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By Suzanne

Interview with Victoria Rowell of "Marry Us for Christmas" on UpTV 12/5/14

It was great to speak with Victoria. I've long admired her and her work. She sounds very diva-like when she speaks, but she's a very kind person.  As you'll learn from this interview, we share one thing in our past: We were both in the foster care system, roughly about the same time, although I was in San Diego and she was in Maine. Her experiences, which I read in her book, "The Women Who Raised Me", were very different as well. Being African American and having several different foster situations makes her experience unique, but then again, I'm sure that no two foster care situations are the same. We've both done very well in our lives, thanks to caring foster families and agencies.  We've all watched her on "The Young & The Restless" for many years, as well as "Diagnosis Murder" and in films. She's great fun on Twitter -- very passionate. You will definitely hear some of that passion in this interview! Make sure you see this movie if at all possible because it's very entertaining.

Below is the audio of our interview. I hope you enjoy it!

If the audio is not streaming well, please right-click on this link and save it to your computer. It should work better that way!

Part One Part Two

Here is the transcribed version by Gisele.

1. How did the movie come about?

Victoria Rowell: I've been in the business for a long time, and I've had a great, great blessing of being in the fine art industry, first with classical ballet and American Ballet Theatre and then moved into television and then film. So, those relationships matter. Relationships in entertainment matter. Due to the relationship in my print world -- I was a model for Seventeen magazine and Mademoiselle and other magazines also in my entertainment career -- I was invited to participate in the movie, and I got a call, and I said I would be delighted to participate in the "Marry Me for Christmas" movie. So that's how it came about. Swirl Films was wonderful to work with -- they're the production company, and I really enjoyed it. That's how it came about. This year makes it doubly wonderful is that my leading man in my daytime world on "The Young and the Restless," Kristoff St. John, was invited to play a love interest, of sorts, in this year's version, "Marry US for Christmas," and that was just magic. Magic for us to work together, reuniting us on television. The audience, our fans have been waiting for us to be on TV now.

2. So, it was great working with him again?

Victoria Rowell: Of course, what's not to love, right? We are very aware of our audience. We brought in a tremendous amount of audience for the daytime soap opera industry, and that audience follow us wherever we go. Whether it's selling books, whether it's us starring in a movie, or another TV show, our audience -- Soap opera audience is very loyal. It's a phenomenon, and they follow us wherever we go. We more than hope. We believe and almost know that our soap opera audience will want to see us together and be watching on TV on the evening of December 7 at 7 on UP-TV, and if you don't have cable, get it. I really, really appreciate UP-TV recognizing us as a leading American couple. Again, my pleasure to work with Malinda Williams and the entire cast -- Deetta West and Chrsystale Wilson. Oh, it's an amazing cast, our writer, our director. It was a multicultural experience in a time where Americans are on fire politically with race issues. I know that "Marry US for Christmas" will be an opportunity for our nation to embrace the joy that we celebrate with each other. It is going to offer healing. It is gonna offer a time to sit back and take a rest amidst a very difficult time in our nation. This movie is going to allow America to take a breather, and so, based on that, if you've never watched UP-TV before, take a moment for yourself, sit back, unplug from the unrest for just a moment, to give yourself a moment to breathe by watching "Marry US for Christmas" December 7. It's Sunday, at 7 p.m. If people want to join the conversation on Twitter every day @victoriarowell. If you press the Discover hashtag, Kristoff's e-mail will come up.

3. Did you have a favorite scene in the movie?

Victoria Rowell: I spontaneously laugh, because I love singing and dancing, so I'm an artist, okay? So, last year I was given the privilege of singing in the movie, and my first root in entertainment is dance and comedy. I'm a comedienne. I've worked with everyone from Eddie Murphy to Van Dyke, Jim Carrey, Will Smith. It's not an accident. People don't put it together that I'm a comedienne, and so, I was given an opportunity in the franchise to be a comedienne, and so, last year I got to sing. This year I was asked to dance. Oh, my goodness! And do I dance! Salsa dancing to my heart's content with someone 20 years my junior, and my dear, I can't wait to do it again. That's all I've got to say.

