Breakout star, Raven Goodwin speaks to Madame Noire about how it feels to both pull and carry weight in Hollywood. She stars in ABC Family’s new show, HUGE. Madame Noire: So Raven, congratulations on your show HUGE. It’s on ABC Family and I would like for you to tell us about it.
Raven Goodwin: HUGE is about kids who go to a weight-loss camp and the show is about discovery. It has a lot of heart and is really touching because it’s more about the weight we carry around mentally more than physically and that gets revealed throughout the show. In every episode, you find out something new about the characters that makes you fall in love with each one of the characters no matter what. That’s the best part about HUGE.
MN: How do you channel your character specifically? Who is she? And why will we either love her or hate her?
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RG: My character is BECCA. Every one is going to love her. She’s very shy but has layers that no one knows about and she wishes she can say what she wants to say, but always ends up biting her tongue. That’s why she takes to Nikki Blonsky’s [from the Broadway show “Hairspray”] character Willamina because Willamina speaks her mind. But Becca is totally opposite from [the real] me.
MN: You’ve had the opportunity to play young Mo’Nique in “Fat Girls” and young Oprah in “30 Rock.” It seems like everyone is casting you as the younger version of these really big super personalities. How does it feel to carry that?
RG: It’s crazy because as far as Mo’Nique’s situation goes, ever since “The Parkers” came out, I was always called little Mo’Nique. I had the chance to talk to her and she’s really amazing and down to earth. Playing Oprah was very interesting and nerve-wracking because she I knew she would watch it. So I definitely put my all into it. I’m pretty sure she watched it! (laughs)
MN: You have a rapper side as well. Is it intimidating being a young female rapper?
RG: No! It’s not intimidating at all. It’s something that I’m passionate about. Being in this industry is weird but it’s not gonna stop me from doing it.
MN: What does weird mean?
RG: I’m really into old school music when hip-hop first came out with Common, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Run DMC. I’m really into that! Hip-hop these days isn’t the same and doesn’t have the same sound anymore. I’d rather listen to the old school hip-hop.
MN: Aren’t you about 16 or 17? What were you listening to growing up?
RG: (Laughs) I will be 18 on June 24th. My mom is a big oldies goodie (laughs). I listened to a lot of Anita Baker, Teena Marie, Rick James, Temptations, Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5. Just total old school heads. Real music!
MN: Real music right! (laughs) Nice! Your rap flavor – do you do freestyles by the way? Am I putting you on the spot?
RG: I freestyle but I’d rather sit down and write down my music to map out what I’m doing. But if I’m out with my friends, I will freestyle, you know?
MN: So when you do HUGE and wrap on all your sitcoms and possible film opportunities, are you going to debut with a CD like Raven Simone? Will there be a Raven Goodwin CD?
RG: I would love to make an album one day. My schedule right now is just crazy! (laughs) Acting comes first. I would love to make an album. I was at an event…for Dionne Warwick and we got to go in the studio and go crazy. I love singing, but it’s very time consuming. I have to make time for it.
MN: Give us a typical day of what your schedule is like.
RG: If I have a six o’clock call-time, depending on where I’m working, I get up at 4:45am. I have breakfast, hair and makeup. It used to be school, but I just received my diploma.
MN: Congratulations!
RG: Thanks! And so it used to be breakfast, makeup, school and on set like a ping pong ball. I never sat down, but now I have some chill time.
MN: That’s phenomenal! What message would you give to aspiring young women or actresses who are looking up to you?
RG: A message to women in general is be happy with yourself first. Be sure that you take care of yourself and find yourself. Be comfortable! And you will be way more appealing. Do what’s best for you and everything will fall into place.
