Her J'Adore Magazine Photoshoot
KENYA MOORE: Screen Queen
More than a chocolate, hazel-eyed beauty, the multi-faceted Kenya Moore has accomplished numerous feats during her celebrity tenure. The former 1993 Miss USA is an acclaimed cover girl who’s has graced the pages of many publications, been featured in roles on the big and small screens, started her own foundation and has released a book, Game: Get Some (Dark Horse Productions). Currently preparing for her latest role in the upcoming feature film Haitian Nights, the legendary maven won’t let societal norms or hearsay stop her from shining. Kenya Moore is simply stunning in both presence and attitude. Poised, polite and straight to the point, Moore takes no prisoners, and is quick to remind you that she’s all about business and totally in control of her image. In a world where most black actresses are clamoring over roles given mostly to an elite few (Jada, Gabrielle, Sanaa, Megan and Kerry), Moore is not particularly concerned about where she stands. With an impressive filmography which includes commercials (she was a popular Pantene spokesperson), small screen appearances (Martin) and silver screen roles and cameos (Deliver Us From Eva, Trois), Moore confirms that her lack of mainstream presence is painstakingly deliberate.
“When it comes to choosing roles, I like interesting characters. Sometimes it is the story line that grabs me, but it can also just depend on what I see myself doing next,” she explains. “There are certain roles I won’t do, such as strippers or those with bad scripts. For example, I was asked to do a $70,000 movie that included live sex. The director, who was a woman, said I was not going to be in the scenes but that she wanted to make it cutting edge. I thought, ‘Why doesn’t she just make p*rn*gr*phy?’”
While meticulously avoiding cheesy scripts and sleazy producers, Moore is not against on-screen nudity or sexually provocative roles for the right characters. The Detroit, Michigan native has tastefully enhanced her onscreen roles and modeling portfolio with alluring nudity throughout her career, all of which has worked to her benefit for the most part. The key for Moore was making sure that she had total control of all of her work before signing on. “I always want to look classy yet tastefully sexy. I am highly particular as to the images published of me,” she asserts.
However, back in 2006, when Moore posed for Smooth, she was met with a handful of critics whom she admits were quite amusing. “I got a little heat from my Smooth cover, but I have millions of pictures in bathing suits!” Moore retorts. “I had already done a calendar where I was nude on the cover, so it was funny that some found it shocking. I started off as a model but I am a respected actress and former Miss USA. People usually see me in spreads with clothes on or in fashion layouts, which is what I like the most. That is still my image and brand.”
Fans will also see Moore continue to turn up the heat in Haitian Nights, set to release later this year. Haitian Nights, an independent tropical film, chronicles a sultry, action-packed story of Richard Lazard, a successful Haitian-American attorney who breaks off a torrid affair with his young lover, Florence (Kia Samuel), in order to truly settle with his lovely fiancée, Nadine (Moore). Spurned by her lover’s dismissive and abrupt end of the affair, Florence vows Lazard will woefully experience “one wedding and one funeral.” What ensues is a twisting series of events which promises to leave the viewer intrigued, aroused and in awe as the tale travels back and forth between America, the land of opportunity, and Haiti, Lazard’s homeland. Battling all of the danger, obsession and voodoo, the aspiring groom does whatever he can to save his bride. And in case you’re wondering, yes, Ms. Moore does enamor the screen with several glimpses of her lovely chocolate body.
Additionally, Moore has stepped into other endeavors besides acting including Dark Horse Productions, her personal entertainment company that she recently established. “Dark Horse allows me to create opportunities for black and minority actors where there are none,” she says. “When you produce, you create and control your destiny and the product the consumer is offered. Dark Horse puts us in a position of power as well as creative control and helps to provide jobs for other minorities as well.”
In conjunction with producing, Moore published her first book, Game: Get Some, which is currently available at several bookstores. “Game teaches men how to attract, approach and acquire the lady they want properly,” she reveals. “No one man can know everything there is to know about women, but with my help, they may just come close. I feel like the female Ms. Hitch! I want to bring us together, not apart.”
The book reads like a sports playbook, with sections that include ideal methods to approach women, knowing your woman, how to win points with women and even sexual advice on how to please her in bed. Truthfully exposing all issues, Moore delves into self-esteem, baggage, and if by chance it does not work out, how to properly end a relationship.
In terms of charity, Moore is a firm believer in giving back to the community and providing assistance where needed. She works very hard at inspiring and uplifting young women in her hometown through the Kenya Moore Foundation. She currently focuses particularly on women attending her former high school, Cass Technical.
“I opened the foundation in 2000 and developed a scholarship to inspire and help smart, strong young women who need assistance as they make it through school. Entrants write an essay to demonstrate how they are strong women, discussing the obstacles they had to overcome and the demons they fought all while maintaining Cass’ strict GPA minimum,” Moore reports. “One young woman sold her virginity at the age of 13 for a few dollars to an adult neighbor because her mother had abandoned her and her siblings for months without money to eat. Currently, only Cass students are eligible to enter and win, however, there is always the possibility for expansion in the future.”
Life is never easy for a black actress trying to live her dreams, especially when one has walked off the beaten path and experienced success in ways never imagined. Nevertheless, Moore takes it all in stride, stating that, in essence, no matter how selective she is, anything she does “is subject to peoples’ opinions and standards.” She adds, “Mel Gibson was nearly crucified for Passion of Christ; so was James Caviezel (the actor who played Jesus in The Passion). If they can criticize you for playing Jesus, then [nothing] can be excluded from ridicule.”
Moore rides off the industry negativity by keeping everything in perspective. “I believe in God. I try to live my life by His principles as much as I can. I always keep my work separate from my life, because I’m in the industry, but not of the industry.” Truer words were never spoken.
source: j'adore
