What sold you on this role?

Well, for one I think anybody would be kind of crazy to not want be in a movie with Eddie. I was a major fan of the first Nutty Professor. I bought it on DVD and would watch it all the time. So, when the producers called to see if I would be interested in the part, I jumped at it. I wanted to do something different and this role required [something different] from what I needed for the role that I played in Poetic Justice." Denise is very compassionate, very sweet and very smart.

Did you ever forget that it was Eddie Murphy underneath the clothes and makeup?

All the time. Although Eddie would already be in make-up when he arrived on set each morning, at the drop of a hat he could change into any of the characters. It was a riot. The first scene I did was the big wedding scene and Eddie kept going into the Momma character, which nearly brought the whole set down with laughter.

What was the hardest thing playing opposite Murphy?

Probably the improvisation, which Eddie was very good at. He would break into an ad-lib all the time, which initially could be distracting until I caught on to his rhythm and style as a performer.

Singing versus acting, do you use a lot of the same muscles? How do they compare?

There are a lot of similarities. When Im up on stage or doing a video there is a certain amount of acting that goes into that. Of course, in a lot of ways its very different, Im in a different creative space when I act as opposed to doing music.

Its been seven years since Poetic Justice. Did you feel even kind of rusty or were you just excited?

To be honest I didnt even think about it. I just wanted to do the role. Id never really done a comedy and I knew that there would be no better way to get my feet wet than with Eddie. Is it true that you put your album on the back burner to make this film?

Yeah. I did a lot of commuting back and forth from the studio to make this film. Im not planning on releasing a new album until sometime next year. So far Ive only recorded a few songs, but were getting there. My records are always about whats going on in my life. Its going to be different from the last project, itll be a lot more up beat and its definitely being recorded from a much happier space.

Any plans to work with any members of your family?

You know I keep on hearing about a reunion tour and album, but nobody has said anything to me about it. Im down if they want to do it, but maybe its just gonna be my brothers.

Whos your favorite character in this film?

I love Grandma. In a lot of ways she reminds me of my grandma, who was very feisty and she always had something sassy to say, but yet that love was always there. She used to tell me about when she was young and some of the guys she used to date. I miss her very much.

Acting-wise, whats next for you?

You know, Im reviewing a lot of scripts, but I really dont know. I would love to dive into another film before going on tour for the new album. I have a couple of projects that Im working on but nothing is etched in stone. I would love a great part in a romantic comedy, so well see.

How do you feel about not being the first to play Dorothy Dandridge?

It would have been great to play Dorothy, but Halle [Berry] beat me to it. Ive loved Dorothy since I was 10 years old and I think that Halle did a great job portraying her. Although I wanted to play the part, I was very happy that it was executed well by Halle. I think its great that people are finally getting a chance to truly know who she was.

What CDs are you bumping right now?

I love Nelly, Common and Alliayh. I have N-Synch in my CD case right now, and also some Brazilian music.

Are you ever surprised by the magnitude of your success?

You know I dont keep track of all of that. Is it important to me? Well, I work very hard, so its nice to know that there are people out there who like what I do.

How do you want to people to perceive you?

You know its really about whats inside, the work that I do, and as I said earlier I work very hard to do my very best in everything that I do. I love singing, performing and giving my fans something to have fun with. As long as theyre happy, and I find joy in what I do, Im okay.