Wendy Williams is an icon. She embodies everything that it means when we say girl power! Many have seen her public story, but few know her private story. Well, millions will know with the Lifetime premiere of the Wendy Williams movie. We learn more about the personal stories behind the film as we recently interviewed the cast from the Wendy Williams movie. Here’s a rare Q&A with lead actors Ciera Payton, who portrays Wendy, and Morocco Omari, who portrays stars as Wendy’s ex-husband Kevin Hunter.

“No matter what keep your head up high, shoulders back, and F*ck em all!”

Ciera Payton Interviewed On Celebrity Myxer

We first interviewed Ciera Payton at the red carpet premiere of Tyler Perry’s The Oval. On that show, she portrays Lilly Winthrop, the ambitious wife of the Chief of Staff. Lilly is a self-made fashion designer to the first lady. She entered the political world because of her husband but also because of her hard work and dedication.

You may know Morocco Omari from Starz’s hit TV show P Valley. The smooth Chicago-native brings his debonair to his role as Big L at The Pynk.

We learned so much in our interview with the cast. If you haven’t seen the film yet… note there are some spoilers here! Check out the Wendy Williams movie cast interview…

How did you embody Wendy and capture her mannerisms?

(Ciera) I’m an introvert, but to be able to step into those shoes and exercise assertiveness was different for me. First, I went back to her TV shows. I watched and devoured every single thing on YouTube I could find. I noticed she’s different when she’s being interviewed versus interviewing. Then I dug up her earlier radio work. Then I got to talk on the phone with her. I love her energy and psyche. Lastly, I drew on my own personal background and drew from my own aunt’s experiences that relate to Wendy. For example, the trauma of miscarriages. I combined all this creating a big ole pot of gumbo to recreate her.

How did you prepare for your role as Kevin Hunter?

(Morocco) I came to the project late. I was literally quarantining from the ‘big lockdown” and painting my stairs when I got the call. I tried to find videos on Kevin but not much was available. So I relied on the script. I had to create the character from the material I had in the script. Kevin is from New York… from Brooklyn. You know, they have a different kinda swag. I watched a lot of Fat Joe and Dame Dash to come up with the portrayal of Kevin.

What was the most unforgettable or chilling moment in the movie?

(Ciera) Typically you don’t imagine Wendy going through the things that she went through. From drug use, miscarriage, sexual assault, and infidelity. 

For me, the drug use scenes were the most chilling.

As a child growing up around that, I experienced this first hand with my father. Attending AA meetings, I have a lot of passion and empathy for them. But I have my judgments… as we all do. I remember filming scenes feeling shame and disgust. I know how my father or even Wendy might have felt during that turmoil. That made me appreciate it and want to hug my father and Wendy.

What scene stood out to you and resonated with most?

(Morocco) When the doctor told Wendy that the baby was a stillbirth. That was a heavy day…

Acting is great just don’t get caught doing it. When you’re living it, it’s exhausting. In order to get in character, you have to truly think how it would feel for your wife to lose your child. And when filming, you gotta do it over and over again. It personally felt like fighting Muhammad Ali for 15 rounds.

The other scene that resonated with me was when Wendy took her power back after visiting a halfway house.

(Ciera) I agree with Morocco, the stillbirth scene was a hard and taxing day. It’s never linear in filming. You go from being in love with your husband one day and the next finding out about an affair. You’re going through an emotional roller coaster!

In the last scene where Wendy stands up for herself, that resonated. I can relate. I’ve had a Kevin in my life so I portrayed that scene for all of us who had Kevin’s.

What do you think viewers will take away from this film?

(Ciara) I what people to be moved and most importantly, be entertained. That’s why we watch Wendy, for the entertainment value, she keeps you on you the edge of your seat. With all the craziness in this world, escaping with something entertaining is good right now.

(Morocco) Wendy is proof that if you work hard and keep at it, you can achieve your dreams. Wendy is the culmination of that.

In portraying the dark moments in Wendy’s life, has it brought any newfound respect for her?

(Ciera) Yes. It brought Wendy down to my level. Same as her talk show, she humanized celebrities and bring them off their high horse and down to our level.

Any scenes that you liked that didn’t make the cut?

(Ciera) Yes! In the scene when the baby was born, I was like “How you Doin!”

What was the most fun Wendy look?

(Ciera) I know everybody thinks the Statue of Liberty look… It was fun. Or strutting into the station with the new boob job, but I really like the first time when Wendy met Kevin. It was so Hip Hop. Embracing her femininity. It felt like a boss.

What advice did Wendy give for filming?

(Ciera) Wendy told me, “No matter what keep your head up high, shoulders back, and F*ck em all!”

What did you think of the Wendy Williams movie cast interview? Chat with us in the comments below!

Photo credit: Lifetime, John Lamparski/WireImage, Celebrity Myxer