>> whitfield: I feel like there is such a distinction and an honor to being a woman
>>> I feel like there is
such a distinction and an
honor to being a woman and
being a black woman.
Honor to being a woman and being a black woman. If I could close my eyes
and somebody said if you
if I could close my eyes and somebody said if you wanted to be anything ever
or a different person, I
still would want to be a
black woman because I
think that there's so much
power, mystery,
intuitiveness, a kind of
energy that changed the
face of everything.
Energy that changed the face of everything. You know, it was because
of josephine baker that
you know, it was because of josephine baker that people started tanning.
Of josephine baker that people started tanning. People used to go to the
beach and be -- have
people used to go to the beach and be -- have parasols and all that kind
of stuff.
Parasols and all that kind of stuff. They didn't want to be
brown.
After josephine baker
everybody said no, this is
after josephine baker everybody said no, this is some hot, you know,
[ bleep ].
Some hot, you know, [ bleep ]. It has never stopped that
black women inspire the
it has never stopped that black women inspire the world in many, many ways.
Black women inspire the world in many, many ways. So I feel good about being
womanly and sensual.
I just want to really walk
in it.
Which I think is really
ha
which I think is really ha hard.
Ha hard. But it is like a huge
honor.
Growing up, I felt like I
was a late bloomer.
I was well into my 30s
before I dressed myself as
a woman.
Before I dressed myself as a woman. So something really funny
happened after josephine
so something really funny happened after josephine baker and a few things.
Happened after josephine baker and a few things. I had no idea.
Baker and a few things. I had no idea. Somebody told me like
about 15 years ago, did
somebody told me like about 15 years ago, did you not know that you were
a sex symbol?
You not know that you were a sex symbol? I did not know.
A sex symbol? I did not know. Girl, I wish I'd known.
Because the year
girl, I wish I'd known. Because the year "josephine baker" came out
because the year "josephine baker" came out demi moore -- I got
pregnant a year after
"josephine baker," after I
shot it.
Demi moore was on the
cover of "vanity fair"
demi moore was on the cover of "vanity fair" pregnant, naked.
Cover of "vanity fair" pregnant, naked. I should have done that.
Pregnant, naked. I should have done that. But I couldn't do it.
So being a woman and
but I couldn't do it. So being a woman and everything now, yeah, I do
so being a woman and everything now, yeah, I do feel womanly now.
♪
>>> my parents were absolutely not in support of me being an artist.
Absolutely not in support of me being an artist. You know, it was all about
stability, you know, what
you know, it was all about stability, you know, what will you do, that's not a
safe career.
Will you do, that's not a safe career. There weren't a whole lot
of examples of, you know,
there weren't a whole lot of examples of, you know, black women being very
successful as actresses.
Black women being very successful as actresses. So no, they were not in
support.
Quite honestly, they
weren't very helpful.
My aunt hetty really
believed that this is what
my aunt hetty really believed that this is what I should be doing.
Believed that this is what I should be doing. And so she introduced me
to tons of people in d.C.
When I went to howard
university.
And, you know, she was
ready to roll the dice
and, you know, she was ready to roll the dice with me, but I just had to
go for it and keep
believing in myself.
Go for it and keep believing in myself. My parents weren't into
it.
Because I always knew I
wanted to act.
So it was like a -- let me
get through all these
so it was like a -- let me get through all these other classes so I can
hurry up and get to be an
actress.
Hurry up and get to be an actress. Right?
Actress. Right? So I didn't diversify my
right? So I didn't diversify my knowledge base as much as
so I didn't diversify my knowledge base as much as perhaps I would have if I
was seeking for that
thing.
Was seeking for that thing. So it meant I just focused
in and I didn't -- I just
so it meant I just focused in and I didn't -- I just didn't spend a lot of time
on biology or geometry.
Didn't spend a lot of time on biology or geometry. I didn't figure I would
need too much of that.
I think that every human
being is the sum total of
everything they've
experienced.
Everything they've experienced. Right?
Experienced. Right? But for me, for myself,
right? But for me, for myself, you know, being from baton
but for me, for myself, you know, being from baton rouge, louisiana, a small
town in the south where
for most of my life up to
about 10 all the indian
chiefs, everybody were all
black people.
Chiefs, everybody were all black people. So growing up in baton
rouge gave me a real sense
so growing up in baton rouge gave me a real sense of who I was as -- I guess
maybe it was called negro
at that time.
Maybe it was called negro at that time. And also, it was such a
strong social environment
and also, it was such a strong social environment because, well -- there are
not that many places to
go.
Not that many places to go. So you would visit.
Go. So you would visit. You know, people would
so you would visit. You know, people would come over.
I grew up hearing the
clink clink clink of ice
and cocktails and, you
know, black people talking
about things that were
important about politics,
about life.
Important about politics, about life. Intellectual conversation.
About life. Intellectual conversation. But all of that informed,
intellectual conversation. But all of that informed, if you look at my work, I
but all of that informed, if you look at my work, I grew up where women really
cared about what they
looked like and, you know,
my mother would always say
does this add, do you like
it, does it add?
