~ MOVIE~

July 15th, 2006: Jovanna Greenidge (Fan-tasia.net) interviewed Actor Cedric Pendleton
(Role in the film: Johnny Lee ):

How long have you been acting?
Cedric: Oh, God, longer than I would like to say. This makes my 17th year as an actor and producer.

Fandash: Really, do you find it hard to get that big break?
Cedric: Well, not hard. One just has to be persistent. It has been a long journey. I have sacrificed friends, relationships, money, and time, for my craft...this is my birthright, my destiny, my fate...I choose to leave behind a body of work similar to Gordon Parks, Q Jones, Mel Gibson....Big Names but I dream big. My mother had two artistic children. We were born for this purpose.
Fandash: I like that. Your birthright, your destiny. I like how you claim it.

Fandash: How did you get to become a part of Fantasia's story?
Cedric: I was in a play at the time of the audition, the first one in a long time, and my agent put me on tape and sent it in. I was cast from that tape. However, we didn't think that I would be able to do the film, because I had obligations to the theatre at the same time. However, I did them both. This meant I would come off stage in Atlanta, then drive or fly to New Orleans to be on set the next morning. Then, return the next day to do the play. When the movie and play were over I was exhausted.
Fandash: That sounds exhausting.

Fandash: Were you a fan of Fantasia before filming?
Cedric: My God, yes. But more than that, I support who that sista is. Real you know what I'm saying? She is the modern day Aretha, love that girl. I never saw her deny an autograph, never saw her waver in who she was, didn't fake the funk, just like Coke...the real thing. An inspiration to the higher power, the God, that lies in us all. We just have to tap it.

Fandash: Did you read the book prior to filming?
Cedric: Funny, I'm in the book now.

Fandash: LOL! Tell me about your character in the film?
Cedric: He is a brother who represents HOPE. He is the greater soul in all men. But in this case in a man of color, he is a man with dreams, and his dreams include the greater good for his life and her(s). He pushes her to become the best that she can be by taking the gift and using it for her good.  The good brother.

Fandash: So you play JB?
Cedric: Well, they call him Jonny Lee. The best character I have ever played.

Fandash: Was this character very different from characters you've played before?
Cedric: Funny story, my personal mission is to preach hope. From this pulpit of entertainment, meaning to any kid or person there is hope to be all you can be. The first day on the set for me, all the stars were there and I kept blowing the scene. Debbie called me over and said, "Baby, the reason I hired you was because I saw hope in you. Now go do your thing." From that point on, it was on.

Fandash: Speaking of Debbie [Allen], how was it working with her?
Cedric: My God, Debbie, the queen, the perfectionist, the diva, it was my honor. I love her for being who she is in an uncompromising kind of way. 

Fandash: How was New Orleans? Being there after Katrina?
Cedric: I'm the kind of man that likes to know how people are really living. Not the hype. Having people in my clique who live there, it is worse than most can image. Example: The 9th ward had 89,000 people living in it. Only 9000 returned. Guess who is buying up the property where they lived? Donald Trump. Nothing new. That is happening in every urban area across the country. Same game, different face. A lot of survivors have developed the Katrina cough due to the mold, but the beauty is - they are people who have survived a ship ride from Africa, they will survive this too.

Fandash: Yes they will.

Fandash: How are Fantasia's acting skills?
Cedric: The girl has skills. Like anything else, one gets better the more one does a thing. She will continue to do her thing. Hopefully, our paths will cross again.

Fandash: What was your favorite part of being on set?
Cedric: The crew, the cast, the executives, it was a pleasure to say the least. An actual honor.

Fandash: Anything crazy happen?
Cedric: Well...Lets see, some things I will keep to myself, they know who and what they are....but to share...my mind is blank....I had such a wonderful time, from the children that were on set, the little boys who watched me in a scene with Fantasia and said, "Don't push up on my Woman." It was all funny....and fun. You know?
Fandash: Ha, I can imagine.

Fandash: After meeting Fantasia, what are your overall thoughts about her?
Cedric: One thing I learned from her is no matter what is going on in life, there is someone else that is going through something equally hard. Just be your best and the gift will make room for you.

Fandash: Wonderful, she does have that spirit about her.
Cedric: Real People, through and through...Good people like that you treasure. I'm thankful to have been in her life during this time....What a project. What a story. What a blessing...

Fandash: Ok, the burning question--Can her fans expect any new music from Fantasia as a bonus from the movie? 
Cedric: I would think so. God, I hope so. A sista like that, I'm sure the music will continue to come. Think of it this way; look at the things she has put into the world now. How long a little over a year or so? Think, she has only scratched the surface. She has much to preach, you know?
Fandash: I agree with that wholeheartedly.

Fandash: Are you working on anything else?
Cedric: Two things. One there is a product that I directed that is hitting the streets it is www.myspace/thefixdvd . The other is a movie that I have written that is in development now. It goes into pre production in August. We are raising funds now. It's called "Halftime".

Fandash: Ok, thank you very much.
Cedric: One love to you.

Interviewer: Jovanna Greenidge