Kim Fields
The
“A Question of Faith” Interview
with
Kam Williams
Fields
Revealed!
Kim
Fields is a veteran actress with an eminent household name, starring
in two
long
– running series, NBC’s “Facts of Life” and Fox’ “Living
Single”. Both shows remain in worldwide syndication, consistently
reinforcing her place as a global, pop culture icon.
As
an esteemed and versatile performer, Kim has accumulated numerous
starring and guest starring roles in TV movies and series, as well as
independent feature films over her 40-year career, including “What
To Expect When You’re Expecting” starring Jennifer Lopez and
Cameron Diaz. In 2014, she starred in one of the Hallmark Channel’s
highest -rated movies, “For Better Or For Worse”, proving her
endurance as a fan favorite and industry staple.
She
has also returned to the stage several times for powerful
performances in one-woman shows, as well as leading all-star casts in
successful ensemble productions. The start of her next 40 years in
showbiz finds Kim currently starring in the new British comedy
series, “Living The Dream” for Sky TV. And she is thrilled to
return to ABC for the exciting reboot of the hit “Battle of the
Network Stars”.
But
perhaps nothing is more thrilling for Kim these days than the fall
release of her highly anticipated autobiography, "Blessed Life."
With arresting transparency, humor and chock full of many personal
stories of joy, pain, triumphs and challenges as well as
wonderfully-delightful tales of growing up in Hollywood,
Kam
Williams: Hi
Kim, thanks for the interview. I'm honored to have this chance to
speak with you.
Kim
Fields:
Oh,
right back atcha, Kam. Thank YOU!
KW:
I was moved to tears by A Question of Faith. What interested you in
the film?
KF:
After
reading the role of Theresa Newman, I thought, "Wow! To breath
life into this character would be a tremendous opportunity to stretch
as an actor and to use some skill sets that I haven't for awhile and
that people don't normally know me for." That was my first
reason for saying, "Yes." And right on the heels of that
were the movie's messages, and the way in which those messages were
executed. It's relatable faith. you see people dialoguing the way
that real people do. It's not so sanctified that you don't see people
really struggling with their faith and with each other, because
that's truly challenging.
KW:
I loved
how you and the rest of the cast disappeared into your roles.
KF:
Thank
you so much for that. One of your goals as an actor is to disappear.
and as a person of faith, we always say, "Lord, let me diminish.
Let me decrease, so you can increase." I feel the same way as an
actor. Let Kim decrease, so the character can increase. So, I'm
extremely grateful for that observation and comment from you.
KW:
You
played Tootie for close to a decade between Different Strokes and The
Facts of Life. Do you think you were typecast by playing such an
iconic role for so long?
KF:
Not at
all. I never felt typecast. I've done many different types of
projects, some even while playing Tootie, whether TV movies, on the
stage or independent features.
KW:
You've directed before Have you thought about directing a film in
which you also star?
KF:
Absolutely!
I think of that often. It keeps me up sometimes. I even have a camera
in my bedroom. In the near future, I hope to adapt my collection of
short stories, "When Bad Women Happen to Good Men," into a
script, and then play one, if not all, of the women featured. I love
the world of independent films and hope to be a part of someday.
KW:
You were once arrested for protesting the police shooting of a black
woman. I could see you playing Trayvon Martin's mother in a docudrama
about his killing. Are you still interested in that as an issue?
KF:
Oh,
very much so. In fact, I'm in the midst of creating and launching a
social initiative around that and much more. Activism and social
awareness have always been a part of who I am, and even more so now
as the mother of African-American boys and the wife of an
African-American man. A concern for them and for everyone is in the
fabric of my DNA. And it's important to me to that my voice not just
regurgitate complaints but offer solutions, which calls for a little
more strategizing. I'm not interested in stirring the pot simply for
the sake of stirring the pot. At some point, we have to change the
ingredients, if we want a different taste. That's the type of citizen
and leader I am.
KW:
What did you think of President Trump's waffling response to
Charlottesville in which he suggested there were good and bad Nazis?
KF:
I have
a tweet pinned to my refrigerator regarding leadership which I think
can apply to many leaders which reads something like, "When do
we stop looking for our leaders to change, rather than change
leadership."
KW:
I know you were born in New York. Do you have any memories of the
city before your family moved to Los Angeles?
KF:
Yes. I
grew up in Harlem, right across from St. Nicholas Park. The early
part of my upcoming autobiography is devoted to my childhood in
Harlem. And its subtitle is "From Harlem to Hollywood." I
still have an affinity for Harlem and live there now. I moved back a
decade or so ago. Harlem informs a great deal of who I am as a global
citizen, as an artist and performer, and as a wannabe historian.
KW:
Ling-Ju Yen asks: What
is your earliest childhood memory?
KF:
The
black-and-white checkered tiles on the steps going up to my
grandmother's apartment on St. Nicholas Avenue just before 145th
Street, heading uptown. She was a dancer at the Savoy. She was part
of Billy Eckstine's nightclub act. She was also one of Pearl Bailey's
dancers. There's a rich history there.
KW:
What is your favorite dish to cook?
KF:
Lasagna.
KW:
When
you look in the mirror, what do you see?
KF:
It
depends on when I look. Right now, I'm camera ready, so I look
fabulous! [LOL]
KW:
The Viola Davis question: What’s the biggest difference between who
you are at home as opposed to the person we see on the red carpet?
KF:
Probably that I have some version of a Spanx on. [Laughs some
more]
KW:
If you
could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
KF:
Social
listening and peace.
KW:
The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?
KF:
I'm a
fan of Massimo. Let me be clear, the Massimo line in Target. [Laughs]
And I'm always at The Gap. I love their jeans.
KW:
Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: With so many classic films being redone,
is there a remake you'd like to star in?
KF:
Oh my
goodness! Suddenly, Last Summer.
KW:
The
Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?
KF:
I just
don't want to be forgotten. That's a start! [Laughs heartily]
KW:
Finally,
Samuel L. Jackson asks: What’s in your wallet?
KF:
My
driver's license, library card, bank cards, insurance card and my
beloved Metro card. Real basic. [LOL]
KW:
Thanks
again for the time, Kim, and I hope we can speak again when your
autobiography comes out.
KF:
Sounds
like a plan, Kam. Thanks!
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