Does this add, do you like it, does it add? So if you look at me as an
actress and the roles I
so if you look at me as an actress and the roles I played, so many of them,
"eve's bayou," josephine
baker, you see that
they're all very much
informed by being from
baton rouge, louisiana.
Informed by being from baton rouge, louisiana. Growing up with a family
of of doctors and dentists
growing up with a family of of doctors and dentists and kind of indian chief
type thing was great but
my grandfathers on both
sides, you know, worked
very hard.
Sides, you know, worked very hard. And so I think that even
though it was -- people
and so I think that even though it was -- people would say affluent, I
think that another thing
you always see in my work
is that people are
complex.
Is that people are complex. So whether you are
fortunate enough to be
so whether you are fortunate enough to be safe in the environment
you live in, whether or
not you are working your
way up and less fortunate,
people are complex.
Way up and less fortunate, people are complex. You know, speaking in
general terms about it, it
you know, speaking in general terms about it, it is difficult for me about
anything because people
are so authentic and as
specific as a fingerprint
and every human being has
one.
And every human being has one. But you know, nothing is
simple and most things
but you know, nothing is simple and most things aren't easy.
Simple and most things aren't easy. Well, I think one of the
blessings that I had in my
well, I think one of the blessings that I had in my life was that my father
was a dentist but if he
had had his druthers he
actually would not have
followed in his father's
footsteps and he would
have been the -- he was a
great composer but he
would have just gone and
dedicated his life to
that.
Dedicated his life to that. What was a plus for me was
actually that he started
what was a plus for me was actually that he started something called the baton
rouge community chorus and
brought theater into the
baton rouge community
because you know, when I
was growing up there
before 5 you weren't -- it
was segregated.
Before 5 you weren't -- it was segregated. So you really couldn't go
to the baton rouge little
so you really couldn't go to the baton rouge little theater or I couldn't be a
part of the children's
theater.
Part of the children's theater. So having my dad always
writing music introduced
so having my dad always writing music introduced me to art.
Writing music introduced me to art. ♪
>> like that.
>> well, my mother is a
black southern belle for
sure.
Black southern belle for sure. She actually wanted to be
a lawyer but my
she actually wanted to be a lawyer but my grandfather told her that
what are you going to do
with that.
What are you going to do with that. So she was a history
major, I think it was a
so she was a history major, I think it was a history major, something
she never used.
History major, something she never used. So she was a product of a
time where women didn't
so she was a product of a time where women didn't get to be, you know, as
bold and as ambitious.
Get to be, you know, as bold and as ambitious. But however, she was
extremely glamorous.
You know, she loved
elizabeth taylor.
And I tell, you reflected
in my mother were all the
and I tell, you reflected in my mother were all the seasons of elizabeth
taylor.
Seasons of elizabeth taylor. You know, when she had the
long braid with the
you know, when she had the long braid with the flowers strewn through it.
Long braid with the flowers strewn through it. You know, the up dos and
the sheath and lots of
you know, the up dos and the sheath and lots of cleavage.
The sheath and lots of cleavage. My mom was a -- as a
matter of fact, she was so
my mom was a -- as a matter of fact, she was so sexy that it would make my
dad jealous sometimes.
Sexy that it would make my dad jealous sometimes. So my mom was sexy.
Dad jealous sometimes. So my mom was sexy. She was a beautiful
so my mom was sexy. She was a beautiful homemaker.
All of that.
Homemaker. All of that. She's fiery.
Passionate.
Complicated.
Funny as heck.
And honestly a lot of the
funny as heck. And honestly a lot of the women that you've seen
and honestly a lot of the women that you've seen filter through me, I can
understand who they were
through my mother.
Understand who they were through my mother. Through her pain.
Through my mother. Through her pain. Through her joy.
Through her glamour.
And you know, how life was
through her glamour. And you know, how life was for women at that time.
♪ I am 9 years old ♪
♪ and I want you to know I
know what to do with it
too ♪
>> I don't think that I am
my father or like my
father, like my mother.
My father or like my father, like my mother. I'm a compilation of all
of that.
But what I wanted to do
when I was growing up was
but what I wanted to do when I was growing up was to find more of my
authentic self.
To find more of my authentic self. So I was the one who cut
all my hair off when I
so I was the one who cut all my hair off when I went to howard and came
back with a little bitty
afro and overalls.
Back with a little bitty afro and overalls. You know, I'm an artiste.
Afro and overalls. You know, I'm an artiste. And my mother fell up in
you know, I'm an artiste. And my mother fell up in the walls, like oh, my
and my mother fell up in the walls, like oh, my lord.
The walls, like oh, my lord. All that long beautiful
ha
all that long beautiful ha hair, brushed and grew and
brushed and grew, and how
could you do this to me.
Brushed and grew, and how could you do this to me. So I always wanted to find
my authentic self.
You know, but I think
there is no black and
you know, but I think there is no black and white in life.
There is no black and white in life. You know.
White in life. You know. There's so much gray of
you know. There's so much gray of who people are, how they
there's so much gray of who people are, how they came to be.
Who people are, how they came to be. But I am definitely, if
you met both of them, you
but I am definitely, if you met both of them, you >> whitfield: Well,
washington, dc, was such a
release for me because there was
>>> well, washington, d.C.
