Vivica A. Fox: actress-producer-fashionista shows why she has longevity in Hollywood

Jet, August 18, 2008 by Margena A. Christian

Vivica A. Fox recently celebrated her 44th birthday. She is "very proud" of her age, she boasts, and the fact that she remains a working actress in front of the camera and behind it as a producer.

Her latest TV venture is VH1's "Glam God With Vivica A. Fox," premiering Aug. 21. She is the show's host, a judge and one of its executive producers.

For eight weeks, 12 contestants will be given challenges to style for the red carpet. They are vying for the title of "Glam God," $100,000 and a styling agent.

"People are so into fashion," said Fox, during an interview from Canada where she's filming a new movie, Shark City. "We're trying to educate the public on the do's and don'ts so you won't make the page of 'what the hell was she thinking?' I'm a fashionista. One must dress appropriately because different events require different outfits. I create a theme per event with the help of my stylist, Fati Parsia."

Jeff Olde, executive vice president, original programming and production, VH1, said that Fox was an obvious choice to host the show.

"I see her in magazines all the time," he said. "Only the very best and the very worst make it into magazines on a weekly basis. She's always on the best list. She has consistently made the right choices. She is an icon and that's why it made sense to us. She's the first and only call we made."

Fellow judges will include Melanie Bromley, US Weekly's West Coast bureau chief, and renowned Hollywood stylist Phillip Bloch, who styled Halle Berry the night of her historic Oscar win in 2002 and last year's Michael Jackson EBONY and JET Magazine covers.

"Vivica is banging, slanging, and dropping it like it's hot. She's the hostess with the mostest," said an excited Bloch, who styled Fox in her early career. "We give you hair. We give you outfits and that's just our judging panel! Every show is a lesson."

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Fox's acting career continues to move as well. Upcoming film projects include acting roles in Major Movie Star with Jessica Simpson, Junkyard Dog and Hollywood and Wine.

Last year she starred on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiam." She also starred in and co-executive produced Lifetime TV's "1-800-Missing" and starred in and produced the film The Salon.

Fox ventured into theater in 2007 by producing and starring in the stage play Je'Caryous Johnson's Whatever She Wants, which won her an NAACP Theatre Award (JET, July 21).

"The best way to make sure you keep working is to produce your own projects," she said. "You should reap the benefits of what your name brings. If your name gets a budget, you should get a producing title. The more you learn about the business that goes on in the show, the longer of a career you'll have."

When asked how she continues to find projects when most Black actresses aren't working, Fox said: "Hollywood is tough on those who don't get out and take the initiative to make things happen. If you sit on your butt, waiting for your agent to make the phone ring, you'll be waiting. You have to network. You have to produce and find new venues. I don't stand in my own way by saying I won't do reality or stage plays. We make that lemon into lemonade all the time. The best way to have longevity is to reinvent yourself."

Most recently she appeared on TV's "Celebrity Family Feud" and wowed TV viewers in 2006 with her dance abilities on "Dancing With the Stars" (JET, Oct. 16, 2006).

Always giving great face in her photos, some have whispered that Fox has had cosmetic surgery.

"There is a negative stereotype that is attached to having plastic surgery," she said. "I work very hard to make certain my appearance is good. I hate talking about that. You try to be honest and share things with people and they use it to hold it against you. I think that's unfortunate."

She said that her beauty regimen includes facials and steam showers twice a day. "Once you get older, you have to hydrate your skin. And I drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day," she said. "I try to keep my spirit happy as well because beauty must come from within."

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Fox maintains her hourglass figure by working out and watching her diet.

"I'm fortunate to have a gym in my house. My trainer, Basheerah Ahmad, comes to my house and works me out for an hour. She stretches me for 15 minutes three to five times a week. I also watch what I put in my mouth. I have to have that low carbs, low sugar thing happening."

Her busy schedule hasn't made room for that special someone in her life, but she hesitates at the thought of remarriage.

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"It would be nice, but it's not my focus. I'm waiting for God to send me a good man that is equally yoked. I'm waiting on that. I'm not going to settle. I'm not doing anymore sponsorships, taking care of nobody. None of that is happening. I'm very happily single. I'm not validated by a relationship. If God sends me a good man and marriage happens to come, that would be nice and then I would probably adopt some kids and we'll do that chapter. Right now, I'm OK with me."