'Raisin in the Sun:' Diddy is simply Sean Combs
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- February
- 21
The artist formerly known as Puff Daddy is upping his acting cred these days, and he calls his latest project “the greatest experience of my life.”
He’s the star of the TV movie version of Lorraine Hansberry’s classic play “Raisin in the Sun,” which will air on ABC on Monday in a coveted slot the night after the Oscars. And when it comes to acting, there’s no swaggering nickname: He’s just known as Sean Combs.
Along with the rest of the cast of the award-winning 2004 Broadway revival – including Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan – Combs reprises his roles for the ABC film. He plays Walter Lee Younger Jr., a father struggling to provide for his family in 1950s Chicago.
I got the chance to talk to the Diddy about this career-changing role. You can go here to read more in today’s Journal News.
But here’s what didn’t get into the story: I was really, really impressed with Combs’ commitment to the part and by how humble he was about getting the chance to show his improving skills.
Like a lot of folks, I thought Combs was pretty close to his image: All bling and bluster. Truth be told, I didn’t think Dave Chappelle’s famous parody—where Diddy makes the “Making the Band” contestants get him a sugar cookie—was too far off the mark.
But Combs was actually sweet and kind of down-to-earth. It seems like he knows that in the acting world, he’s out of his element—and a blowhard persona isn’t going to go over very well when you’re a newcomer.
He told reporters that he’s more often found in his office working, than partying at the latest hot club. And that when he’s on the set, he doesn’t bring a big entourage and works incredibly hard to learn all that he can about his new craft.
Because, if you haven’t figured it out already, the now-38-year-old is planning a future in Hollywood. And like most things he does, he’s got a game plan.
And “Raisin in the Sun” is a big part of that. Go to ABC.com for a sneak peek, and check out the entire movie Monday night to see if Mr. Combs holds his own against his amazing female co-stars.
He might not be quite in their league, but he doesn’t embarrass himself in the least. Maybe that transition from music to acting won’t be too hard after all.
(Photos courtesy of ABC)Â
This entry was posted
on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 11:06 am by Heather Salerno.
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For diddy first real acting it was good. But the women really stood out in this film
I wouldn't be surprised if all principal actors receive an Emmy nomination for their portrayals in this classic. The camera close-ins throughout were extremely effective. Only one scenic design glitch bothered me: the telephone was a 1960s plastic phone with curled cord; in the early and mid-1950s there were no telephones that looked like this. Not sure how that could slip by the scenic designers when there was so much attention given to the 'period' scenery of this story.
As explained by Juan Perez over on Highbrid Nation, Raisin in the Sun is doing big things. It is a made for television movie that they are promoting with a major release budget for DVD. For those, like myself, who missed it the first time around you can now see Diddy giving and Oscar worthy performance…well not really, lol.