Comedienne and Actress, Erica Watson,
Is Not Ashamed to Scream it Loud, “Big Girls Rock!”
And now she’s Ready to Kick Butt
In Her Jimmy Choos with Her Own One Woman Show

Words By: Eboyne’ Jackson

There is something to be said of a woman who is not only beautiful, vivacious, and comfortable in her own skin; but is also multi-talented and good at everything she does. She is called a diva. She is woman, hear me roar. She is Erica Watson.

Born to breed success, Erica is a comedienne, film maker, classically trained pianist, and actress known as the ‘pretty fat chick.’ She’s that “curvaceous” dime piece with the glamorous fashion sense and killer swag. And she rocks that title with pride.

Yes, really.

This Chi-town native has already starred in a major motion picture, “Dirty Laundry,” directed a reality TV series, “My Model Looks Better than Your Model,” on the BETJ Network, and has graced the stage of just about every popular comedy club in the country such as Caroline’s on Broadway and Gotham Comedy Club, among others.

She’s unstoppable. And to add to her already impressive repertoire, Miss Watson is gearing to take over the world with her hilariously entertaining one-woman-comedy show, Fat Bitch! With her up-coming role in the highly anticipated Lee Daniel’s film, “Precious,” Erica Watson is already on her way to her rightful claim-to-fame.

In this exclusive interview, Erica kills the stereotypes, (fat women are beautiful!) talks style, and reveals some of the behind-the-scenes magic behind “Precious.”

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Eboyne: Tell me about your life before you became Erica Watson, the comedienne, the actress, the star of your own “one-woman-show?”

Erica: Well, I am from the south side of Chicago. Where my parents still live now, it’s like two-three blocks away from President Obama and Michelle’s old house in Chicago. I grew up in a working class home. I am just a regular girl. Before I started doing comedy, I always knew that I wanted to be a writer and a director. So I went off to film school and then I went on to get my master’s degree in Media Management, because I figured I was going to be a “behind the scenes” kind of person and direct my own films and television shows. While I was in Chicago, I began directing music videos for some underground hip hop groups, and then I decided to move to New York and give it a try. When I was in college, I would host some of the campus shows, but I never thought of myself as a comedienne. But when I got to New York, a friend of mine suggested that I take a stand up comedy writing class, and I did it just to see what would happen. When I performed my first stand up comedy show in November 2005, it just started happening. I started getting lots of paid gigs, and started performing all over the place. And then shortly after that, I got my first gig hosting a pilot on Oxygen called, “Oh No You Didn’t!” And from there, I quit my full time job, and I decided to pursue this as a career, and it’s been non stop ever since. I haven’t even been a comedienne for four years. When it’s God plan, it just works out.

Eboyne: It’s so true; it’s all about God’s plan and His perfect timing. I was watching some of your You Tube videos the other day, and I was dying! Were you always the naturally funny girl?

Erica: Laughter is so healing. I’ve always been the funny girl that all her girl friends call up for a good laugh. I think that people gravitate towards my honesty. That’s why people enjoy me. I am like an open book.

Eboyne: One thing I like about you, Erica, is that you are very voluptuous and proud! You are so stunning. But what I am so impressed with is your level of confidence. What makes you so comfortable about referring to yourself as a fat hag?

Erica: Well, to be honest with you, I think my parents instilled in me to be who you are at a very young age. I look back at pictures of me when I was a little girl, and I think, ‘wow I was a cute little girl.’ But I never knew that because my parents always told me how smart and how funny I was. So I didn’t know how being cute was really important. So when you have confidence you don’t think about the outer part of you. As I’ve grown, I’ve been different sizes in my life, and I realize that the core of me is still the same. So I focus in on that. You can’t get caught up in the media and what the industry says. Even those people don’t always look like that, everything is airbrushed. A lot of the celebrities have a team behind them, making them look that good. There is always someone primping, sticking, and tucking on them. We could all look like that if we had a style team and a budget! (Laughs)

Eboyne: Speak on it, girl! (Laughs) I feel you. I’ve been hearing a lot of hype surrounding your one-woman-show, Fat Hag! Tell me about the inspiration behind that.

