Rolling Out Interviews, Malinda Williams produces original movie, plays strong woman and maintains good genes.

Story by Mike James
Photography by DeWayne Rogers

Actress Malinda Williams’ character does not want to be home for Christmas. She just wants to focus on her career and loathes the holiday headache of being put under the spotlight by family members questioning why she is still single. Those are the heavy-duty emotions the star had to summon up in playing the career-driven character Marci Jewel in the upcoming UP original movie “Marry Me for Christmas.” Williams revels in the opportunity to play this smart businesswoman who isn’t in the holiday spirit and ultimately is torn between two men vying for her love.

Williams’ natural natural beauty and youthful appearance have served her well in the business she has been a part of for more than 30 years. Best known for her role as Tracy “Bird” Van Adams in the popular Showtime series “Soul Food,” her love life was briefly tabloid fodder during her marriage to actor Mekhi Phifer, with whom she has a son. She married and divorced again to rapper D-Nice, but complications in her personal life have made barely a ripple in her career, a testament to her ability keep work and family separate. Williams looks at Atlanta as the new mecca in the entertainment industry and with ”Marry Me for Christmas” she has embellished her résumé  with a producer credit.

 

All Malinda Williams wants for Christmas is eternal happiness, and to continue to make resolutions year-round. Read on.

 

Tell us about “Marry Me for Christmas,” your new movie?
I am excited about the movie. It’s the first time I am a producer. I am the executive producer along with Swirl Films. We shot this movie in eight days and if you ever been on a movie set, that’s a huge undertaking. I worked with an amazing cast and crew. Our director, Roger Melvin; and the writer, Rhonda Freeman-Baraka, had a really great vision for the film.

What made you decide to try your hand at producing?
I produced and starred and to be honest with you I was more or less asked to be a producer. There is a certain responsibility that comes with being a producer. At this point in my career it was the natural thing to transition to. I have been [acting] for three decades now. I think I have amassed a wealth of information, knowledge, and experience to bring to the table. I would provide suggestions to the script and it was great that Rhonda [Freeman-Baraka] was open-minded.

Tell us about your character, Marcy Jewel.
Marcy Jewel is the founder and CEO of Jewel Advertising, which is her own boutique advertising agency. You know I call her a “lady bulldog” but some people have another name for that — rhymes with snitch, but we won’t go there. But you know powerful women are unfairly given the B-word label. You know we’re just trying to be ambitious and trying to make our way and this is what this character is trying to do. She has put her career in front of her personal life. She doesn’t want to go home for Christmas by herself, so she takes a co-worker who poses as her fake fiancé.

Does the character have anything in common with you? Do you relate to her?
Yes, I am a businesswoman too. I based it on my sister, who has her own advertising agency. I can definitely relate to being caught between two gentlemen who are pursuing you. When you find yourself in that kind of situation you kind of feel like “Hey, I kinda like this,” [laughs].

How do you maintain your longevity in the entertainment industry?
I definitely feel I have been blessed with a charmed life. One of my advantages I think I have is I have a “youthful” look, so that’s great and adds to my longevity. I played a teenager for a very long time, a young lady for a very long time. It lengthens the time span of playing different roles. I like to choose roles and create a résumé that affects an audience in an emotional way. The saying goes “People will forget what you said to them but they will never forget how you made them feel.” It’s always been about how I make [the audience] feel.

Anybody in the industry you look up to?
I am inspired by a lot of people. Recently, I am looking up to Victoria Rowell [co-star from “Marry Me for Christmas”]. Omigod, she is literally like my new idol. She is so fabulous. I told her I wanna be just like you when I grow up. She is regal, down-to-earth, talented, and so funny. She is just an amazing woman. Honestly, anyone who does what I do, I look up to them, because I know how hard it is. I look to the left, I look to the right and if you’re winning — I am winning. Let’s keep winning.

Do you follow social media regarding critiques of you and your films?
It used to be you would read something about yourself in a magazine and that was it for a couple of sentences. Now with all the social media, you get comments, etc. … You have to take everything with a grain of salt. I am not concerned anymore [like I used to be]. I read them but I don’t absorb them.



Top five beauty products you use?
I actually have in my kitchen — above the dishes, plates, the cups and wine glasses — a section for all my hair products [laughs]. For my face, I always like to mix a moisturizer with essential oils. I love Bobbi Brown [products], but I will shop at Walmart in a heartbeat and pick up lipstick I think is fabulous. If it’s good, it’s good. The cheaper the better … [laughs].

How do you stay in shape?
Well, I am blessed with good genes and don’t have to work out all the time. I have a grandfather who is 103 years old and still is walking on his own. We have good genes and we “grilled” my grandfather on what he eats [to stay so healthy]. He eats lots of prunes and yams — at least a yam a day. You will still see me at a drive-thru at McDonald’s ordering a cheeseburger with some fries [laughs].

Any New Year’s resolutions you are going to try and stick to?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I am very impatient, so when I want something I want it yesterday [laughs]. A voice comes to me and says “Malinda, why are you waiting until January, why don’t you start today?” I make New Year’s resolutions all year long.

What is your definition of success?
Happiness. The level of happiness you are able to attain is how I measure my success. I am always checking with my son, “Am I happy? Does this make me happy?”

How do you manage your personal finances?
For a very long time, I have known how to be sensible with my money and spending habits. One time, I think I was in my early 20s and I got this really fat paycheck with all these “zeros” in it. I ran through it in probably about a month and a half. It should have a least lasted me two years, and I had nothing to show for it. I didn’t have a house — just a new car. I learned that lesson early, and I was encouraged to hire a business manager. I know you hear all these horror stories about business management but I was lucky enough to hire a really good business manager who gave a lot of good tips on money management and tax preparation. These are things we are not taught [about]; how to manage our money and when to spend it. I have always lived within my means or even below [my means]. You won’t see me on [MTV’s] “Cribs” with five cars in the driveway and seven bedrooms that I don’t even use. My life is all about happiness, not excess.