4. It was great to see you dance and sing! Did you have to do any extra preparation for that?

Victoria Rowell: Again, to use my American Ballet Theatre training in this way was pure joy. It was just an absolute joy! I'm known for coming to work knowing my lines three different ways, so absolutely, I prepared, I organized the choreography. I worked with our team, and it was fantastic. We rehearsed, and there was timing involved as a dancer when you are reciting lines, dancing, and preserving the integrity of the comedy, and also taking into consideration all the extras around you in the scene, and performing what the director's vision is. So, yeah, there's preparation. Marques, my dance partner, is so wonderful to work with and a wonderful dancer, I might add.

5. It's a really fun Christmas movie, and very romantic. The characters seem very real. Was all of that in the script or did you get to do any ad-libbing or changes?

Victoria Rowell: First of all, thank you for your comment. I think the best directors trust their actors. The best writers are not rigid and allow actors to breathe and enhance the words, and I have had the bounty of both of those experiences on this production and the previous, "Marry Me" as well as "Marry US for Christmas." So, there was some latitude, if you will to present perhaps some contouring, I'll say.

6. Where did you shoot the movie?

Victoria Rowell: We shot it in the lovely Atlanta. I love working in Atlanta, Georgia, and the film commission there are doing amazing things. Pinewood Studios just opened a new studio. "Dumb and Dumber To," by the way, filmed there. Many huge productions film in Atlanta and in Georgia, I should say. It offers a lot of incentives and also offers a photography that transports you to almost everywhere that you needed to be. So, I love shooting there. Also, I'm a proud members of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA.

7. Any possibility there will be a sequel (and more Kristoff)?

Victoria Rowell: I would be hard-pressed to say there wouldn't be a threequel here. I see this continuing franchise. What's not to love? Now, "Marry Me for Christmas" and "Marry US for Christmas," and I guess there'd be in the industry having worked CBS Film, Viacom, long stretches of time, 14 years on one of the longest-running series, "The Young and the Restless." I've done at least 2000 episodes. Then 8 years with Viacom CBS on Diagnosis Murder and many other guest-star roles. This is par for the course for the series. What more could you want? An opportunity for a black-led series for African-American spending is over 1.1 trillion annually. Television exists due to advertising, and this is a silver-clouded opportunity for a series on TV. I see it happening.

8. When Antonio sings "Silent Night" in the movie, was that really Marques Houston's voice?

Victoria Rowell: Oh, my goodness. There's nothing in "Marry US for Christmas" that's artificial. Everything you see is everything you get.

9. I loved seeing all of the Christmas decorations and the wedding dresses in the movie. Are you looking forward to Christmas this year?

Victoria Rowell: Oh, I so am looking forward to Christmas. I've already decorated the house to receive my family. My son is visiting from college. My daughter's visiting from Texas and other family from Nevada. I'm just so excited. I am going to go back to my home state of Maine just before Christmas to visit family there. Yes, I'm black and I'm from Maine. Yes, I know there's only 10 black people in Maine and now there are 9, 'cause I have left. Little joke. I hope you get it. But I'm going back to my home state, and I'm proud to say that I'm also going to be returning to my alma mater, the American Ballet Theatre in New York City to see the first African-American lead dancer in the world, Clara in "The Nutcracker," Misty Copeland. I am so very proud of Misty Copeland. In 75 years that the American Ballet Theatre has been in existence, she will be the first African-American lead character of Clara performing at the Brooklyn Academy of Music 3 performances. I'll be going to the December 14 performance. I'm so proud of my girl, Misty Copeland.

10. Do you know if it will be on On Demand or on DVD or on the web any time soon for those who don't get UP-TV in time to watch it?

