Arts & Entertainment
Here’s to You, Mr. Robinson!
C ELEBRITY
I NTERVIEW
by Kam
Williams
KW: Your big break was when you land-
ed the role on TV as the Green Ranger on
the Power Rangers. Did you have a martial
arts background?
KR: Not at all. I was just a good athlete
and I had been in a few fights.
KW: You were signed by Motown while
you were still a student at the University of
Georgia. What prompted your move from
music to acting?
KR: I never really made a “move” from
one to the other. Acting came second once I
moved to Hollywood on a chance audition
for the “Power Rangers.” I’ve been doing
both ever since.
KW: Is there any question no one ever
James Brown is the epitome of perseverance.
You can never underestimate the magnetic
power of self belief
James Brown biopic Get on Up, where he
co-stars opposite Chadwick Boseman, Viola
Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jill Scott and Dan
Aykroyd..
Kam Williams: Hi Keith, thanks for the
interview.
Keith Robinson: Thanks for having me.
KW: What interested you in Get on Up?
KR: As a musician, I was heavily influ-
enced by James Brown’s music.
KW: What was it like working with Tate
Taylor and such a star-studded cast?
KR: Tate is a really cool director because
he has a clear vision of what he wants but
still gives his actors freedom to collaborate
in the process. That’s rare. Working with a
cast where everyone is really talented puts
you at ease, actually.
KW: How would you describe your char-
acter, Baby Roy?
KR: Baby Roy is the young exuberant
one who just really loves to perform and be
on stage as much as possible. He’s what I
like to think as the artist who still has those
stars in his eyes and believes it’s all about
the music and hasn’t been tainted
yet. [LOL]
KW: What is your
favorite dish to cook?
KR: Salmon.
KW: The Sanaa Lathan
question: What excites you?
KR: Progress.
KW: When you look in
the mirror, what do you see?
KR: A handsome dude
that’s come a long way with
a long way to go.
KW: If you could have
one wish instantly granted,
what would that be for?
KR: Permanent financial
security.
KW: Let’s say you’re
throwing your dream dinner
party—who’s invited… and
what would you serve?
KR: Too many to name
but it would be the fifty
most influential people in
the world. It’d be a potluck.
I got the salmon and Twiz-
zlers.
PHOTO BY BY MATTHEW BOYD PHOTOGRAPHY
I
n a world where talent takes you far,
Keith Robinson is ahead of the game.
He’s a true triple threat — having
already mastered acting and songwriting,
he’s now positioning himself to take over
the music world with a velvety voice.
Before he made his way to Tinseltown,
the Kentucky native set his sights on music,
and attended the University of Georgia.
Upon coming to Los Angeles, Keith had a
chance meeting with a talent manager who
jumpstarted his acting career. Since then,
he’s thrived, landing an incredible 50+ proj-
ects in television and film while continuing
to pursue his musical career— often placing
songs in the acting projects he stars in.
Keith may be best known for his critically
acclaimed performance as “C.C. White” in
the Academy Award-winning feature film,
Dreamgirls. His big solo in the musical,
“Patience,” which he also performed live at
the Academy Awards, earned an Oscar nom-
ination in the Best Song category.
After Dreamgirls, he released his debut
album, Utopia. On the acting side, he subse-
quently starred in This Christmas, Dear
John, 35 and Ticking, and Hopelessly in
June.
Here, Keith talks about his new film, the
Keith Robinson
KW: The Jamie Foxx question: If you
only had 24 hours to live, how would you
spend the time?
KR: Eating with family, making love to
my girl, and praying.
you were an animal, what animal would you
be?
KR: A derby horse or a dolphin. Every-
body loves them.
KW: The Kerry Washington question: If
See ROBINSON on page 11
asks you, that you wish someone would?
KR: Hmmm... I think I’ve heard them all
at this point. [Laughs]
KW: Would you mind saying something
controversial that would get this interview
tweeted?
KR: [LOL] Reality shows disgust me.
Specifically, the ones that make black peo-
ple look trifling and super melodramatic.
You know who you are.
KW: Have you ever had a near-death
experience?
KR: Only in my sleep, thank God.
KW: Have you ever accidentally uncov-
ered a deep secret?
KR: Yep.
KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you
ever afraid?
KR: Yeah, I’ve been afraid—usually right
before a movie drops. [Laughs some more]
KW: The Teri Emerson question: When
was the last time you had a good laugh?
KR: Yesterday.
KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
KR: Twizzlers and naked body surfing.
Reality shows disgust me. Specifically, the
ones that make black people look trifling and
super melodramatic.
KW: What message do you think people
will take away from the film?
KR: That James Brown is the epitome of
perseverance. You can never underestimate
the magnetic power of self belief.
KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson ques-
tion: What was the last book you read?
KR: Fifty Shades of Grey. I had to see
what all the fuss was about… and learn a
few new tips.
KW: Are you a James Brown fan? What’s
your favorite song of his?
KR: Absolutely. “I’ll Go Crazy,” which I
recently remade. And “It’s a Man’s World,”
of course.
KW: The music maven Heather Coving-
ton question: What was the last song you
listened to?
KR: “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper. It’s
on in the background right now.
July 23, 2014 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 7