Erica: Don’t get me wrong, I will still perform stand up in the clubs, but I really believe that this one-woman-show is my calling. The show is really about society and their ideals of what beauty is, and how it really takes a toll on a woman. I talk a lot about how I fight against the fat bitch stereotype. I also talk about different ways in which larger women are stereotyped. You are either the nanny, or the over-sexed big booty girl dropping it like it hot in the club, or we’re the skinny girl’s best friend. We are always portrayed as the side character in the movies, as if we don’t have a life of our own. When the truth of the matter is, in different parts of the world; such as Middle America, every big girl I knew had a husband! I mean down there, they are not going through what we are here. Like down south, men love big women, they don’t care—they love the skinny girls, they love the big girls. I try not to get caught up in the drama, but I feel like you have to own who you are, and that doesn’t mean owning the negativity or the stereotypes of it. I mean, just be you. I am a big girl. I am also one that I hope I may be smaller one day. I am trying to loose weight and get in shape. I am not insecure. Whatever size I am, I am going to be happy. Like right now, I am cute. I like me. I am fun, and I am a cool person. Who cares? In my show, I also talk about how people try to put people in a box. No matter who you are, you don’t have to see yourself through the eyes of someone else. You don’t have to let other people define who you are. You write the definition of your own life.

Eboyne: That is so true. I really like the way you were able to address a serious issue within our society on the ideals of beauty, but at the same time, add the humor element to it.

Erica: There are so many images thrown at us, especially as women, and they are subliminal. Recently, I decided to get rid of the top 40 radio stations, and tune into only gospel, classical, or jazz. And I realized that in a week, my self esteem boosted so high, because everything you hear on the radio is about ‘girl, your booty is so big.’ And now we got this dude talking about ‘he wanna give you some sex on your birthday.’ As if his manhood is a birthday gift to me, are you serious! (Laughs) The radio would have you thinking that men don’t love women no more, and that there is no more monogamy.

Eboyne: I know! Girl, you are so on point! Erica, it’s obvious that you are a gifted comedienne, but you’re also a stellar actress as well. Tell me how you landed your first movie role in “Dirty Money.”

Erica: One of my very close friends, Nathan Williams, who was the Executive Producer of that movie, along with Maurice Jamal, who was the director, got me involved in that film. I met Maurice through Nathan, and Maurice later said he ‘loved me and he wanted to do something with me for his next film.’ So he actually wrote that part of Clarene with me in mind. My character was originally supposed to only be in two scenes of the movie, but once we got to filming the movie in Atlanta, Maurice would throw me in a couple more scenes; and I would adlib and play around.

Eboyne: I am so excited about your role in the Lee Daniel’s film, “Precious.” What was it like working with the great Lee Daniels?

Erica: Lee Daniels is amazing. When he walks into a room, he is amazing. Not only is he a very brilliant and talented director, he is also very sexy to me. I just love him. Lee Daniels is the bomb! That is my husband in my mind. (Laughs)

Eboyne: There is so much hype surrounding “Precious,” which is inspired by the novel, “Push” by Sapphire. Already, the movie has won a few awards since its debut at the Sun Dance Film festival, and it hasn’t even hit the theatres yet! The cast is amazing—Mo’nique, Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, and Lenny Kravitz. Tell me what we can look forward to. . .

Erica: As you know, the story is about a young girl named “Precious,” growing up in Harlem in the 1980’s, and she is a victim of both sexual and physical abuse by both of her parents. She ends up having two children by her father. It is a very deep story about child abuse and the welfare system, and how these things are going on behind closed doors. You never know someone’s story and what they are going through as you are passing them on the streets. It’s an amazing movie. I can say that you’ve never seen Mo’nique like this in a movie before. I know that Oprah and Tyler Perry are handling the distribution of the movie through Lion Gate. Even Oprah on her show, has been talking about how people are going to be surprised by Mo’nique’s performance. Just from what I saw of her performance while on set, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh my God, Mo’nique is going to win an Oscar!’ If she doesn’t get one, then something is wrong. You’ve never seen her like this. I am so happy for her.

