By: Kathy Harris

Movies, music and celebrities are three things that define American pop culture’s main obsessions. Whether it is the environment surrounding the artists, actors, or money-making magnets, there is something about the idea of leading a “glamorous” life that captivates the masses. Perhaps it’s the idea of living a life without struggle — one where everything seems to be handed to you. All we see are the external elements associated with having money and fame, but how often do we really know what happens to those celebrities once the camera is off? We need to grasp an understanding that the people we place on such high pedestals are in fact real people and contrary to what you may think, they overcame many obstacles to get where they are today and still face major challenges, regardless of fame and fortune.

Tamala Jones is no exception to that rule. She has worked with the best of the best, including the highest grossing star in Hollywood, Will Smith, and Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx. Recently, Ms. Jones took some time out of her busy schedule to drop knowledge about what it’s like to be black woman in major films, what she endured leading up to her acting career and which actor inspired her to shine in the industry.

“I’ve always been a character from birth,” says Tamala, when asked about what made her pursue acting as a profession. According to the 34-year-old, Pasadena, California native, her mother placed her in acting classes because she was absolutely sick of her playing dress up and getting on her last nerve. From there, Tamala was noticed by an agent and eventually landed her first acting job in an IBM commercial. He just knew the sky was the limit from that big break. Or was it? “I thought the IBM commercial had made me a star until I graduated from high school and realized that I had no money. And, on top of that, I owed a friend of mine $800. So, I ended up getting a job at Subway to pay her back.”

Prior to being at such a very low point in life, Tamala decided that if she was seriously going to be an actress then it would require total dedication despite the pitfalls that would come her way. In 1995, she landed her first theatric role as Maya Angelou’s great grandmother in How to Make an American Quilt. “After the film, things really picked up for me and that’s when I booked the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air during its final season. Bel-Air star Will Smith was so impressed with me that he told me I would be a star as long as I keep doing what I was doing.” She would later run into Will again on the way to an audition for 1997’s Booty Call, a film that was ironically directed by Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s director Jeff Pollack. Will promised Tamala that he would put in a good word for her and certainly kept his promise. She landed the part in Booty Call alongside Vivica Fox, Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson. Later, Tamala would go on to star in everything from sitcoms like CSI, For Your love to movies like The Wood, Next Friday, Kingdom Come and Two Can Play That Game.

With all of this success, you would think that Tamala would be tired, but that just isn’t the case. She is currently hard at work on a new film, Janky Promotors, co-starring Ice Cube and funny man Mike Epps. You can also look for Ms. Jones on a new television series entitled Castle which is set to premiere on ABC. Both projects have been slated for release in 2009. “The new show, Castle, is definitely the project I am most excited about,” Tamala said. “I am playing Laney Parish, a medical examiner on the show. I love that this character is non-stereotypical and she really knows her stuff!”

Obtaining such substantial roles as a black woman in Hollywood is not only difficult, but truly challenging with the scarcity of opportunities available for them. Tamala confirms, “It’s definitely a struggle to find roles that wont make you disrespect yourself. That is why I love watching my peers like Kerry Washington, Angela Bassett and Sanaa Lathan. I know their fight and I feel what they go through”.

Tamala is definitely a woman shaping the world around her. This is evident in her work ethic where no matter the role she plays, she always manages to exude the humanity within the character. For someone with such blinding beauty and brilliance in their spirit, this is one of the challenges Tamala can accomplish quite effortlessly.