By Tonisha Johnson

One would never guess when first meeting her that Paula could play a ho so well. You would think she’d had some serious practice and personal training at ‘dropping her coochie’ on most of the roles she has played. Now, as Paula, who is best known for many successful roles including Trudy from Disney’ “The Proud Family” is now playing a southern, single parent ho named Lexus.

Paula Jai Parker: For me it was about getting the role because it was such a coveted role in Hollywood. But when I got the part, I was like, do I really want it? It took Taraji Henson and I thank her so much because I’ve been every kind of hoochie you can be. And I’ve been an L.A. hoochie, but I’ve never been a southern hoochie. She sat me down…Gabrielle Union had a party for her husband and I’m just going thinking I’m going to do some celebrity hob knobbing and Taraji didn’t even let me enjoy the party. I’m trying to get cocktails and she’s like no, no. Sat me in a corner the entire night and gave me every single reason why I had to do this movie. And I thank my sister (Taraji) to this minute for doing that because this is the hoochie. I can’t remember all the reasons why that she gave me for all the reasons I needed to do this movie, but when it was over, I was convinced. And it was also about having an opportunity to work with her. We went to college together. She, Anthony and I. I wanted to support and I wanted to be apart of something with people that I love. And after I realized how much passion Craig had for this project and John as well, you know, I wanted it to be good despite the world. One of my favorite movies is “The Mac” and it’s not because I’m a product of that era…it was because it was genuinely good acting. One of my favorite scenes in that movie; I don’t remember the Diva’ name but, it’s done in the bed and it’s this monologue of life. And she’s but naked through the entire monologue. And that has affected my entire career. That monologue. The ability to be able to work without any…just too uninhibited.

To be able to be butt naked in a bed and just rock a monologue, was just totally raw to me. And that’s why I’ve never been afraid of street movies; I like to call them. Hood movies. Movies that, I guess glorify because they’re talking about the streets. I’ve never been afraid of that because it’s a reality. I’m from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. So, maybe a part of me is a little guilty from being brought up, you know, kind of…I didn’t have to live in the hood. I think that is the suburban thing that we aspire to try to get in touch with our roots. You know how all the light skinned folks was the major Black Panthers. I think it’s just black folk mainly. You know, being from the hood and wanting’ to be booshy. And those from the suburbs who wanna be street. Ask your boy Puffy. He was another one of my classmates. So, I probably embraced the hood and the hood characters because a lot of woman won’t. There are a lot of hood actresses that don’t. It’s not about that but a great character to me. And I get off on great characters and great work. It is a stretch for me to play a hoochie because I’m so far removed from that so, for me to play Lexus was a challenge. I was like, I’ll take it on. You know, I wasn’t that scared. I’ll do anything for John.

I felt that rawness in you when you and Taryn Manning, along with Elise Neal where sitting together and you finished with…”and then they nut!”

PJP: That…you’re lucky that got in the movie. Once I’m telling you…We were reading and going through rehearsals, I would be like ‘and then they’ll come on themselves’, and then he’ll and then he’ll. I just thought that was so disgusting. And I and Terrence were in the trailer one day, talking smack to each other, and I said something to him and he said “and then I nut.” And I was so offended. And I was like oh my God. And I was like ugh. And I just sat quiet for awhile. And then I had to readdress it like, you know that was not a really nice thing you just…and he was like “I just wanted you to see what it felt like cause you have never given respect to that line. And I wanted you to hear that. And I wanted you to take it in. That’s the dopest line in the entire script and you keep fucking it up!” And I had to kiss him for that. Because I honestly thought I had a better plan. I thought…and they nut! Ill don’t nobody want to hear that. And then I was like…and then I have an orgasm. I was saying everything but. Terrence made me aware of the depth of that line. He is deep. He’s the truth. And I don’t know who Alan Iverson thinks he is but if he is, I want to know the question. I’m telling you, the truth is Terrence. No, I know, he’s the answer. This brother is so giving. I told somebody…they asked me, ‘you know, how do you get that out of you. Right then and there on the spot. Terrence helped me.

It’s been a long time since I worked. Practice makes perfect with any craft. And black women don’t often get the roles that give us the practice when we do movies. Taraji’ so blessed to be on a television show because television is consistent practice. And getting that instant gratification of being able to see the work every week and watch yourself grow. So that’s play back. So, I wasn’t blessed with that. So, when I get a role, I have to work quick. A lot of actors do stage in between. I haven’t been blessed with that either until recently I started directing but to keep myself consistently working. And I realize is that when I get on these sets…I’m rusty. So, it took Terrence and The Spinners. I tell everybody to please get The Spinners soundtrack if you want to know who Lexus is. Because that soundtrack from the beginning of the shoot, till the end of the shoot, everyday and every minute it was on my mind as I was prepping for the kick out scene. It was right there. And Terrence is so patient and giving. And he’ll make them respect you. When you on the set, they like you got five minutes. And Terrence will curse them out, like hold up. This is a lady. A diva. He will say what nobody else will. And he will make them stop because he has the power. I don’t have the power. But Terrance is so giving that not only will he make them wait, he’ll hold production for you. He’ll give you so much to work with, he’ll pull you there. And then he’ll be like ok. Sometimes it’s not that easy when you’re working with people who are selfish actors because they don’t want you to shine. They don’t want you to look good. But for Terrence to take the time to bring me to a point, that brother…that’s God. I keep telling Terrence he’s a minister. He’ll figure it out. He’s touched. He really really is. I hope that maybe he’ll become like Della Reese and maybe later on in life he’ll see it come to fruition. But he’s a very blessed man.

