Vivica A. Fox graces the Women's International Film Festival this year, her new move Junkyard Dog, a leading entry in the festival. Full of lots of physical and emotional highs and lows, the movie was a challenge for Fox who tells us below why she was so attracted to the role. Inspired by actual events, Junkyard Dog is a gritty psychological thriller that delves into the demented mind of a cannibalistic serial rapist who kidnaps Audra Buckman, a nineteen year-old college co-ed. Held captive during a month-long nightmare, Audra's only hope of escape from this hell is Samantha Deatherage, played by Fox, a tough FBI agent who is sent on a solo assignment to search for the missing girl.
Vivica, why did you want to take this role?
Well, it was offered to me by the fabulous director Kim Bass, who wanted a strong woman for this role, and thought of me! I was also attracted to the woman detective who saves the day, who doesn’t love that?
The movie looks brutal and very violent, did that put you off at all when considering the role?
Come on, after Kill Bill, not at all! This was a walk in the park!
How physical was the role for you?
Very physical – I had a lot of bruises and even a bite scene with a dog … that was new! But our stunt coordinator Lou really took care of us and kept us safe!
Why do you think this movie was chosen to be a part of the Women's International Film Festival?
My leading role as a strong, smart detective was perfect for the festival and its mission to show strong women in the industry.
What keeps you going in this business? What still makes you excited about acting?
New adventures, new obstacles, new roles, new journeys and really just starting new chapters in my life such as directing. I also strive to give my fans quality work that they can enjoy and appreciate – that means the most to me.
Our readers are always interested in celebrity glamour tips. How have you maintained your "Glamour Quotient" for all the years you've been in the business?
I take very good care of myself, I’m a spa junkie. I do lots of microdermabrasion facials and massages and I work out 3-5 times a week. I also take good care of my skin, keep my teeth clean (it’s important!), and keep my spirit happy and negative forces away.
What's next for you? Any new movies or other projects in the pipeline?
I have an upcoming roll on Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva; I will play Lady Midnight, a jazz singer, on Queen City; I will be touring the US starring in the play “Cheaper to Keep Her”; I’ll be playing Mrs. Jackson, Keke Palmer’s mother, on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson; and will be the voice of Angel Dynamite, on the Cartoon Network’s New Scooby Doo.
Pipparisms
“Thankfully the old expression 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' still rings true and so my clients are all looking for different things - My profiling is extremely comprehensive, I'm not just asking what kind of look , body type, height they like, I'm also interested in what kind of nature and personality will compliment theirs,” says Pippa.
More understated than Bravo TV’s Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger, and certainly less brash, Lister came to the business after successfully setting up several friends using her keen eye and intuitive nature. Since setting up Synergy last October, her matches are now more formal and structured as she serves a largely wealthy, male clientele who are looking for beauty, brains… and substance. “I won’t take on a wealthy guy just because he’s wealthy,” insists Pippa. “I do in-depth profiling that explores a potential client’s childhood, values, past relationships, goals and the type of women who are esthetically appealing to him.” Pippa also says she goes above and beyond the usual stomping grounds to find “synergetic” matches for her men. That includes charity events, food & wine festivals, the theater and operas.
“I don’t want to be a multi-million dollar business,” says Pippa, “so level of service is really important to me.” That level of service includes being constantly sought out for love advice and counseling. Friends and clients often refer to her as their love coach and swear by her “Pipparisms:” Little nuggets of reflective sayings designed to make people stop and think. For instance, “Everyone in life is like a well. People come to your well and they can bring water or take it away.” Although “not dating at this point in time,” Pippa doesn’t think her single status is indicative of her (and the network of ambassadors she relies on: realtors, hairdressers, personal trainers, concierges, etc.) ability to set others up. In just six months, Synergy can boast one marriage and several thriving relationships to their credit.
Interested in Synergy? The average age range of female matches is 27 - 45 but can be higher and lower than this. “Thankfully not everyone wants the same thing,” notes Pippa. I have a wide variety of [male] clients at different stages and circumstances in their lives, some want kids, some have had them and so do not, Some want marriage, others are not worried and are just looking for a long term committed relationship. Get in touch with Pippa here,www.synergymatchmakingmiami.com
Here's Robin, Boys and Girls
Known as the voice of reason on the wild and funny radio show, Quivers eyes glistened with excitement as she flit around the room, talking and laughing with the over 200 fans, friends and curiousity seekers who came out for the event.
Quivers says she’s tried to partner with charitable foundations in the past but became impatient with the bureaucratic hurdles she had to go through to implement the programs she wanted to do; so she decided to start her own charity. “I wanted to hit the ground running and start making things happen,” she says. “So I decided the best thing to do was to start something small so I can get things done.”
Although funds from this event were going to retool the game room of the very local Boys and Girls Club, 15 Foundation’s (named after the tennis score) goal, Quivers says, is to partner with, and raise funds for national and local groups. “We want to impact kids and adolescents before they become set in their ways and provide them with opportunities to have a better life.”
When she’s not questioning Howard Stern’s sometimes outrageous views on the show, Quivers is a dedicated philanthropist. In 2008, she tried to raise awareness – and money – for women who are victims of clitoredectomies or female circumcision, in Eritrea and she just returned from an observational trip to Guatemala, sponsored by the United Nations, to understand the education needs of poor girls in developing countries. “It was a satisfying and incredible trip. I loved it so much there and was thinking I want to do this [philanthropy] forever.”
But whether the bad boy of radio renews his expiring contract with Sirius XM or not, Quivers has been making no secret of the fact that she wants to branch out; not only working to expand and grow 15 Foundation but also expanding and growing her brand. That could mean her own radio or TV talk show in the near future or any other opportunity she thinks will set her apart from the man for whom she’s been a sidekick for almost 30 years. “Anything’s possible.” www.15foundation.org