Release for me because there was >>> well, washington, d.C. Was such a release for me
because there was an arts
was such a release for me because there was an arts renaissance going on.
Because there was an arts renaissance going on. It was just an exciting
creative time where people
it was just an exciting creative time where people were defining themselves
more than I'd ever seen,
being from baton rouge,
louisiana.
Being from baton rouge, louisiana. Because I came to howard
and went to my first
because I came to howard and went to my first movement class in a hot
pink matching leotard and
tights, where everybody
else, you know, had
earrings and little afros
and african prints.
Earrings and little afros and african prints. I was this little southern
girl coming in.
But it was very, very
exciting.
People were -- artists
were doing what they
people were -- artists were doing what they wanted to do.
Were doing what they wanted to do. Exploring like what are
the injustices and what
exploring like what are the injustices and what can we do about them?
The injustices and what can we do about them? So
>> whitfield: I couldn't wait to
so >> whitfield: I couldn't wait to go to new york city.
I was so excited to go to
new york city.
Oh, my god, I uld
>>> I couldn't wait to go
oh, my god, I uld >>> I couldn't wait to go to new york city.
I was so excited to go to
new york city.
Oh, my god.
New york city. Oh, my god. I could not wait to get on
oh, my god. I could not wait to get on that metro liner and go
and see if I could do
anything.
And see if I could do anything. I mean, I really wanted to
be a working actress.
So I got on the train and
I got to new york in a
so I got on the train and I got to new york in a blizzard.
The snow was like eight or
nine feet tall.
And I went looking for an
apartment in that weather.
That's how badly I wanted
to be there.
I couldn't wait.
To be there. I couldn't wait. And I got a job.
My only other work I've
and I got a job. My only other work I've ever had was working at a
my only other work I've ever had was working at a boutique on the upper west
side.
Boutique on the upper west side. And that's when I learned
the service of just
and that's when I learned the service of just helping people express
themselves, right?
Helping people express themselves, right? So these very, very, you
know, interesting upper
so these very, very, you know, interesting upper west side ladies would
come and I think one of my
days they would come from
their therapy sessions,
you know, or zipping in
from work and all that.
You know, or zipping in from work and all that. And the fact that I could
make them feel good, that
and the fact that I could make them feel good, that I could help them --
because it was a little
boutique where you really
helped people put things
together, did you think
about that.
Together, did you think about that. So working at that
boutique really let me see
so working at that boutique really let me see that how a person
expresses themselves on
the outside can inform who
they are or who they are
on the inside informs
their choices.
On the inside informs their choices. Right?
Their choices. Right? So that was very helpful.
So then there was an
so that was very helpful. So then there was an audition for colored gir
so then there was an audition for colored gir girls.
Audition for colored gir girls. That was going to
australia.
And I so wanted to get in.
Australia. And I so wanted to get in. And of course for colored
and I so wanted to get in. And of course for colored girls it was such a big
and of course for colored girls it was such a big deal.
Girls it was such a big deal. It was still on broadway.
Deal. It was still on broadway. But I wanted to get in
it was still on broadway. But I wanted to get in that company because it
but I wanted to get in that company because it would mean it would take
me into the world on an
international tour.
Me into the world on an international tour. And I got it.
International tour. And I got it. And I was in it with alfre
and I got it. And I was in it with alfre woodard and liz van dyke
and I was in it with alfre woodard and liz van dyke and ruth vander graves and
mary alice, who's a
brilliant actress.
Mary alice, who's a brilliant actress. Oh, my gosh.
Brilliant actress. Oh, my gosh. It was like I am a working
oh, my gosh. It was like I am a working actress.
I was really grateful to
work.
So we're going to
australia.
And we were going to be
there like six weeks or
and we were going to be there like six weeks or something.
There like six weeks or something. I packed so much stuff.
Something. I packed so much stuff. I packed so many bags
because I'd never been on
the road before, nor did I
know that in australia the
place wez were staying,
well, they didn't have
lots of elevators.
Well, they didn't have lots of elevators. So I ended up being that
person who was, you know,
so I ended up being that person who was, you know, I need help.
Person who was, you know, I need help. I'm now embarrassed that I
was rather high
maintenance.
Was rather high maintenance. I had never been on a tour
like that.
So at the end of it we had
awards, right?
And the awards had
something to do with a
and the awards had something to do with a poem.
Something to do with a poem. So one of the poems says
I'm ready to die like a
so one of the poems says I'm ready to die like a lily in the desert.
And so I got the award for
lynn whitfield, I will not
and so I got the award for lynn whitfield, I will not carry my own bags and die
like a lily in the desert.
Carry my own bags and die like a lily in the desert. So you know, it got to the
point where I was so tired
so you know, it got to the point where I was so tired of struggling, every two
or three days we were
moving.
Or three days we were moving. I was like okay, you've
got to find somebody.
And I was young, but I --
I guess I just kept a
and I was young, but I -- I guess I just kept a little bit of that
southern belleness in me
then.
Southern belleness in me then. It's all gone now, of
course.
I mean, it's true, I am a
hard-working woman who
kind of -- I guess, you
know, I kind of know how I
want things but I still
overpack.
