Eve: On Music and Mayhem

Years ago, entertainer Eve hit the solo music world as "Eve of Destruction". Is it kismet that she is now co-starring in Whip It, the Drew Barrymore roller derby film in which Eve's character Rosa Sparks has a teammate with the same name? The rapper/singer/actress, who was certainly new to the roller derby world, came onboard as a member of the "Hurl Scouts" skate team when her pal Drew Barrymore, who directed the film, invited her to join the cast after she appeared in a cameo role in Drew's Charlies' Angels: Full Throttle. Eve also had roles in xXx with Vin Diesel, both Barbershop and Barbershop 2: Back in Business with Ice Cube, and The Cookout with Queen Latifah and Meagan Good.

We wanted to catch up with the star briefly for an update on her film and music plans since she left Geffen Records and is now a free agent. Picture Eve with longer brown/blonde streaked hair and wearing a cute beige bolero jacket with hand-beaded flowers on the shoulders over a black tee and jeans.

TeenHollywood: Eve, had you ever skated before, as a kid?

Eve: I did. I skated all throughout childhood, until I was 12, and then there was a big gap. So, to get back on skates (now) was a little scary, but amazing. I’m so happy I did it.

TeenHollywood: Were you injured?

Eve: We had bruises and track rash. My thing was that my ankle swelled up. I fell on my ankle and that was the worst thing. But, honestly, I put on an ACE bandage and kept skating. We used a whole bunch of Tiger Balm and Epsom salt.

TeenHollywood: Was it scary that Drew Barrymore got a concussion during filming?

Eve: Was that on set? Oh, my God! Really? We fell so much.

TeenHollywood: Yeah and you can see it on film. Her head hits the track hard.

Eve: And, as the director, she was probably like, '"I don’t want to be like, ‘Oh, we have to stop.’” Poor Drew.

TeenHollywood: Was it weird to have the director also be acting in the film?

Eve: It was kinda cool. There were times she was fully dressed as Smashley Simpson, with the skates and everything, behind the camera, and then she’d roll out (and talk to us). It was cool.

TeenHollywood: Eve, how did you get involved with this film?

Eve: I was asked by my agent, at the time. They said, 'Hey, there’s this movie that Drew Barrymore is doing. Could she call you to tell you about it?' I was like, 'Can she call me? What are you talking about? Of course!' But, before she even called, the fact that she was a part of it [got me interested]. And, at that time, I didn’t know if I had the part. I didn’t know if she was just calling people. I wasn’t sure. I was like, 'Oh, I hope she’s calling to be like, ‘You have the part.’ And, if not, I will audition.' But then, when she called me and told me about it, and then I got the script, I was like, 'Oh, my God! I’m so honored to be asked and involved.' It was great.

TeenHollywood: Did you ever have any second thoughts, once you were out there on the skates, falling down?

Eve: (laughs) When I took it, I was like, 'There’s no way they’re going to have actresses skating and hurting themselves, with the insurance.' I really was like, 'We’re gonna have doubles.' I got there and was like, 'Oh, really? Skate camp for three weeks? I can’t do it!' That first week, I hurt so bad that I was like, 'What was I thinking? Who are you?' But, once you get past that, you feel so amazing that you went through the hurt, learned how to skate and have the form. Honestly, I was proud of myself.

TeenHollywood: Was it fun for you that Drew created such a girl’s club for this?

Eve: Totally. Acting is still very new to me. I get very nervous. I’m like, 'Oh, my goodness, it’s my turn.' But, I have to say that Drew made it so comfortable for everybody. Being in a movie with Drew Barrymore is a lot. It’s Drew Barrymore! And, I haven’t spent that much time on a set, acting. But, she didn’t make you feel, in any way, like you did something wrong. Even if it wasn’t her exact choice for something, it was okay.

TeenHollywood: There was a lot of music in the film. Did you ever want to write a song for this?

Eve: I’ve got three. No. I have to say, everything that’s there is perfect, honestly. Of course, I would have wanted to do something, but that’s not something that was talked about. Because of the genre of music that I’m known for, I don’t think it was even thought about. I’m not for a certain thing.

TeenHollywood: So then you were especially honored to be asked to do this film without also doing music?

Eve: Oh, for sure. That’s why I’m totally okay with it. When I saw the movie and heard the music, it was perfect. I have to look at it like that.

TeenHollywood: What’s going on with your music now?

Eve: Well, I am a free agent (she has left Geffen Records), which I am obsessively happy about. I’m stoked. And, I have a song out in the U.K. now, called “Me and My.” There’s this underground movement, called Dubstep, that they’re doing over there, so I’m experimenting with that. It’s taken off really well, so I’m going to go overseas in a couple of months and just do a club tour. I haven’t been able to do that in a long time. I love 'feeling' people, so I’m able to do that and make the kind of music I want to make. Hopefully, I’ll have some stuff here by the end of the year, but I’m just happy I can make the kind of music I want. It’s like I’m newly-divorced.

TeenHollywood: What else has being a free agent enabled you to do, in terms of your music?

Eve: Music is everything for me. Without music, I wouldn’t have this movie, honestly. I know that’s a big, long way to come around, but that was and is my visibility. Even though I do have credibility in some areas of being in movies, I haven’t been in that many that somebody naturally just thinks of me for a part. When it comes to something like this, I fit. I’m edgy. But, for a romantic comedy, or something like that, I might not get thought about, but as long as my music is out there and I’m visible, my name might come up. It feeds everything.

TeenHollywood: Do you want to do a balance of both?

Eve: Right now, I would like for my music to be my front burner on the stove, for a few months. My grown-up life is going to be in production. I want to be a producer. But, I would love to continue acting. I want to write. I want to do so many things. We’ll see what happens.

TeenHollywood: Do you have your own production company yet?

Eve: I do. I have a production company. I just recently signed a development deal with RDF. It’s a reality show development company, and we’re going to develop a show. I’m gettin’ there. I’m growing up.