Evan Ross continues to impress. In a new interview with BET.com's Clay Cane, the actor and Hollywood "it" boy talks about his new role in the intense addiction drama Life is Hot in Cracktown. The film is based on Buddy Giovinazzo's collection of short stories by the same name and its directed by the author. Ross tells Cane: "I was taken aback by the script in general. I was surprised they were able to make something like this. It’s hard to get films made that are that dark."
Much of the film's buzz has been around Kerry Washington who plays a drug-addicted pre-op transgender prostitute. Ross says hers is the best role in the film: "Kerry Washington’s character and just her in general in the film .... I was so taken aback by her mannerisms and different things she was doing. You can tell she wasn’t thinking about it at all, it was so precise and amazing."
The actor later adds: "People can gain understanding of reality [from the film]. No matter where they are in life, no matter how much money they have and where they are coming from. We’re all trying to find out who we are. "
Evan Ross has chosen a number of edgy roles that have landed him on the critical radar. In 2007 the actor, who is the son of the iconic Diana Ross, played a self-destructive gay, HIV positive teenager in HBO's Life Support. Many critics said this was his best work so far.
AFTER THE JUMP, watch Evan Ross and Kerry Washington in the trailer for Life in Cracktown. There are two versions of the trailer. Enjoy.
Life is Hot in Cracktown [BET]
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First Look: "Pride" [R20]
**CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS FILM**
Posted by: Price | 19 June 2009 at 18:44
Don't sleep on young Mr. Evan Ross! He has chosen some very quirky roles. And how cool is it that a young black actor can play gay and appreciate a transgender character.
Posted by: D. Askew | 19 June 2009 at 18:47
Never heard of this new film but I'd like to see it. I'ma big fan of Evan and plus he is such a cutey.
Posted by: BGC | 19 June 2009 at 19:34
Looks interesting. Shame they hired a woman to play a pre-op transgender character -- I can think of several young black gay actors who could've done the role justice....
Posted by: G Peas | 19 June 2009 at 20:13
@ G Peas:
Out of curiousity, who are you thinking of?
I can't really think of anyone unless you want the character to have a hard masculine edge. A pre-op transgender would ideally look female right?
Posted by: Jaysin | 19 June 2009 at 20:34
kerry washington doesn't bother me. true, i know about three or four girls from the hood who they could have cast for femme realness, but this is hollywood. and kerry is looking like she can clown in a few of these scenes and there is some tea. did you see her neck?
i want to see this movie stat. when does it come out?
oh and no offense, i would rather have a girl or a trans girl play a transgender role, not a gay man. but i would also like to know what 'black gay actors' could play a transgender working girl with some realness?
Posted by: Baltimore Femme | 19 June 2009 at 22:42
I have no problem with a woman playing a transgendered role. With the dearth of acting roles for Black women in Hollywood, I welcome whenever a Black woman can get a role.
Posted by: Ravenback | 20 June 2009 at 00:22
rod, u probably don't hear this enough but thanks for the "t" coverage. to many of our gay brothas just don't get it.
Posted by: Lady T | 20 June 2009 at 02:00
Those Ross kids continue to impress. They could have easily went the Hilton, Kardashian, Jenner route. But all have been doing great work and seem like good "kids". And don't sleep on Miss Ross herself. TVone has been airing her movie Out Of Darkness and she was excellent!
Posted by: Dluv | 20 June 2009 at 06:28
I am seriously loving Ms. Washington taking on this role indeed.
I believe that the Transgender community would celebrating a woman taking on the role, which honors their journey, as opposed to a "MAN PLAYING A WOMAN." Our transistahs are women on a journey and this is HOT for Kerry to take a role with, what I am sure, some bite to it. Our transsistahs are WOMEN!!! So as much as I would love to see some black gay actors working, I don't want to see them acting like a woman when they are not. It's an insult to the Transcommunity at large.
As for Mr. Ross, I love him. Its odd how he seems to be growing in front of us as an actor but time isn't showing up on his face. When he has some age and character TO ADD TO THAT BRILLIANT GIFT OF US, Evan Ross is going to be a force of nature! His LEAD role, when it really comes, is going to be the truth!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 20 June 2009 at 12:32
ditto
i love him!
he is a gifted sctor ...just like his mom
peace
ab
Posted by: alicia banks | 21 June 2009 at 19:25
What irony! A child of Diane Ross (the diva dragged through history) in a movie with a central transgender character. Someone is up yonder in the heavens snapping their fingers and looking down yelling "Fierce!"
Posted by: Honut SInti | 22 June 2009 at 19:20
Kerry is straight from the Boogie Down, so she has no doubt come in contact with a couple of femme queens. I can't wait to see her portrayal. She is a great actress that studies her roles meticulously before actual performance. I wish the movie focused on her entirely. I could do without the others.
Posted by: Chaz | 23 June 2009 at 04:26