Khira Thomas
Welcome to Hollywood! It’s the home of the movie stars and schizophrenics! Everyone from the janitor at the hoity-toity high school to the waitress who hands you your water with lemon wants to be the next Johnny Depp or Martin Scorcese. It is where dreams are birthed and aborted in the flash of a camera shutter. But it is also the home of Los Angeles’ angel – Khira Thomas.
The L.A. Lioness has ferociously worked her way into film [Bratz: The Movie], television [Reno 911] and music videos [Amy Winehouse – "Tears Dry On Their Own"].
Ever the conqueror, the bodacious beauty has taken her velvety soft skin from the silver screen to the classroom. The Cal State University student, which fellow Beauty & Brainer – Britni Cardosa attends, has constantly been working and is fueling her passion to allow her dreams to come to fruition. But this lady from the land of “Lost Angels” isn’t walking in the dark with no flashlight. Giving one of the best interviews to Beauty & Brains, Ms. Thomas talks about the grit behind the bright lights of Hollywood, expresses a wish to have a man to show of her exotic moves for and shares some advice for those looking to be the next big superstar!
Beauty & Brains: You’re in Los Angeles – home to all the great movie stars. Aside from all the glitz and glamour – what has been one thing that you’ve been surprised to see?
Khira Thomas: The one thing that really surprised me about being in the entertainment capital is that, you know, as immaculate as the atmosphere can be – it’s not all of what it’s cracked up to be. We put these human beings, these actors, on a pedestal – when in reality, they’re people, too. Their big houses are just like ours, just a little bit bigger. These people are regular individuals. You would think of them to be above them all, but they’re really not. At first, that was a shock to me. They live a good lifestyle, better than most, but they shouldn’t be on a pedestal; they shouldn’t be worshipped. You know how when you watch television and you see certain things – you see the things they’ve had, but once you see it it’s not so precious. It’s all a show. I would meet these celebrities – especially the men – and then you’d see them on TV or in movies and you’d expect them to be strong. But when you see them in real life, I’m looking down at them. Most of them are really short. I don’t know what it is about little people being in front of the camera. [Laughs]
B&B: You balance entertainment with being a full-time college student. How hard is it to make the transition from one to the other?
KT: You know what? I make it easy and I’ll tell you how! When I go to school, I concentrate on that solely. I come there in sweats and a backpack, go to class and then I go home. I save myself for the entertainment business. I lack a social life and a chance to do some things for myself. I pay attention to my looks for a living. So, there’s a sacrifice with that. When you see me on the street, I don’t come off as an actress. They can’t really tell what I do. When I tell them what I do do for a living, they laugh at me because they think I should be flamboyant and boisterous. That’s why I think that Hollywood is all a show. I work all the time, I can play the part. Just because I don’t drape myself in glitz and glam on a regular day doesn’t mean that I can’t do my job well.
B&B: Do you ever wish to just give up on the education and go hard with the acting?
KT: I definitely do because I’m tired. It’s frustrating because of the way I work. In the middle of the day, I could be in class and then my manager will call to say that I’m booked for an event. I have to work around my classes to make way for a casting. I just sometimes wish that I didn’t have to study. At the end of the day, I value my education. I feel like I’m nothing without it. I wouldn’t really choose one or the other because I isolate a lot of things purposely in order to stay a working actress. I put my personal life at the end of my lists of things to do.
B&B: What is one enjoyable difference between doing movies and television versus music videos and modeling?
KT: I like movies and television better because I’m a theater major and I enjoy the mechanics in portraying a part. When I’m in that environment, I am happy when someone is happy with the roles that I play. With modeling and music videos, it’s not integral. They just want you to stand there and be as hot as you can be. It takes no power or sincere effort. You’re looking good for the director. It gets personal sometimes and a lot of models take it that way. They take it personal when they’re not up in front of the camera. They take it as if it’s something wrong with them. Everyone from the photographer to the director has their own opinion and that’s how the game works. I think that it’s a little demeaning when it comes to someone’s self-esteem. There have been days when I heard directors say something and tell me to stand back and I thought that it wasn’t very nice. I just think that it’s evaluated on someone else’s opinion and not the person. With acting, it’s opposite. You can portray a role and people can feel you. You can’t do that in a bikini with your butt hanging out. I like acting so much better because people can evaluate me on my skill. Being sexy is not a skill. I’m just being honest. They [models] ought to know that too. I admire models and stuff like that, you know, I’m one, as well.
B&B: Now, I read a little bit of your bio on MySpace and you’re a trained dancer. What was the hardest lesson that you learned when dancing and how did you apply that to your entertainment career?