Want things but I still overpack. I overpack.
Overpack. I overpack. I don't know what
overpacking is about.
Something for me to
investigate.
Oh, my god, I was so
happy.
My phone was off, cut off.
Happy. My phone was off, cut off. Because you know, there
my phone was off, cut off. Because you know, there was a land line time.
And I hadn't paid the
bill.
So my agent got in the car
and drove over to sherman
so my agent got in the car and drove over to sherman oaks and came and knocked
on my window early in the
morning on her way to
their office.
Morning on her way to their office. And she said, get up, get
up, you've got to get
and she said, get up, get up, you've got to get ready.
Up, you've got to get ready. You have a callback for
"doctor detroit" with dan
you have a callback for "doctor detroit" with dan aykroyd.
And oh my god, I was so
excited.
Ran in there, got the
part.
Fran drescher was in that
as well.
Lydia lee.
As well. Lydia lee. And donna dixon.
Who ended up marrying dan
and donna dixon. Who ended up marrying dan aykroyd after that.
But it was the story of
these ladies of the
but it was the story of these ladies of the evening.
These ladies of the evening. So I had to call my mom.
Evening. So I had to call my mom. I said mom, I got a movie.
This is my first movie.
And she said, "oh, baby,
this is my first movie. And she said, "oh, baby, that's wonderful.
But what's your part?
That's wonderful. But what's your part? What's your part?"
but what's your part? What's your part?" I said, she's a
what's your part?" I said, she's a prostitute.
And she's like, "oh, lord
have -- do you take your
and she's like, "oh, lord have -- do you take your clothes off?
Have -- do you take your clothes off? Tell me."
but of course it was none
tell me." but of course it was none of that.
But of course it was none of that. It was all very charming.
Of that. It was all very charming. I got to dance with james
it was all very charming. I got to dance with james brown, which was fierce
and he taught me how to do
the james brown slide.
And he taught me how to do the james brown slide. And he was so funny
because he was boasting
and he was so funny because he was boasting that of all the other
ladies I was the one that
got to get up there and
dance with him.
Got to get up there and dance with him. So it was like oh, you
must be somebody because
so it was like oh, you must be somebody because that's a shot right there
to -- and he did.
That's a shot right there to -- and he did. He taught me how to do the
slide.
So that was delightful.
Slide. So that was delightful. Working with those women
so that was delightful. Working with those women was delightful.
All-night shoots in
chicago.
And actually met howard
hessman and his now wife
and actually met howard hessman and his now wife caroline ducro, who became
grace's go
>> whitfield: I don't think
there's anyone that you could
name that you could think of who
>>> I don't think there's
anyone that you could name
that you could think of
who was working at that
time who didn't -- I mean,
it's josephine baker, for
christ's sake.
It's josephine baker, for christ's sake. They're putting her in the
pantheon.
But I mean she is a one of
a kind.
I mean, everybody looked
at her.
You know?
At her. You know? That's why the promo said
you know? That's why the promo said before marilyn, before
that's why the promo said before marilyn, before madonna, there was
josephine.
Madonna, there was josephine. I mean, she gave new
meaning to the word, you
know, entertainer.
Meaning to the word, you know, entertainer. So who wouldn't want to
play her?
Oh, my god.
Play her? Oh, my god. It was the most annoying,
oh, my god. It was the most annoying, demanding experience ever.
It was like seven months
of auditioning, and
it was like seven months of auditioning, and everybody in the world
wanted to do it and
everybody was auditioning.
Wanted to do it and everybody was auditioning. I was going to produce my
own audition.
And I did.
Own audition. And I did. And I got michael peters
and I did. And I got michael peters to choreograph it.
I found a videographer
that had a video technique
that looked like film.
That had a video technique that looked like film. You know, I just did the
whole thing.
And I had so much fun
doing it.
And in doing so and taking
the dance classes and
and in doing so and taking the dance classes and singing "j'ai deux amours"
I realized I was the best
woman for the role,
because I actually saw
myself get close to it.
Because I actually saw myself get close to it. So after I did the
auditions the director,
so after I did the auditions the director, brian gibson, comes up and
says, "marvelous,
marvelous.
Says, "marvelous, marvelous. You're fantastic.
Marvelous. You're fantastic. Oh, my god, you've done
you're fantastic. Oh, my god, you've done such fantastic work."
oh, my god, you've done such fantastic work." a
and?
A and? And he said, we're now
going on to new york and
and he said, we're now going on to new york and london to see what those
cities have to offer.
London to see what those cities have to offer. And I felt it was so
ridiculously stupid
and I felt it was so ridiculously stupid because I thought I
could -- I was right.
Because I thought I could -- I was right. Right?
Could -- I was right. Right? Okay.
So then a little while
okay. So then a little while after that my agents
so then a little while after that my agents called and said it's over,
diahann carroll is going
to do the older josephine
and irene cara's going to
do the younger josephine.
And irene cara's going to do the younger josephine. Okay.
Do the younger josephine. Okay. I went to a place called
okay. I went to a place called the mondrian on sunset.
It used to be called
something else.
I don't remember.
Something else. I don't remember. But they had jazz every
night.
I sat in that little bar
and cried and cried and
cried.