Victoria Rowell: Well, first of all, I'm saying run, people, get that cable. You don't want to miss it in real time. And get the whole family there and call Mom and make sure everybody is watching, and buy it for Mom and Grandmom, 'cause she's not going to run out and get the cable. Get it for her as an early Christmas present. Get UP-TV and make sure everybody is watching UP-TV while they're making their apple pie and peach cobbler, but make sure everybody's watching. In terms of the boxed set, I see this being a fabulous boxed set once we do the third "Marry US for Christmas." A three-boxed set. I'm just putting that out into the atmosphere for UP-TV to consider, but I believe there will be a wonderful business opportunity for UP-TV as we sell the three-boxed set in the future as my premonition. Also, with the three Christmas movies, you know, there will be a wonderful opportunity for syndication. Once you shoot enough episodes and you go on syndication, here's an opportunity for UP-TV to do a series and go on syndication. I just want to say that out loud, as well.

11. Is there anything else you'd like to tell fans about the movie?

Victoria Rowell: See it to believe it. Malinda Williams' performance is nothing short of brilliant. I love playing her mother. I love playing a senior actress in the industry. I love playing my age. The Chandlers are traditionalists. I have the wonderful privilege of working with Deetta West and Chrystale Wilson as my sisters, and we argue and we decide what the stuffing should be, where the decorations should be hung. It's typical Christmas banter. There's conflict issues. You know, when the family gets together, there's always the bringing up of the past. There are conflicts, but there are resolutions in "Marry US for Christmas." It's real. It's warm. It's heartfelt. It's funny. People will laugh out loud. We need laughter at this time in the world as well as in this time in our nation, and we will offer it. I guarantee it, or my name isn't Victoria Rowell, @VictoriaRowell on Twitter.

12. I read that you're on a book tour. Which book are you promoting right now?

Victoria Rowell: Since 2007 I've never come off the road. The lectures and the book requests have been continuously requested. It is an absolute blessing. People are astounded that I am on the road. I was just invited to an exclusive Washington DC book authors' group dinner. Only 8 writers from around the country were invited. In the past, I've been invited to the Tribeca Film Festival, and it was an absolute pleasure to be in the company of both Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro but also the 79 other very gifted authors. So, I continue to be on the road with "The Women Who Raised Me" and my soap opera book series: "Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva," which is a multi-cultural fictional account of a black actress' journey in the soap opera world who's from Mississippi originally, as well as the other follow-up book "The Young and the Ruthless." All of those books are available on Amazon in paperback.

13. Are you writing more books?

Victoria Rowell: Oh, yes. (Chuckles) I do have a children's family book titled "Tag, Toss, & Run: 40 Classic Lawn Games." That book is also available. In terms of my other books, I have a follow-up book to "The Women Who Raised Me" that I'm writing now. It will be more of a tutorial essay, and I have a children's book that I am completing. And my scripts. I'm always writing scripts.

14. What about other upcoming acting/directing/producing projects?

Victoria Rowell: Thank you for asking. I produce a documentary titled "The Mentor" that the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has screened. I love producing and directing. I have the movie "November Rule" which is produced by Queen Latifah's production company. I star in that movie with a number of fantastic actors. I look forward to that landing in the future. Other movies include a project penned and produced by a fantastic actor, Harry Lennix, who is not only a Shakespearean star but also stars in "The Blacklist" and I'm proud to be a part of a Biblical movie that he is producing. These are 2015 projects.

