Tamala Jones is taking over the Holidays and tells us why we need more Black Christmas Movies!

Cox: Tamala Jones, you know I’m excited to talk with you about your new film The Holiday Stocking. 

Jones: The Holiday Stocking is a beautiful movie about family and the holiday season. My character Marlow and her sister Dani, played by Nadine Ellis, are visited by our recently deceased brother Robert. Robert reappears as an angel named RJ, played by BJ Britt, to help us get back on track as a family. His one mission is to help us bring some forgiveness and healing. 

Cox: Why did this movie stand out to you? 

Jones: We don’t have enough Black Christmas movies, so I was excited when this came my way, and I instantly fell in love with the script after reading it. What I love about this movie is that it’s the first Christmas film from the Mahogany division by Hallmark. Our film got to be their first holiday debut, that was something really special to me.

Cox: What made you really connect with Marlow? 

Jones: She reminds me of my mom growing up. My mom was the fun mom growing up who really had us doing lots of special things around the holidays. This woman would bake all day. We would have tons of different cookies during the holidays and watch movies as a family.

Jones (contin): My character Marlow inherited the bakery from her mom after she passed and is trying to keep her mom’s dream alive. She is a no-nonsense businesswoman who is all about family and tradition. One thing you will see with her is that she acts a certain way toward her siblings. She doesn’t believe they share the same concept when it comes to the importance of family and when we meet her there is a lot these siblings must work through.  

Cox: I love hearing about all of this! What is something you hope we take away from this movie?

Jones: I hope everyone takes away from this movie that you can be mad at your family, but you can’t change who your family is. Whatever the issues you all have, you have to iron them out. At the end of it all, you only have one family. You know in Black families sometimes we get so mad at each other; we hold on to that for years, and the next thing you know we are at that family member’s funeral. You might never get the chance to say how you really feel, and that’s something you get to experience with this movie. 

Jones (contin): The movie illustrates the real meaning behind Christmas, which is not receiving gifts. It’s about the happiness and pleasure you get from giving, and you will be reminded of how fun it can be to reconnect with family. 

Cox: Outside of this project, you have been working in Hollywood for a long time which is a testament to you as an actress. You’ve stood the test of time where others give up easily.

Jones: Regardless of race or gender, if you want to be a performer or actor in Hollywood, you have to prepare yourself to hear “no” a lot and be okay with it. This business doesn’t care about you personally. They care if you are available and if you can bring in the money.

Jones (contin): I’ve been working in this business since I was 14 years old. I had the support of my family who pushed me to be anything I wanted to be, even when I changed my mind a million times. They only cared if I was going to put my all into whatever I was working on. Listen, when I was younger growing up in the business, I didn’t see how race and other things played a part. But when I got into my 20s, I saw a whole other side to it. It made me push harder for my dream. I would not sit around because I got told no. I would look for jobs under a rock if I had to (laughs). It’s because I love what I do, and I keep working towards it. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. 

Cox: Speaking of loving what you do! You do it so well, Tamala. Why do you think when they pick you they know you are going to deliver what is needed?

Jones: I got this advice from Jennifer Lewis who said, “If it doesn’t sound real to you, then it will not sound real to anybody else.” Whoever I’m playing, that character has to be relatable to the audience. The audience needs to feel like they know someone just like them. I make sure that if that character is funny or serious, you feel exactly that. Even if they are someone you don’t know well, I want the character to be someone you’ve met before. 

Cox: With so many roles that come across your desk, have there been any times where you have turned them down even if the money is right?

Jones: Yes, I actually just had a moment like that a couple of weeks ago. My manager sent me this script to read, and I just couldn’t get into it. I couldn’t even get into the rhythm of it. Even if I can’t get the rhythm, I usually make a song in my head and rap the words out loud. None of this was working, so I ended up not auditioning. 

Jones (contin): You have to feel these things out. Just like in real life, when something doesn’t feel right, never force it. I know it’s hard because you might think this is your golden opportunity, but maybe it’s someone else’s, and you have to be okay with that too. 

Cox: Tamala Jones because you stay working (laughs)

Jones: You know, before I had my brain aneurysm, I was that girl known to be about her coins. I collected a lot of support within the industry from producers, actors, and everyone because of my work habit. They can tell you I was never late, always showed up on time, and was always professional. I was doing all of this when I was working three jobs at once. 

Jones(contin): It’s also about attitude and the “I’m here to work” mentality. I’ve booked roles because people have brought me in on auditions, or their friends have heard about me and how I work. That reputation is important to me and goes a long way in this business.

Cox: Thank you for this insightful and fun conversation. Before you go, my last question is, what mark do you want to leave on Hollywood?

Jones: I want to leave so many things, but my main thing is that it doesn’t matter where you come from for you to be successful in this industry. I don’t care what your situation is or how growing up was for you because it’s all about where you want to end up. You can be successful, but you have to put your whole heart and mind into it. No matter the trials and tribulations you’ve been through, you can live your best life when you decide you really want it.

Photography Credit: Leigh Keily
Hair & Make-Up: Mara Capozzi @glam_mara
Publicity by Status PR @statuspr
Outfit by Oscar de le Renta