Jill Scott Interview

By: Kelly Wiles

March 26, 2009

I was interested in doing this interview with Jill Scott about the new HBO series, The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, because I spent my early childhood in Gabarone, Botswana. The filming takes place in Botswana, and back in the early ’80s, the area felt like the peaceful, functional antithesis to all of the violence and racial corruption going on next door in South Africa. Twenty-five years later, South Africa has abolished apartheid, and AIDS has become rampant in Botswana.

Kelly Wiles: Can you describe your experiences in reaction to present day Botswana and its people?

Jill Scott: Well yes, there [are] a lot of current problems that are going on in Botswana, including AIDS,  poverty, corruption — all of this independently [keeps] Botswana from ultimately reaching its amazing platform as a country with all its resources, but there [are] also a lot of great things in Botswana. The people, the style, the humor and genuine nature people have toward one another is what I adored… The heat was unbearable! And being newly pregnant, I don’t know how I went through it, but that was no joke!

KW: How did it feel to be an African American filming in Africa? How were you treated by the Batswana? How did it affect you as an American?

JS: Filming in Africa as an African American was amazing. We, as African Americans, tend to forget our connection to Africa, and even though we may share similar complexions, there are still many varied differences that we see as far as culture, but regardless, in Africa, there is still this sense of natural connection between us all. The Batswana were great and just gave me a feeling of light and energy… I calmed down being down there. I wasn’t inundated by being pressured business-wise, and personally, I loved every minute of it. I ultimately want to live there.

KW: Anthony Minghella used local Batswana as actors. How did the experience of working alongside them compare with working alongside Hollywood actors?

JS: I found them to be more genuine. They love Hollywood because it’s the big time, but they’re also proud of their background and accomplishments. They’re much more intuitive to how you feel as a person and are bursting with tons of creative ideas. I appreciated that because that made the film feel like it was a creative collaboration, which is how it turned out to be.

KW: Anthony Minghella’s passing must have deepened your connection to the project in some way. What were his hopes for the American reaction to it?

JS: I looked to Anthony as a father and someone I deeply admired; he meant so much to me because he saw so much in me that allowed me to feel and reach for more. There [are] not enough words I can use to describe him and never will be. His passing really threw me for a loop, as I was so in shock, I didn’t know how to react. I think this project was also such a labor of love that his reaction and intent with this film was for America to become so enthralled with such strong stories, personalities and film that they didn’t realize it was an all-black cast in Africa. A lot of times, people think, once something comes from Africa, they will see poverty and other things of that sort, when there are so many other sides to Africa and Botswana as well. I think that’s what he wanted people to react to as well.

KW: Would you call your character, Precious Ramotswe, a feminist? Do you think American viewers will see her that way?

JS: No, I don’t believe she can be characterized as a feminist, as she loves men and believes that men serve a strong role in their society, but she does believe the female role is equally as strong and needs to be less submissive in all aspects of life. I think inner strength is what she tries to bring out of all women, and through revealing the backhanded ways of some of the men and through her own past, she’s learned how to stand on her own.

KW: Obviously, since I am a journalist based out of Hollywood, I have to ask you — what were your feelings on gaining weight for the role?

JS: Well, for me, I didn’t really have a choice with a baby in my stomach! But ultimately, it wasn’t easy because before I started filming my last role, Why Did I Get Married? I was slimming down, and Tyler Perry asked me to gain weight. It was hard because I was just getting used to my slimmer figure…but ultimately, when you have great opportunities to really get a great role, you have to ask yourself how dedicated you are to a role and your craft. I’ve always taken [my] acting career as serious as I’ve taken my music career, so hopefully I can keep earning these roles that allow me to push my boundaries.

KW: You found out you were pregnant right before shooting started, which is intense. How was your overall physical experience filming?

JS: It wasn’t easy! But it was still exciting. I was a little apprehensive in the beginning because my personal doctor isn’t down there, and although they made it as best as suitable for me to be comfortable, there’s still no place like home when you’re going through those new motherly routines. So overall, it was good but not easy.

KW: Your lyrics tend to deal a lot with self-reflection, sexuality and inner struggle. Do you think that filming The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency has put a new spin on the lyrics you might write in the future?

JS: It’s hard to say right now, but I would definitely hope so. I feel, as a writer and singer, I’m always moved by everything I read, see and pick up around me and what I feel from it, and as an actress, now I’m moved by what I feel and how people react to it. Hopefully, everything going on in my life, from becoming a Los Angeles native to pregnancy and everything else, will affect everything I do.

KW: You’ve gotten a few film roles under your belt in the last few years. How would you compare the creative process of acting to your first language — music? Is it hard to balance the two?

JS: No, I don’t feel it’s hard to balance the two. I’ve been acting and doing musical theater for a while; I’m just glad I’m able to pursue my passions. If I don’t enjoy it, then I can’t really work on it…and if I start worrying about what needs to be done for the other, etcetera, I lose track of what got me there in the first place. So if I keep ahold of what makes me happy, I’ll be good with balancing the two.

The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency premieres Sunday March 29th at 8:00PM – HBO