Ms. Wallace speaks
Posted by Media Outrage on January 7, 2009
Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G.’s mother Volleta Wallace spoke with Essence about the upcoming movie Notorious.
Via Essence:
ESSENCE.COM: We are excited about “Notorious.” What was your first impression when you saw Jamal Woodard, who plays your son?
VOLETTA WALLACE: When he walked into the room, his whole demeanor was Christopher and I knew. I was in the corner and he never saw me and I said, “That’s my son there.” The director told me that Jamal had never acted before. They would have to work really hard and there were so many other actors. I said, “Nope, that’s him.” There were days I had goose bumps just watching him. I was always close to my son and now I’m close with Jamal for the respect that he had for my son. Believe me, to fill Christopher’s shoes wasn’t easy. That’s a size 13.
ESSENCE.COM: (Laughs.) Definitely. Is there something you discovered about your son and his legacy while watching the film?
WALLACE: (Laughs.) I gained strength from it. There were things about him that I never knew that I wanted to see for myself on film. I saw a side of my son that I heard of but I haven’t accepted. I’m angered by certain things, disappointed and shocked. So this film taught me tolerance and to be less critical. I would love to speak to Lil’ Kim, because I need to ask more about this love relationship because I really didn’t like the way he treated her and I’m praying that that’s not it. Only she can answer those questions. She’s a sweet girl and I didn’t think she deserved to be treated the way he treated her, if that’s the case.
ESSENCE.COM: Any mother would want that. Did you have Angela Bassett in mind to play you from the start?
WALLACE: Yes, all the way. I didn’t even want to be a part of it at first, but then there wouldn’t be a Christopher if there wasn’t a Ms. Wallace (laughs). So I said, if there was anyone who was going to play Voletta Wallace, I wanted Angela Bassett. I read the script and sent it out to her on tape to get my accent down pat. She was very gracious and humble, and I was honored to have her. She came around the set and everyone adored her. She’s a big star and here she was saying hello to everybody when she came in the room—to people she never met before. And it wasn’t pretend. It was genuine.
ESSENCE.COM: So when did you realize your son had talent, and what did you admire most about Christopher?
WALLACE: I took note of my son’s talent when I listened to “Juicy.” When I did the video and heard all the lyrics, I listened to a story that I had never heard before. I never knew what rap was, but this was a young man that was telling a story and put music behind it. I thought that it was so intricately and expertly put together. To me that was art, that was talent. I admire his strength and the tenacity he had. Not many young men wanted something in life and he saw something he wanted and fought to get it. I have a great deal of respect for him for that.
Mediaoutrage- It would be good for Ms. Wallace and Surgical Addiction to rap a taste because last we heard Lil’ Kim wasn’t feeling her or Faith.
January 7, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Yeah, I heard this morning on the radio that Kim has refused to even attend the opening of the movie. Because she didn’t like the chic that played her in the film, according to one of the actors in the film Kim wanted an Asian woman to portray her!
LOL..Kim know good and well that she is a nappy headed chocolate girl who eats chicken, collard greens, and mashed potatoes!
January 7, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I don’t even want to see the movie. Who ever check this movie out,let me know what bunny rabbit played Diddy.Kim should be happy anybody wanted to play her, with her stainless steel face.
I don’t know who played biggie, I hope they had to put makeup on him to make him as ugly as fat boy was.
January 7, 2009 at 7:23 pm
LMAO @ Yeah I Said It
– Derek Luke is playing Diddy!
Some dude (with no acting experience) is playing Diddy (and he actually looks better than biggie!)
January 7, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Correction: Some dude (with no acting experience) is playing Biggie..
January 7, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I don’t want to see the movie either but I’m forced to
Every Friday is Movie Night and this was my man pick. He gotta rep home…left it up to me, I would straight see it on Boot Leg
January 7, 2009 at 7:39 pm
As long as his mom was satisfied, that’s all that matters, Lil Mrs. Fake wanna b barbie need 2 sit down somewhere. They didn’t even choose her 2 play her own part, lol on that.
January 7, 2009 at 7:49 pm
LOL @ Yea I Said It “stainless steele face” lol
ya’ll be having me dying lol.
I’m definitely going to check it out.
Glad his moms is happy with it.
January 7, 2009 at 7:49 pm
How much are you all willing to bet the Biggie movie will do better than Caddyshack Records?
January 7, 2009 at 7:55 pm
lol caddyshack records lol. i hope beyonce never reads MO.
January 8, 2009 at 12:14 am
When the hell Tupac movie comin out!!??
Oh yea, im goin to see this shit openin night! Loved Biggie!
January 8, 2009 at 12:19 am
Derek Luke plays Diddy
January 8, 2009 at 1:01 am
the movie is going to suck balls …and I hope they don’t come with a 2pac movie..perhaps a documentry of his life and music but not a movie…no one…NO ONE can play 2pac…
January 8, 2009 at 3:40 pm
@ Lio – I agree NO ONE can play him! I heard something about an Aaliyah movie a while back..but I don’t think they can find anyone to play her (Ciara maybe…NOT!)
Tupac was supposed to be my future baby daddy..exuse me I am about to cry again!
January 8, 2009 at 4:35 pm
It is not something I would really like to see.