Garcelle Beauvais Talks Lifetime Movie and Kamala Harris Interview

Garcelle Beauvais discovered the boundaries of a Lifetime movie love scene while filming her latest project. Beauvais stars in and executive produces “Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love,” which premieres Saturday at 8 EDT/PDT and streams on Sunday. In the film, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star portrays Ava, a chef who returns to South Carolina from Europe to care for her ailing aunt, played by Donna Biscoe. Upon her return to the States, she forms a connection with Luke, a driver 20 years her junior, played by Vaughn W. Hebron.

“At one point, my character is undoing Luke’s pants buckle, and I’m like, ‘Can we do this for Lifetime?’” Beauvais, 57, recalls with a laugh. “It just felt too racy. It didn’t end up making it into the movie, but I think we pushed the envelope, and it was steamy and grown and sexy.”

Beauvais emphasizes the movie’s storyline as a significant representation for older women. “For me, being a woman of ‘a certain age,’ it’s really cool to have the hope of finding love at any age,” she says. “We touch upon real issues: She’s a chef, but she has arthritis, she’s going through menopause. We didn’t shy away from what people think is uncomfortable. But I think that’s what makes it endearing because it’s real.”

This reflects a broader trend in TV, which has become more inclusive of older women, highlighted by the success of series like Bravo’s “Real Housewives” and ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor.”

“I feel like women are looking better than they’ve ever been,” Beauvais notes. “I feel like we’re living longer, we’re taking care of ourselves. Why put any stigma on it? It’s about the spirit. It’s not really about the number.”

Beauvais is a fan of reality shows like “Golden Bachelor,” though she avoids watching reality TV while filming “Real Housewives.” Having just wrapped Season 14, she notes stronger bonds with her castmates, including Sutton Stracke and Kyle Richards.

Aside from her TV projects, Beauvais recently conducted an interview in Washington with Vice President Kamala Harris a few months ago. The interview was posted online on August 10. Besides joking about how the Secret Service had her “freaked out,” she cherished the experience.

“I’m a Democrat, and I was nervous because of all the things I was hearing about President Biden,” Beauvais admits. “But I’m so happy that she’s getting a shot that she deserves. This is America, and we’ve never had a female president? This is our first (female) VP? I mean, come on, we’re behind the times.”

Source: USA TODAY