UB ReVisit: Regina Hall Talks Hollywood, Favorite Roles & F. Gary Gray

We’re continuing to celebrate our favorite interviews in the last 15 years. In celebration of our 15 Year Anniversary, more on that next month.

This is our Comedic Actors ReVisit weekend, in preparation for Monday‘s brand new UB interview with one of our favorite actresses and comedians.

Regina Hall graduated from New York University (NYU) in 1997 with a Master’s degree in journalism, and shortly thereafter began a career in the entertainment industry. Which started off with a guest appearance on Sadat X‘s 1996 album Wild Cowboys on the track, “The Interview.”

Her television career initially began with a recurring role on the soap opera “Loving” and guest appearances on the FOX‘s police drama “New York Undercover.” Her first film role came in 1999 with a small part in the film “The Best Man.”

In 2001, Hall landed the role of Coretta Lipp on the prime-time drama “Ally McBeal,” which was originally a recurring role over several episodes but was made a main character in the 5th season of the show. A year later, she starred in the action-drama “Paid in Full,” a film directed by Charles Stone III.

Regina Hall uplifted her stardom by appearing in the comedy/horror-spoof Scary Movie as Brenda Meeks,which made her earn a massive recognition. The sequel of the Scary Movie i.e. sequels Scary Movie 2, Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie.

By the year 2019 she had been featured in a host of movies from Barbershop: Back in Business, King’s Ransom, Last Holiday, Superhero Movie, Barbershop: The Next Cut, to Superhero Movie, Think Like a Man Too, and The Best Man Holiday, Girls Trip, The Hate U Give and the list goes on.

She’s also starred in the hit films ‘Disappearing Acts’, Law Abiding Citizen and Love and Basketball which just celebrated it’s 20th Anniversary!

This ReVisit goes back to 2009, when Aries from UB spoke with Regina in support of Law Abiding Citizen, she also speaks on what she loved about working with the late F. Gary Gray, what changes she would like to see in Hollywood and Regina shares why she got her masters degree in journalism.

We later interviewed Regina and the entire cast of The Best Man Holiday in 2013, all together which was hilarious! We’ve also included some excerpts from that interview.

UrbanBridgez.com: As a successful black actress in Hollywood, how do you think you landing the role in Law Abiding Citizen will help other black actresses in the long run?
Regina Hall: You know, I think every time one of us works and we do a great job; it just opens up opportunities for people. When it’s successful people want to see more of it. I think it’s great to see a black family, a black director as well. And when you become apart of films that are successful it opens and leads to great opportunities. Not just for myself, but for other people. That’s the hope!

UrbanBridgez.com: What do you want movie goers to get out of the film after watching it?
Regina Hall: Some dialog would be interesting. Everybody I feel, takes something different away from it when they watch it. Really it’s a fun movie, it’s a great ride. I really just want people to go out and support it. I would love everybody to go see it this weekend. Just enjoy that kind of thrill aspect that is unique to the film. It’s really entertaining.

UrbanBridgez.com: What was the best part in working with Director F. Gary Gray?
Regina Hall: Gary loves what he does and I think there is something about working with someone who is passionate about what they do. It translates into what you want to give as an actress. You want it to be that more successful, because you see how hard they’re working and how dedicated they are. And you feel that much less, unless you show up with that kind of dedication.

UrbanBridgez.com: You’ve been in some of my favorite movies from Love & Basketball, The Best Man & your breakout film Scary Movie. What are some of your favorite roles you’ve played in your career?
Regina Hall: I really like Brenda, I mean she’s fun! She’s been in 4 of the films (Scary Movie), so I love playing Brenda. You know, I also love movies I was in that were not successful. I loved playing Peaches in “King’s Ransom.” So I think it’s every time I get to do something a little bit different. I don’t know, I just like them all, I think I like to just work (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: Many don’t know you graduated college with a masters degree in Journalism. When you were in college, did you have any interest in becoming an actress?
Regina Hall: I did, not in a bad way I didn’t really think it was a feasible profession. In my Dads mind, in terms of acting and making a living from it. I always knew I wanted to do it, I just don’t think if I knew I ever would do it. And then I did! I have to say I feel really blessed to do what I love. I love what I do, I love my job. When I have a job, I love them. Even if I’m terrified and hate them, I’m like what am I doing, why did I do this. Always happy to work.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s something you would love to see change in Hollywood?
Regina Hall: Oh God (laughs). You know I wish we had a diversity of stories. Which would obviously create more opportunities. I wish there were a diversity of stories that we could tell. You know that didn’t have to do with the same thing, and when I say that like if it’s a time period, does it have to be slavery? If we’re pregnant, do we have to be eating or at Church? And it’s not that we need to do away with what we have, we just need to expand it. We just need more. I feel there are a lot of stories that could be told, that would be great!

UrbanBridgez.com: For Best Man Holiday did you relay any suggestions regarding your roles to Malcolm (director)?
Regina Hall: I fought for the hair. He did not want a short bob. He wanted long hair like [Candy] had in the first movie and I said, No! You can’t be a hoe in the same movie and not try to change your look up. I still live in New York. I’m married. I don’t want people going, “Candy?” I told him, Just trust me please. Just let me just go shorter.

UrbanBridgez.com: How emotional was it was to shoot the film?
Regina Hall: The movie did have a lot of emotional levels. For them, even more. For me, crafting the character, Mia was not my friend. She was my friend because of my husband. They all had their separate relationships, so they had separate emotions going. She [pointing to Melissa] just was making my ass itch for the entire weekend. I was like, Shelby’s at it again! We all had different journeys that we were going through emotionally.

UrbanBridgez.com: Why didn’t you like the title?
Regina Hall: We wanted Best Man Unfinished Business, which is the name of Taye’s book. We thought it would’ve been a nice play on words that we’d come back and there was unfinished business.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Regina Hall: Just thank you! I feel like I have some really amazing and supportive fans. It’s great, I have to tell you. I feel really blessed to have had a dream and to actually be able to do it. You’ll see more comedy, for all the ones like, I like it when you’re funny (laughs). I’ll always do fun stuff. Actually I have more appreciation than anything and grateful. Really, really grateful!

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