And cried and cried and cried. They felt so badly for me
that everybody was sending
they felt so badly for me that everybody was sending me drinks.
That everybody was sending me drinks. And the waitress just gave
me drinks anyway because
and the waitress just gave me drinks anyway because it was like, I was just
so -- I was absolutely
sure.
So -- I was absolutely sure. And you know, you're not
very sure very often about
and you know, you're not very sure very often about a lot of things.
Very sure very often about a lot of things. And it was an absolute for
me.
So I went home and I
started putting all that
so I went home and I started putting all that stuff away.
Started putting all that stuff away. And then when I went to
put away the last bit of
and then when I went to put away the last bit of the material and the
script that they had given
me, I couldn't do it.
Script that they had given me, I couldn't do it. I put it back on my coffee
table, and I never took it
off my coffee table.
Table, and I never took it off my coffee table. So cut to three months
later, they said okay,
so cut to three months later, they said okay, there's been a change of
plans and they want you to
come back in.
Plans and they want you to come back in. And audition one more
time.
I said absolutely not.
Time. I said absolutely not. I don't care.
And I was broke.
I mean, I really needed
and I was broke. I mean, I really needed this job.
I said no, if they want to
meet me they're going to
have to meet me at a
restaurant somewhere with
a round table.
Restaurant somewhere with a round table. I'm not going to sit
across from these people
again and let them judge
me when I left it all on
the floor, all on the
stage.
The floor, all on the stage. No, but just kidding.
Stage. No, but just kidding. You know, because I was
no, but just kidding. You know, because I was young and excited.
And they agreed.
Young and excited. And they agreed. So had the meeting, went
and they agreed. So had the meeting, went back, did a seven-hour,
so had the meeting, went back, did a seven-hour, seven or eight-hour screen
test.
Seven or eight-hour screen test. And the next morning they
said, you know, I had the
and the next morning they said, you know, I had the job.
Said, you know, I had the job. But it was a rigamarole as
they say in the south.
It was rdiculous.
They say in the south. It was rdiculous. They should have known.
But long story short, it
they should have known. But long story short, it was the best experience,
but long story short, it was the best experience, creative experience,
because there just aren't
many, many movies that
have any woman in almost
every frame of a film,
which means you carry the
film.
Which means you carry the film. What is interesting is
that it doesn't happen
what is interesting is that it doesn't happen very often still.
That it doesn't happen very often still. So it's just -- it was a
blessing.
Was a little worried about that. So that made me st when it came to being
so that made me st when it came to being topless, I was a little
worried about that.
Topless, I was a little worried about that. So that made me just
exercise so hard.
Take salsa lessons and
samba lessons and african
take salsa lessons and samba lessons and african dance and modern dance and
I just didn't stop
working.
On my body and on my
ability to dance as freely
on my body and on my ability to dance as freely as she did.
Ability to dance as freely as she did. So the day that we have to
shoot the banana dance and
so the day that we have to shoot the banana dance and the dance sauvage it was
very interesting.
The dance sauvage it was very interesting. So you know, did
everything, body makeup.
I mean, I was glistening
and it was great.
The bananas were on and
popping.
The spit curls were just
laid and, you know, I had
the spit curls were just laid and, you know, I had a robe.
Laid and, you know, I had a robe. It was a closed set.
A robe. It was a closed set. And they said action, and
it was a closed set. And they said action, and I started with the banana
and they said action, and I started with the banana dance and all that stuff.
I felt so free.
Dance and all that stuff. I felt so free. I didn't know how
josephine baker would be
received, that is, once I
finally was cast in the
role.
Finally was cast in the role. But I believed what I
always believe.
The more personally you
approach a role the more
the more personally you approach a role the more invested I am, the more
the audience will be
invested in it.
The audience will be invested in it. If the work is good.
Invested in it. If the work is good. So I knew that this was my
if the work is good. So I knew that this was my shot.
This was the biggest
opportunity that I'd ever
this was the biggest opportunity that I'd ever had.
Opportunity that I'd ever had. I felt it would be okay.
Had. I felt it would be okay. I did not know that it
would garner me an ace
nomination, a golden globe
nomination, an emmy award,
that it would really
platform me to be an
actress that people
believe in.
Actress that people believe in. I didn't have time to
think about whether they
wouldn't like it.
Think about whether they wouldn't like it. I was trying to do
everything I could to
♪
>> whitfield: So here I am.
I'm nominated for an emmy.
I'm really excited about that.
Great company.
>>> so here I am.
I'm nominated for an emmy.
I'm very excited about
that.
Great company.
That. Great company. I am also nine months
great company. I am also nine months pregnant.
I mean, who doesn't want
to do the red carpet for
an awards -- a big awards
show, right?
An awards -- a big awards show, right? So at nine months pregnant
I'm in silks and woolens
so at nine months pregnant I'm in silks and woolens on beverly boulevard in
los angeles, california
trying to figure out what
I am going -- what my body
might look like after I
have this baby because the
awards are two weeks later
after I'm supposed to give
birth.
After I'm supposed to give birth. So I'm there and we're
draping duchess satin and
so I'm there and we're draping duchess satin and all of a sudden my water
breaks.
