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Misa Hylton talks to Honeymag.com….

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honeymag.com

this article is straight from honeymag.com:

I was born to a Japanese-Jamaican mom and a Black father, whose family is from South Carolina. I’m proud to say I was born and raised in Mount Vernon, NY. It’s home to Denzel Washington, Dick Clark, Al B. Sure, Case and, of course, Sean “Diddy” Combs. It’s crazy because Mount Vernon is only four square miles and most of us went to the same high school, Mount Vernon High School. Sean lived around the corner from my best friend Tiffany, so as kids’ we’d see each other from time to time. Years later, we ran into each other at the Apollo in Harlem. That’s how our relationship began. I was there with him during those early years when he interned at Universal and was then promoted to A&R. I was also there when he got fired and was starting Bad Boy. I was about 19-years old and about three months pregnant at the time, and he was scared out of his mind. I understood his fears, being fired and having a baby on the way. But I told him, listen you have what it takes you can do this on your own. I also encouraged him to sign legendary rapper,  Biggie Smalls. He wasn’t going to do it at first, but just like Sean, I’m good at recognizing talent, and I could see it in Biggie. I loved his sound. I loved his swag. I thought it was amazing, and eventually Sean saw it too. Through it all, I was his girlfriend, but in a lot of ways I was like his assistant, too. I’d be there for him if he needed someone to find clothes for an artist or run down to 8th Street in Manhattan to pick something up. I was interning at Def Jam in Artist Development as well and had the opportunity to work with Jodeci because of Sean.

That’s more or less how I got my start.

Balancing our relationship, work and motherhood had its challenges. It was a big adjustment. I still remember the day when the responsibility of being a teen mother sank in for me: it was Easter and all my friends were going to the club. My mom was away, my nanny was off and I couldn’t get anybody to watch my newborn, so Justin and I just sat on the couch watching TV and I kept thinking “Wow. My life has changed. I can no longer do what I want to do.” But even if I couldn’t party like I wanted, I wouldn’t give up work. Fashion styling is what I do. It’s my God-given talent. This is one of the easiest and most fulfilling things for me to do besides being a mom. Eventually Puff and I separated. Being a single mom had its difficulties, but I made up my mind never to get back together romantically. There was too much damage done.

But work was something else. I kept working with him on projects and it might seem strange, but I never let my emotions play a part in my decision for business. I was always able to separate the two. Even if we had personal problem, I’d never say,  ‘Oh you can’t take Justin!.’  A lot of women do that. When they have problems with the relationship, they’ll try to hold the kid hostage. I never did that. If he called me for a job and I was available, I did it. My philosophy was simple:  I’m not going to turn down a job that’s paying me, helping my career and making me happy out of spite. I’ll do it, but I’m not going to go to dinner after.

That work ethic has taken me far. By the time I was 25 years old, I can honestly say that I’d made a million dollars from fashion styling outside of my relationship with Sean. A lot of people think because I have a baby by Sean Combs, that I’m just sitting back and doing nothing, but that wasn’t the case at all. I was a guest on national talk shows. I had been featured in major magazines, and had worked with icons in the industry. And all with no publicist. I’m very proud of my success. To be clear, Sean introduced me to many of my celebrity clients, and I’ll always honor that. But everything I have comes from God and that’s my provider.

Now that I’m in a position to give back, I do so freely. I had no mentors and that’s why I mentor. Coming up as a stylist, it was actually hard for me to borrow clothes from fashion houses. Although the artists I worked with were celebrities in my world, they wouldn’t be able to get clothes loaned to them. But through every challenge lies an opportunity and I was inspired to start designing clothes because of that. If I couldn’t get a dress or leather hip huggers from designers like Gucci, I just made a better one. I worked with Troy and Guy, the couturiers behind 5000 New Flavors, a company that actually manufactured a lot of clothes for the early Bad Boy artists.  During that period, I worked with celebs like Mary J. Blige for her What’s The 411 album. I also worked with Lil’ Kim early in her career and that was a milestone for me because I got to work with Vogue and a lot of international magazines. I was part of her crossing over to MTV and the mainstream because of the “Crush on You” video I styled. Ultimately, I think I’ve been able to succeed because I strive to understand the artists in order to create a look that’s an extension of their personal style.

