Jill Scott plays Deidre "Didi" Brown, ex-wife of James Brown (played by Chadman Bosewick) in the upcoming biopic Get On Up. She and co-star Nelsan Ellis of True Blood—who plays soul singer and Brown’s anchor and colleague Bobby Byrd—sat down with Global Grind to talk a little bit about her character, friendship, which character loved Brown more, and what goes on in the privacy of her bathroom.
Jilly from Philly and Ellis talk about the parallels of familial love and romantic love—essentially there is only one love—and share stories of rough and esoteric love feelings for their friends and their monsters. Ellis talks about unconditionally loving the hard parts of friends and Scott about six hour long bathtub conversations and unusual expressions of love from her fans—her live performance once moved a woman so much that she took off her panties. Said woman was unfortunately removed from the venue, Jill is sorry.
Proud director Tate Taylor also makes a cameo to talk about his epiphany on happiness and Boseman's impressive transformation into, and performance as, the Godfather of Soul. Listen to Scott speak more in-depth about the panty fiasco--watch Ellis losing his cool a little and trying not to laugh for an LOL--and the relationship she shares with her character Didi, and also her perspective on Didi’s immortal relationship to Brown. She talks about her belief in leaving for love and in love, the secrets to a friendship that last a lifetime--the amount of time spent in dialogue isn't a n adequate measure of affection. No news of any upcoming tours or live shows soon, but Om'Mas Keith did release a new Jill Scott x SZA single on Twitter earlier this month and Jill Scott headlined at the Essence Festival's main stage fourth of July weekend. Get On Up opens late night tonight and also stars Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. It hits theaters everywhere at all times tomorrow. Check out the interview below, and the film shortly after.
