Interview: EXCLUSIVE 1 On 1 With Omarion (Feel The Noise)
Rapper/Actor Omarion, The Regency Library, 10/2/07, 4:52 PM.
Since his boy band days in the rap group B2K, Omarion has made a name for himself starring in the surprise hit film "You Got Served" and moving on to a solo music career releasing the successful Epic Records LP "O". Now in the new film "Feel The Noise" produced by Jennifer Lopez, Omarion takes on his biggest challenge yet: a leading man role.
I met up with the rapper/actor earlier this month for an EXCLUSIVE 1 on 1 to discuss his new film, his goals, aspirations and yes ladies, his first sex scene. Read on for more with our 1 on 1 with Omarion…
MPF: This is your third film role to date following "Fat Albert" and "You Got Served", is this something you're going to focus on entirely or are you going to alternate between music and movies?
O: I think I'm going to alternate... I'm really excited to have the opportunity to be an entertainer you know? Some of the cats I look up to- Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire the whole 'Rat Pack'- that's what entertainment used to be. You had to be a jack of all trades. I feel like I want to be that.
MPF: Jennifer Lopez is a producer on this film, was she on set a lot?
O: No she came on set once to show some love and support but that's it. A production company got the project to me, it's a Sony film I sat and met with the head of Sony Pictures-
MPF: -Just like with "You Got Served". Do you have a picture deal with Sony?
O: No, but that's a good idea. Having been under the Sony umbrella definitely helped. Instead of looking for an actor they can just call their music department and be like: "hey we need Omarion and maybe Bow Wow and all the other artists that would be interested too."
MPF: This was your first on screen sex scene, what was that like?
O: It was pretty interesting man- pretty nerve racking as well. (laughs) Sometimes people think that the experience is going to be all sensual and fun but man, it's difficult. It can get awkward. They try to make you feel comfortable, tell you no one is standing there, but then there is like a monitor around the corner and EVERYONE is watching.
MPF: Your character is kind of a ladies man in this film, would you describe yourself a ladies man in real life?
O: Yeah of course I am, I love the ladies. I don't know if I would consider Rob a 'ladies man' in the film though. He's just got out of three year relationship and on top of that he's the kind of guy that just wants to focus on his music. I just think he wants to pursue his rap career.
MPF: On your message boards the ladies want to know if you're seeing someone-
O: No, actually I'm not man. I can't say that I'm looking either. I wouldn't mind a nice young lady, I've been in the entertainment business for a long time and that's something that's really been hard, finding a steady relationship, a steady girl that I could just be with that respects my work. I'm real selective.
MPF: There is some controversy surrounding this film. What are your feelings on people saying "Omarion shouldn't star in the first Reggaeton film because he isn't Latino"?
O: I think people are always going to say what they're going to say. At the same time, having Latino friends, growing up in a Latino area... I can't say that I have a mixture of both. But come on, who is full blooded? I think it's nonsense, when someone is trying to represent their culture, for me not knowing about it till I made the film and embracing it, I just feel like don't be negative, just be positive. We made a film about Puerto Rico, if you're Puerto Rican stand up, you know what I mean? Love it. I love it.
MPF: Moving on, Is there a chance of a B2K reunion?
O: Nah, I don't think so.
MPF: Boy bands are kind of over now anyway…
O: (laughs) Right.
MPF: Let's talk some current events. Kanye or 50?
O: Honestly, I like them both. I listened to both albums. I get different things from the both of them. It's almost like the Pinky and the Brain, if I want to feel like the Brain and take over the world I'll throw on some 50. If I'm feeling good, about to go on stage- Kanye. He makes those records that make you feel like "Wooo! I'm on top of the Empire State Building!"
MPF: Timbaland said recently that he would work with Britney, but they had to settle some beef first. Would you work with her?
O: I would, but I would want to talk to her more than anything. I would want to befriend her. I feel like one of the reasons a lot may be going on with her is because she don't got no real people around her, to fight for her. It seems like she doesn't have many friends that encourage her to maybe stay in the house, be creative, do whatever it is she wants to do- or someone to push her that really cares about her. If Britney came over here (NYC) then she'd be straight. I also love that record she got out, "Gimme More", it's hot.
MPF: "You Got Served" was a huge hit. Is a sequel happening anytime soon?
O: Nah, that's not going to happen. I can tell you that you're going to see Marques Houston and Omarion together on screen again for sure. You're going to see us dancing for sure.
MPF: Is that project something called "Street Soldier?"
O: Yeah that's it. It's going to be similar to "You Got Served".... I'm really excited about it. You know with "You Got Served" we proved something to film companies. It only cost $7 million to make and it made over $100 million worldwide- so yeah, there are a lot of dance films coming out. "Step Up 2" I heard they're making now, I know studios are open to making more dance films now, I'm feeling like I originated (pauses) I just want to go out there and do one more dance film and give it 100 percent of my time.
MPF: Did you always want this film to be PG-13 so more kids could see it?
O: No, it just worked out that way. I'm more into people seeing me in a different light. I've been a kid my whole career, I'm twenty three years old now, I'm not a kid. Don't get me wrong, I'll always be an inspiration to kids. Parents occasionally come up to me and say "I'm so glad I can approve of my kids listening to your music" but I want to step into to a new place. I want to talk about some real things, you know? I want to be true to my music and true to my life. I'm definitely going to showcase that in my new album "Face-Off" with Bow Wow. It's going to be realistic to our lives, we go out, we have fun, we chill with girls. I do have boundaries…
MPF: So do you have tracks on this album that have swearing on them?
O: Yeah, I do, sometimes when I get caught up in the moment, it happens.
"Feel The Noise" is in cinemas now.
SOURCE: Movie Picture Film