You know when they say… “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?”
Well… On Wednesday (Dec 30), life gave me lemonade and I made a lemon pie and shared it with my new homegirl Gabourey “Precious” Sidibe – my favorite interviewee… yet!
The New York-bred actress is not only the most buzzed about breakout actress of the year, but is also a Golden Globe-nominee (among a slew of other awards coming her way).
We caught up with the bright young star at the Duracell Power Lab in Times Square, where she was the final celebrity to pedal on the “Power Rover” to help light up the Manhattan skyline for New Years Eve!
She had a blast!
Check out my interview segment with Gabourey “Precious” Sidibe right here!
Micah Jesse: Was it hard to get into this character [Precious]…and get out of this character, too?
Gabourey: I always feel really bad for saying it — but it really wasn’t hard getting into the character and it wasn’t hard getting out of the character. I think it wasn’t hard getting into this character because I know this girl. I know her in so many people. I know her in my friends, my family, and boys even, and white people, and Asians… [Precious] is not just a black girl from Harlem; she’s everyone I ever met in a lot of ways. She was so familiar, so it wasn’t hard to get into. Also — I felt such a responsibility to Saphire, the writer of the novel “Push,” and to the director, Lee Daniels, to really bring this character to life. It wasn’t hard to get her out of me, because I know who I am. I know who Gaby is versus who Precious is. And so, as soon as [the director] said “cut!” I was back to being myself.
Micah Jesse: What was it like working with Mo’Nique? You two are a power team together. Was she as good about getting in and out of character?
Gabourey: She is amazing. In a lot of ways, I feel like she had to play Mary [Jones] to really get over things that have happened in her life and in her past. She’s even more amazing for how she came out of the role. She would throw a bottle at my head and cuss me out, then hug me. We love each other, we pray together, and hug – and all of it! Because of the evilness that was going on while the cameras were rolling, we had to love each other so much more. She’s such an amazing person. I really do count her as like a mother to me, in a lot of ways.
Micah Jesse: Needless to say, this has been an incredible year for you! But you have future projects coming up that are already generating some buzz! In your next movie, “Yelling To The Sky,” you play a bully — kind of the opposite of Precious. Was there a different preparation process for this role?
Gabourey: A little bit – yeah! In a weird way, I also knew the character Latonya [Williams]. At some point, I was a bully, and I have certainly known bullies in my life. So, it wasn’t too hard to connect with that person. She’s a bully for certain reasons. So, no, it wasn’t too hard, but it was certainly different than playing Precious. Precious is a victim and Latonya is a victimizer. It actually felt really good doing something different.
Micah Jesse: How are you ringing in 2010? You’re obviously going to celebrate…
Gabourey: Yeah totally going to celebrate! Gotta do that! I just got two tickets to see Mariah Carey‘s show at Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be amazing! Trey Songz is opening for her and I can’t — [shaking] — I love him! My boyfriend’s mad! (Laughs)
Other stories you might love:
- OMG! Gabourey “Precious” Sidibe Wishes Micah Jesse A Happy Birthday!
- PRECIOUS: Micah Jesse Interviews Gabourey Sidibe
- A ‘Precious’ Moment: Gabourey Sidibe Bonds With Johnny Weir!
- Gabourey Sidibe: Our New Obsession!
- Gabby Sidibe: ‘I’m Afraid Of Mike Tyson!’
amaaaaazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome job, Micah! LOVED it! She is an awesome actress with a very bright future. Glad you were able to snag an interview to capture this very precious moment in her budding career.
Amorzinho minha unica e verdadeira paixão