Vivica A. Fox Tackles Complex Family Dynamics in The Lost Holiday
Vivica A. Fox is no stranger to tackling tough issues and her latest project, “The Lost Holliday” does just that.
In the film she executive produced she stars as Cassandra Marshall, a mother who learns her son was married to a man only after she flies to Los Angeles to plan his funeral. To her surprise, the arrangements are already being handled by her son’s secret husband, Jason Holliday, played by Jussie Smollett.
Jussie Smollett’s Vision Behind The Lost Holiday: Directing, Writing, and Casting
Aside from co-starring in the film, Smollett directed, co-wrote, and produced the project and he hand-picked Fox to be his leading lady.
“It was always her… The bible of the film that I wrote before bringing on Jarell to write it with me, the character of Cassandra was named Viv, because I knew that it was going to be her. I didn’t have a name yet, but I knew that it was going to be her,” Smollett said during a recent sit-down with PopViewers.
“There was such a love for her…All of us grew up with crushes on Vivica A. Fox. I don’t give a damn who we in love with now.”
Addressing Taboos: The Lost Holiday and LGBTQ+ Acceptance in the Black Community
In her role as Cassandra, Fox tackles tough issues that have plagued the Black community for far too long. Fox explained she intended to take her character on a journey of “discovery, rejection, acceptance, love, and then family, in that order” to highlight how hard it is for Black folks to come out to their families.
“That it is the hardest thing for them to do; harder than them accepting to themselves that they’re gay. To come out to their family because there is so much phobia, you know? But when you watch the ‘Lost Holiday,’ it disappears,” she said. “This is like a really feel good family-friendly film with an amazing message that we don’t shove down your throat.”
“The Lost Holiday,” tackles tolerance and acceptance through a lens we haven’t seen before and the final product is beautifully shot, well-written, well-acted, and a much-needed piece of art that can start conversations that are long overdue.
Shot in just eleven days, the film puts Smollett’s directing skills on full display, a craft he has been honing since his days on “Empire” when he directed an episode that featured Alfre Woodard and Tasha Smith. He went on to release his directorial debut feature, “B-Boy Blues” in 2021.
It was Smollett’s talents behind the camera coupled with their long personal friendship that enticed Fox to sign on as a lead and executive producer.
“We’ve known each other since he was eight years old. I love his family. I love him,” she said.
Whether or not the world is ready to receive what Smollett has created is yet to be seen, but the themes of grace, understanding, and forgiveness that are layered throughout the film are likely to start some much-needed conversations.
“I think that in this day and age, where we are, we’ve been so used to talking at each other and we don’t talk to each other,” added Smollett. “I think that that’s why there’s so much miscommunication in the world and so much misunderstanding and false narratives and misinformation because we’re so easily persuaded. Because we’re actually not taking the time to know each other.”
The public scrutiny Smollett has been under didn’t seem to deter Vivica A. Fox from standing by her pal and she shared her stance on another former co-star who is now facing some serious accusations.
Vivica A. Fox Shares Love for Diddy Despite Indictment
Back in 1997, she played Diddy’s wife in the music video for “Been Around The World” and has maintained a friendship with the Bad Boy mogul for years. Despite Sean “Puffy” Combs’ recent federal indictment that includes horrific accusations of rape, abuse, human trafficking, use of weapons, and rampant drug use, Fox only had kind words for her friend.
“I personally can’t answer on how this chapter is going to unfold for him. He’s my friend. And y ‘all know me, I’m loyal,” she said. “I will always have love for him.
I feel for his family but it’s not for me to place judgment. But I wish him well.”
“The Lost Holiday” is in theaters now.