In recent  years, I’ve moved on from individual clients to corporate clients. I’ve worked with Club Monaco, Bill Gates and Microsoft as a Fashion Technology consultant, giving opinions. I’m also a costume designer and have styled several films including Perfect Holiday and The Cookout. What I’m most passionate about right now is a new project that deals with my other passion: hair. I’ve teamed up with celebrity stylist XX to start  a hairline called Bella Coif and the Transformers Hair show, showcasing our custom lacefront wigs and quality weaves. As I move on, I reflect and it’s cool to see it all come full circle now. Rihanna’s stylist Mariel Haenn used to work with me. She was my assistant fashion editor at The Source and Nicki Minaj’s stylist, Fatima, is working very hard and is keeping up with the fast pace of Minaj’s career. The fact that Minaj has been described as a modern Lil Kim makes me feel so good, because I was a big part of creating Kim’s image.

Besides work, I have a man — a great, fabulous, sexy black man I’m in love with. He’s not a celebrity. We’ve been together for about five years now. I appreciate that he’s a real man. That’s refreshing. Being in the entertainment industry you see that a lot of times men are so far removed from manhood and what it really means.  My guy takes care of me, takes care of my children and even opens my door for me to this day. It’s a good feeling to fall back and let someone take control. That’s a lesson I never thought I would learn, but then again, nothing has turned out like I thought it would, from life to love to motherhood to career. Everything I’ve experienced whether it made me happy or was challenging, has made me who I am today, and I love who I am today.

As told to Zandile Blay

Honeymag.com interviews Trina!~

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honeymag.com

 

this interview is straight from honeymag.com: 

Honey Magazine: This is your fifth album. Are you excited about the release of the new album Amazin’?
Trina: I’m very excited. I worked really hard on the album. I just wanted to make records that were relative to where my life is right now. It was about just having fun, and being happy, and love. Evolving as a woman. It’s been pretty amazing. 

Is that why it’s called Amazin’?
Well, I was in the studio and it wasn’t really a name thing — I was just going back from the first album to the fourth album and I was saying, “Wow, really five albums?” It was like a rewind thing. I was just looking at a bunch of footage in the UK and all over the world. I just thought this is pretty amazing. It seems so surreal. As an artist sometimes you don’t realize how much you have done. 

The lead single is “Million Dollar Girl.” How was it working with Diddy on that track?
I’m going to be so honest with you. Diddy has been my most favorite artist to work with. When I first heard that he wanted to get on the record, I just thought the label was just saying that to hurry up and press me to get the record done. I had Keri Hilson already in mind. When I got the beat I thought she’d kill it. She has such a beautiful, amazing voice. When Diddy did the record, […] he flew down for the video Super Bowl weekend, just his aura just his presence — it was so professional and humble. He brought great energy on set. He grabbed me one on one. We said a prayer and Ciroc was in the building. I was just amazed. The whole crew was. We were wondering [if] he [was] going to come all ego-ed out. 

In the video for “Million Dollar Girl,” you two seemed very comfortable with each other. Did you vibe on set?
He’s a really great person. He’s a business person. I love that. Everything was in a professional manner. He was a perfectionist. He checked everything with the video and it was just like a beautiful thing to have someone of his caliber to be doing the song with. And for him to be there and give pointers and to say certain things, it just made a smooth day. 

“Million Dollar Girl” is a different kind of record for you. How have you evolved from the very first single with Trick Daddy to now?
I’m at a good place. Before when I stared, it was just a new face, a new girl. I did a record with Trick. It was very provocative. It was just getting on the record and talking trash, and then I started knowing more and growing more, learning different things about the business. A lot of times as an artist you don’t get to do what you want to do because the label wants to have so much control. This time I had a lot of control to step outside and do what I want to do. 

How have you changed?
I’ve grown. I’m not the same chick from when I did Da Baddest Bitch album. There were records and beats that I turned down, because I felt like I did it and I’m just over it. I’m on a new page. I’m still Trina. I still did something grimy and the underground club, the up-tempo, the sexy, the love [songs]. This album has so much more of my thoughts and my character. 

What’s your favorite song on the album?
I have a record with Monica. It’s called “I Want It All.” It’s the love hate side. It’s one of those moments where I was in a spaced-out mind frame. And I felt like any other woman would feel if you’re in a bad relationship. One of my most favorites is a record I did called “Capricorn.” It’s not really a rap record; it’s more poetic. I was just expressing what a Capricorn means to me. I’m a Sagittarius. I listened to the record. After I was like, “Wow, this is really a different side of me.” 

Is this album more pop?
It’s some pop records on there. I did some stepping outside of the box. I wanted to do something different. It’s just to show a little diversity. To show that I can do different things as opposed to a single rap record. 