15. Do you still work with your foster care organization?

Victoria Rowell: Thank you for asking. I was invited to speak on Capitol Hill this year by the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority along with Congresswoman Karen Bass. I have dedicated my life to mentoring in underserved communities, not only domestically but internationally in Russia, India, and the West Coast of Africa. It is my life. I'm a proud American, and my Health and Human Services journey was not easy. However, I received extraordinary mentorship throughout my journey. I still do, because foster care does not stop because you turn 18 and you emancipate from the services. You have more difficulties as an adult. So, I'm very, very rooted and collaborating with the Annie E. Casey Foundation as well as the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute with Senator Mary Landrieu and others and have been recognized by 103 members of Congress. I continue to be a friend of American City Art and expounding on the importance of art in public school education, so that underserved children that are flip-flopped all over this nation, including the recent influx of immigrant children from South America, can be assisted by President Obama and the immigration information, so that these children are not turned back but are rather given an opportunity to learn in our democratic process. If it were not for people who stepped up for me when I was born at a time when it was against the law to foster or adopt a black child, hence I lived in an orphanage in the state of Maine, one of 16 states to disallow black children to be adopted or fostered by any other but a black person, I would not have had the opportunity that I have, including the moment right now to discuss "Marry US for Christmas" and to be talking to you right now, so I remain rooted in democracy, advocacy, and activism for all people. I'm proud to be a part of "Marry US for Christmas," which is a reflection of America at its finest. After 18 years of foster care, I will always be a foster person. I am now a foster adult, and there are 9 million people registered currently in the United States, over 9 million people that are a part of that population. That's a powerful group of people that I remain connected to, and that population of people also, some of that population, follows me where I go, and I try to be a mouthpiece, a spokesperson, on behalf of us. We are loyal, we are smart, and we care about those coming after us who are currently underserved under the umbrella of Health and Human Services.

Victoria Rowell: So, "Marry US for Christmas" again is never lost on me. As a person who was underserved. I don't even consider myself underprivileged. I consider myself underserved, what I have is never lost on me. My gratitude to work with an executive producer and a premier actress like Malinda Williams, who sees the merit to what I do, not only onstage but offstage. I am privileged to work with a person like that. In the movie, we're not a perfect family. This is not a sanitized movie franchise. This is the reality of the storytelling, that there is this family, some of the women are a little overzealous with their Christmas traditions. There is a controlling aspect to Stephanie Chandler and what she wants her daughter to do, and that's why maybe Stephanie's daughter was a little apprehensive about coming home in the first place, right? Because sometimes we put such a premium on just the holidays and not communicating throughout the year. Sometimes family backs up and says, "You know what? I'm not coming. This is too much drama," and there is an overemphasis on everything crammed into one holiday. It's so intense, I can't be there, and we address that. In the first "Marry Me for Christmas" and how this is exponentially magnified, the Christmas and the Christmas wedding, not to mention Stephanie's romance on the side, so I want to underscore that we have a very rich story to tell. Run out, get the cable if you don't have it, or go to someone's house, but more than anything, when you see it, write about it, Tweet about it, Facebook, Instagram. We want to hear from you @uptv. We want to hear from you.

Read My Review of the Movie!

MORE INFORMATION:

A romantic, ‘tis-the-season-to-get-married sequel to last year’s popular “Marry Me For Christmas”
Premieres Sunday, December 7 at 7 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST

UP presents the UP Original Movie Marry US For Christmas , a romantic, ’tis-the-season-to-get-married, mother-daughter comedy starring Malinda Williams, Karon Riley, Victoria Rowell and Marques Houston as the Christmas couples. A sequel to last year’s popular Marry Me For Christmas, the film also reunites Rowell with her long-time “Young and the Restless” co-star Kristoff St. John. The UP Original Movie Marry US For Christmas will make its world television premiere on UP on Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST.

Produced by Atlanta-based Swirl Films, the film is directed by first-time director Drue Powell from a screenplay by executive producer Rhonda Freeman-Baraka (UP’s Marry Me For Christmas and Trinity Goodheart). The ensemble also includes returning cast members GregAlan Williams, Carl Payne, Chrystale Wilson, DeEtta West and Dawn Halfkenny.

In the sequel to last year’s popular UP Original Movie Marry Me For Christmas, it’s a year after Marci Jewel (Malinda Williams) and Blair Kirkland (Karon Riley) declared their love for each other and decided to tie the knot. But as the big day approaches, Marci is so consumed with work that she’s had no time to plan her wedding. To make matters worse, she may have to team up with former assistant/fake fiancé Adam to win a project she’s been vying for – a little tidbit Marci has held back from Blair. But Blair, as it turns out, has a secret of his own. Thanks to years of doing pro bono work for financially-strapped clients, he quickly is running out of cash and might have to accept an offer to work for his longtime nemesis, Marci’s manipulative cousin Preston (Carl Payne).

