Our girl Kamah had a chance to speak with the chick that can have whatever she likes… Reagan Gomez-Preston. She’s graced the cover of King Magazine and is in constant rotation on every music channel imaginable as lead Vixen in T.I.’s ‘Whatever You Like video” off his hit new album Paper Trail. The body perfect actress, model, and wife… she is married (I know…I know…) shares her thoughts on how she keeps her body tight, the industry and why she’s respected. She even gets political with her support of Barack Obama.
Pics courtesy of King-Mag.com and scans by CutieCentral.com
KS: First, Let me say that I am happy that you agreed to this interview. You attended the Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia. You went from there to Hollywood just like that?
Reagan: Yes, I attended The Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia. I loved the experience, and a lot of my fellow students and teachers are in LA now. I was actually going back and forth from Philly to New York all the time working. I did several independent films and shows there. In the summer of ’94, my mom suggested we go to LA and give that a shot. So she contacted Dateline NBC, and they did a whole show on my trip. We took the Greyhound bus there, and I wound up booking a film and The Parent’Hood.
KS: Was the Robert Townsend show ‘The Parenthood’ your first acting gig?
Reagan: The Parent’Hood was not my first acting job. It was the one that put me on the map though.
KS: Do you still keep in contact with any of the cast members?
Reagan: Ashley and her mom came to my baby shower in 07. I keep in contact with her via myspace. And I can always pick up the phone and call Curtis’s mom Ivy. We were all close.
KS: You are a King Magazine cover girl. That’s big. It was a sophisticated and sexy cover. How was it shooting with magazine?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwBWxXu9tA
Reagan: I love King. It’s actually my second cover, third time being in the magazine. My first time shooting with them, I wasn’t on the cover. And it was my first time doing a sexy shoot. Everyone loved the orange bathing suit picture. So the second time, they wanted me on the cover, because that picture was one of the highest rated pictures in King history. So, it was King’s hottest women issue for their 5th Anniversary. And this one fell in my lap. I had just worked with T.I., and he happened to be guest editing this issue, so that’s how that happened. Since it’s the election issue I wanted to do more, and that’s how my article came up. My brother is overseas in the Navy right now, I’m a home owner, and I’m concerned about global warming, so this election is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!
KS: How were you chosen for the “Whatever You Like” music video for T.I.? You were so believable in the video, portraying the waitress to glamour girl. That’s something that I truly love about your role in the video, you weren’t just the beautiful actress walking around and looking great for the camera.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQJACVmankY
Reagan: I was offered the video. I was at home and got a call. T.I. wants you to do his video. I read the treatment, and loved it. Plus, it was Dave Meyers so it a no-brainer.
KS: Is T.I. one of your favorite artists?
Reagan: T.I. is one of the best artists out right now.
KS: What artists are you feeling right now?
Reagan: I’m feeling Kanye, Estelle, and I’m digging Solange right now. Of course, I’m waiting for Beyonce…. she always brings it.
KS: Who would you like to work with in terms of directors and actors?
Reagan: I’d love to work with EVERYONE!
KS: You were a little feisty in Never Die Alone. You played DMX’s love interest. Your character was conniving and all types of scandalous. Do you see yourself pushing the envelope like that in future roles?
Reagan: It always surprises me how many people love that movie. The Donald Goines books are really popular. I loved that part, because I have to show my depth as an actress. And I’d love to play more characters that will challenge me. That’s how you grow as an actress.
KS: You have been in sitcoms, movies and you are still working. This business is hard and you are viable. How do you do it?
Reagan: How am I still viable…good question, and the answer is…I have no idea. It honestly depends on who you ask, like there are so many people on the blog sites who swear, I haven’t worked since The Parent’hood…Google me people. … (there are) others that know my whole resume. I’m not about staying in the gym, 365 days a week ‘cause that magic part might come tomorrow. I’ve been blessed to have been in this business as long as I have, and hopefully it will continue. But I’m going to continue to live my REAL life. I want more children, and I’m going to do what I want to do. Not what I have to do. I think that’s what separates me from everyone else. It’s kind of cool how the world works. I’m at home being a mom, then the T.I. video drops into my lap, then the cover, and everyone is like…Oh yeah, she’s hot. I need her everywhere. Sometimes it’s good to lay low for a while, then hit em’ like BAM! Remember me…(laughs)
KS: You have been working in the business for a number of years. What do you hope to accomplish in the next few years?
