SANAA LATHAN: FABULOUS & FEARLESS
SANAA LATHAN: FABULOUS & FEARLESS By Sonya Jenkins
Actress Sanaa Lathan is making an indelible mark in Hollywood as a stellar actress in film, television and theatre. Best known for her roles in Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar, Something New and The Family That Preys, Sanaa is climbing the ladder of success with fortitude and fearlessness. Fabulous at 40 (her 40th birthday -Sept. 19), Sanaa stopped through Atlanta recently to promote her latest film, CONTAGION, where she plays "Aubrey," the wife of "Dr. Ellis Cheever" (Laurence Fishburne).
Sanaa says it was great working with actor Laurence Fishburne – describing him as "sensitive and giving," and referring to the director of CONTAGION, Steven Soderbergh, as a "wonderful visionary."
The film is about a lethal airborne virus that spreads faster than the virus itself. But like anything that spreads rapidly, Sanaa believes one's attitude and perception on life can also spread. In acting, she chooses not to focus on the difficulties she's had to endure as an African-American actress, but instead, she focuses on her positive experiences.
"I've trained myself to be so focused on what's going well that I won't allow myself to even entertain difficulties because I feel so blessed in life and in my career," says the New York born actress. It is no question that Sanaa, who has garnered a number of awards for her acting roles, including numerous NAACP Image Awards and a Tony Award nomination, believes what she focuses on will eventually manifest.
"This is a spiritual belief," she explains. "When you focus on what's difficult then it will be more difficult. When you focus on what's good, it will be better. For me, if anything, the difficulties of being an actress have deepened my faith. It has deepened my spiritual practices." Although Sanaa is careful about proclaiming to be a Christian, she says she does believe in the Bible and has daily conversations with God. "I am spiritual," she affirms. "But I don't necessarily go to church. I go to church every now and then."
Sanaa is crossing her fingers that the Off Broadway play she stared in, "By the Way. Meet Vera Stark," will go to BROADWAY, but she recently completed filming VIPIKA, a 'voodoo thriller' filmed in New Orleans, where she plays opposite Forest Whitaker and Omar Epps. In choosing roles, she admits to liking a challenge, but says it's really about what comes up at the moment and whether she wants to tell the story. She also chooses roles based on the people who are involved in the project.
Although Sanaa is single at 40 with a craving for motherhood, she says she won't allow her age to grip her with fear. "I do want to have kids. I want to be a mother," she admits. "I think that's such a beautiful thing. I really just leave it in God's hands and we shall see. Who knows what the future holds."
Sanaa says she believes in love and is attracted to men who stimulate her mentally. "I cannot be bored," she quips. She is also drawn to men with a sense of humor and a sense of spirituality. "And obviously somebody who is interested in being in a relationship," she adds. "Because you can have all of those wonderful characteristics and if they ain't interested in really having a real, committed relationship then it doesn't matter."
While her personal goals are something she ponders often, Sanaa says her main focus for now is to act in quality roles. Her advice to aspiring actors is to study the craft. "Get into acting class, do some theatre and act as much as you can," she suggests. "I think a lot of people try to get into the business without having any kind of study, so I would encourage them to study."
Sanaa, an English graduate of The University of California, Berkeley, who also studied acting at Yale University, is modest, yet very proud of her accomplishments. When reminded of her numerous achievements as an actress, she sits back in her chair and gets misty-eyed.
"I'm getting to a point in my career where I have an actual body of work," she says softly.
With a track record of success in acting, a great education and a fearless spirit, Sanaa Lathan's body or work is sure to multiply – making her even more of a commodity as she climbs to the top of her game.
Actress Sanaa Lathan interviewed by Sonya Jenkins 9/9/11 advertisement
