow me down. There’s a lot of work required. All those seeds
that I’ve planted, I’m now seeing them all blossom. But I had to do the work.
That’s what I tell people. In my book, in the chapter about Being the Head Chick
in Charge, I say, “Don’t let anyone outwork you.”
Allison Kugel: What
do you think is the biggest misconception about success?
Vivica
A. Fox: That it’s easy. When you’re successful, usually it’s taken a long time
to build a career. It isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes time to
build a career, and a career means being able to go through different stages
and chapters of a career, not just being the hot chick of the moment. For me, I
went from being the hot ingenue chick, to now building my brand and producing
and directing.
Allison Kugel: Let’s
talk about Empire. I started watching
it last week, all four seasons in a row!
Vivica
A. Fox: Oh, you binge-watched…
Allison Kugel:
Yes, I binge-watched! I’m talking carrying the iPad with me all over the house;
the show is that addictive and entertaining. Entertainment value, on a scale of
1 to 10, it’s a 12 plus. The one thing I had mixed feelings about is the way
African Americans are depicted in the show. On one hand I’m loving it, on the
other hand I’m thinking, “Does this play on negative stereotypes, the way this
family is being portrayed?”
Vivica
A. Fox: Well, I think that’s why Empire
has been so successful. It’s raw and right there in your face. It makes you
uncomfortable. What I commend Lee Daniels and the cast of Empire for is they are like, “It may make you uncomfortable, but we
are who we are. We’re not going to sugar coat this. We’re going to give it to
you straight, no chaser.” That’s what made it a phenom. Some people felt like
they couldn’t handle the gay [subject], or they feel it’s a little bit too raw,
but that’s Empire. They have stayed
true to what the show is about, and I have to commend them for that. That take
courage, not to bow down to social or peer pressure.
Allison Kugel: Did
Lee Daniels ever share with you the moral of the story of Empire, or his vision for the show?
Vivica
A. Fox: Not really. The thing I love about Lee is that he is who he is. It’s
taken awhile for him to become comfortable in his own skin, and that he’s a gay
man and that he has talent, and he doesn’t have to hide who he really is
anymore. We’ve all been in this business for twenty years, and I’m going to
tell you that it’s been a long journey for him to put out a show like this.
Some of the storylines in the show, absolutely, with the mother saying to her
kids, “You’re this, you’re that (referring
to the character, Cookie, having a penchant for hurling insults).” The
father throwing the kid in the dumpster, it tugs at the heartstrings. It makes
you uncomfortable, but it happens. I feel that with knowledge there’s power.
Allison Kugel: What
will Candace be up to in the new season?
Vivica
A. Fox: I can’t give away a whole bunch, but I will tell you that Candace is
back and that you will get the chance to finally meet our mother, Renee, played
by the very beautiful and talented Alfre Woodard.
Allison Kugel: Do
you judge your character, Candace, the same way that Cookie judges her?
Vivica
A. Fox: No. I believe we all have those relationships in our families where
we’re all different, but we’re still family. In my career right now, I’ve
embraced my womanhood and people are like, “Ooh, Vivica, you’re going to become
today’s Diahann Carroll.” And I’m like, “Wow! Thank you for that.” But firstly,
Vivica is a little bit more like Cookie. I like to have my rock star moments,
and I love wearing the crazy clothes and all that stuff. But Candace is who I’m
evolving into.
Allison Kugel: In
your book you provide some back story about your mom and dad’s relationship,
and how it’s affected your own love life. What I got from what you wrote is
that in watching your mom nurse a broken heart over the divorce from your
father, you saw her as a victim, and that framed your own love life.
Vivica
A. Fox: Absolutely.
Allison Kugel: Do
you still see her as a victim, or do you see things in a different light now?
And what would it take for you to let your guard down in love?
Vivica
A. Fox: I see my mother now as a survivor. My mother grew up in a time where
you stuck by your guy. He was her one true love, and I definitely have those
qualities. What I learned from her, in wanting her to live and to love and to
laugh more, I wouldn’t take those same steps that she did. I can open my heart
again. For my part, I’m making sure that I’m not lustful anymore. I don’t look
at somebody and right away say, “Oh yes, he’s the one!” I make sure that I take
the time to get to know someone. That’s something I pass along in my book, as
well. Don’t jump into the shallow end of the pool head first. You’ve got to
take the time to get to know people. So yes, I am open to love. I want to love
again and have someone that’s really special. But he has to prove himself, and
I would have to prove myself to him, that I’m worthy to be his mate. Sometimes
women are so afraid to be alone that they just take that first thing coming,
and they get the short end of the stick. They keep dating the same guy over and
over again. That’s why, in the book, I say to make your chart out. Do you keep
dating the same guy over and over again? Because you’re going to get the same
result.
Allison Kugel: Do
you want Hollywood to be colorblind in writing and casting roles, or do you
want to be identified, and cast, as an African American actress?
Vivica
A. Fox: Of course, I always want to be seen as a talented African American
actress, because that’s who I am. I feel that right now, what’s going on in
Hollywood is that, man, that glass ceiling has been busted wide open. It’s been
a long time coming, with the success of Black
Panther, with the success of television shows like Scandal and Empire and How to Get Away with Murder; with Oprah
having her own network. It’s about damn time.
Allison Kugel: Is
it an I Told You So moment?
Vivica
A. Fox: I don’t know if it’s I Told You So as much as it is, Finally.
Allison Kugel: Finish
these sentences for me. I know I can trust someone when…
Vivica
A. Fox: When I’ve truly gotten to know them.
Allison Kugel: I
know that God is speaking to me when…
Vivica
A. Fox: Woo! Hmm. All the time. Every day when I wake up and I can thank Him
for letting me see another day. I would say, I know God is speaking to me all
the time, and He helps me make better choices.
Allison Kugel: My
spiritual mission in this life is…
Vivica
A. Fox: To be kind, to do unto others and to leave a good mark.
Allison Kugel is a
syndicated entertainment and pop culture journalist, and author of the book, Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on
the record. Follow her on
Instagram @theallisonkugel.
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