KT: I think the hardest lesson was the last one that I learned about dancing that makes one a good dancer. That lesson is that you’re presence and your energy when you’re performing outdoes any skill that you’ve learned in class. I learned that above all things to have, all types of energy and fun to be portrayed in what I was doing were the important things. To have confidence and strength in one’s self is important. I didn’t care if I stumbled. If you had that confidence with that skill it helps. I’ve applied those thoughts towards every audition. It was an entitled movie and they wanted highly skilled exotic dancers for this movie. I didn’t land it though and it was lead role in a movie. I was mad. It was a real part for a real good movie. I knew that I danced better than all of them and I was upset. But some people may not think that you’re appropriate for a movie. That was one of those times where I was upset about not getting into a flick.
B&B: So, is the exotic dancing for that special somebody you got in your life?
KT: [Laughs] Gosh, I wish that I had a special someone… but I don’t. It’s mainly because of my trade. I’m an actress, through and through. I’ve tried to maintain a relationship, but it never lasts. They try and when they see me dancing and doing kissing scenes, it all changes. I can’t stand having to argument about integrity. Just because I want to portray a certain role, they want to pull the “ho” card out. Most men can’t handle the business that I’m in.
B&B: So, are you interested in dating or are you more focused on your career?
KT: I am dating men who are working behind the scenes. They understand the demographic behind putting things together. They know that certain things have to happen in order for a film to continue.
B&B: Have you ever thought about how women became the main attraction in music videos and magazines? I mean… don’t women like to see men, just like we like women?
KT: I think that it’s basic natural instinct. Women have the curves and the circles to please. I think that a woman is just better at exalting eroticism and beauty. A woman who even likes woman would want to see that type of woman. I think that it’s the basic natural thing. That’s why I don’t try to argue against music videos and how they portray women. I think that people should know the difference between right and wrong. Women are better to look at when you think about it. I have no problem with it at all. I like looking at women. I’ll pick up the magazines, too, just to see who is cute and what not
B&B: Katt Williams said that Hollywood is kind of on the funny side. T.I. backed up that statement recently, too. Have you ever ran into anyone who played one or the other side of the fence?
KT: [Laughs] I sure have! I sure have! There are a couple of people, not a lot of people, but they’re both right about that. I have been to the Hollywood parties that he’s [Katt Wiliams] been to, not at the same time, but you would see some things that have been questionable. You see a lot of comics who are hilarious on stage and in movies, but in person, they’re very introverted. You see some really clean-cut actors and actresses who are some alcoholics. With anyone in show business, when you see them eye to eye, you can see them better there than on TV.
B&B: Would you rather date a celebrity or a star on the rise? Or would you rather stick with the “regular” folks?
KT: I think that I’m better of with the star on the rise because just like I’m learning, we can learn together. We can grow humble together. It’s better to come up that way. When some people get money, they just do the switcheroo. You can really see the sparkle in their eye when they work. I’d like to date them because we can share a lot. It’s a stepping stone and we can share each other on different levels.
B&B: Pretty women are usually put on a pedestal – have you ever been given props on something that you felt that you didn’t deserve?
KT: Yes, I have. There’d be times where I would have these alliances with these up-and-coming rap artists. But I tried to do the whole entourage thing and I couldn’t stand it. I like to be useful, upbeat and involved. These guys treated me like I was some delicate flower, but then it got annoying. Every little thing I tried, they wouldn’t let me do. I couldn’t make my own dinner, I couldn’t wash my own hands, they treated me like I was a Ming vase and I was tired of it. It takes away from your humanity when people cut you off and make you feel like you can do anything. I felt like I went from being somewhat pampered to being babysat. I couldn’t do anything. On top of it, I wasn’t getting anything out of it. It was crazy! I stepped away because when I would talk to this rapper and his entourage, they couldn’t say anything. They would only flatter me some more. I would want to contribute to what was going on and it was getting sour. Someone actually told me that I didn’t have to think! Who says that?! But the catch is that a lot of girls would like that and would love to live that lifestyle. On a personal level, it just wasn’t me, I can’t be that way. I can’t be that kind of woman who has her needs tended to by hand and foot. I can use my own brain.
B&B: Most men look at you and would want to know where all those “curves” came from. So, did it come from momma?
KT: Oh, my gosh! [Laughs] I get a lot of my looks from my dad. I think he got some really strong X-chromosomes somewhere. I have a sister, we have different mothers, but the same father. So, we both have a lot his features.
B&B: What’s different between you two?
KT: She wears a J-size bra cup and I have the booty. [Laughs] Because of my body size, I’m a little more proportioned. But I remember being 12-years-old and wanting to have boobs. I went to sleep that night and it was there. When I was 18, I wanted to have an ass and that happened the same way [laughs]! So, I do think that it’s from my dad’s side. I was truly blessed though. Even women come up to me who say that I have the most amazing tits that they have ever seen. I take pride it that the fact that they’re real. I would love to have cheek bones next. [Laughs]
B&B: With so much access to entertainment world – what is one rule that others must observe before they try to get involved in it in any way, shape or form?