We heard that you worked with Lady Gaga on the album. What was that like?
She actually co-wrote the “Let Them Girls Fight” record, featuring Kaleena of Dirty Money. A producer I used on my previous album — he produced “Here We Go” — I went back to him and told him I wanted something different. He said, “I got a record for you, and it’s co-written by Lady Gaga.” At this time I didn’t know who she was. She wasn’t the iconic superstar. So I [listened] and thought, “This is fun.” I Googled her. I was really amazed. I loved her work and I was like I want to try it. It’s different. 

Have you met Gaga?
I haven’t. I think it would be amazing. I actually got to see half of one of her concerts but I had to fly out and do a concert the same night. Amazing. 

You also worked with Nicki Minaj on the album?
Yes, Nicki Minaj is on the album with Lady Saw. It was just one of those records where I wanted a different girly vibe — girls from different places with different types of expression and sound. Nicki was new and it was like embracing a fresh face. Lady Saw is Jamaican. So that was a whole different flavor. I’ve done an all-girl record before but not like this. 

People always say you and Nicki have beef. What was your response to her last line in “5 Star Chick” when she says ‘Ask Lil Wayne who the five-star bitch is’?
There is no drama. There has no reason to be no drama. I’ve never done anything to her and she’s never done anything to me. Drama comes from conflict of interest. I saw you in the street. You said something I didn’t like. That’s drama. The rest of that is erroneous information. As far as [Nicki Minaj’s] verse — I was on the record first. When I heard [Nicki’s lyrics], that’s how she feels. Wayne is the CEO of the label that she’s on and I guess that is her way of saying let him solidify to people that she’s a five-star chick. I did my verse being totally me who I am, just being me, and talking slick. 

So is it safe to say that your verse on the “My Chick Bad (Remix)” is not targeted towards Nicki Minaj?
On the “My Chick Bad (Remix)”, I don’t see how [my verse] could be anything to anybody — Nicki or anybody. It was just a slick verse — me just talking about my relationship, really. It had nothing to do with a female. I don’t spend too much time worrying about females or just having another female on [my] mind. That’s just not how I roll. I’m focused on music, making money. And everything outside of that really don’t matter to me. It’s a waste of time. 

How was first meeting Nicki Minaj?
I met her. She’s a fun person. She has a great spirit. We got along, no issues. And we keep it moving. We don’t got to sleep together. This is an industry. We just got to work together. We just got to get money and do our thing. 

Is there anyone on your bad side right now?
I’ve been doing this for 10 years. I don’t get into all that. I had one incident, which I really wouldn’t call it anything. It was just having something to say to let people know that I smile a lot. I’m very humble. You can say I’m glammed up, whatever. I don’t walk around with a chip on my shoulder. I’m making money. It’s a good life for me. 

As a femcee veteran ,do you have any advice for Nicki?
It’s a hard industry. People don’t understand how hard it is to be a female, a woman and be in this game amongst these wolves—these dudes that just dominate the game. It’s a hard game. Before it was Nicki Minaj, It was Trina, Trina, Trina. When she came about, it felt great to embrace somebody else. I’m a very confident woman. I have no problem giving props to other women when props is due. 

Who are the top five Female emcees/ rappers?
I’m going to say Lil’ Kim. I’m going to say Remy [Ma] because I love Remy. I’ll say Da Brat, MC Lyte. I’ll say me. 

There was some definite girl power going down on the “My Chick Bad (Remix)”. Did everybody get along behind the scenes?
We got along just fine. We had a great day. Luda[cris] was there like a big kid in a candy store with all these beautiful women. He didn’t know what to do. We had a whole all-star team. It wasn’t a long day. It was Super Bowl weekend. I was on the set, Diamond, Eve—we did our cameos together. And Nicki arrived and did a cameo with us for the remix part. That was just when we did the dancing scene. And that was it. It was fun. We all joked and smiled and handled our business. I haven’t had that much fun in a long, long time. 

There has been a lot of talk about the line in the “My Check Bad (Remix) where you say he got the lips tattooed. What was that about?
No I say “so good make him wanna tattoo my lips on him”. 

Right! Kenyon Martin actually talked about getting the lips tatted on his neck on a sports show. How did you get him to do that?
It was just one of those things that just happened. We were just chilling, having a great time and Kenyon was getting tattooed and he wanted my lips. So I basically kissed a piece of paper a bunch of different times and we chose one and it was done. In five minutes it was over. It was great. I couldn’t believe it. I was like are you really about to get that? And before I could get that little smile off my face — you know that blushing thing — it was done. It was all over. I was standing with the cheeks really big, smiling in awe and it was done. I think it was a beautiful thing and I love them. 

