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Usher liked broad appeal of 'In the Mix'

10:20 AM CST on Wednesday, November 23, 2005

By ALICIA QUARLES / Associated Press

NEW YORK – Usher makes his big-screen debut as a leading man with the romantic comedy In the Mix. The 27-year-old R&B singer plays Darrell, a playboy New York City disc jockey who falls in love. Not only is he the star, he's the executive producer. Usher, whose 2004 album Confessions was a huge commercial and critical success, talked about the movie.

Why did you choose In the Mix for your first leading role?

I took a look at the type of black films and multicultural films that had come out, and I wanted to do something that would cater to the demographic of people that I have been introduced to and my fan base. That's basically 5-year-olds all the way up to 67-year-olds. During this season it would be the type of movie that everybody would be a part of.

Do you think In the Mix is the type of story that hasn't been told before?

To an extent that there have definitely been films heading in this direction for a black character, for the film to be focused on the black character. To make one comparison, A Bronx Tale. The fact that the story was based on race and this one is based more on the politics and the logistics as to how the mob really works and what goes on, as well as the fact that love is colorless. You have a fly guy 26-year-old playboy. He didn't know what he was getting himself into, but it had everything to do with family and his family values and what he felt like he owes the Pacelli family. I think this says a lot about us as black Americans and the views of Italian-Americans.

What message do you want people to walk away with after seeing In the Mix?

The moral of this story is: Life is what happens when you are making other plans. Two, love is colorless.

Are you hesitant to have fans see you on the big screen in an interracial relationship?

First of all, more than anything [the film is about] two people from two different worlds. I don't know anything about an interracial relationship because I don't go in it as a person who's interested in her as a relationship. My character and her character fall in love with each other. It turns into "Can we tell anybody?" It doesn't start out like that.

Are you nervous about In the Mix doing well?

I would only hope that everybody could be as supportive as they possibly can. As I said, I wanted to put together a piece that I felt everybody could enjoy.

What is the best thing about being Usher?

That I am the only one of myself.

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