Glamazons,
I know you’ve probably heard this before but LisaRaye McCoy keeps it real. I was able to catch up with the busy multifaceted actress a few months back and we had an awesome chat!
She dished on everything from what we can expect on the next season of “Single Ladies” to her hair and beauty secrets and so much more.
Check out our interview below:
Glamazon Margo: You’re one of the leading ladies on the hot VH1 series “Single Ladies.” What can we expect from Keshia and the girls next season?
LR: We won’t know until we go back to work. There have been a few changes that have been made. The creator and head writer Stacie A. Littlejohn is no longer with the show. I’m waiting to see what whoever takes over’s vision would be for the show and if it’s consistent with what we’ve been doing. I’m excited to see what new storylines they have. I’m just blessed to be working in this economy and to be using my voice and talent.
[Editor’s Note: Here’s what VH1 dished about the new season: As Season 3 of “Single Ladies” returns, we find our three fabulous friends tighter than ever and ready for more crazy and wild adventures. As Keisha (LisaRaye McCoy) and Malcolm (D.B. Woodside) return to Atlanta from travelling around the world, their relationship is threatened by a sudden tragedy, a mysterious woman, Naomi Cox, (Lesley-Ann Brandt) and other unexpected secrets.]
GM: What other projects do you have in the works?
LR: I’m doing a movie based on the bestselling book called Kaffir Boy. [It’s] a political, humanitarian, spiritual piece. I’m playing a South African second grade teacher. I’m actually leaving to head there next month or so and I’m excited. It’s a very different role for me. I’m taking on the accent as well. I’m getting a new jean line deal to bring my line out again. I’m no longer with PZI because we couldn’t see eye-to-eye on marketing. I’m also working on solidifying my new hair deal.
GM: You’re quite the busy lady! My mom and I were huge fans of your reality series on TV One, “LisaRaye: The Real McCoy.” Is it coming back?
LR: I stepped away from that because I was doing that simultaneously with “Single Ladies” and it was just too heavy for me. With reality TV changing so much with all of the drama selling, TV One went in a different direction that I wasn’t willing to be on board with. We shook hands and parted ways.
GM: You’ve been very vocal about your opinion of the way that black women are portrayed on Reality TV. Any thoughts on the current state of reality programming?
LR: It’s a damn shame what we as black women do with the platform that networks give us. We are professionals; we are mothers; we are daughters; we are grown. Some things—leave to the imagination. Some things—leave behind closed doors. You don’t need to tell everything—especially the stupid, silly ghetto stuff. Keep that within your household because you know that other people are watching and we’re training our kids to look at this. I get it. It’s real life. It’s what you’re going through—it’s your story. It may help somebody, but not when you’re acting a damn fool. That’s not helping anybody. The older that I get, the more I want to take advantage of the experiences that I’ve had and the mistakes that I’ve made, and to reach and teach others by example. Not just by playing the fool or letting someone play me like a fool for the world to see.
GM: You are a strong supporter of President Barack Obama. How did you feel when he won a second term in office?
LR: When it happened, I had this sense of “Yes!” It was excitement and a determination of a concrete “Yes, we can!” and “Thank You Jesus!”
GM: I know that’s right!
LR: A couple of years ago, I was involved in Obama‘s educational tour with the Reverend Al Sharpton and our Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. We kicked that off in Philadelphia. Just sitting there with all of the power-heads, I realized that the kids gravitated toward me because it could be a little intimidating to have all of those people in a classroom with kids because once you say their titles, [kids think] “They’re real adults. They run the world.” With me being on TV, it automatically makes me cool because I’m an actress and I’m this person that stepped off the TV. What’s important is what comes out of my mouth. I have a platform to use and I have a voice. I started realizing that I wanted to be that advocate, and education is something that’s very dear to my heart.
GM: You released pictures of yourself with a mural of President Obama on your back to show your support. What inspired this campaign?
LR: I always wanted to have an artist paint something on my back or tattoo something on my back but I couldn’t figure out what I would use those pictures for. I was like if I get him to paint a portrait of Obama on my back, then that means I’ve got his back! I’m going to be a teacher, and I’m going to get everybody to have his back. It came out exactly how I wanted it to be.
GM: How long did the mural take?
LR: Girl, 4 hours!
GM: Wow! Well, it came out great! You’re a very beautiful woman, who is aging gracefully. What’s a go-to- beauty secret that you would like to share?
LR: I keep oil in my hair. I keep my hair saturated. I wear wigs when I play Keisha on “Single Ladies” and I rarely wear my own hair when I’m working. I have hair and it’s pretty long, and I want to keep it that way! I use jojoba oil or coconut oil.
GM: You’ve embarked on a 90-day fitness challenge powered by Body by Vi. How did this lifestyle change come about?
LR: I did a Body by Vi workshop in St. Louis. I was so inspired because of the people who were dedicated to not just the program and the products but to [bettering] themselves. It’s about a healthy lifestyle and [being conscious of] what I’m putting into my mouth and my temple. I’m learning more about my body because at first I used to be able to do something quick to lose weight to go into production for my next project. From doing that (fasting and quick fixes), I was developing cellulite and fat deposits. Yes, I’m a small-framed woman and a shapely woman, but I was camouflaging with Spanx! With me doing “Single Ladies” everything that I squeeze my ass into is tight, form-fitting, pushed up and sucked in…[I] can’t hardly breathe! I was like this isn’t going to work for next season.
I started the 90-day challenge and they put me on the Transformation Kit, which is 2 protein shakes a day with a meal and 2 snacks. I’m good because the shake is great. It tastes like cake mix, you throw in strawberries, blueberries, bananas or whatever else you want to doc it up with—and it’s fantastic.
GM: What are you hoping to accomplish from this fitness challenge?
LR: I’m trying to tone up. I’m doing Pilates and my goal is to be back in shape like I was when I did “Player’s Club,” which was over 10 years ago. I’m taking pole classes, and girl, let me tell you! I have a whole different appreciation for strippers. Doing that pole work you’ve got to have an incredible strength coming from your upper body and your core. I want to be sexy for myself and sexy for my mate, whenever I do find him cause I’m praying for him to come into my life. I just urge everybody to come out and to encourage me by visiting Lisa Raye Challenge.
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Speaking with LisaRaye felt like I was catching up with a girlfriend that I hadn’t spoken to in a while. Can’t wait to catch up with her and the ladies when “Single Ladies” returns to VH1 on January 6th at 9/8C.
In the meantime, you can follow her on Twitter at @TheRealLRaye.
Check out a preview of Season 3 below:
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Can’t wait for January 6th!
Ciao Bellas,
Glamazon Margo