Kenyon Martin on Trina’s lips
 

trans Thats Her Attitude: Trina 

We love seeing you two together. Where did you meet?
We met three years ago at a foundation fundraiser. It was something for Alonzo Morning. It was just one of those things. We started talking and it just continued from that. He’s a great person. 

A lot of the blogs are reporting that you two have broken up although you have not. How do you deal with rumors?
It’s really hard to be private and to keep a relationship in this industry. Just to find someone that is a great person and ya’ll get along, to me that’s a beautiful thing. Outside of work, you need love. You need compassion and someone who really supports and holds you down and loves you. And I’m a relationship kind of person. I’m a very girly girl. I just love to be loved. 

So back to the lips on the neck. A tattoo is as serious as an engagement ring. So what’s next? Are you two planning to have babies, wedding?
[Laughs] I would love to have a family. I’m just going to say that. If it happens and God blesses me with that, I will be so grateful and so thankful because I love kids. I have nieces and nephews that I adore. I definitely would love to have a family. So we we’ll see. 

Recently, explicit photos of you were leaked from your cell phone. What was it like to go through that while being in a relationship with Kenyon?
The good thing was to have someone that is supportive. And be there and understand. Like I just didn’t know if I wanted to come outside. I didn’t know how to feel. It was a down thing for me at first. I’m a very emotional person so at first I was just like “Oh my God, why would somebody do that.” Then I got so much support from people around me. I just, like, refused to let the devil steal away my joy. I continued to lift my head up and move forward. 

What actually happened? How did someone get your phone?
The whole situation has been turned over to investigative [detectives]. It’s beyond just soliciting photos. It was actually extorting money. What happened was someone stole my phone from the BET awards, which was back in October. And I just would pray that [the personal photos] would never pop up. This was something that occurred five months later. I was absolutely devastated thinking that was just so horrible for someone to do. 

There has been speculation that all the photos were not yours. Is that true?
A lot of the photos that were online — some of them were from my phone. Some of them were not in my phone. Some were from the Internet, I believe. 

Besides the album you also have a lot of other projects in the works, a clothing line and a fragrance. Correct?
I merged with a [new company]. They have a little more creativity and style as far as what I like. I don’t feel it’s fair to put out something that you wouldn’t want to rock yourself, so I just want to make sure that I’m totally involved and feeling comfortable. Especially with denim with voluptuous and curvy women, you’re always looking for that perfect fit. I’m also launching a cosmetic line, which is glosses and eyelashes and a bunch of other pretty products. I’m really excited about that — just to actually be a part of making it. I see how the gloss is made. I pick the colors. It’s just fabulous. You can check it out on my website and pre-order the album, which is TheBaddestChick.com. And free gloss samples come with that. Outside of music, I’m actually re-launching my perfume again. I’m so excited because now I have a bigger company and a more fabulous [manufacturer]. I’m creating and building an empire. 

We’ve also heard that you have a reality show in the works. Can you tell us about it?
I’m actually getting ready for a television show. I think it’s really great. It’s really different from music though. I’m just in the beginning stage right now. I can’t wait to get started. I can’t say [which network]. We are not supposed to say because of the clearances and I’m not supposed to blurt it out.

LeToya Luckett + Honeymag.com

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concreteloop.com

this is straight from honeymag.com:

There was a time after Destiny’s Child broke up, when I was out of the spotlight. I was trying to figure out what to do. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do music again — be in a group or go solo. Actually, the thought of going solo was very scary to me. I didn’t think I could do it and would get mad when people told me I should record an album by myself.

I wasn’t upset about losing a chance to go to the Grammy’s or any celebrity perks. It was the loss of the friendship that was difficult. That was the hardest part of the separation. These girls [Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson] were my friends from elementary school. We went to church together, we hung out together.

To go from that to sitting across from each other in a courtroom and going through all that law stuff, was just crazy. You just kind of look at each other differently. That’s when I realized that the friendship had died. Figuring out how we were going to split assets and profits and all of that felt like a divorce. Right after the break up, I went to stay with my friend in Atlanta who had me in church Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I was developing my relationship with God. It helped me understand that I didn’t create my path. I wasn’t stressing, I wasn’t worrying. I was just praying and letting Him reveal what he had for me.

