Conversation with Jamie Foxx

Conversation with Jamie Foxx

By Tracy L. Crain, Managing Editor

Wednesday, 17 June 2009

A Tulsa Today Exclusive “Please don’t drown in the wash tub,“ is the muttered thought muffled in a pillow. A story is unfolding. Another statement soon follows. “Baby, close that suitcase you’ve been packing.” The movie rolls on like the bus that’s featured in it---until a man, at the piano, with long outstretched fingers, fills the screen. Jamie Foxx is brilliant as Ray Charles, in the blockbuster hit, “Ray.” It’s a role he honed to perfection. “Acting is something that comes naturally,” he says when asked about the craft. “I learned through the art of imitation.” From his Oscar Award winning performance as Ray to his most current release, The Soloist; a movie depicting the relationship between a journalist and a homeless Julliard trained musician; to his new movie, “Law Abiding Citizen,” that is due out in 2010, Foxx is lighting up the big screen in a big way. Couple those projects with his numerous upcoming public appearances, his regular radio program, “The Jamie Foxx Show” on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, as well as his upcoming tour celebrating the release of his new CD, “Intuition,” beginning July 3---and it’s a wonder that Foxx has time for an interview at all. Yet, he has made time. “Oklahoma,” he says, “is a special place." That’s why he’s playing Oklahoma twice and it’s the reason Tulsa is one of the first stops on his new tour. He arrives at the BOK Center July 9. Tickets for this performance, which range from $59 to $69, can be purchased online through the BOK box office (click here to purchase). “I’m coming to Tulsa in spectacular fashion and then I’m going to Oklahoma City,” he said energetically, a few days following his recent appearance on Conan O’Brien, where he performed the single, “Digital Girl,” for the first time on live television. (That show can be viewed online at www.hulu.com or here. ) “I’m from Texas and I used to travel to Oklahoma to visit friends,” he said. “I’m a huge Oklahoma Sooner fan and I loved watching Barry Switzer and people like Charles Thompson.” He continues, “I have this huge admiration for Oklahoma.” Then, slips effortlessly into an impersonation. In what sounds like the voice of President Obama, Foxx is chatting away. It’s humorous and I laugh, all the while trying to ask the question, what do you prefer more: singing or acting? Educated as a singer and self taught as an actor, Foxx replies, “I feel comfortable singing. Sometimes acting can be subjective, but producers can mess it up.” He breaks into song. It’s one of his favorites--a George Strait tune. “You look so good in love,” is the title. I listen. He sings yet another. This one is “I owe you,” by Lee Greenwood. If he’s looking for my reaction, I can’t tell. I’m in shock that Foxx is singing in my ear. (You can listen to Jamie perform a version of George Strait’s song online, click here.) “You see, music breaks down the boundaries that people have. That’s what’s beautiful about it,” he states. “As a comedian, not everyone is going to get your joke, but music touches everything.” Foxx, who is an avid country music fan and has performed with a number of country artists, such as Rascal Flatts, got his first break, performing skits on the show, “In Living Color.” From his character Wanda to his best Ray Charles, there’s a long list of personas he’s capable of producing at any given moment. And, he plans to bring his suitcase of characters when he performs at the BOK Center--where he wants to entertain and celebrate the success of “Intuition.“ Tulsans have a lot to look forward to. “Blame it,” is Foxx's favorite song on album. “I’m going to slow it down for the ladies. At the end of the day, we are going to have the biggest party,” he says. Then, in his President Obama voice, he makes the statement: “I’m coming to Tulsa and I’m bringing my wife Michelle with me. And, I approved this message.” It’s funny the way he does it. In addition to preparing for the tour, Foxx is also working on a remake of the “Blame it” song. “My daughter’s teacher got mad at me for the reference to alcohol. So, we are doing a new version. This one is called, Blame it on the apple juice,” he said. “It’s due out in three weeks. “ Foxx starts singing, “Blame…blame…blame it on the apple…apple….juice.” It’s moments like these that earn the multi-talented performer the admiration of fans like Senghor, who works as a bartender. “I don’t know how he comes up with all of that material," he said. "It’s amazing the way he changes into characters so easily. It‘s amazing how he can do so many things and do them so well.” Foxx replies, “It’s hard thing to explain. Every character that I learn, I log…in my mental closet….You have to allow your mind to actually be that person.” As a child, Foxx recalls impersonating Ronald Reagan. “Part of learning to act involves studying. When you look at Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington, there is a real blessing in watching them.” Foxx has had his share of difficulties, but he seems grateful for what he has learned from his experiences. “There are all types of pitfalls and evils that can bring you down,” he said. “The standards and principles I was taught as a child help me to sustain.” He is full of compliments for those who guided him. He recalls getting into trouble in the 7th grade for moon walking in a friend’s backyard. He notes, “I had to go see my pastor about it.” Today, he lives with a number of family members, including his mother and two sisters. This type of arrangement, he confides, keeps him from going crazy. Family is very important to him. “I won the Oscar for Ray in the grace of my grandmother, who had just passed away,” Fox said. “That movie will always be special to me. Ray Charles had such an interesting story.” He continues, “Philip Anschutz, who owns the building where the Los Angeles Lakers play, said he would give us the money for the movie if we showed a redemptive quality in it. By having his blessing and financial support, we were able to venture into it without a studio. After it was done, we had no distributor.” Finally, he says, Ron Meyer came along and agreed to buy the film. “Ray was a story that had pitfalls, cries and smiles. Taylor Hackford, known for such films as An Officer and a Gentleman, held it for 15 years,” Foxx said. “Something that we did not really portray in the film,” Foxx said. “is that [Ray] had 12 children and he knew he was going to the afterlife. Therefore, a year or two before he passed away, he got all of his kids together and gave each of them a million dollars.” Foxx performs on Good Morning America this Friday at 7am as part of the show’s Summer Concert Series. Following that performance, he will make a quick trip to Las Vegas. From Vegas he is scheduled to arrive in Tulsa. As the interview comes to a close, Foxx says, “Thanks, love.” It seems to echo in my ear. “You’re welcome, Jamie Foxx.” To learn more about Foxx‘s upcoming tour or his most recent album, please visit his website by clicking here or check out his fan site by clicking here. Photos courtesy of John Russo and other sources.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 June 2009 )