Reagan: What I want to accomplish in the next few years, and I’m actually doing now, is to continue my writing. I co-wrote an episode of The Parent’Hood back in the day. I’m very close to finding a home for my first written feature, and I’m really focused on that. Work is always going to come….God Willing, but at this time in my life…..especially with the overall lack of quality work for black actresses, that is my priority. I wrote a small article in King on the election too, so being able to write for a living, and still act, would be a blessing. I’d be able to continue to live my life, and still be able to employ other sisters out there.
KS: Do you have any companies of your own?
Reagan: I do have my own company. I am going to continue to write, and in the future. You will see TV shows and movies created and written by me, and starring me. If not me, some other sister. I’m about putting women of color on. No one else is doing it, so we have to and I’m proud to say, I’m on that path.
KS: You don’t hide the fact that you are married. I find that many actresses and actors are indeed married but seem to never mention it. You don’t seem to have that fear that your male fan base will be turned off by the fact that you are taken.
My Real life always comes first. I don’t put my marriage in the forefront, but I don’t hide it either. You hear so many negative things about black love…..it doesn’t exist…..there’s ONLY baby mama and baby daddy’s in our community. Obviously, that’s not true. It’ll be 9 years this November, and I’m proud of that. I have a great family. That’s why, I’m able to take so much time off, and be happy. It’s my agent who’s like…..I have all of these auditions for you, you NEED to go out for them!!
KS: When did you and your husband first meet?
Reagan: We met at Brandy’s sweet 16 back in the day.
KS: How do you keep the disrespectful people in the industry at bay?
We really don’t have any problems with any disrespectful people in the business. Mainly because, we respect everyone, therefore everyone respects us. We have more important things going on in our lives on the day to day.
KS: Are your friends mainly industry people or do you still hang out with any childhood friends?
Reagan: As far as close friends, I don’t have any close industry friends. I live about 45 minutes from LA, so no industry folk here, just family.
KS: I’m sure you hear this a lot that you look too good to have a child. How do you do it Reagan because you are fabulous. Are you one of those women that can eat whatever they want or do you work it out in the gym?
Reagan: No, I am not one of those people who can eat whatever they want!! But I have a lot of time to run after my daughter. She’s 17 months now, so she runs EVERY WHERE!!! I’m not a gym person right now, but I do eat healthy and try to stay active. You don’t have to be TOW DOWN, just because you’ve just had a baby. Everyone gains weight, so it’s up to you if you want to lose it quickly, slowly, or lose it at all. It’s all about how you fell about yourself.
KS: You can be counted on to show a bright friendly smile, but underneath that smile, I think its something there, like, don’t mess with Reagan, she will tell you off. Do you speak your mind often?
Reagan: I smile all the time, because I am happy. I don’t put myself in situations where anyone thinks they can disrespect me. I’ve been in this business long enough to know how to communicate with people without going “Sista” on them…(laughs). However… I’m a grown ass woman, so of course I speak my mind, if I feel like I’m not being heard.
KS: I’m a mother too and I’m taking my daughter with me when I vote for Barack Obama. I’m taking pictures, my daughter has her Obama pin and is studying the branches of government and everything. I have to document this monumental event. I know you too are passionate about this election. What type of Change do you feel that Barack Obama will make?
Reagan: Of Course he’s going to make huge changes in government, as far as our health care system, renewable energy and, just the way that the world views us as a nation. However, as an African American, I think the biggest change is going to happen within our own community. For so long we have been told (sometimes by other African Americans) what we can’t do. How we’re only good for this….or that. To see, and BLACK MAN, as the most powerful man in our country. The LEADER of our country. To see his beautiful, BLACK wife and black children running around the white house, and this family be the symbol of America…. it’s powerful. Our community has so many problems and family secrets, that aren’t being fixed. Hopefully, this election will inspire the young people of our community, and of our nation. Now we can truly say that…”You can be whatever you want to be with hard work and determination”, is not just a saying, it’s the truth.
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July 14th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
This bitch is so hot. jackoff time, thanks Reagan!