Interview with Lela Rochon

Interview: Lela Rochon

When that strategy failed, the determined actress (who landed her first role as a Playboy bunny in ABC's "A Bunny's Tale"), still didn't give up hope. As luck would have it, the Wayans Bros. costume designer, Valerie Adams-Herd, was a longtime friend of McMillan's and she put in a call on Rochon's behalf. Recalls Rochon, "I couldn't believe how forward I was with Terry on the phone, but I was going for mine! I told her that I was Robin and if Forest gave me five minutes of his time, I would prove it. On that Friday, McMillan promised Rochon she would talk to Whitaker. The following Tuesday Rochon had an audition, followed by a screen test one week later -- and she won the part. Now basking in the glory of her success, Rochon feels she has become part of cinematic history. Raising her giggle an octave higher, the former Spuds Makenzie girl quips, "Honey, this is the most exciting film for Black women since The Color Purple and I'm a part of it!"