Eboyne: Let’s talk about you, miss diva! Tell me about your exciting role in the film.

Erica: The character I play, her name is Sheila. She is actually an abusive parent of a little girl in the movie. You will see me in the movie periodically, and see how this form of abuse is happening not just in one family, but in many different places. I live in the same neighborhood as Precious, and her and the little girl that I am taking care of, end up having a very clear connection in the movie. The younger girl is almost like a reflection, a younger version of Precious. Although my role is a side character, I definitely think that it will make an impact to show the level of abuse children suffer behind closed doors.

Eboyne: What did you think of Mariah Carey’s role in this film? I mean, you being on set, how would you rate her performance?

Erica: Like Mo’nique, I think people are going to see her range. In the movie, Mariah is totally stripped down. She is not the glamorous Mariah. She is the social-worker-1980’s-Mariah in Harlem, working in the welfare office, where day after day, she has different clients coming in who have these horrible stories and need some money And Mariah is that gate-keeper, that front level defense between you and a link card. I think people are going to be very moved and surprised by Mariah’s performance. I can also say the same for Sherri Shepherd, in the movie. She plays the role of “Corn rolls,” where she works in the office at the alternative school where Precious attends. And the same can be said for Lenny Kravitz, who plays a nurse in the movie. He helps her and becomes that male role model in her life. It’s going to be very interesting to see how people react to the movie.

Eboyne: Good Lord, he’s fine! What was it like seeing Lenny Kravitz everyday on set? (Laughs)

Erica: Lenny Kravitz is a special kind of sexy! (Laughs) He is amazing. In the movie, I have a boyfriend, and I was like, ‘ooh maybe Lenny Kravitz can be my boyfriend!’ And it was like, ‘nah, he’s not.’ I would have loved to have slept in his trailer, but I did not do that, I didn’t want to get fired!
 
Eboyne: Let’s talk style! You always look so fabulous, where do you like to shop?

Erica: I love this store in Brooklyn, called Re/Dress. It is a vintage shop for plus size women. I really love shopping there, and all the stuff is fly. I also love Marshall’s. I covet House of Dereon jeans and Roca wear. I’m like, Jay-Z must like the big girls too, ‘cause I found some Roca wear jeans that fit me! (Laughs) I also shop at Torrid and Layne Bryant as well.  In my head, I am sixteen, and I like to dress very youthful and fun. I am I have a great style team, whom I met on the set of “My Model Looks Better than You,” and they help put me together when I have big events.

Eboyne: For all your male followers, perhaps a dude saw you at your one-woman-comedy show, and thought he might want to get at you. Are you single and ready to mingle, or are you taken for life? (Laughs)

Erica: I am single, and definitely ready to mingle! Every single girl should have a dream team, every single girl should date, (not sleep with them) and just have fun. I want to empower women and help them to understand that while they are single, you choose who you want on your team. Stop waiting for some guy to choose you to be on their team. Put your arsenal together of cool, intelligent, and attractive men, who are respectful of you, and want to shower you with attention. So yeah, I am putting my team together as we speak! (Laughs) I am all about monogamous relationships when it’s time for it. But until the right guy and comes to you and says he ‘wants you strictly on some one-on-one, don’t commit yourself to a relationship that is not committed to you.’

Eboyne: So, what’s next Erica?

Erica: I just did a run of my show, Fat Bitch, in New York. Now I am going to tour across the country. I will be touring in Chicago, starting November 19-28th, and then Los Angeles. I also plan on entering my show at a few comedy festivals here in the states and abroad. Eventually, I want to get the show on Broadway. I am also hoping that this next big movie role I will be hearing about it soon, which will be a meatier role than what I’ve already done previously. God is good, and I am very excited about the future holds.

For More on Erica Watson visit: www.ericawatson.com

“Precious” in select theaters, November 6th

To listen to the complete interview with Erica Watson, tune into the Ebony Show: www.eboynejackson.com

Eboyné M. Jackson
Lifestyle Journalist