~ MOVIE~

July 8, 2006: Fan-tasia.net interviewed "Half & Half" Actor Chico Benymon
about his role in Fantasia's Life is Not a Fairy Tale.

how long have you been on the acting side of the business?
Chico: 5 years. Since Half & Half.

Fandash: Were you a fan of Fantasia before this film?
Chico: Oh yeah, I think she has a beautiful voice.

Fandash: You play Rodney, Fantasia's boyfriend and Zion's father in "Life is not a Fairy Tale". Can you tell me about your character?
Chico: I'm a pain in the ass, but I'm a charmer in the beginning.

Fandash: What did you do to prepare for the role, if anything?
Chico: I talked to Fantasia. This role is so opposite of what I am used to playing, which is the funny guy. I had to really just keep it real. I can't take all the credit because it's Fantasia's story. So I talked to her because I didn't want him to seem worse than he really was or nicer than he really was. So she helped me to balance it out.

Fandash: How do you think your fans will react to seeing you play in this "mean guy" role?
Chico: I think it's cool because everybody knows what I was doing before. I had people laughing every Monday. So for them to see me doing a drama role, I think people are just going to respect my acting. They'll be like ok, dude is versatile.

Fandash: Do you appear throughout the film or in a particular period?
Chico: I'm pretty much in most of the movie. Up until she has Zion, and after. Then we live together. I'm pretty much in it until she goes to American Idol.

Fandash: Can you tell me about your experience with Debbie Allen?
Chico: Oh I love her! She is the best. Just to be working with her. I feel blessed. She's all about that work, but at the same time she let's us be the character. She is one person that I can take advice from and respect it because she's been doing it for a long time. She's a great person too.

The legendary Debbie Allen's director's chair	Chico (Rodney) and Rhianna Mack (Dot)

Fandash: Were you surprised by Fantasia's acting ability?
Chico: Yes, but I really didn't sleep on her like she was going to do badly. I was like she going to play herself. Which it's hard to play yourself……but you know people try to make themselves look like they're all that. She kept it like it was. You could see the intensity in a lot of the scenes; you know she had to relive it. There were people crying on the set some days.

Fandash: What was your favorite part of the experience?
Chico: I don't know. I can't narrow it down. The whole thing was like off the chain to me. I had fun everyday.

Fandash: So you know I have to ask you.... What is going on with your music career?
Chico: Great! People get a little nervous and sad because the show isn't coming back. But I'm not sad because now I can focus on the album. And it's kind of hard for the public to accept actors trying to do music. But a lot of people don't realize that I was doing music first. Back when I was touring with Will and was in the group. It's hard for them to accept me on that scene, but I've been doing this since I was 6.

Fandash: What is it like working with Will Smith?
Chico: Will, that's my friend and business partner. He's a big part of my success. I love him for it. He treats me like his brother. People see us, they say we look alike.

Fandash: When can we expect your album?
Chico: In the fall, or at the end of the summer. The single has been out already. We tested it and pulled it. We got a good response from the listeners. I didn't want to be a one hit wonder. Tim & Bob are producing me now. It's a good thing. Everything is flowing.

Fandash: With the cancellation of Half & Half, will you be seeking other acting opportunities?
Chico: Yes, I've shot two other films and about to start another one. I've been offered other show, but I just choose not to do it. I want to focus on the music for right now. But I'm still auditioning. I'm also working on directing my first film that I wrote called, "Boys Camp". Things are going good.

Fandash: Were there any funny out-take moments with you or Fantasia?
Chico: The fight scenes. We were both going extra in the scenes and we'd start laughing.

Fandash: After meeting Fantasia, what stood out about her?
Chico: That she's real. I didn't have to be a special way towards her. She's hood. She keeps it hood. We partied out with each other.

Fandash: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Chico: Expect Fantasia to shock the world. Look out for it.

Fandash: Thank you so much Chico!
Chico: No problem.

Interviewer - LS

Fan-tasia.net