Vivica A. Fox: I’m in the Happiest Place I’ve Been in a Long Time

Twenty years ago, Vivica A. Fox played Jasmine, an exotic dancer, in Independence Day, the alien invasion feature directed by Roland Emmerich. Her character is not only back, she (and Fox) are better than ever. Read on as Fox shares more about what she loved about the role, reuniting with the original cast, spending time in Albuquerque where the film was shot and why she’s in the happiest place she’s ever been.

What was it like to work with the original Independence Day cast again?

It has been like a wonderful high school reunion with Brent Spiner, Judd Hirsch, Bill Pullman—it was so good to see everybody. Everyone was so happy to be back. You know, they had been talking about this sequel happening off and on for the past five years. When I got the call that not only was it going to happen but that they were continuing my story line, it was the most amazing feeling. I posted something on Twitter and people went crazy!

How has Jasmine evolved in the two decades since we last saw her?

What was great was that Roland made sure all of the characters had evolved. Same for Jasmine. She’s not working no pole this time. She’s now a hospital administrator. She’s doing good things and mentoring her son, Dylan. Jessie T. Usher plays my son and I loved having that mother/son relationship in the film and hanging out with him when we weren’t shooting. Same for Brent [Spiner]. We’d get off work and have wine at this great Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque where we were shooting.

Speaking of the shoot, were the days long?

Twenty years ago, a lot of the shooting was done on location. It was hot, dirty and dusty. When I found out we were filming on soundstages, I was like ‘this is cool!’

What do you hope audiences will get out of the film?

I hope the whole family can go together and watch the original gang and the newbies. We all get a chance to kick serious alien butt. Mom and dad can be like ‘There’s Vivica, there’s Jeff’ while the young kids are dying over Maika Monroe and Liam [Hemsworth].

So the film might bridge the generations?

Absolutely. It’s something the whole family can go and see together and have a good time. Usually parents drop off the kids at a film. This is one they can go to together. We need that so much these days.

What’s next for you?

I’ve been such a busy blessed bee. I’m doing my clothing line, the Vivica A. Fox Collection. It’s affordable and I want every woman to feel beautiful and look good. I also have my hair collection and I just booked Managing Manhattan, a Hallmark movie. In it, I play a fashionista—all this fashion stuff is happening for me, which is great. I’m in the happiest place I’ve been in a long time.