Naleighna Kai's Literary Cafe Magazine NK Literary Cafe Magazine - April 2018 Issue | Page 54

It was a long game of ping-pong. A lot of different players came and went. I’ve never believed the old saying
‘things happen for a reason’ until now.
J.D.
How’d it feel when you saw that first pic on the Internet of Sanaa Lathan with a shaved head,
knowing that she’d cut off all that luxurious hair of hers to play Venus? Were you like, “Sanaa might have
jumped the gun”, or were you more like, “Girlfriend is committed and there’s no turning back now. This shit’s
about to go down”?
Trisha
I was so happy. Sanaa Lathan is incredible. She has about ten different hair styles in the movie.
She embodies Venus, her insecurities, her hopes, her wishes, and dreams. You can see all the emotions in
her eyes. The script speaks directly from the book. Even with the changes they made, you can see all of the
emotion, all the days, nights, sweat and tears I poured into writing the book.
J.D.
Did you get to go on the movie set while they were filming. Have you seen the full movie yet?
And how’d it feel to see your girl, Venus in 3D?
Trisha
I flew to Atlanta to visit the set a few months ago. It was surreal. I met all the actors and got to
meet a lot of the crew and came away with new friends. I’ll see everyone again during the premiere. I have to
say I’m feeling pretty overjoyed.
J.D.
People believe that authors inevitably include a part of themselves in the characters they create.
Is there any Trisha Thomas in Venus?
Trisha
Absolutely. I love writing about Venus and her adventures. Every part of her has a piece of me.
I used to be insulted when people couldn’t separate me from the character. Now,