Diana Ross' "Baby" Has Got His Own

 

Evan Olaf Ross with mom Diana Ross  (Courtesy Photo)

Evan Ross:  The Gardens of the Night Interview
with Kam Williams


(November 19, 2008) - Evan Olaf Ross was born to pop diva Diana Ross and Norwegian shipping magnate Ame Naess Aug. 28 1988. Following not only in his mom’s footsteps, but in those of three of his sisters (Tracee Ellis Ross, Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Leona Naess), Evan entered showbiz at an early age, making an impressive film debut as T.I.’s troubled younger brother in the critically-acclaimed ATL.

Next, he received rave reviews for his NAACP Image Award-nominated performance as a troubled teen in the made-for-TV movie Life Support. He then returned to the big screen for another memorable outing as a stammering swimmer in Pride. That, in turn, led to his being signed to do eleven more pictures, including his current release, The Gardens of the Night, a harrowing drama about kidnapping, child molestation and homeless kids co-starring Gillian Jacobs, Tom Arnold, John Malkovich and Harold Perrineau.

Here, Evan talks about his new flick.

[Kam Williams:] So, what prompted you take on another challenging role in Gardens of the Night?

[Evan Ross:] Actually, I loved it from the moment I read the script, because I had just seen a very interesting documentary my mother recommended to me called ‘Streetwise,’ about how homeless kids survive on the streets. So, when I read ‘Gardens of the Night’ I thought it was an incredible idea and such a great story.

[KW:] Your female co-star is White, which had me wondering whether this was a case of colorblind casting?

[ER:] The role of Donnie wasn’t originally written for an African-American, but I kept meeting with them and auditioning because I really wanted to be a part of the film. I kept fighting for the role, and ended up doing it. More than anything, this was a passion project for everybody associated with the film, especially because it was such a tough subject.

[KW:] I hope that this approach to casting is a sign of things to come.

[ER:] Damian [director Damian Harris] was really great about that issue. He saw that skin color isn’t an issue among kids living on the street. Their worry is survival. So, I think that it was really great how he handled it in the movie. Never once was color talked about or made an issue. No one asked, why was this White girl with me. It never came up, and that’s the way I think it should be. It’s a non-issue.

[KW:] How was it working with Gillian Jacobs? You shared so many haunting scenes together.

[ER:] Really, really great. It ended up just being me and her and the director, not only on the set, but we also spent a lot of time with children in homeless shelters. I had been blind to the fact that there were that many homeless kids. It was very hard for all of us sitting with them and having them talk about their lives and share all the emotions of what they’re going through. Gillian and I really bonded after that to keep each other’s spirits up because it was such a heavy experience. As a result, we had great chemistry, so working with her was good.

[KW:] Was this your most emotionally-challenging role to date?

[ER:] Of the movies released so far, yes, although I have some others that will be coming out, like Black Water Transit, which were equally-challenging, but in a different sort of way... The more I think about it, Gardens of the Night might have been the toughest, since it took so long to shoot, and it was heavy being with the homeless kids and in their environment.

[KW:] Do you think you’re getting typecast as someone who only plays troubled characters?

[ER:] No, I’ve been the one kind of choosing to go in that direction. I like showing reality. But I have a more upbeat film coming out that I did with Hilary Duff called Greta. I play a more strong-willed character in that movie. But I like reality, because I think we shy away from showing the truth when we don’t need to cover up the truth. So, the way I choose projects is based on what I think is most real and most interesting, not on what’s paying the most money or what’s most popular.

[KW:] You already made a movie with your sister Tracee, {Life Support}. Any plans to do one with your mom?

[ER:] I would love to at some point. I talk to her about it all the time. I ask her when she’s going to do another movie herself. She says that because it calls for a serious commitment of time, she’ll only do it if it’s something special that makes sense and that she’s a big part of creating it. It’s hard doing these films when you don’t have any creative control, and you want it to look a certain way because you believe in it. So, I feel that if it made sense, she would do it. But I would love to do something with her, whether she’s playing my mom, or another character. I love her work as an actress.

[KW:] How about doing music with your mom?

[ER:] We’re doing that now. I’ve been making music for a long time, but I’ve been waiting to do it right, because I don’t want people to think it’s just a stepping stone in my career. A lot of actors go that route as a way of building their careers. I don’t want it to be seen as that. Because, like with my acting, my interest is not commercial, but to create something that I really love.

[KW:] So, who are you in the studio with?

[ER:] I’m working with Dallas Austin and some others who are not only really talented but who I love as people. Plus I’m on the phone with my mom, Stevie Wonder, and Michael [Jackson], and getting their input in finding out how I’d like to do it. Yeah, I talk to him [Michael Jackson] a lot, advice-wise, musically. But I speak to mom the most. We go down to the studio and just kind of be creative and come up with new ideas. We have a lot of great stuff. But I’ve been singing my whole life, so it’s on its way.

[KW:] Hey, Evan, thanks for the interview, and best of luck with the movies, the music, and all your other endeavors.

[ER:] Thank you so much. It was a pleasure.