All of a sudden my water breaks. And I have on my dear
pair, I think it was my
and I have on my dear pair, I think it was my first or second pair of
manolo blahnik, you know,
mule slides.
Manolo blahnik, you know, mule slides. Because I was still trying
to look glamorous.
Honey, that water broke.
To look glamorous. Honey, that water broke. I swear, I leapt out of
honey, that water broke. I swear, I leapt out of those slides before the
water hit the floor.
Those slides before the water hit the floor. I was like, I -- what is
going on?
This can't be happening.
Going on? This can't be happening. I haven't finished
this can't be happening. I haven't finished designing my gown.
And off to the hospital we
go.
So yep, that's how it
happened.
I had grace, and two weeks
later both her father --
the only time a husband
and wife team had ever won
for directing and best
actress.
For directing and best actress. Okay, well, it's two
things that we got all
okay, well, it's two things that we got all confused.
Things that we got all confused. Number one, right?
Confused. Number one, right? In the perfect
number one, right? In the perfect relationship between a
in the perfect relationship between a director and an actress,
right?
Director and an actress, right? A director is there to
bring out your best
a director is there to bring out your best performance.
Bring out your best performance. And we created and had
such an incredible
and we created and had such an incredible marriage, creative
marriage and doing this.
Marriage, creative marriage and doing this. But those two roles do not
equate to a good real
but those two roles do not equate to a good real marriage.
Equate to a good real marriage. So when he said action,
I'm not going to speak
so when he said action, I'm not going to speak just because you said so.
I am not there just to
create your beautiful
vision.
Create your beautiful vision. And his job wasn't just to
protect and bring out the
and his job wasn't just to protect and bring out the very best in me.
Protect and bring out the very best in me. So we didn't know how to
do the same -- we did not
so we didn't know how to do the same -- we did not know how to translate that
into being husband and
wife in a marriage and
all.
Wife in a marriage and all. It was so crazy that we
just went off, we left
it was so crazy that we just went off, we left budapest, flew to london,
and got married.
Budapest, flew to london, and got married. And probably that happened
because we didn't have sex
and probably that happened because we didn't have sex while we were shooting.
Because we didn't have sex while we were shooting. We were falling in love
but we didn't -- we were
we were falling in love but we didn't -- we were not intimate because that
would have given away too
much of my power.
Would have given away too much of my power. I would have been
terrified.
Then I would have been
like all starry eyed and
then I would have been like all starry eyed and ridiculous.
Like all starry eyed and ridiculous. You know, when I had -- I
mean, to carry a woman
you know, when I had -- I mean, to carry a woman like that is a real
responsibility.
Like that is a real responsibility. And you can't mess up.
Responsibility. And you can't mess up. And I certainly could not
and you can't mess up. And I certainly could not mess it up by, you know,
and I certainly could not mess it up by, you know, just all of a sudden I'm
all in some passion thing.
Just all of a sudden I'm all in some passion thing. So we kept the work going.
All in some passion thing. So we kept the work going. But I think that's why
so we kept the work going. But I think that's why when it was over it was
but I think that's why when it was over it was this like fantasy, right?
When it was over it was this like fantasy, right? So we went and got married
right away.
All right, y'all.
Right away. All right, y'all. Those of you looking for
all right, y'all. Those of you looking for inspiration and all that.
Every now and then that
works.
But really take your time.
Works. But really take your time. Honestly, if we're hiring
but really take your time. Honestly, if we're hiring somebody to do our garden,
honestly, if we're hiring somebody to do our garden, we might vet them more.
Somebody to do our garden, we might vet them more. You know, you've got to
like really take time and
you know, you've got to like really take time and see how things really
work, right?
See how things really work, right? But we didn't do that.
Work, right? But we didn't do that. And thank god we didn't
but we didn't do that. And thank god we didn't because my daughter's
and thank god we didn't because my daughter's amazing and, you know,
sometimes you just don't
know how it will all shake
out.
Know how it will all shake out. But yes, I wanted to talk
about that because you
but yes, I wanted to talk about that because you know, I think it's --
sometimes it's so many
romantic concepts put to
marriage and it is but
also there's information
that you need to kind of
check out and see how well
suited you are, you know,
in the times when it's not
the fairy tale.
In the times when it's not the fairy tale. And how you work through
it.
And brian and I absolutely
did not do that.
But we did have a fabulous
daughter.
And made a film that will
stand the test of time.
Oh, my god.
Stand the test of time. Oh, my god. To go from all of the
oh, my god. To go from all of the glorious things that
to go from all of the glorious things that happened, it was a
nightmare.
Happened, it was a nightmare. You know, just really
hard.
So his impetus, right?
Hard. So his impetus, right? It wasn't working for
so his impetus, right? It wasn't working for either of us.
But it was his impetus to
do it then and I did
but it was his impetus to do it then and I did something that I never
wanted to do, being a
child of divorce, I never
wanted to create a child
of divorce.
Wanted to create a child of divorce. And so I was absolutely
devastat
and so I was absolutely devastat devastated.
Devastat devastated. And at the same time that
that was happening all
and at the same time that that was happening all kinds of things were
happening.
