Is it just us or did it just get hotter in here?
The genetically blessed Kelly Rowland and Trevante Rhodes are the stars of a sexy and suspenseful new film and we’re SOLD!
Do you believe that anyone can be guilty of anything? Well, that's the theme of Tyler Perry’s latest sensual thriller, Mea Culpa, which is now streaming on Netflix.
The film follows criminal defense attorney Mea Harper (singer and Destiny’s Child icon Kelly Rowland) who mixes business with a whole lot of pleasure in a steamy affair with her client and artist Zyair Malloy (Moonlight star Trevante Rhodes), who’s on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. The audience is taken on a heart-racing ride as the “whodunit”-style story takes on the genre of films like Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction, with more than a hint of erotica.
Out contributor Char Masona caught up with both Rhodes and Rowland at the film’s New York City premiere at The Paris Theater in Manhattan — and the experience did not disappoint. The red carpet attendees included members of the film’s cast: brothers Nick and Sean Sagar, Kerry O’Malley, Shannon Thornton, and of course the director, writer, and producer, Tyler Perry.
Shannon Thornton is no stranger to the drama as she gets down at The Pynk strip club in Starz’s P-Valley, but her latest character Charlise in Mea Culpa isn’t like the role she plays in the hit show. “Well first of all, she has a different profession,” Thornton said.
She also spoke about the fun environment Perry created during filming. “He lets you play and just have a great time. And if you have ideas, he's open to hearing those ideas and just letting you bring yourself and whatever creative input you have to the role.”
Sherri Shepherd, Kalen Allen, and Michelle Williams were also in attendance and Williams dazzled in red as she spoke of how excited she was to support her friend and Destiny’s Child bandmate, Kelly Rowland.
“I'm excited it's finally here. It's a blessing to almost get a front row [seat] of the process of her desires coming to pass,” Williams told Out. After seeing the trailer, she discussed how it was a must for her to watch her bestie in this film. “I have to see this movie, [I’m] excited because acting is something that she really, really loves to do and I want to see her doing more. I want to see her leading more.”
More of Rowland’s loved ones, like her husband Tim Weatherspoon, Tina Knowles, Angie Beyince, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé, quietly attended the premiere to support the multi-talented Rowland in her leading performance.
And leading lady is not the only role that the Ms. Kelly singer took on! She also put on her producer hat for Mea Culpa. She spoke with us about the ins and outs of producing. “The production is all about what's happening on screen that you actually don't get to get privy to. All the technical things and the lighting and the cameras, and the hair, and the makeup, and the wardrobe, and the schedules,” Rowland tells Out. “And it's very, very meticulous, but it's amazing and it's such a wonderful crew that TP (Tyler Perry) has and we all work so beautifully together.”
Rowland is joining the Black woman lawyer multi-verse of characters like Maxine Shaw and Olivia Pope, and she used some of the powerful women in her life as inspiration for her character Mea. “I honestly channeled all the women who are really badass lawyers that I know, who get the job done and who are brilliant in their work– and they're one-of-a-kind.”
The film’s title is a Latin term meaning an expression of guilt. When we asked Rowland what her guilty pleasure is, her answer revealed that she’s just like us. “Sweets, I can eat candy like all day. Cake all day. Cupcakes, cookies all day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner like sweets are my pleasure.”
One thing that brought the audience a lot of pleasure was watching Rowland’s on-screen chemistry with Rhodes, who spoke to us about the roots of their dynamic on camera. “I think we were blessed and fortunate that as soon as we met each other, we kind of had that energy.”
Before the screening of the film, Rowland expressed her appreciation for her co-star. “He made it such a respectful space and I’m so grateful to you for that, Trevante,” Rowland said. “Thank you so much, I couldn’t have done this without you.”
This isn’t Rhodes’ first time working with Tyler Perry, as he was in the cast of Perry’s television series If Loving You Is Wrong. On the carpet, the Moonlight actor discussed how working with Perry was comfortable for him. “I said yes because Tyler, that's my cousin, that’s my brother. So, I said yes before I read the screenplay.”
Before showing the movie, Perry spoke with pride about his leading actors, cast, and his position to create opportunities with his work. “The ability to give people a platform to express and to grow and some people that you've heard of and some people that you haven't heard of,” Perry said. “I’m just so inspired to be able to do that and that’s the thing that’s keeping me going from day to day.”
Mea Culpa is now streaming on Netflix.