Meanwhile, Marci’s mother Stephanie Chandler Jewel (Victoria Rowell) is making some rather bold moves of her own with her sexy salsa teacher, Antonio Simpson (Marques Houston), who is more than a little smitten with her – and about 20 years her junior. Will there be a wedding for Christmas? Better yet – whose wedding will it be? Naturally, the festivities wouldn’t be complete without family, including Marci’s Uncle Donald (GregAlan Williams), Aunt Myra (DeEtta West), Aunt Elizabeth (Chrystale Wilson), Charlene (Dawn Halfkenny) and Antonio’s uncle Lawrence Simpson (Kristoff St. John).

“What’s more exciting than Christmas – getting married at Christmas, of course!,” said Sophia Kelley, svp, programming, UP. “We are thrilled to continue the high-spirted holiday adventures of Marci and her mother Stephanie in this year’s romantic, fun-filled sequel Marry US For Christmas. This Noel, the question is – who will make it down aisle first?”

Video clip: http://youtu.be/1eSnkM57OII

      Official Press Release:

UP Original Movie

“Marry US For Christmas”

Premieres this Sunday, December 7 at 7 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST

 

 

  

A romantic, ‘tis-the-season-to-get-married sequel to last year’s popular “Marry Me For Christmas”

On The Set:  http://www.uptv.com/videos/marry-us-for-christmas-on-the-set

Preview: http://www.uptv.com/videos/marry-us-for-christmas  

ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS,
MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME TWO GOLDEN RINGS…

UP PRESENTS

MARRY US FOR CHRISTMAS

A ROMANTIC, ‘TIS-THE-SEASON-TO-GET-MARRIED COMEDY STARRING

MALINDA WILLIAMS (“SOUL FOOD”),

KARON RILEY (UP’SWHERE’S THE LOVE?),

VICTORIA ROWELL (“THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS”) AND
MARQUES HOUSTON (“SISTER, SISTER”)

Premieres Exclusively on Sun., December 7 at 7 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST

Rowell Reunites With Her “Young and the Restless” Co-Star Kristoff St. John

ATLANTA – November 24, 2014 – UP presents the UP Original Movie Marry US For Christmas (#MarryUSForChristmas), a romantic, ‘tis-the-season-to-get-married, mother-daughter comedy starring Malinda Williams (“Soul Food,” “exhale”), Karon Riley (UP’s Where’s the Love?, 35 and Ticking), Victoria Rowell (What Love Will Make You Do, “The Young and the Restless”) and Marques Houston (UP’s The Love Letter, “Sister, Sister”) as the Christmas couples.  A sequel to last year’s popular Marry Me For Christmas, the film also reunites Rowell with her long-time “Young and the Restless” co-star Kristoff St. John (20 Ft Below: The Darkness Descending, “Family Time”).  The UP Original Movie Marry US For Christmas will make its world television premiere on UP on Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST. 

Produced by Atlanta-based Swirl Films, the film is directed by Drue Powell from a screenplay by executive producer Rhonda F. Baraka (UP’s Marry Me For Christmas and Trinity Goodheart).  The ensemble also includes returning cast members GregAlan Williams (“Necessary Roughness,” “The West Wing”), Carl Payne (“For Richer Or Poorer,” “The Game”), Chrystale Wilson (Fade Away, “For Richer or Poorer”), DeEtta West (UP’s Lyfe’s Journey and My Other Mother) and Dawn Halfkenny (UP’s My Dad’s A Soccer Mom, “Let’s Stay Together”).

