Fast & Furious with Loretta Devine

Photo: Rae Votta

Loretta Devine's smoky laugh and trademark "you did not just try to get away with that" delivery makes her stand out in every role, from all-knowing doctor's wife (Grey's Anatomy) to alcoholic mother (the indie film Dirty Laundry) to Jonny Lee Miller's ass-kicking assistant on Eli Stone.

We caught up with her to talk about George Michael, the disco days of Fire Island and what it would take to finally land a role opposite Morgan Freeman.

Out.com: Oh my God, you really do laugh like that!
Loretta Devine: Yeah, what are you talking about? I laugh all the time. People always say, "You really talk like that?" and I say "What did you think I would be talking like?"

So what's George Michael like?
He's kind of sexy and fun. He smokes cigarettes. He's fun, I like him. I didn't get to know him that well, we were just on set together.

You didn't ask him about his tearoom incident...
Hell, no! I'm not the press. You would, huh?

Of course! In the movie Dirty Laundry, you play an alcoholic mother...
LD: Yeah, I usually play these very sweet women but in this I play this alcoholic. I was really challenged by the script and I felt like I met the challenge.

What's the gayest thing you've ever done in your life?
I was around pre-Dreamgirls when you could do all kinds of things in the limo and go to Fire Island and party.

What was it like?
Well, that was pre-down low and all that so there were all these married men in suits that used to go to the island on the weekend. They'd have hose popper parties where they'd pop the poppers, and Phyllis Hyman would fly in. Then there was the bush where everybody would go make out.

Did you perform there?
Hell no, I just went with my hairdresser to see what it was like.

Were you shocked?
It was an incredible lifestyle, beautiful homes, partying into the night. Like a little wonderland.

What was your favorite disco song?
I can't remember. Something Phyllis Hyman did. This was all pre-AIDS.

Do you think black men get too much of the rap for being DL?
They say the whole down low thing is because black men stay in their neighborhoods, because coming out would be to out their whole family, whereas white men move away from their family. I don't know how true that is. The down-low thing is so scary, I wish there were more acceptance because of that. I think it's really sad when people have to live someone else's life and not their own.

Is there anyone gay in your family?
I have people that are gay in my family, but it's very hard because it's also not accepted in my family. I have mothers and grandmothers who just don't understand it at all.

How do you explain it to them?
You don't. You can't. They have the right to what they feel. All you can do is deal with the young people in your family and say "I understand this" and accept them.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be?
No one's asked me that question. I got a chance to sing with Patti LaBelle already, that was incredible. I always say I want to act with Morgan Freeman, but it looks like that not ever going to happen.

Why?
You have to be younger. I'd have to be a secretary or some stuff.

Why don't you just ask Morgan if he'll make a romantic comedy with you. I think that would be hot.
It would be hot. I should go to him with one. But to duet, Beyonce. Or Jill Scott. Erykah Badu. One of those divas.

-- TIM MURPHY

Comments

[Johnny]

Excellent! She's the best thing in Dirty Laundry... Love Devine!