Get ready for Janet Jackson as you've never seen her before. So says Tyler Perry, who has Jackson starring along with himself, songstress Jill Scott and Sharon Leal of "Dreamgirls" fame in his forthcoming "Why Did I Get Married?" feature.
"She's playing a college professor actually, an author and professor of psychology," Perry reports. He is quick to add that Jackson "absolutely" has the chops to pull off the part convincingly. "I can't wait for people to see her like this.
" Perry is also high on fledgling thespian Scott, who is "like she's born to do this. Her acting is so natural, I was shocked. When this woman smiles, she lights up a room.
" Ironically, there's no singing in the movie despite its powerhouse trio of singers. However, Perry's happy to note that they'll be involved in the soundtrack. He expects an October or November debut for the feature.
The playwright/actor/director/producer/best-selling author/force of nature has his "House of Payne" sitcom returning to the tube June 6 as a TBS offering. Perry's signature character, the beloved and dreaded Madea of "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," guest- stars on the first episode of the sitcom about a multigenerational family living under one roof.
"Yeah," laughs Perry. "It's about the only thing that would entice me into wearing that wig and dress again right now." He's been working on both "House of Payne" and "Why Did I Get Married?
" at the same time but with 34 episodes of the show and the feature now in the can, he is taking a week off. "I'm actually leaving everything electronic behind no cell phone. I'll be forced to relax," he says.
But then, he also says he'll use the time to work on his next novel. With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.
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