In the sequel to last year’s popular UP Original Movie Marry Me For Christmas, it’s a year after Marci Jewel (Malinda Williams) and Blair Kirkland (Karon Riley) declared their love for each other and decided to tie the knot.  But as the big day approaches, Marci is so consumed with work that she’s had no time to plan her wedding.  To make matters worse, she may have to team up with former assistant/fake fiancé Adam to win a project she’s been vying for – a little tidbit Marci has held back from Blair.  But Blair, as it turns out, has a secret of his own.  Thanks to years of doing pro bono work for financially-strapped clients, he quickly is running out of cash and might have to accept an offer to work for his longtime nemesis, Marci’s manipulative cousin Preston (Carl Payne).  Meanwhile, Marci’s mother Stephanie Chandler Jewel (Victoria Rowell) is making some rather bold moves of her own with her sexy salsa teacher, Antonio Simpson (Marques Houston), who is more than a little smitten with her — and about 20 years her junior.  Will there be a wedding for Christmas?  Better yet – whose wedding will it be?   Naturally, the festivities wouldn’t be complete without family, including Marci’s Uncle Donald (GregAlan Williams), Aunt Myra (DeEtta West), Aunt Elizabeth (Chrystale Wilson), Charlene (Dawn Halfkenny) and Antonio’s uncle Lawrence Simpson (Kristoff St. John). 

“What’s more exciting than Christmas – getting married at Christmas, of course!,” said Sophia Kelley, svp, programming, UP.  “We are thrilled to continue the high-spirted holiday adventures of Marci and her mother Stephanie in this year’s romantic, fun-filled sequel Marry US For Christmas.  This Noel, the question is -- who will make it down aisle first?”

Follow our cast at:

·        www.UPtv.com/MarryUSForChristmas 

·        Malinda Williams on Twitter @MalinsWorld

·        Victoria Rowell on Twitter @victoriarowell

·        Karon Riley on Twitter @TerriandKaron   

·        GregAlan Williams on Twitter @GregAlanW

·        Carl Payne on Twitter @thecarlpayne

·        Chrystale Wilson on Twitter @chrystale220

·        Kristoff St. John on Twitter @kristoffstjohn1

·        DeEtta West on Twitter @deettawest

·        Marques Houston on Twitter @marqueshouston

UP presents Marry US For Christmas, a Swirl Films production.  Starring Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell, Karon Riley, GregAlan Williams, Carl Payne, Chrystale Wilson, Kristoff St. John, DeEtta West, Dawn Halfkenny and Marques Houston.  Directed by Drue Powell.  Produced by Eric Tomosunas, David Eubanks and Keith Neal.  Executive Produced and Written by Rhonda F. Baraka.  Director of Photography is George Su.  Editor is Dante Wyatt. 

About UP

UP is the television network dedicated to uplifting viewers every day with original and acquired movies, reality and dramatic series, comedies and music specials.  One of the most trusted family-friendly networks on cable, UP can be seen in 67 million homes on cable systems and satellite providers across the United States in both standard and high definition.  Along with its mission to entertain, uplift and inspire viewers, UP’s pro-social initiative “Uplift Someone” reminds and inspires people to do simple acts of kindness.   Based in Atlanta, UP is a division of UP Entertainment, LLC, and also provides sales and operations services to the ASPiRE network. 

Follow UP on the Web at www.UPtv.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UPtv, Twitter on @UPtv and Instagram at UP_TV.

About Swirl Films

Swirl Films (www.swirlfilms.com), America’s “number one urban film production company,” focuses on independent features and multi-camera productions.  Recent films include 2012 ABFF Best Narrative Feature, Best Actress and Best Director winner The Under Shepherd, 35 & Ticking and Percentage, with Flavor Unit Production (Queen Latifah & Shakim Compere).  Swirl Films is a major content provider for UP.  Most recently, Swirl Films produced My Other Mother, starring Essence Atkins and Jasmine Guy; My Dad’s A Soccer Mom, starring Lester Speight, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Skai Jackson with Tracey Gold; Marry Me For Christmas, starring Malinda Williams and Brad James, and The Perfect Summer, starring Eric Roberts, Sydney Penny and Jason Castro.  In addition, hit programming includes She’s Still Not Our Sister, Sugar Mommas, and the Wedding Vow series.  Additional original productions include: Love For Sale and Something Like A Business, starring Kevin Hart, Clifton Powell and Kym Whitley. 

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Page updated 12/5/14