God is so amazing. Recently, I ran into Kelly and we got to catch up briefly. It was one of those things where you never know how the other person is going to react. But it was relaxed. I think we’ve both gotten to the age where it’s like, Girl please! She even hit me up the other day to let me know she was traveling. I would love to have a close friendship again, but that’s on God’s time.

The experience taught me about how things can be manipulated in the public. Like with the situation with Matt Kemp. I think the blogs kind of created the whole relationship. We were friends – there was nothing more to it. When we went out, a lot of times we had lots of other mutual friends there, but people would single us out. I definitely thought he was cute, but it was never anything like that. They had it on blogs that we were dating and this happened and that happened – but that’s not it.

rap-up.com

Right now, I am dating this work. It’s kind of hard to run into people you can trust. You just never know what their thing is or what they want to get out of the situation. At this point, I don’t want to get into dating. I’m focused on work and if he comes, that’s great.

I’m now based in Los Angeles. I moved here for acting. Between albums, I made the decision to come to Los Angeles and find an agent and have him direct what I do. My first audition was Preachers Kid. Thankfully, I nailed it and got cast for the role of Desiree. Four days before we went into production, I was cast for the leading role of Angie. I’d never done a film, let alone starred in one, but luckily, I had an amazing acting coach, Troy Roland, who helped me through it.

Not long after that, I got selected for The Killers, which is debuting in June with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl. I’m telling you — I lost my mind. The character I play is just like Charlotte from Sex and The City. She’s Katherine’s best friend and coworker and believes in love and being in love. It was such a surreal experience. I remember sitting on set with these guys and thinking, Wow, that’s Katherine Heigl from Greys Anatomy and Ashton Kutcher. She’s such a great actor and knows exactly how to turn it on and turns it off. Mr. Kutcher is hilarious and funny and everyone was really professional. All the actors were really supportive; it didn’t feel like everyone was competing.

I still have a ways to go. There’s more I want to do, especially with the youth. I’ve made it a point, especially on the tours to speak to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and at local schools. A lot of teenagers give up easily and fall victim to low self-esteem and peer pressure. I know what that feels like. Like I said before, I was at one time just trying to figure it out and could have gone one way or another. Thank God I have family and friends who lead me in the right direction.

I definitely look at myself as a survivor. I was just telling my friend I think I’ve spent most of my life getting over stuff. But that’s okay. That’s life. If you can’t walk away with something or learn something new, then it was all in vain. Keep your chin up and stay prayed up and just know how awesome you are and know you can do anything. Follow your dreams — you shouldn’t be doing anything else!

Rocsi writes column for HoneyMag.com

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honeymag.com

 

column for Honey Magazine. this is straight from honeymag.com:Rocsi’sCheck out 106 & Park host,

When the United Service Organization (USO) invited me to visit troops in Germany, I decided to go because I knew a lot of friends who had served in the military. They are fighting for our freedom and I wanted to give back. I stayed at the Ramstein Military Base – which is one of the most important bases in the world. That’s where a lot of soldiers go before and after tours of duty in Afghanistan or Iraq. Because of that, there’s a large mix of international soldiers, from Americans to Brits to Germans – and a lot of families and children. But it still looks and feels just like your neighborhood, with schools, rec-centers and offices.

The soldiers and families I met were so appreciative of the visit and kept saying, “Thank you for coming and thank you for showing that you care.” But I thanked them – they left a huge impression on me. I spent a lot of my time kicking it, eating and talking with wounded soldiers. I also visited students at the different schools on the base. Each one had a program called “Smart Girls Club,” and it was while sitting in on one of their discussions that the topic of body image came up.

I announced my battle with anorexia last summer on 106 & Park; so it was crazy to hear the girls talk about the same things I struggled with when I was just a little bit older than them. There are so many triggers for eating disorders. For me it started with an athletic thing, I was trying to be skinnier to be a flyer for the cheer leading squad. Mentally, I started to think I was too fat. I thought I was the definition of being overweight. For good or bad, my issue was never about men. It was never about a guy for me even to this day. I forgot who said it [but]: “you can be snaggled-toothed, cross-eyed, crazy-haired and there’s still someone out there who loves you. But you have to love yourself first.”

They opened up about their own body image struggles. What struck me about the group is, it wasn’t just Black girls, or Spanish girls or White girls – [the group] was diverse. It sounds so cliche, but I don’t think a lot of people know that everyone suffers [with] what’s looked at as a “white” disease. Women of color battle with body issues too. I deal with mine everyday.

