She played Ice Cube’s freaky “Aunt”
Suga in Next Friday. It was her first
film role, and she made it memorable. “I licked his neck just to make him
laugh, but he didn’t break,” Kym Whitley recounts.
An actress, producer and
comedian, Kym Whitley is a native of Ohio and a graduate of Fisk University. She has been involved in various television projects including roles in Martin, The Parkers, My Wife and Kids
and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her big screen characters run the comedic gamut in movies like Baby Boy, Deliver Us From Eva,
Along Came Polly and Fun With Dick and Jane.
Her newest role is in College
Road Trip alongside Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symone as a caring mom and
real estate agent. We got in some good girl talk with Kym about her work, influences and even her favorite Hip-Hop artists.
AllHipHop.com: Kym, it’s so
nice to get the chance to talk to you. [College
Road Trip
] is great! How did you like working with Martin and Raven?
Kym Whitley: I loved it.
Martin has such great comedic timing; he is such an old soul, he has done so
much and learned so many things. And Raven is so young and so funny. It was
awesome. It’s great to play a role like this.
AllHipHop.com: What were some
of your memorable moments during the filming of College Road Trip?
Kym Whitley: I think my most
memorable moments happened off-screen. I got the chance to go to Martin’s
trailer, which is just huge. It’s like a house on wheels…like an apartment
building on wheels, and I just sat with him and he gave me a lot of knowledge,
and told me that this film was going to be a great vehicle for me. Some of my
best moments with Raven were just when we would hang out, in the trailer or at
the mall. Those were some of the best times.
AllHipHop.com: You have
worked with a lot of kids? What is that like?
Kym Whitley: Oh, you know I
love the kids. Especially if they are brought up right and aren’t spoiled. If
they have a mom that is really working with them, it’s great. But, you know,
you have to be patient when you are working with children.
AllHipHop.com: You’ve done so
many great projects, from The Parkers to your film roles. Which do you prefer –
television or film?
Kym Whitley: I like TV for its
hours. But film has such a creative arc. It has a beginning, middle, and end.
AllHipHop.com: March is Women’s
History Month. In keeping in that spirit, do you have a female actress who is
[an inspiration] to you?
Kym Whitley: Of course,
Whoopi [Goldberg]. And Jenifer Lewis. Her timing is impeccable, especially [as
Zelma Bullock] in What’s Love Got To Do With It? I really strive to be
as good as she is in delivery. She can deliver a line.
AllHipHop.com: What are some
of the challenges that you face in Hollywood?
Kym Whitley: You know, you
have to keep a passion. It’s easy to get a good role and just sit back. But I
am always on the job, looking for the next job. You have to stay humble, at the
end of the day, this is just a job. I’ve done good work, but not so enough to
make me too much of a diva.
AllHipHop.com: How do you
choose your projects?
Kym Whitley: I think you
should make sure that it’s something that represents you. Is it something that
you have done already? Also [judge] by who else is in the movie, that’s
definitely one way to choose a project.
AllHipHop.com: You were
co-producer of Love Chronicles (2003) and your BET series, Oh, Drama (2000).
If you could [create] a dream project what would it be?
Kym Whitley: Definitely a
dramatic role. Portraying a historical person such as Aretha [Franklin]. Also,
a one woman show, a stand up DVD. I love creating my own opportunities – you
have to create your own. Make it happen and make it happen big.
AllHipHop.com: That sounds
like Hip-Hop rhetoric. Who are some of your favorite rap artists?
Kym Whitley: Jay-Z. Jay-Z, I
like him as a person, as a man. When I see Jay-Z, I get warm and fuzzy.
[laughs] Nas, I think he is extremely intelligent and sexy. Oh, and Baby and
Lil’ Wayne, those are my boys. I was supposed to do Wayne’s new video, but I
missed it because I was filming another project.
AllHipHop.com: Anything else
you want to add?
Kym Whitley: Just thank you,
and you can check me out at www.myspace.com/kymwhitley
