ESSENCE’s October cover star Jill Scott has worked on a handful of films, but it’s starring in Lifetime’s Steel Magnolias remake that tops her list of on-set experiences. “It was the best experience I’ve ever had with a cast,” she told ESSENCE during her cover shoot.
“They are smart, funny, and the energy was right even when we worked late nights and early mornings,” she said of working with castmates Phylicia Rashad, Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye and Condola Rashad. “There was a real feeling of sisterhood.”
A self-described “Magnolia for life,” Scott thinks that stories of friendship between African-American women are as vital as ever. “I’m glad the we remade the movie with an African-American cast because it is something that we all need to see,” she said. “There are friendships where people aren’t jealous of each another, where they support each other. So I am glad to remake it and allow people to feel good about sisters for a while.”
Check out the full interview above to see Jill Scott talk about the movie and her new short haircut.
Steel Magnolias airs this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on Lifetime. Will you be watching?