I think its not something you can just “get over.” You have to finally feel secure with yourself. It’s about self-esteem and if you are not healthy with your self-esteem it’s something you never really get over. I don’t know if it’s our society that makes us that way. But I don’t believe only the media [should be] blamed, it starts at home when your parents say things like “Don’t eat too much!” or “You’re too fat or too skinny!”

That discussion and my time with soldiers has inspired me to go back again. I’d love to do a “Rocsi Presents” USO Tour and touch those cities that a lot of people don’t visit like Guam, Italy, or even Afghanistan and Iraq. I’m trying to get more hip-hop artists to go out there and visit. Some people may be surprised by these plans, but I’ve always been a philanthropic person. About 85% of the things I did before 106 & Park were based on giving back.

Through my Rocstar Foundation, I’ve helped rebuild communities in my native New Orleans. But that doesn’t get covered. It seems like people never want to hear about the good. That doesn’t stop me and it shouldn’t stop you. It’s easy to show love to different groups, especially our wounded soldiers. You can volunteer with your local USO chapter or any of your local veteran stations. You don’t have to go overseas. There are plenty of wounded soldiers that live right on our soil.

As told to Zandile Blay

Honeymag.com speaks to Columbus Short and Zoe Saldana

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Check out this interview that Honeymag.com did with these two Hollywood stars! This is straight from honeymag.com:

Honey Magazine:  The Losers is based on a DC Comics graphic novel about a team of highly trained, special black ops who are on a revenge mission. Was either of you comic book fans? How did you both prepare to breathe life into these two-dimensional characters?
Columbus:  I was not familiar with the comic book. But what is amazing about The Losers is that it is a graphic novel grounded in some sense of reality. And because the comic book does not have a huge following, we had some liberty in what we could bring to the character. But most of us stayed true to the comic book and used it as a source. Also working with Sylvain [White, director of Stomp The Yard] again is great because he knows how to keep your character grounded and real.

Zoe:  I had to study up to prepare for my role. We were all given comic books. What is cool is that The Losers are the renegades of the comic book world. They are like rock and rollers. We had this freedom to do whatever we had to do for the character and that’s what I did with Aisha. The movie is going to give the comic book a lot more notoriety. When I choose roles, I just look for a good script. I have a great team. After Star Trek, I did a movie in New Orleans for no money because I liked the character. She was dark and had survived sexual abuse. I became an actor for people not to know my face first, but to recognize my work. I was the blue alien in Avatar because I fell in love with her. It’s like a beautiful affair. You need your character and you fall for the role every time.

bossip.com

Columbus, you have said Pooch is like the Black MacGyver.
Columbus:  [Laughs] Pooch is the vehicle specialist. He can rig any vehicle and can handle his weapons. Everyday on set, you get [paid] to play shoot ‘em up.

Zoe, you seem to be drawn to strong female characters like Aisha.
Zoe:  I always take something from my characters with me. They haunt me. Letting go of Neytiri from Avatar was hard. I did not want to let go of her. Aisha is crazy, sexy and driven by emotions that are foreign to me. She is tough and complicated.

You both went through some intense physical training to gear up for the role.
Columbus: We went through some military and tactical training. We shot in El Yunque in extreme heat. Running up hills in full gear was intense.

Zoe: It always takes a village on set. We had an amazing gun expert. We called him Dirty Harry. The stunt coordinator was the same coordinator I had on Avatar. He was the one that trained me. He knows my body and that I am very resilient.

You and Zoe seem to share a special chemistry. You did this film and Death at a Funeral. What is it like to work with her?
Columbus:  Zoe can definitely hold her own. She is like my sister. We did Death at a Funeral together, which is pure comedy. Doing films from different genres back to back helped us as actors. Working with vets like Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan and then doing The Losers, you get to dial it down and bring a realer aspect to your character.

Zoe, how has your career changed since being part of the Oscar-nominated blockbuster Avatar?
Zoe:  I have not really thought about it that way. I take it day to day and count my blessings. I want to continue being employed through my art. The fact that I am here is a miracle.

Unlike many women of color in movies, you have avoided being pigeonholed in Hollywood and have landed amazing roles. What is your secret?
Zoe:  I avoid being put in a box in my life. It’s all about logic and humanity. I won’t pigeonhole myself in my career if I don’t pigeonhole myself in life. When I walk into a room, I feel like I’m the best. I am special. I feel equal. I want to give inspiration to people to be absolutely color-blind. You don’t want to be associated with a project that is narrow-minded. I am from New York, so this may sound a little arrogant, but it is up to you to expand people’s minds.

The Losers are in theaters April 23. Death at a Funeral is now playing.