~ MOVIE~

July 12, 2006: Fan-tasia.net interviewed Actress Toussaint Duchess (Role:Wanda Jean)

Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity. How long have you been doing film?

Toussaint: Well, I got my big break in film in 1997 in Why Do Fools Fall in Love I had one line, it was a scream. LOL! Ok so I was only an extra. I've been doing Theatre since 1990. My first lead role was in "Wine in the Wilderness" by Alice Childress. I also toured with "Woman Thou Art Loosed" (the play) 1998-2000.

Fandash: Which do you like best, theatre or film?

Toussaint: I respect film and would love to do more. I was introduced first to theatre. I enjoy hearing the immediate response of the audience. The audience is a part of your performance they force you to be more creative and a fast thinker. When something is going wrong live on stage, you can't stop and wait for the director to fix it. You have to become the director, create and keep going.

Fandash: Were you a fan of Fantasia before this film?

Toussaint: YES INDEED, I was a CRAZY fan. I was an emotional, fasting and praying, don't talk too me today, if they vote Fantasia off the show!!...America is going down if they don't get Fantasia out of the bottom 3. Then get this, Tasia and I talked and prayed on our cell phones the day before she won the idol. My girlfriend saw her in the mall and she stopped her. Tasia called me on my cell phone. I told her, don't worry about America just let GOD BE GOD!!! Your Bobo is not really a bobo it's your shout and you get your praise on, and were going to win this thing. The rest is HISTORY!!!!
Fandash: I'm glad that we had you on our side. LOL!

Fandash: You play Wanda Jean in "Life is not a Fairy Tale". Can you tell me about your character?

Toussaint: Wanda Jean. Well, she's a baby momma. Even though she is a single mother of 3, she is a bit more conservative then Dot played by RhiMack. (Who did an awesome job!) Dot says sex makes the world go round and Wanda Jean disagrees, she has a different take on taking a relationship to the next level. She genuinely cares for Tasia and it shows in my performance when she sings Summertime OMG that scene was so real to me, I was reliving the actual moment. I just couldn't stop crying.

Fandash: What did you do to prepare for the role?

Toussaint: My god-daughter mailed me the book as a gift, days before I started shooting. So, when I got to the set, I new about her pain, her struggle, her entire life. It was quite exciting. From the book I learned more about who Fantasia was. I found Wanda Jean in her real life friends that she mentions in the book. The book is her testimony and a blessing to many. PLEASE GET THE BOOK AND READ IT!!!
Fandash: Yes, the book is truly inspirational. Tasia did an exceptional job with it.

Fandash: Do you appear throughout the film or in a particular period?

Toussaint: Wanda Jean appears when Fantasia appears for the first time as herself. It's during the time when Tasia is hanging with the baby mommas, trying to find her way in life with boys and relationships. So I'm in there before she wins the idol and after. Well if scenes don't get cut. LOL!

Fandash: I hope that they don't. They shouldn't have cut anything. Should have just made the film like 8 hours long. LOL!

Fandash: Tell me a little about your experience with Debbie Allen?

Toussaint: Debbie Allen-THE DIRECTOR, is great at what she does. She has a strong presence that means business. She was direct and to the point. I respect a woman that takes charge. If you don't know what you're doing, then Debbie Allen is not the woman to work with. Now, Debbie Allen THE WOMAN: Funny, funny, funny. She is down to earth and as sweet as she can be. We hung out a couple of times in New Orleans and Debbie was real. Talking about a true dancer, I mean Debbie and I danced all night at the rap party. LOL! I couldn't hang. I'm not going to lie.

Toussaint and Debbie Allen

Fantasia with "The Baby Mommas"

The Crew

Fandash: I know that you have worked with greats such as Tyler Perry, how was your experience with Debbie different?

