Keri Hilson got to showcase her acting chops in a small role in the number one film in America, Riddick. In the movie, starring Vin Diesel, Keri plays a prisoner captured by the same group of men who want to take down Riddick.
This role gave Keri a chance to step outside of her comfort zone and really demonstrate what she can do if given the right opportunity. Keri talked to our Sr. Entertainment Editor BlogXilla about how Vin had this role written for her, how she did her own stunts, and more.
Keri even goes on to clarify the details surrounding her alleged Beyonce apology song and talks about how finding God and love changed her for the better. Check out the interview below.
GlobalGrind: You’re in the movie Riddick. What was it like when you had to get ready for this scene?
Keri Hilson: I remember being very focused and channeled into a very dark place. I had to let go of my personal life. It was a different experience for me. Where as music, I’m writing normally from my truth, in this art form, you have to find it. It’s your job to find how you connect with this character. That was different for me.
You play a prisoner; it’s such a dark scene. Was it fun for you to portray?
It really was. And I got to do my own stunts! That was the coolest.
Did Vin give you any tips?
No, but they had a stunt person there for me and it was my decision to do it myself. We let her do it maybe one time and then I sent her home. We were just camera blocking and the first time I did it, I just kept doing it and I think she got the hint. Eventually, she was off the set.
I don’t think it was something we expressed, but that’s just the way I am. It was long, it was pretty rough on my back and certain parts of my limbs. I definitely had bruises leaving Montreal – and burns – but I loved it.
You have a small role in this movie, but it’s very important.
That’s what’s up. What’s special about the part is that I wasn’t initially in the movie, but they did not want to lose me, so they wrote me in. Vin told me he was written in as well in his very first small role. It was the same idea. They loved his audition so much and they went with someone else for the role, but they did not want to lose him as an actor and that’s what he did for me.
In a sense, I’m really indebted to him for allowing me to play, allowing me to be a student again, allowing me to exercise a different muscle in a similar art form. That made it even more special for me. As small as it was, it really didn’t matter. He’s become sort of a mentor for me.
Can we expect to hear more music from you soon?
Absolutely! I’m in Virginia as we speak, sitting in my hotel room waking up from my nocturnal life and I’m in (the studio) with Timbaland and we’ll have music for you guys – for my fans – very soon!
Timbaland also referenced a song called “I’m Sorry,” where you supposedly apologize to Beyonce. Can you tell me more about that song?
There’s really nothing more to tell about that song. There’s really nothing to be said about it. What I will say, is the way Tim represented my verse is a little off. It’s not something I want to talk about right now. It’s not important to me. I’m not even sure if that song will be on the album.
It’s not what he made it seem, I will say that.
So when you saw his comment – because when he said that, it was all over the blogs – did you call him up to be like, “Yo…” or did you just write it off?
I did. I called him up. We have that kind of relationship where we can speak to each other very candidly and very directly. A lot of our conversations are so deep, so I could really go there with him and let him know how I really feel.
Going back to your Instagram, you look really happy. What’s different about Keri now versus Keri three years ago?
Thank you, first of all. Second of all, I hear that I’m glowing. That’s the word that I hear most often, for the past six months of my life, that I’m glowing. I don’t know what’s changed. I’ve been in a relationship for a year, I rededicated my life to Christ in April 2012, I came out of a really dark depression.
I am happy and I’m glad people can see when you are genuinely happy. For years I was smiling for pictures and I’m doing the same, but I think people can tell the difference. That’s just been a testament to the fact that people can really see your aura.
Did you reconnect with the Lord first, or with love first?
The lord. I actually met him (Serge Ibaka) maybe six months after I rededicated my life to Christ.
When you met your current boyfriend did you feel like, “this is a gift from God?”
Absolutely. And I also felt like God is a comedian, for real. He gave me everything I wanted and everything I thought I didn’t want. You know? He’s like, ‘Ha! You’ve got to trust me. Stop putting limits on who I am and what I do.’ I absolutely had limits – I had parameters. I had a huge blockage on the types of guys I would date and just when I was – I had tweeted something, ‘I guess it’s time for me to adjust the parameters of dating,’ or something like that, and it was months before meeting him actually, but it was just saying that sometimes you have to trust God and stop putting rules and limits and parameters on things. The moment I accepted that, was the moment he came my way.
