In less than two weeks, former 3LW member Naturi Naughton will premiere her new role in the new TV show The Playboy Club.
Naughton, who has done several films since splitting from her former R&B group, says landing the role of Bunny Brenda was not an easy task but she put up a fight for it.
“I went in for this role multiple times. I auditioned for Imagine TV. I screen tested for Fox, who is producing it and I auditioned and screen tested for NBC, which is our network,” Naughton tells Loop21.com. “It was a total of about four call backs and every time I was excited to go in and just prove that I could bring Bunny Brenda to life. I sang at my audition as well. I actually sang a Nat King Cole song, “When I Fall in Love” and I also did three scenes. I loved the process. I felt like I worked hard for it and at the end of the day it’s so much more rewarding when things don’t always come easy.”
Explaining the research she did to prepare for the role, Naturi adds: “Most of my preparation for this role was research, so not much physical preparation, but mentally preparing myself, you know, going back into time especially when doing a period piece like this, a show that takes place in 1961 and also being one of the first black bunnies. So I read a lot. I actually watched a documentary called The Bunny Years â¦I read the book 50 Years of the Playboy Bunny, which was awesome. I researched Hugh Hefner and how much he was such a progressive, rebellious man at the time by integrating the Playboy Club.”
With The Playboy Club and upcoming films Highland Park and Wolverine, it seems Naughton will have no time to record music and she somewhat agrees.
“I definitely want to do a solo project. I’m just focusing right now. I’m really the type of person who likes to master a trade instead of being a jack of all trades,” she says. “With the show I’m grateful that I get to include my singing talents, which is heaven sent to me because there are not that many opportunities where you get to sing, act and dance.”
The Playboy Club premieres September 19.
Naturi Naughton has been making waves in the entertainment industry for years, and her latest role as Bunny Mother Shelly on NBC’s The Playboy Club is no exception. But this time she’s taking a break from music to focus solely on acting. In an exclusive interview with Oprah Magazine, Naughton discussed what it was like landing the highly sought after role, how being a mother has shaped her career decisions and why putting music on the back burner isn’t such a bad thing.
The multi-talented artist started out as one third of the R&B girl group 3LW before transitioning into solo singing projects and ultimately moving towards more acting roles. With appearances in everything from Fame to Notorious, she quickly became a recognized face both behind the mic and in front of the camera. So when word got out that there would be parts available for Hugh Hefner’s iconic 60s drama series, many began vying for their shot at stardom.
But despite all the competition, Naturi landed herself right where she wanted: atop center stage playing opposite Eddie Cibrian as club manager Billy Rosen — though not without some hard work along the way! Read on to find out what else she had to say about her new gig and why choosing acting over music was one of the best decisions of her career.
Naturi Naughton’s Career Journey
Naturi Naughton is an actress and singer who has had a successful career, despite having to navigate some unexpected hurdles along the way. She first gained recognition through her role in the popular movie Notorious B.I.G., where she portrayed Lil’ Kim. From there, she landed multiple roles on television shows such as The Client List and Power and also starred in films like Step Up 3D.
Recently, Naughton made headlines for her casting in NBC’s critically-acclaimed drama series The Playboy Club. When asked about this coveted role, she stated that it was “a wonderful opportunity” to help tell stories of African American women during the 1960s civil rights movement. After taking a break from music to focus on acting, Naughton says she plans to return to music once her commitments with The Playboy Club are fulfilled.
Although there have been plenty of bumps along the road, Naughton remains positive and optimistic about what lies ahead for her career—which looks brighter than ever before!
Reflections On Working On Playboy Club
Reflecting on her experience working with The Playboy Club, Naughton can’t help but feel a sense of pride. For her, the show was not just about entertainment; it also served as an important platform for exploring issues related to African American women during the civil rights movement. She believes that being part of this project has allowed her to be more conscious and appreciative of her own heritage and identity.
“I’m proud to have been given the chance to portray strong female characters in such an iconic series,” said Naughton. “It’s been incredibly rewarding.”
Naughton further added that she is grateful for the cast and crew who worked hard to bring the story alive, noting that they all shared a common goal: To provide viewers with compelling storylines while showcasing powerful moments from history. With this latest venture behind her, Naughton looks forward to returning to music once again—but this time with more knowledge, appreciation, and passion than ever before!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Naturi Naughton’s career journey has been nothing short of inspiring. When she decided to put her music on the back burner and pursue a role in The Playboy Club, it was truly remarkable. She went from singing with 3LW to becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought after actresses.
Naughton remembers feeling nervous about auditioning for the show but knew that she had something special to offer. Her performance proved memorable as she landed the part and earned rave reviews from critics and viewers alike. It showed just how much potential she had as an actress and what lengths she would go to make her dreams come true.
The willingness to take risks is something we can all learn from Naturi Naughton. As she continues on her journey, I’m confident that there will be more amazing accomplishments ahead of her – both in acting and music!
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