Toussaint: Debbie, as I said before, is a type of director that takes control, she and Tyler Perry are very similar in that area. Debbie was outstanding. I'd watch her going from trailer to trailer. If she didn't like it, all hair styles had to be adjusted and all camera shots were on point. Tyler Perry always knew exactly what he wanted from you. He is unbelievable. He would tell me to do things like, right before I would go on stage. He'd say, "Leap over the sofa." I'd say, "But Tyler?" He would say, "Just do it!" Then I was leaping something. LOL! I trust his judgment. He had me looking good, and so did Debbie. I love working with directors that take control, know what they want, and how to get it out of you. I'd love to work with both of them again.

Fandash: Were you surprised by Fantasia's acting ability?

Toussaint: Not at all, I thought she was great. Only Fantasia Barrino can be Tasia. She did say she was nervous, but that didn't last long. After we started shooting, she was a pro. Watch. You'll see.

Fandash: What was your favorite part of the experience?

Toussaint: Meeting her personally for the first time, and reminding her of our cell phone conversation and prayer. Her response was I REMEMBER! I told her, "I knew I was praying for you, but I didn't know that God had something in it for me." She responded, "LOOK AT GOD!" The final moment was when my last day of shooting was over. She cried and asked me to promise to stay in touch. I called her last Sunday. She's good. It was good to experience a young woman so passionate about people. Tasia makes me cry all the time.

Fandash: What a wonderful experience. I wish that everyone could experience her presence and personality. She is truly unique.

Fandash: You are very talented in your art. I see that you wrote, directed, and starred in "Dream with Your Eyes Open". Tell me a little about this production.

Toussaint: Ponchatoula Productions, LLC is my production company. Myself and business partner produced our first Gospel Play titled "Dream with Your Eyes Open". It premiered in Oakland in Nov. 2005 and toured through Louisiana and Mississippi. We will be going back out September, dates are being set. I'm in the process of working out a national tour with a major promoter. It deals with generational curses, presented to you with comedy, singing and dancing, extreme drama and major ministry. So look out for it. You can Google me for reviews or visit www.myspace.com/thaduchesss and www.pproductions4u.com for more info.

Fandash: We'll definitely be on the look out for that. Sounds very inspiring.

Fandash: Everyone keeps telling me about the baby momma club. And let me say that you don't look like you have a grown son. LOL! Can you tell me a little about the group and the bond that you all have?

Toussaint: LOL, thanks for the compliment. I'm young at heart, and not that old in the flesh. My son will be 20 this year. WOW. Okay, so the baby momma club; I'm not an official member. The only baby momma I play is in the movie Wanda Jean. Now all of the girls in the movie that played baby mommas; we are new found friends.

Fandash: Were there any funny out-take moments with you or Fantasia?

Toussaint: Yes, I introduced Tasia to my mother. Tasia started telling my mom about all the handsome boys in Louisiana. It was hilarious.

Fandash: After meeting Fantasia, what stood out about her?

Toussaint: OMG... her passion for people, especially the ones in the projects, the ones that are less fortunate. We were filming in a low income housing development in New Orleans. They came out every day to see Tasia. They were all standing on side of the road, or behind the cameras watching. Tasia would go over and love on ALL of them and chat and talk to young girls, one was 15 and had a baby and no family. Tasia showed so much love. Two little boys became Tasia's friend and hung out with her, she bought them new tennis shoes. The last day at that location Fantasia cried like a baby. They were saying don't go Tasia and she just cried. She literally didn't want to go. Her manager had to put her in the van. It was so emotional. FANTASIA IS REAL YALL, SHE IS AS REAL AS IT CAN GET.

Fandash: AMEN! You said it all.

Toussaint: Yes, I'm so proud of Fantasia. She is not only gifted, she is gifted and anointed. She is smarter than people think and she's getting wiser and wiser. I would like to thank Mrs. Debbie Allen for the opportunity. Hope everyone enjoys the movie and finally GOD LOVES YOU AND JESUS IS CRAZY ABOUT YOU!!

Interviewer: LS

Fan-tasia.net