Every year Hollywood presents us with a new arrival that captivates the attention of its audience. The moment when a fresh face combined with an undeniable on camera presence grabs your mind and the star is revealed to you before your eyes. This past spring the world faithfully tuned into the new VH1 series "Single Ladies." Created by Stacey A. Littlejohn, "Single Ladies" is about 3 best friends living their lives in the city of Atlanta, working, playing and exploring the relationships that engage their lives. One of the most talked about and breakout stars of the show was Timon Kyle Durret, who played the characters of Quinn Davis an NBA Player and the ex-boyfriend of Val, one of the 3 best friends. "Quinn Davis" not only locked the interest of his ex-girlfriend Val, but Quinn also kept the viewing audience wanting more as well. Prior to his role in "Single Ladies" Timon Kyle Durrett performed in the Tyler Page stage play "The Marriage Counselor" in addition to work in numerous commercials,music videos, television dramas, sitcoms and feature films. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Timon and discuss his background, how he began acting, his career and his future.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) Could you tell me a little bit about your background? What part of the country are you from?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’m a big city guy, born and raised on the South side of Chicago. I grew up in a big house with a big family. Lived there until I moved to
Los Angeles to actively pursue a career as an actor.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) As a young child did you ever think that you would become a professional actor?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’ve always had an admiration for good stories, mostly the visual stories that movies told. Whether the movies were on the big or
small screen, I loved them. But my desire to actually be an actor
came about…I’d have to say in my mid-to-late teens. Before that,
I had a firm desire to be a visual artist. I had dreams of being a
modern day Leonardo Da Vinci.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) When did you first catch the "acting bug" that everybody speaks of? Was it due to a particular instance in your life? A certain movie or play that you saw?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Having a love for great stories, I would come up with some of my
own. I’d tell them to anyone who’d take the time to listen. My mother
would always say to me, “You know, you should be on TV.” One day
she told me about a radio announcement she’d heard saying there
were roles available for a movie being shot in the downtown area [of
Chicago] called There Are No Children Here starring Oprah Winfrey. I
booked a really small role. I contained myself when I was on set, but
my heart was racing a mile a minute. I was super excited. I couldn't
believe I was actually working on a movie. That’s when the “Acting
Bug” first bit me.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) At what point in your life did you fully realize that you had the potential to become a great actor?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Well, I’m still realizing potential now. I believe there’s always room to grow. Whether it’s acting or any other profession, if there’s a desire
to learn, which I love to do, there’s a place for growth. But when I
got the call from casting that I’d booked the role of Henderson in 20th
Century Fox’s feature film “Like Mike,” I was blown away. I thought
to myself, “Man, I’m really doing this?” That was a major point in life.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) What was your first audition? How did it go?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} My first audition was for the made-for-television movie There Are No Children Here. But to be honest, I can’t really say how it went. I was
just amped that I was auditioning for a movie. But I guess it went
okay. I booked the part I auditioned for, right? (Laughs)
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS)You Attended Alcorn State University, which is in Lorman, Mississippi. How was the transition moving from the big city of Chicago to the small
town of Lorman? Tell me about your college experience.
{TIMONY KYLE DURRETT} Seeing different parts of the country wasn’t unfamiliar to me. My family went on vacations just about every summer. But my first year
at Alcorn brought on a heck of an adjustment. I was used to being a
mile or two – or even a few blocks – from whatever I needed. Plus,
I could take the bus and A-train if I needed to go further; like to the
North side. But not in Lorman. Everything was far away, there was
no public transportation system that passed by Alcorn, and I didn’t
have car at the time. So, I had to make friends quick, especially those
who had wheels. (Laughs) But I wouldn’t trade those four years for
anything. Some of my best friends to this day are my boys from “The
Yard.” (That’s what we Alcornites call the campus.)
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) You’ve had the opportunity to work on many different shows, sitcoms,movies and plays. Could you tell me about your body of work and which
was the most memorable experience?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’ve done print work, runway modeling, I’ve done commercials,
music videos, television dramas and sitcoms, feature films, and
one stage play, all of which I enjoyed very much. But I’d have to
say that Vh1’s “Single Ladies” and Tyler Perry’s “The Marriage
Counselor” are my most memorable acting experiences. With Single
Ladies, I love the angst and drama that happens in front of the
camera. Off camera, the laughs, fun and welcoming environment
make it seem more like I’m hanging with family instead of working a
television series. With “The Marriage Counselor,” the travelling and
sightseeing, the camaraderie and laughs – on and off stage – were
all fantastic. We had a ball. But to have every eye in a house on you,
to know that you have some control over the emotions of all those
people right then and there was a hair-raising, yet invigorating feeling
I hadn’t felt before as an actor.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) You've had the opportunity to perform in Tyler Perry's play "The Marriage Counselor." I've seen this play 2 times and I must say that it was an excellent play. The characters in the play were people that could easily
be identified in real life. The actors that portrayed the characters did an
excellent job of bringing the characters to life. Could you speak on your
experience with the play?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Being on tour with “The Marriage Counselor” was a lot of fun.
Travelling across the country. Seeing new places. Meeting new
people. Making new friends. Playing practical jokes on the other
cast members. (Smiles) It’s a time I’ll never forget. But what I enjoyed
most was playing Ronald Henry. I’d never played such a bad guy
before. Becoming someone totally opposite of myself and making so
many people believe it was authentic was…interesting. According to
a few of my friends, there are still people – men and women alike –
who can’t stand me because of that role. (Laughs)
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) If you could work with any actor/actress that is dead or alive who would it be and why?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Meryl Streep. She embodies each emotion appropriate to not only a scene, but also an entire film. Her sentiments are almost…tangible,
if you will. She has this captivating sophistication that allows her to
say so much without uttering a single word. In short, she’s the bomb.
I’d love to work with her because I’m sure she’d bring something out
of me that I’ve yet to discover.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) You recently completed the first season of the highly acclaimed VH1 series “Single Ladies.” The show proved to be a smash and definitely left viewers anxious for next season. Talk about the show and your character.
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} "Single Ladies" is a modern, sexy, comedic drama about Val,
Keisha, and April - three best friends with mixed views on sex and
relationships, which is set in the world of Atlanta fashion, music,
and celebrity. I play NBA star Quinn Davis, Val’s now ex-boyfriend.
Quinn, in my opinion, isn’t as bad a guy as most viewers make him
out to be. But I do thinks he’s an opportunist who’s used to getting
his way. He’s spoiled. It’s a fun role. I like the controversy it stirs
up.
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) What do we need to be on the lookout for in the future from Timon Kyle Durrett?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’ve gotten several offers for roles in feature films. So, I’ve been doing a lot of script reading to see if the characters pique my interest.
There is one character/project that grabbed my attention and I’ll be
working on that film in October 2011. But I can’t say what it is. It’s a
confidentiality thing. You know how that goes. (Smiles)
(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) If you could give some advice to that one reader out there that is trying to break into the showbiz business, what would you say to them?
{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Think BIG, and then take action that’s even BIGGER!
For more details and updates on what Timon Kyle Durrett will be working on and events
he'll be attending, just go to www.facebook.com/tkdurrett or
www.facebook.com/timonkyledurrett to contact him.
http://DJordanProductions.com/
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