Photo: Joe/WENN 

Getting cut off on a phone interview is a regular occurrence for journalists.

The precarious relationship between media, publicity and the talent creates moments of confusion and, sometimes, slight tension. But in a country where racial, socio and political issues have come to the utmost forefront, there’s no way around it.

Now you’re probably thinking, what does that have to do with “Magic Mike XXL” and Jada Pinkett Smith who stars in the film?

Smith was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. The same city that only last May had continuous riots due to the unjust murder of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. As a talented young woman, Pinkett Smith learned how to balance the art of her craft with ever-present issues in the black community. Ever watch an episode of her in “A Different World”?

She has duality. This same duality led to her to close relationship with Tupac Shakur all the way to her current work in human trafficking. So needless to say, as a journalist of color, I wasn’t going to not ask her about race issues and her craft.

Photo: Lexi Jones/WENN 

Until I was cut-off by the publicist on the other line: “Stick to ‘Magic Mike,’ honey,” she said.

But two decades in this industry jarred the actress not one bit. She answered my question, despite the interruption and she also opened up about her role in the film. Pinkett Smith plays a strip club owner with a ton of attitude. As an actress she’s at the top of her game and even though the film hits theaters July 1st, our conversation revealed you can expect a lot more from her for years to come.

On how she approached the character, in light of her human trafficking work: “When Channing [Tatum] called me I had just come from Atlanta doing a documentary about human trafficking in Atlanta and how sometimes strip clubs can be a gateway to trafficking. So, when I got the script it was conflicting. But when I talked to Channing, what really roped me in was that he said, ‘Jada, I want to bring a sense of responsibility to this component of adult entertainment.’ And I was like, ‘that’s a radical idea.’ Strip club, strip tease– these kind of industries are going to exist and through entertainment we can bring responsibility and shine light on who’s involved. I told him, ‘I don’t know where this is going to end up, Channing. But I’ve got to take that ride.’”

On if the ‘Set it Off’ 1990s Jada could have played this role: “I couldn’t have played this role in the ’90s. I wouldn’t of had the knowledge of what I have now about trafficking and the necessity of the sense of responsibility in regards to sex. As a young person, you’re just figuring that out. You’re just figuring out what sex is about and how you relate to it. I was probably less aware of sex and its power in my 20s. And now, being a grown woman who’s had all the experiences that I’ve had, my perspective is far different.”

On guys going to see this film: “This movie is really about friendship. The guys are on a road trip together just trying to.. as brothers. They go through all these experiences together and they want to do their last hoorah. That component, I feel men will really enjoy. And on top of that: Why would a man not go with his female partner? Because after she watches this movie, she’s going to be so revved up and ready to go. I think he’s going to want to be right beside her to reap those benefits. That’s what I’m talking about. There’s no work to be done. She’s Ready. To. Go! [chuckles] It is the quintessential date movie. Listen, I’m going to go with Will. I already know what’s going to come. I’m going with Will! And I plan on having a good ole’ time afterwards.”

On which co-stars impressed her: “First of all, I was proud of all the guys. I felt like they all worked so hard. But of course [Stephen Boss] Twitch and Channing who are amazing. Really, watching them dance together was amazing. And to think neither one of them have had formal dance training is even more amazing. They are what you call, The Dynamic Duo.”

On her real hair length: “I’ve done a lot of short weaves. Usually when people see my hair short, it’s been a lot of weaves. Believe it or not. And my hair underneath has been super long. That’s actually my real hair. But guess what? I cut my hair off. The bob that you see now, the hair is gone. I actually cut it. I’ve been wearing those short weaves trying to find a great cut. And I cut my hair and I’m loving it. I’m not missing all that hair. I’m loving my hair right now! For the summer and, probably the rest of my life, it’s going to be all about short. Right now, it’s a bob but it’ll probably get shorter and shorter.”

On who gave her the big chop: “Marcia Hamilton did it. If I get a cut or weave, she does it. She came by [to the house] and did my hair one night, and I was just looking at it. I said, ‘Marcia, I’m going to cry if I go upstairs with all this hair on my head. I can’t do it anymore. I’m so sick of it.’ She did a style for Haute Living on me where my real hair was long but she made it look like a stringy bob. People loved it. So I told her to just cut it like that. Short hair has made life easier. I’ve had really, really short hair in the past– buzzed and all that, before I let my hair grow. Short hair is always easier for me because it doesn’t take as much maintenance.”

On her thoughts on the tension in this country and how it will affect the roles she chooses: “The one thing that I love about this role is that just being open minded enough to take the journey. When Channing called me.. it’s just having a certain openness to hear what people have to say. Hear what people’s intensions are and when the passion pulls you to just go. Right? Even though people question what you’re doing and why. I think that what has been shown to me through ‘Gotham’ and ‘Magic Mike’ is this new openess that I have toward not having really any said ambition and kind of looking at, in present time, what comes my way and just feeling out what’s in front of me to make a decision about something I want to participate in or not. Not, does it fit in the plan? Or what I see for myself? All of that kind of stuff.. at 43, I’m about to turn 44, I think I’ve earned –and having been in this business for almost two decades– I’ve earned it to just have a good time.”

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