AOL TV Talks To LeAnn Rimes About her "Drop Dead Diva" Guest Role

[JamesG]

LeAnn Rimes Dishes About "Drop Dead Diva"
by Michael Maloney
posted Jun 19th 2011


LeAnn Rimes is not a diva -- she just plays one on TV.

This Sunday, the singer/actress will guest star on the season premiere of the Lifetime series "Drop Dead Diva", which stars Brooke Elliott whose model character (Deb) was plopped into the body of a savvy lawyer named Jane. Hiliarty, songs and guest stars continue as the show celebrates season 3.




Rimes will play the ex-wife of a movie star accused of hit and run. Is the show capitalizing on her off-screen life with new hubby Eddie Cibrian, star of the NBC fall series "The Playboy Club"? Maybe.

But the important thing is that Rimes is walking into the role hoping to poke fun at all the perceived drama that has surrounded her life.



AOL TV spoke to the actress about why she took on this particular role.





You've been doing more acting than singing lately.

Yes. "Drop Dead Diva" asked me to do an episode last year. The character they offered me the first time is the complete opposite of this one. I loved it.

But the timing wasn't right. We waited for next season. They wrote this character specifically for me, hoping I'd do it. I loved it when I read it. The show's great, really funny.

I love the message of the show. I love playing the scorned ex-wife of a TV star.






Are you careful not to take on roles from producers who might be trying to capitalize on your off-screen life?

Completely. And I didn't feel that this was. This is very well written and there are enough differences between my life, what I've experienced and this woman [that I'm playing.]

People don't normally see me in roles like this. They see me in love stories. To do this was really funny. During breaks people on set were like, "You play a bitch real well.' (Laughs) I said, "Thank you! That's a compliment."









What do you like about "Diva"?

It's great. The message of the show is that this aspiring model died and came back in someone else's body, who is heavier, not necessarily who she'd want to be. But she has this amazing heart and is this smart as a whip lawyer.

We think body image is black and white, but we all come in so many different body shapes and sizes. I just love that that's on television -- that there's a real woman on television playing someone incredibly smart and successful.

They break into song every once in a while. It's really fun and really well-written, too.




Did you sing in the episode?

No. I do enjoy non-singing roles. I plan on staying away from singing roles as much as possible unless it's makes sense for the character to be doing it.





Hollywood tends to put people in boxes. Have you found it difficult to get producers to see you as an actress in non-singing roles?

Yeah. That happened before. My voice will always be my God-given first talent, but acting is a different way of expressing myself.

I'm really enjoying it. I'm trying to find roles that are right for me and I'm enjoying them.









What do you want people to take away knowing about you after watching your gig on "Diva"?

People will either go "Oh, my God, I can't believe she did that" in a negative way or they'll say, "Oh, my God, it's hilarious!" After all she's been through, she played that role!

There are so many lies that have been told about Eddie and me. It's just ridiculous. You go through phases where you can't believe people are doing this and being mean and hurtful. And then you have phases were you just laugh at it because it's so outlandish.

That's the place that I've come to. People may think I'm an incredibly serious person but I have this really wicked, sick sense of humor. I think the way you see I play the role will show that.

You've got to laugh at yourself and your life. You can't take everything so seriously.

http://www.aoltv.com/2011/06/19/lean...-eddie-cibrian