Kinds of things were happening. Other actresses were
emerging.
Things started moving kind
of fast.
And I felt very displaced.
Of fast. And I felt very displaced. I lost confidence.
So -- but I know this is
going to sound crazy, and
so -- but I know this is going to sound crazy, and don't confuse it with lady
may.
Don't confuse it with lady may. I swear to got.
May. I swear to got. Because this is real.
That's when I found jesus
because this is real. That's when I found jesus because this is for real.
I really didn't know what
to do.
That's when I started
vetting churches, you
that's when I started vetting churches, you know, and seeing what
church leaders could lead
me or help me through such
time.
Me or help me through such time. I'm so grateful that I
would not be the woman
that I am now had I not
had to find my place that
I go to to dig in for
strength, for wisdom, for
a joy and a peace that may
surpass circumstance,
wh
>> whitfield: "a thin line
between love and hate" was
really cool because I gained a
whole audience that I dn
>>> "thin line between
love and hate" was really
cool because I gained a
whole audience that I
didn't have before.
Whole audience that I didn't have before. People on every level,
every level of -- just got
people on every level, every level of -- just got something out of it.
Every level of -- just got something out of it. Because you know what?
Something out of it. Because you know what? You shouldn't mess with
because you know what? You shouldn't mess with anybody's heart.
It's not a gender thing.
Anybody's heart. It's not a gender thing. But it happened to be be
it's not a gender thing. But it happened to be be everybody cared about
but it happened to be be everybody cared about brandy webb.
Everybody cared about brandy webb. So people may not know
that martin really
so people may not know that martin really encouraged me to be as
cra
crazy, take as many
chances as I wanted to
take.
Chances as I wanted to take. So I called martin, I said
you know, martin, my dad,
so I called martin, I said you know, martin, my dad, who's a dentist, told me
that he had a patient that
got his -- she got her
husband arrested because
she found out that if you
beat yourself with oranges
it doesn't hurt but you
bruise.
It doesn't hurt but you bruise. So I said I think we
should do that.
He loved that idea.
Should do that. He loved that idea. He said we've got to do
he loved that idea. He said we've got to do it.
And then he added, well,
slamming the door, the
and then he added, well, slamming the door, the cabinet door on the arm.
Slamming the door, the cabinet door on the arm. And so we just kind of
built on everything.
And every moment that we
were particular ly in that
and every moment that we were particular ly in that club, irreverent as it
could be because everybody
was -- I mean, I guess it
was like the dozens.
Was -- I mean, I guess it was like the dozens. Everybody was topping
everybody else with the
everybody was topping everybody else with the jokes.
Everybody else with the jokes. But what we do know is
that we -- I knew that
but what we do know is that we -- I knew that when we did that monologue
and -- I'm not into gun
violence or anything.
And -- I'm not into gun violence or anything. But anyway, it it was
effective in the film.
Had the barrel of that
gun.
He said no, no, really do
it.
Really do it.
It. Really do it. When that monologue, "I'm
really do it. When that monologue, "I'm not doing this for myself,
when that monologue, "I'm not doing this for myself, I'm doing it for all
women," I really knew that
I believed it would be an
anthem for women.
And it did end up to be --
and martin lawrence ended
and it did end up to be -- and martin lawrence ended up being such a dear, dear
friend.
Up being such a dear, dear friend. So we're just -- we worked
really well together.
It was delightful.
Really well together. It was delightful. In greenleaf lady may was
it was delightful. In greenleaf lady may was originally written for
in greenleaf lady may was originally written for oprah to play.
Originally written for oprah to play. I did not know -- I didn't
know whether it should be
my part.
Know whether it should be my part. I knew that as written in
the pilot that there was
more to her than was on
that page.
More to her than was on that page. But once they promised me
they wanted to be
but once they promised me they wanted to be collaborative and really
make it what it should be,
so taking what that
five-season journey was,
so much fun and I am so
grateful because I think
the whole cast, that we
all created what will be a
classic and stick around.
All created what will be a classic and stick around. People will always want to
go back and say, well,
people will always want to go back and say, well, let's see "greenleaf."
and then I had the
blessing to create another
classic character that,
you know, has her own
following.
You know, has her own following. Lady may.
Following. Lady may. I don't know.
People talk about her
everywhere.
I don't always know is
something is perfect for
me.
Something is perfect for me. But I do have a sense when
I can help to build
but I do have a sense when I can help to build something that will last
because I don't like
disposable art.
Because I don't like disposable art. I really like to do things
that span the test of
time.
That span the test of time. "eve's bayou" was -- it
was so great.
I wish there were like
really complicated things
to share with you that
happened behinds the
scenes but there was such
a sense of family on that
show.
A sense of family on that show. I've got to tell you, we
really did shoot right on
a swamp.
Really did shoot right on a swamp. It was like that a can of
off was like cracked.
People would -- people w
were ready to sell their
people would -- people w were ready to sell their first-born.
Were ready to sell their first-born. Hon, I don't know how we
did it but we were bit up
hon, I don't know how we did it but we were bit up so badly.
Did it but we were bit up so badly. If you left your lunch
outside your door,
if you left your lunch outside your door, crocodiles or alligators,
I don't know, but they
would come right up, these
little babies, and just
start eating your food.
