Essence

Essence.com:I've seen The Great Debaters, but in your words, can you tell me a little bit about the movie and about Samantha...why did you want to be her?
Jurnee Smollet: Well, honestly, when I first read the script, I was just so blown away by how intelligent the script was and how it was really a side of our history, of our stories, that we've never seen before – of American history. It was a story that I'd never heard about.

And Samantha, to me, was so fascinating because she was a female doing something that had never been done before-- rejecting certain propaganda that's always spread to them about what they're capable of, about what kind of place you should take in this society, you know?

Essence.com: And then there's always working with Denzel, of course!
J.S.: I know! It's so true. But at the basis, I don't think people like Oprah and Denzel and Forest would be involved in a project together unless the script was as amazing as it was.

Essence.com: OK, so it's been 10 years since Eve's Bayou and it seems that you took a break to sort of have a life, didn't you?
J.S.: I took a break for several reasons. To have a life...I mean I also continued to work when things were exciting to me. I did a few films, like films for TV and stuff. But I come from the “School of Janet," that's my mom. She has this philosophy that you don't just do anything, you do what's exciting to you and you do it with passion, you know?

Essence.com: So, what did you in the meantime...you finished high school and all of that?
J.S.: Yeah, and I've been pretty proactive in a non-profit organization and I've been taking classes since the time I was 15 at this junior college by my house. Trust me, I kept busy.

Essence.com: So, speaking of the “School of Janet," I've read that you have 4 brothers and 1 sister and everybody's name begins with a “J," right? There are 6 of you...where do you fall?
J.S: I'm the 4th child, the youngest girl. I grew up split between New York and LA.

Essence.com: So, tell me about being one of six. I'm an only child, so I can't even imagine being one of six!
J.S.: Oh my God, I wouldn't trade it in for anything in the world. We're all just so close and the amazing thing was that my mom was able to make each of us feel like an only child, you know? She made each of us feel so special...and we also just had a bunch of playmates!

Essence.com: How did you know that acting was for you? You were 10 or 11 in Eve's Bayou?
J.S.: Well, my mom started me off modeling when I was 10 months old, in New York, with my older siblings. I did a bunch of diaper print ads and things like that...Toys ‘R Us, and then I did commercials, like Cheerios and Pepsi. And I was in a Salt ‘n Pepa video. [laughs]

Essence.com: Oh my God! Which one?
J.S.: Express Yourself. Me and my sister were in that. I was watching it on YouTube the other day with a friend and I was cracking up! I was like 3 in it.

Then when we moved out to California, I started doing television shows like Full House and Martin and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, blah, blah, blah. I started doing film and I did Eve's Bayou. By the time I was 10, goodness, I'd had so much practice.

Essence.com: So tell me why you've picked the roles that you have. And what do you look for in a character?
J.S.: You know, I look for things that are a challenge or things that are exciting and different from what I've done before. And I look for things that I can really sink my teeth into and that force me to grow, you know, as an artist.

Essence.com: Now that you're 21, how do you hope to maintain your balance and your momentum in this industry?
J.S.: I mean, I just don't really stress over it. I don't really worry about it. I just take each step as it comes, you know?

Essence.com: You seem to have a good family foundation, so that always helps.
J.S.: Yeah, exactly. I come from good stock.

Essence.com: Tell me, do you have any pet peeves – they can be personal or professional? What just drives you up the wall?
J.S.: Um, I can't take conceited people.

Essence.com: Oh wow and you just flew back to LA!
J.S.: [laughs] No, I mean like egotistical people, you know, who are full of themselves.

Essence.com: So, is there something that you simply cannot live without?
J.S.: Yes, my journal.

Essence.com: Hmmm...and how long have you been keeping one?
J.S.: On and off, since I was about 7.

Essence.com: Do you ever worry about it getting in the wrong hands?
J.S.: After this interview, I'm going to start worrying about that! [laughs]

Essence.com: So, if you could say something to your younger self, what would you say to her?
J.S.: Oh wow. Hmmm, “Don't worry, God has your back."

Essence.com: So, what's next?
J.S.: Oh, boy. [laughs, pauses]

Essence.com: I know, you're just trying to get through this one. And you just did Oprah!
J.S.: I know, she told me afterwards, “Jurnee, enjoy this ride. Embrace it and enjoy it." And that's really what I'm trying to do right now. I'm really just enjoying the moment and...you know, I ain't worried about the future. Things will be taken care of.