Paula Patton: The Ideal Woman
Artist:
RWD
Soaking up LA rays, reading blockbuster scripts and starring alongside greats such as Denzel Washington; life’s treating Paula Patton pretty well right now...
words by Danny Walker
“Since I was a little girl, I dreamt of being an actress,” the Déjà Vu star softly tells RWD via the miracle of modern day telecommunication. “I would put on plays and act out all the parts,” she jests of her earliest sip of acting-flavoured Kool Aid. “My parents thought I was crazy – always talking to myself. I went to film school, graduated and ended up working for the Discovery Channel.” Patton soon, erm, discovered a new hunger for character-creating. “I found myself really wanting to work in the industry.” Before you could say ‘Hollywood Boulevard’ she was taking acting classes and before long, she was on a film set for real.
“That was a small role,” her (cold battling) voice remembers when we ask about acting alongside Will Smith in 2005’s big-screen success Hitch. “My first lead role was Idlewild. It was also my first real audition and to my surprise I got it.” Not many people can claim such fame, and alongside Seasoned Pro Terrance Howard [Hustle & Flow] and thespian newbies André Benjamin and Big Boi of Outkast fame, she proved her acting lessons were worth the money. Patton tells us why making Idle was so wild. “I got to work with good actors and it was amazing working with Patti LaBelle, who I really love. Most of my work was with André and it was really wonderful. He was humble and generous with his time and space.” I quickly probe for the dirt, but... nothing. “It was his lead role too, so we were nervous together. But he’s a great actor. Whenever I watched MTV, I’d be like ‘Who is this André 3000?’ He’s completely different to the guy I’m working with!” Not only did the ATL-ien grow a second skin, but playing Angel Davenport came natural to Paula too. “It was really great working on set and on my character. I wanted her to have the feel of a woman from the 1930s, so I watched a lot of old movies and read books. I had a notebook with all these little things written down that she did. You might not know about them, but I did, and it gave me confidence.”
When the script of Déjà Vu landed, it was audition time again, and once more, Patton saw the same success. “I loved the script, it was an interesting phenomenon that we’ve all had. I knew that Denzel and Ridley Scott were involved so it was a dream project.” But does Ms Patton think that type of technology will ever exist? [For those that haven’t seen the film, we won’t spoil it], “Never, say never,” she laughs.
Another great thing about being Patton, is that, so far at least, her fame isn’t overwhelming; there’s no paparazzi hiding in her recycling or stalkers with fresh self-inflicted ‘PP’ forehead tattoos. She is starting to get her props though. “The first time you get recognised you think it’s a joke being played on you. It’s weird, people asking for your autographs and pictures. It’s exciting, fun and... surreal. When I walk away I’m still like, ‘Can you believe that?’ to my mum.” Premieres – with singer hubby Robin Thicke in tow – and working with A-Listers aside, Paula promises nothing has changed. “I don’t feel any different,” she decides. “Maybe it’s living in LA, but it’s nice.” So she can afford to chill, at least a little, right? “I’m not in a position where I can just lay back,” she quickly insists. “I feel like I’m always working... sorry to burst that bubble, but I’m not about to stop right now. There’s a lot for me to do yet!”
What’s the Best Motherly Advice You’ve Received?
“The best thing mum has done for me is to support ANY venture I put my mind to. She’s really proud and so happy for me. She tells EVERYBODY about what movies I’m in and I love her so much.”
Soaking up LA rays, reading blockbuster scripts and starring alongside greats such as Denzel Washington; life’s treating Paula Patton pretty well right now...
words by Danny Walker
“Since I was a little girl, I dreamt of being an actress,” the Déjà Vu star softly tells RWD via the miracle of modern day telecommunication. “I would put on plays and act out all the parts,” she jests of her earliest sip of acting-flavoured Kool Aid. “My parents thought I was crazy – always talking to myself. I went to film school, graduated and ended up working for the Discovery Channel.” Patton soon, erm, discovered a new hunger for character-creating. “I found myself really wanting to work in the industry.” Before you could say ‘Hollywood Boulevard’ she was taking acting classes and before long, she was on a film set for real.
“That was a small role,” her (cold battling) voice remembers when we ask about acting alongside Will Smith in 2005’s big-screen success Hitch. “My first lead role was Idlewild. It was also my first real audition and to my surprise I got it.” Not many people can claim such fame, and alongside Seasoned Pro Terrance Howard [Hustle & Flow] and thespian newbies André Benjamin and Big Boi of Outkast fame, she proved her acting lessons were worth the money. Patton tells us why making Idle was so wild. “I got to work with good actors and it was amazing working with Patti LaBelle, who I really love. Most of my work was with André and it was really wonderful. He was humble and generous with his time and space.” I quickly probe for the dirt, but... nothing. “It was his lead role too, so we were nervous together. But he’s a great actor. Whenever I watched MTV, I’d be like ‘Who is this André 3000?’ He’s completely different to the guy I’m working with!” Not only did the ATL-ien grow a second skin, but playing Angel Davenport came natural to Paula too. “It was really great working on set and on my character. I wanted her to have the feel of a woman from the 1930s, so I watched a lot of old movies and read books. I had a notebook with all these little things written down that she did. You might not know about them, but I did, and it gave me confidence.”
When the script of Déjà Vu landed, it was audition time again, and once more, Patton saw the same success. “I loved the script, it was an interesting phenomenon that we’ve all had. I knew that Denzel and Ridley Scott were involved so it was a dream project.” But does Ms Patton think that type of technology will ever exist? [For those that haven’t seen the film, we won’t spoil it], “Never, say never,” she laughs.
Another great thing about being Patton, is that, so far at least, her fame isn’t overwhelming; there’s no paparazzi hiding in her recycling or stalkers with fresh self-inflicted ‘PP’ forehead tattoos. She is starting to get her props though. “The first time you get recognised you think it’s a joke being played on you. It’s weird, people asking for your autographs and pictures. It’s exciting, fun and... surreal. When I walk away I’m still like, ‘Can you believe that?’ to my mum.” Premieres – with singer hubby Robin Thicke in tow – and working with A-Listers aside, Paula promises nothing has changed. “I don’t feel any different,” she decides. “Maybe it’s living in LA, but it’s nice.” So she can afford to chill, at least a little, right? “I’m not in a position where I can just lay back,” she quickly insists. “I feel like I’m always working... sorry to burst that bubble, but I’m not about to stop right now. There’s a lot for me to do yet!”
What’s the Best Motherly Advice You’ve Received?
“The best thing mum has done for me is to support ANY venture I put my mind to. She’s really proud and so happy for me. She tells EVERYBODY about what movies I’m in and I love her so much.”
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