Tamala Jones Remembers the Booty That Got Her in The Biz

From television to the big screen, Tamala Jones has done it all! Best known for her initial role as Nicki in Booty Call, the sex-crazed film that had Black Hollywood going nuts, Jones has made quite a name for herself throughout the years. Cast in movies such as The Wood, Blue Streak and Head of State, and television shows such as Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, For Your Love and One on One, the California-born starlet now stars in ABC’s prime-time series, Castle. With so much under her belt, it’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since we first saw curvy actress make Tommy Davidson repeatedly run to the corner store for condoms.

With the 15-year anniversary of the Booty Call, just around the corner, XXLMag.com caught up with the booty-ful leading lady to talk sex, acting and her favorite male body part! Bottoms up! —Amber McKynzie (@amack_XXL)

XXLMag.com: Booty Call definitely put you in the limelight. Did you ever think you’re career would be where it is today after playing “Nicki” in a movie dedicated to “gettin’ some”?

I didn’t even think past Booty Call! I was so excited that I [was] working with Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson from my favorite show, In Living Color, and then my girl Vivica from Out All Night with Morris Chesnut and Duane Martin – Oh, my God! I was so excited, I broke out; I had, I’m just gonna say it, diarrhea. I wanted to do the best job I could possibly do. I had no idea what I was doing. I never thought that that movie would give me anything.

How did you get the part?

I think Tisha Campbell was the original cast mate in Booty Call, and she dropped out. So they had open auditions, and I had just done a guest spot on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I’m walking on the Sony lot, and Will Smith is there shooting Men In Black. He goes, “Are you on your way up to see Jeff Pollack?” And, I’m like, “Yeah! How did you know?!” Well, Jeff Pollack, who I never met when I was on the set of Fresh Prince, was an executive producer. And, Will was like, “I’m going to go put in a good word for you. Don’t worry.” He did, and it’s because of [him] that I even got that. And, when I did Fresh Prince, he told me at the end of the last day when we did the live audience taping, “You’re going to be a star. Just keep doing what you’re doing.” I will always honor him. He’s an amazing man.

So after you graced the silver screen with your bountiful backside, what came next?

From 14, I did an IBM commercial and a couple little Saturday morning show guest spots. I thought I was a star. So, I didn’t work. I didn’t work. My agents at the time “Um, Tamala, you have a window of opportunity. It was open, and now it’s cracked. You either get serious or we’re going to have to drop you.” That was when I was 19 years old. So, I just kind of kicked into gear and started getting little guest spots.

The Wood was just a few years later, right?

The Wood was a sign from God that I was meant to do this, and I was meant to be where I’m at because that was the first project I did after my brain aneurysm. I had thee best time ever in that movie. I love Taye Diggs. I love Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones, Malinda Williams, Sanaa – like all of these great people were in this movie, and it was like a gift. I never thought I’d get an opportunity to work with Taye or Omar. It was amazing, and, the best part, I got to see all of their booties!

That was a classic scene in the movie. How was that experience for you – since you were already so excited?

Oh my God, I got to see booty. And a couple of times I got to see the other thing.
And, I was like, “Let me see it again!” I was 23, 24. I mean, come on now. I had to see it one more time. It was an accident; the towel dropped. I saw Omar’s stuff, and I just went berserk. I’m like, “I just need to see it one more time.’ He was like, “Tamala, get out of here.” I was so bad.

Would you ever do another film like Booty Call?

I sure would! Booty Call was like the first Hangover. It was that same, all this is happening in one night, these are the players and here’s the outcome. It was the first to me of the genre of movie, so I would love to do another Booty Call. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to really act goofy, and that’s really who I am. I would love it!