Vivica A. Fox lives a life many people dream of. Entrepreneur, actress, model, awards and nominations and glamour; if it's creative, she seems to be doing it all. You'd think being a consistently working film and TV star, she'd be unapproachable. On the contrary.
Just one of the girls, Vivica is fierce, funny, hip and loves to get down with the chat. A self-declared "huge sports junkie" with more than 314,000 Instagram and 481,000 Twitter followers, Vivica's own fans can't wait for her next appearance ... anywhere. Lucky for them, she has a half-dozen feature films in the works from comedy to action, including "Independence Day: Resurgence," numerous television appearances including game show "Celebrity Name Game," and she's back for more drama on the mega-hit show "Empire," as Cookie's (Taraji P. Henson) sister, Candace.
Vivica talks to HNGN about going toe-to-toe with Cookie, her own business empire and how this forever-on-the-go dynamo lives life to the fullest. We've also got the scoop on a "Chocolate City" spin-off, strong advice for wannnabe actors and a surprise "Kill Bill" coincidence.
You are just nonstop! Appearances, movies, television...What's this about a fashion line?
The hair line's been picked up for another three years. I have Curvy Couture by Vivica Fox, which is my lingerie collection. We're expanding. We've got 10 new items coming out. I want to let everyone know that 2016 for me is going to be an amazing year. You'll be seeing a lot of Vivica Fox and the best of Vivica Fox. The hair line, Vivica Fox is growing. I'm literally living out my dream that people trust the brand of Vivica Fox to deliver quality. That, you know, if it's got something associated with my name, you can say, "OK, I pretty much know this is going to be good." The wig line's doing great. We're doing a new photo shoot. Every year we usually introduce 60 to 80 new wigs. I've got a few new surprises coming up. Also expanding the brand of Vivica Fox, so stay tuned. You're going to be like, "Ooooh, she's doing that now?"
With the Internet, people think they can become an instant YouTube star.
OK! Say that! Say that, girl! Just because they're reality stars, it's like "Oh, I can be an actor. And then they've got to do a scene, and then it's like "duuuuweeuh."
What do you do in your off screen downtime "chillin'" for the day?
First thing I do, is I love hanging out with my godbabies. I've got three godchildren, Christian, Quinny and Lola. First thing I'm going to do when I get back home, I'm going to take Christian and his parents to go see the Arabian horse show, Cavalia. I'm so happy to take him to the show. It's like Cirque du Soleil meets horses. I'm excited to do that. So I hang out with my Godchildren, I love sporting events and then I'm a spa junkie. I will go get my massage and facial on. Then I try to exercise and hang out with the family. I'm very close with my family. I spend a lot of time with those guys.
You being such a beautiful woman and I would say "man-magnet," do you have any dating advice?
Yes. Be selective and find a good partner. Take the time to get to know someone before you put them on your Instagram, or you post it on your Twitter. Before you call them your real boo, make sure he earns that title. Everybody's so quick, "Ooooh me and my bae, me and my boo..." Girl, you better be sure he ain't somebody else's boo!
Is the public Vivica different from the private Vivica?
Pretty close. I think when I meet people, they're surprised how down-to-earth I am. I play these bougie characters, that when I show up in my running gear and my baseball cap "Hey let's go watch some sports!" or "Let's go watch some hoops," they're like "Oh my God. Who knew?" When I'm running around with my godson, chasing him in the mall and playing with him and wrestling with him...under all that hair and glamour and good stuff, I'm really down to earth. I have a great sense of humor. I love, love laughing.
That keeps you young inside.
Absolutely. My philosophy of life is to live, love, laugh. Every day I always say, "Have a blessed day and stay bad to the bone." What I mean by that is let no one steal your shine or your smile or your joy. It's OK to think you're fabulous and to be fabulous, just try to do it the right way.
On a side note regarding the Tarantino film you did, "Kill Bill." Did you know I was married to David Carradine?
(Pauses) WHAT?! NOOOHOWAAAY! (Laughing) Oh my God! OK, which wife number are you? Noooo way!
I was wife No. 4. He was with the next one when you all filmed.
Ohhh, wow, what a coinkie-dinkie! That's so trippy. I spent six months with him training when we went to China. Him and I had breakfast and tea together every morning. He was such a neat guy. When he passed away, that was really, really sad. What a nice guy. Gone too soon.
Even though we were divorced, it hit me very hard. It was Mr. Toad's wild ride. But I just HAD to let you know!
It was amazing. Some days I'm stretching and doing my stuff and I turn and look over and I'm like, "There's Grasshopper!" (Laughing). But then I get to know him as a person. We went to Beijing, China, Quentin took us there and we trained there. He (David) would tell me his stories and I'd sit there and listen, absorbing it like a sponge. So, I miss him and will always have a special place in my heart.
"Empire" returns to Fox Wednesday, March 30 at 9 p.m. ET.
