This week, Debra Lee and Mara Brock Akil welcomed a selected group of media to a private screening of the BET-original movie Being Mary Jane starring Gabrielle Union. And we were inside the room to get the dish about the new tv movie/series. Find out why Mara handpicked Gabby for the lead role inside….
The fabulous Mara Brock Akil, the creator of the upcoming BET-original movie and series "Being Mary Jane", invited TheYBF.com for a special preview of the film (premiering Tuesday, July 2nd at 10:30P EST).
Though BET CEO Debra Lee kept the Q-n-A short, Mara did reveal why she handpicked Gabrielle Union for the series’ lead and she explained that Mary Jane is a woman in control of her sensuality. Here are the highlights:
Q: What do you want people to take away from the movie?
A: That’s a good question and that’s hard to answer. I just want to have a conversation.
Q: What’s your favorite moment in the movie?
A: It’s the moment when she’s looking in the mirror and it was so honest.
Q: Was Gabby always your choice for the star role?
A: My husband Salim Akil met Gabby when he was casting for Jumping the Broom (I believed she tried out for a role) and he kept in contact with her. I had my small list of people but she delivered the role.
Q: In one scene, why did she masturbate before she went out for the night?
A: As females, we are sexual beings. Our sexuality ties into our emotions but it’s a little pit of PSA and a little bit of reality.
Q: A lot people will compare this to "Scandal", so how do you think Being Mary Jane is different?
A: It’s different because in "Scandal" you see a black woman living in a white world. You see a lot of shows with affair and murder plots, but I think it’s hard enough just getting through the day.
Agreed!
In case you missed it….watch the "Being Mary Jane" trailer here:
BONUS:
Actress Gabrielle Union, a self-confessed former mean girl, opens up about the fierce competition for acting jobs. Plus, find out how she changed her attitude. Watch this episode of Oprah’s Next Chapter on Sunday, June 23, at 9/8c.
Photos via Chaz Niell
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Original Post Source – http://www.theybf.com/