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Bella Murphy, Eddie Murphy’s daughter has revealed she had to audition to secure a role in her father’s sequel hit film, Coming 2 America.
It is amazing to know that Eddie Murphy classic Coming 2 America was released 33 years ago and grossed over $300 million but finally gets a sequel which is set to be released and we can’t wait.
In the sequel, Eddie Murphy’s daughter Bella Murphy plays the role of Omma, one of King Akeem’s three daughters alongside Kiki Layne and Akiley Love.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Nation’s ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, GBENGA BADA, Bella revealed she auditioned for a role in her dad’s film and spoke about the beautiful experience of being part of her dad’s project as her debut movie playing the role of her dad’s daughter and engaging in physical combat with renowned actor, Wesley Snipes.
When asked, what was like being on the same set and working with Eddie Murphy, a legend, who is also your dad?
She said; “Yeah, it was really fun. I always felt like I was learning something new, because I just got to watch everyone work. And I was just learning every single day. And that was really great for me, because I’m very passionate about acting. So if I could be getting better every single day, that’s amazing. So I was really happy about that. And I was just really happy to be able to share that very first experience with my dad, because it’s awesome. And you know, not many people get to say that they got to do something with their dad. So I was really over the moon about it and just really happy.”
When asked if Eddie is “loving and doting” on set or was it quite professional with him?
She responded; “On set, oh, no, it was very professional. It was, you know, I felt like I was treated. Mostly like how everyone else was treated. And you know, I mean, I hung out with my dad, but I don’t think that’s pampering because I was just with my dad. But uh, yeah, it was just normal. I wanted to be treated like everyone else. I didn’t want to be treated differently. I feel like that would have been strange. If I was treated differently, you know?”
Talking about her character in the movie she was asked how she cope with having to wear glasses all through the filming period despite the fact she does wear glasses in reality.
“Oh, yeah, I did have to wear glasses. That was written in the script. I don’t wear glasses at all. My sister wears glasses. And my mom wears glasses, but I don’t have to wear them. But yeah, it was cool. Almost a really cool character because she’s super studious, smart, and also badass because you get to beat people up. So I really enjoyed playing her. She was really cool. So it wasn’t uncomfortable.”
She later added that “Oh, no, not at all. Um, no. I liked wearing the glasses if they brought everything together with her character.”
Bella said she watches the first Coming 2 America at the age of 10 and she did not think she will be part of the movie sequel because she and her siblings were not allowed to act until they aged 18;
“Yeah, 10 or 11. Oh, no, I didn’t because I’m not. We weren’t allowed to act until we’re 18. So I didn’t think that I was really going to be in it at all. I used to ask my dad, I always ask my dad whenever he was doing movies. I was like, Can I be an extra on this one? He would be like, no, you’re not 18. And I was like, I was just waiting for him to forget. But no, yeah, I didn’t think I was going to be in this one.”
Speaking about how she auditioned she said;
“So, I did ask to be an extra in this one again. And at first he said yes. I was surprised. And then after he said that, like time went by. And he said that I could play the princess if I wanted. Or not. I could but I could audition for it. And I was like, Yeah, do I want to do that? So that’s how that started. And we actually went through the audition process. Wow. Well, I’m glad that I did. Because I don’t think I wouldn’t like it if the role was just handed to me because it wouldn’t feel like it was mine. You know.”
When asked, how easy or difficult for you with the martial arts?
“I was cool. It was so cool. I felt like I was a superhero. I was on my condo stuff. I was like, Yes. It was really fun. But I was also really nervous because I don’t, I’m not athletic. In the beginning, I was very nervous because of that. And I was just like, how is this gonna work a little bit? Because I don’t, I don’t, I don’t do things like that. But it ended up being something that I actually really loved. And by the end of it, I got to do one of my scenes all by myself, which was really cool. And, you know, but it was scary. Because I was running, there was a scene that we were doing, and I had to run past Wesley Snipes, and do all this stuff with my boss that and that whole time, I was like, please don’t hit Wesley Snipes. While you’re doing this, please just don’t do this. Don’t do it. And thank God, I didn’t. But it was definitely cool, but I was very worried about that.”
Afterwards, Bada asked, “what would you say the film is preaching, and which you will imbibe going forward?”
Bella said; “Well, I think this movie is all about black excellence and black joy, and you know, representing us in a positive light and, you know, empowering us so that, you know, younger black kids can look up and see it and be like, Oh, I can do that. Or I can, I can dress like that I can you know, because that’s what it was. For me. When I first watched it. It was just very empowering. So I know the film’s gonna do that again for us. So I’m just, I’m happy about that.”
Bella admits she sees a career for herself in acting and she has been going for auditions and also revealed she and her sister, Jolla write and may produce their movie.
“After the release? I’m definitely going to continue with acting, I still am. I’ve been going out on auditions and haven’t gotten anything yet. But hopefully something soon. And yeah, me and my sister Jolla, right a lot. So I can definitely see us doing something. Like maybe making our own movie someday or, you know, just going further with that. Definitely.” She said.
Concluding the interview, Bada asked Bella “what next for Bella after Coming 2 America?”
“Well, at the moment, I don’t have anything planned now. But I’m trying to get something planned with these auditions. So hopefully I get something soon. And I can tell you guys all about it, but not right now.” She said.
Read the original interview here BELLA MURPHY: I had to audition for my dad’s Coming 2 America
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