REGINA HALL
ALLY McBEAL’S STREET SAVVY SOLICITOR

by david beebe
photography grove pashley
hair justi embree/shantelle powell agency
makeup www.lauramohberg.com for nars/artists by timothy priano

There are so many positive things that one can say about actress Regina Hall. For starters, she is sweet, smart, sexy, fun, grounded, and spiritually evolved. She is also truly dedicated to her craft and loves acting, and it's that love that’s so evident in every role she takes on.

Hall got her start in show business after graduating from NYU with a degree in journalism. After a few commercials she made a demo tape and sent it around. It didn't take long for an agent to scoop her up and start her on her way to a successful acting career.

Unlike most actresses, Hall started in film. Her first feature role was in (Spike Lee’s cousin) writer/director Malcolm D. Lee's comedy-drama, The Best Man (1999). Not long after, she appeared opposite Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s coming of age love story, Love & Basketball (2000). But it was her role as Brenda Meeks in Keenan Ivory Wayans' blockbuster hit, Scary Movie (2000), that put Hall in the spotlight.

Forging ahead in 2001, Hall again hooked up with Prince-Bythewood for HBO Films’ Disappearing Acts, opposite Wesley Snipes and old pal Sanaa Lathan, and reprised her character Brenda Meeks in Scary Movie 2 .

This past spring, Hall took her first real step into television, landing the starring role of Coretta Lipp on David E. Kelly's critically acclaimed show, "Ally McBeal." She returns to Monday nights on Fox for a second season as the wacky and crazy Coretta that fans have come to love. Hall recently sat down with Venice mag to talk about "Ally McBeal," her latest movie, the media, and the source of her inspiration.

Venice: How did you first get involved in acting?

Regina Hall: I had a girlfriend who was an actress and she told me I should do commercials because I could make so much money. She introduced me to her agent and then I booked one or two commercials with her. But I couldn't go to many auditions because I was still in college at NYU. Then one day my agent told me that I was either in the business or not. I couldn't stop going to class so I kind of stopped. I had a job working as an assistant for a commercial director for about six months and then he finally told me I was in the wrong job and that I should be in front of the camera. I think that was because I was such an awful assistant. I just decided to really go for it then. I worked as a waitress while I was taking a two-year acting class and it just all worked out from there. It's been a very long process, but I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Unlike most actors, you started off in film, rather than television.

Well, it's funny because I never had that intention. Everyone told me that I would never start off in movies; they were telling me how I would work my way into movies. My former agent didn't know why it was happening like this. I could book a movie and then be on hold for others, but not one television project. I never really went out for television, but I was so glad to meet with David E. Kelly because I love his work and writing style.

Now you're on the hit Fox series, "Ally McBeal," playing Coretta Lipp. Tell us about her.

Coretta is getting crazier and crazier, and she's a little off. I know she paid her way through law school by giving men makeovers and making muscle suits—now that's crazy. She's also very well kept and smart. If you've ever met one of those people that are really nice, but are so outspoken and candid, and you realize that they're not meaning to be mean, she's a little like that.

How did the role of Coretta come to you?

David E. Kelly's people called my agent and said that they would like to meet with me, and it was a really fun meeting. Then they offered me a part. It wasn't really written yet, so I didn't know what I was signing on to, but I'm glad I did.

How has working on "Ally McBeal" helped you become a better actress?

I've learned to be more specific in my character, especially by watching Peter MacNicol. I watch him a lot because whenever there's nothing going on, there's something going on. I've really learned to understand that. I also think I'm getting better with my comedic timing. I really think it's fine-tuning me. I haven't written home for money in a while, so my mother is very pleased about whatever is going on. [laughs]

What's it like working with David E. Kelly?

He's just so smart and he has an incredible work ethic. For him, it's not just about turning another episode in; he really wants to turn the best thing in and that really makes you want to work harder. He's got this genius about him that I can't explain.

For three episodes your character was a junior associate to Larry Paul, played by Robert Downey, Jr. What was it like working with him?

When I worked with him, he was really great to me. He's obviously had his share of problems in his career, but he's certainly really talented. He's a very generous artist in terms of being an actor and giving you what you need in a scene. He was actually the very first person I worked with on my first day. He was very supportive. I was kind of nervous working with him because he has such a long and impressive resume. I'm hearing that he's doing well and I just wish him a continued recovery.

You also work with Calista Flockhart who has had her share of run-ins with the media. What's it like working with her?

She has been really kind and she's a really sweet person. She's also a bit quiet. I think people want celebrities to be extroverted and to really be out there all the time, but that's not everyone's personality. There is so much press and I think things can get so misconstrued because she is so quiet.

How do you think the cat and mouse type of relationship gets started between celebrities and the media?

Well, when you're a celebrity and you're a little reclusive—not mysterious, but reclusive—the media kind of chases you and makes you even more reclusive, so it makes you more of a target. It's like one thing feeds the other, and then it gets blown out of proportion. I don't know this because I'm not famous, but what I would imagine is that you just sort of become suspicious of the press, and then if you're friendly with the press, they think that you must be up to something.

Paid in Full is the next movie that people will see you in. Tell us about it.

Well, it's based on a true story about some friends and a family in Harlem. Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, and Chi McBride are in it, too. I play Wood Harris' girlfriend and Mekhi's sister. My character’s younger brother is kidnapped and has his finger cut off and sent in for ransom. I haven't seen it but I hear it's kind of moving.

What do you enjoy most about being an actress?

I just love getting up in the morning to work. I love meeting people and I really enjoy acting. I'm just so blessed to be doing this. It's kind of an exciting way to live because you never know who you're going to do next, what my next job will be, who I am going to meet. It's all unfolded in such a way that I couldn't have written it better.

What inspires you in your life and career?

Well, I have a lot of fun and I enjoy what I do. When something doesn't come my way, I just leave it in God's hands and say, ‘Okay, if I'm doing my part and doing my best, I know God will handle the rest. If I don't get something, it just wasn't meant to be.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Oh my. Pray, child! Just keep moving along, even if it looks really bleak. The great thing about this business is that things can change overnight. It just takes one job or one thing that can change things for you. If you really leave it in God's hands and pray, it can be a wonderful