Little babies, and just start eating your food. Let me tell you, "eve's
bayou" was really in a
let me tell you, "eve's bayou" was really in a swamp area.
Bayou" was really in a swamp area. And I don't know.
Swamp area. And I don't know. It probably made it much
and I don't know. It probably made it much more real for miss diahann
it probably made it much more real for miss diahann carroll, who was so good
in that movie.
Carroll, who was so good in that movie. And there's a story about
how diahann carroll,
and there's a story about how diahann carroll, because she plays a voodoo
lady and she has a white
face in it, like white,
you know, voodoo paint or
whatever.
You know, voodoo paint or whatever. Well, the way that
happened was she was so
well, the way that happened was she was so absolutely beautiful and
that they would do the
makeup and had it kind of
mystical and not what she
normally wore.
Mystical and not what she normally wore. Every time miss carroll
would go back to her
every time miss carroll would go back to her trailer when she came out
she'd be the voodoo lady
and she'd come out as
diahann carroll.
And she'd come out as diahann carroll. She's so beautiful.
Diahann carroll. She's so beautiful. Also in "eve's bayou," you
she's so beautiful. Also in "eve's bayou," you know, the cheating
also in "eve's bayou," you know, the cheating husband, I begged her to
let me cuss him out.
Husband, I begged her to let me cuss him out. I said she has got to let
him have it.
I mean, he's messing with
all of his patients.
She's just, you know,
being quiet and this
she's just, you know, being quiet and this little doormat.
Being quiet and this little doormat. She said no, no, no, no,
you have to understand the
she said no, no, no, no, you have to understand the power of your silence.
You have to understand the power of your silence. I did not understand.
Power of your silence. I did not understand. I think I developed high
blood pressure on that
one.
Blood pressure on that one. Because I was, you know,
feeling my activism toar
because I was, you know, feeling my activism toar women and wanted to speak
out.
Women and wanted to speak out. But a woman in the '50s
would not do that.
But she was right, when I
saw it the silence was
but she was right, when I saw it the silence was >> whitfield: So here I am.
Saw it the silence was >> whitfield: So here I am. ♪
>>> so here I am.
I'm in a big hollywood
movie with big stars at
the time.
Movie with big stars at the time. They -- you know, I have
to get into these period
they -- you know, I have to get into these period dresses.
To get into these period dresses. So I was a saloon girl.
Dresses. So I was a saloon girl. So I had this beautiful
so I was a saloon girl. So I had this beautiful duchess satin rose saloon
so I had this beautiful duchess satin rose saloon girl dress.
Duchess satin rose saloon girl dress. And the pantaloons and
things and smaller pieces,
and the pantaloons and things and smaller pieces, they would often rent.
Things and smaller pieces, they would often rent. So I go to put my
pantaloons on and it says
so I go to put my pantaloons on and it says vivienne leigh, "gone with
the wind."
and I was like oh, my god.
The wind." and I was like oh, my god. I wanted them so bad.
And I was like oh, my god. I wanted them so bad. I wanted to take them.
But at that time I was
trying to build my
but at that time I was trying to build my reputation.
Trying to build my reputation. I don't think I've ever
wanted to steal anybody
else's drawers before.
Wanted to steal anybody else's drawers before. Yeah, I w
>> whitfield: Well, I think I
yeah, I w >> whitfield: Well, I think I learned, during --
>>> well, I think I
learned during -- even before barack obama ran
that if you don't stand
for something you'll fall
for anything, if you want
to see something change,
if you believe in
leadership then you need
to support that and do the
work.
To support that and do the work. I learned that working,
being a part of the
political process, having
a real respect for the
power of the vote put me
in a place of
understanding what the
world can look like if we
all come together.
World can look like if we all come together. It helped me to understand
that we're far more
it helped me to understand that we're far more similar than we are
different.
Similar than we are different. And it helped me
understand the poli part
and it helped me understand the poli part of politics, which is the
people part of the science
of politics, and that
politics, your beliefs
need to be based upon what
will affect your life
personally.
Will affect your life personally. Right?
Personally. Right? So I loved the personal
right? So I loved the personal part of it because it's
so I loved the personal part of it because it's still a people thing,
right?
Still a people thing, right? You're talking to people,
processing with people.
And it makes me feel more
responsible for my own
and it makes me feel more responsible for my own reality, working in
politics.
Reality, working in politics. Not working in politics
but helping out.
I just think that it's
really important to love
what you do, to find what
you feel is your purpose,
to find passion for living
in what you're doing, to
expect the best and to
make adjustments for the
worst.
Make adjustments for the worst. I for myself really have
faith that all things will
work together for good
ultimately.
Work together for good ultimately. So it's not losing faith
and also not becoming
so it's not losing faith and also not becoming jaded.
And also not becoming jaded. The moment we get jaded,
the moment we harden our
the moment we get jaded, the moment we harden our hearts or don't expect for
things to be better or to
be great, we don't have
joy in it, you know, why
are we here?
Joy in it, you know, why are we here? So, you know, to never let
the world make you close
so, you know, to never let the world make you close your heart to the
possibility of great
things.
♪