How do you feel about all the buzz on the project?

PJP: Isn’t it weird? It’s surreal. You know, I’ve been waiting for something like this for you know, oooooo child. I don’t know. When I was in Sundance, it was really scary cause it’ so surreal because I’m married and we can’t even afford a wedding ring. I’m still living the struggling actress life. And it’s like so weird because everybody’ saying it’s a great movie but you don’t see it. I’m like ok, well if it’s so great then why am I still unemployed? If it’s so great then where’s De Niro? Everybody’ kissin’ my tale, telling me it’s great. It’s kind of weird cause, I don’t know…I’m shy. So, I’m tryin’ not to feed into it.

How would like the next project to be?

PJP: I just want to work. I would love to be a star because I want to be rich. But I really just want to be rich and I want to work. I want to direct. I don’t want to be constantly going into rooms, doing a tap dance at the level that I’m doing it. I want to be a producer, trying to tap dance for some money for my project like Hustle & Flow. I want to be tap dancing to get my book sold. I want to be tap dancing to get the next feature. I want to be tap dancing at higher levels as I go. I don’t want to be stuck at just being an actress. There’s so much more I’m practically trained. At Howard, we’re not allowed to just be actresses. We have to learn how to sing. We have to learn how to dance. We have to learn how to direct. We have to learn how to write. We have to learn how to speak and think. So, I want to take advantage of all of that training. I would love to segue this into opportunities to do more directing music videos. You know, start there. I directed my first play. I starred my husband in it. And you know, we had a ball. I’m hooked. It was hard because I directed it and I starred in it. So, I’ll never do that again.

What is the play called?

PJP: It’s called “The Last Street Play”. It’s a Richard Wesley play that I revised. It’s about street violence; street gangs from the 70s. It fits so well into the millennium because it’s about what happens when you turn 30 years old and you’ve been a gang banger your entire life. And now the bang is over. There’s no bang. It’s done. Now, it’s time to get a job playa. In the original it’s do wop. So I took old school hip hop and I just created my own little world. I had a 35 seat house and I just worked my shot.

Was it in L.A.?

PJP: Yeah. A black run theatre. Howard Alum. And he let me go in there and I didn’t do any money at the door. I did it all for free. I just wanted an opportunity to learn from my own mistakes. And I want to do that. I learned so much from Craig and this movie about dreams that honestly the success of this movie had inspired dreams in me cause I didn’t expect it. I thought it was gonna be “Get on the Bus”. I didn’t think it was going to be Hustle & Flow. I’m overwhelmed.

You talk so real. Most actors or actresses, whether rich or poor put on an illusion. You think there is more, where they are untouchable. You seem more approachable than most. Can you talk about the realness of Hollywood?

PJP: I look just like you do right now. No make up on. And your hair done up just like that. I got up at 6:00 this morning. They sent a make up artist over. This is free (shirt). This is free (skirt). I’m staying here for free you know. Get a little stipend. That’s the illusion.

Basically, what your saying is…you have to be in this because you love it?

PJP: I have a lot of ladies that I’ve inspired because I’m young. And I started working in the game young. After I graduated, I started working. So people like Regina Hall, Meagan Good, Taraji…You know, I took Taraji to her first Hollywood party. And they look at me like; if she can do it, shit…I know I can do it. And I love that you know. Because if they can touch it. They can see it. And then they can be it. So, I go back to Howard and when Regina, well I pick her because she’s one of my favorite examples because, she was an electrical engineer when I met her. And she saw me and her mother saw me and she realized, you know, I can be anything. Some people think, they are afraid of living their dreams because being an actress is too far fetched. Or nobody thinks they can be. Cause everybody who’s an actor, you know, their father was one. Hell, I’m just proud that I was able to inspire someone to a point that not only did she question me on how I did it but she listened to what I said. And she went and got a degree. So she dropped what she was doing and she focused on what she wanted to do. And her mother, Ms. Ruby is like, one of my favorite older ladies. Her mother and I are really close.

Regina Hall lived next door to me when I was doing the Apollo Comedy Hour here in New York. And when I got relocated and came out to L.A. she really started and now look at her. That’s my baby. She was funny just because she was funny. She’s just a beautiful person. And that’s like…when someone says to me, there are so many people that come up to me and be like I’m gonna see you one day. Watch Ms. Parker and blah blah blah blah blah…and every time someone has said that to me, they have. And that’s inspiration to me. And that’s what I say to people. When you say it and mean it…then do it. And that’s what I say to get Regina to really be about it. I wanted to make sure and I’m so proud that it was real. A lot of people just be jaw japing. And that’s what I say to people. And I think that’s what Regina and her family saw in me that there are so many connotations to be an actress that stem from history. You know the beginning of acting. Back in the 15 th century when actors where stoned for being whores and hookers. A lot of people still believe that to get a job in Hollywood you have to spread your legs or demoralize yourself. And I think a lot of families don’t support because of that. Regina’s mother was able to see that you don’t have to do that in order to be a success. I love that kind of happy ending.