KT: Thank you for asking me that! The answer to that is to maintain your faith. You can really easily lose yourself in the entertainment business. People commit suicide when they can’t get what they want out of this business. The only way you can do this is to stay true to yourself. That’s what lands you the part. When people can feel you and they say that you’re a real person. I have seen the worst fake stories. I’ve seen straight men go gay, just to have parts; just to stay working. People do the craziest things just to land parts. When all that fails, no one is going to be around for that. So, I always tell people to think about tomorrow and remember who you are. If you believe in yourself, you’ll always be good enough. It took me to be totally alone, in order to find myself. I went down that path, that’s why I wish someone would’ve told me that.
Want to go Hollywood Swingin’ with Ms. Khira Thomas?! Check her out at her personal site – http://www.mskhirakurves.com or at MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/khira2009!
Ever the conqueror, the bodacious beauty has taken her velvety soft skin from the silver screen to the classroom. The Cal State University student, which fellow Beauty & Brainer – Britni Cardosa attends, has constantly been working and is fueling her passion to allow her dreams to come to fruition. But this lady from the land of “Lost Angels” isn’t walking in the dark with no flashlight. Giving one of the best interviews to Beauty & Brains, Ms. Thomas talks about the grit behind the bright lights of Hollywood, expresses a wish to have a man to show of her exotic moves for and shares some advice for those looking to be the next big superstar!
Beauty & Brains: You’re in Los Angeles – home to all the great movie stars. Aside from all the glitz and glamour – what has been one thing that you’ve been surprised to see?
Khira Thomas: The one thing that really surprised me about being in the entertainment capital is that, you know, as immaculate as the atmosphere can be – it’s not all of what it’s cracked up to be. We put these human beings, these actors, on a pedestal – when in reality, they’re people, too. Their big houses are just like ours, just a little bit bigger. These people are regular individuals. You would think of them to be above them all, but they’re really not. At first, that was a shock to me. They live a good lifestyle, better than most, but they shouldn’t be on a pedestal; they shouldn’t be worshipped. You know how when you watch television and you see certain things – you see the things they’ve had, but once you see it it’s not so precious. It’s all a show. I would meet these celebrities – especially the men – and then you’d see them on TV or in movies and you’d expect them to be strong. But when you see them in real life, I’m looking down at them. Most of them are really short. I don’t know what it is about little people being in front of the camera. [Laughs]
B&B: You balance entertainment with being a full-time college student. How hard is it to make the transition from one to the other?
KT: You know what? I make it easy and I’ll tell you how! When I go to school, I concentrate on that solely. I come there in sweats and a backpack, go to class and then I go home. I save myself for the entertainment business. I lack a social life and a chance to do some things for myself. I pay attention to my looks for a living. So, there’s a sacrifice with that. When you see me on the street, I don’t come off as an actress. They can’t really tell what I do. When I tell them what I do do for a living, they laugh at me because they think I should be flamboyant and boisterous. That’s why I think that Hollywood is all a show. I work all the time, I can play the part. Just because I don’t drape myself in glitz and glam on a regular day doesn’t mean that I can’t do my job well.
B&B: Do you ever wish to just give up on the education and go hard with the acting?
KT: I definitely do because I’m tired. It’s frustrating because of the way I work. In the middle of the day, I could be in class and then my manager will call to say that I’m booked for an event. I have to work around my classes to make way for a casting. I just sometimes wish that I didn’t have to study. At the end of the day, I value my education. I feel like I’m nothing without it. I wouldn’t really choose one or the other because I isolate a lot of things purposely in order to stay a working actress. I put my personal life at the end of my lists of things to do.
B&B: What is one enjoyable difference between doing movies and television versus music videos and modeling?
KT: I like movies and television better because I’m a theater major and I enjoy the mechanics in portraying a part. When I’m in that environment, I am happy when someone is happy with the roles that I play. With modeling and music videos, it’s not integral. They just want you to stand there and be as hot as you can be. It takes no power or sincere effort. You’re looking good for the director. It gets personal sometimes and a lot of models take it that way. They take it personal when they’re not up in front of the camera. They take it as if it’s something wrong with them. Everyone from the photographer to the director has their own opinion and that’s how the game works. I think that it’s a little demeaning when it comes to someone’s self-esteem. There have been days when I heard directors say something and tell me to stand back and I thought that it wasn’t very nice. I just think that it’s evaluated on someone else’s opinion and not the person. With acting, it’s opposite. You can portray a role and people can feel you. You can’t do that in a bikini with your butt hanging out. I like acting so much better because people can evaluate me on my skill. Being sexy is not a skill. I’m just being honest. They [models] ought to know that too. I admire models and stuff like that, you know, I’m one, as well.
B&B: Now, I read a little bit of your bio on MySpace and you’re a trained dancer. What was the hardest lesson that you learned when dancing and how did you apply that to your entertainment career?
KT: I think the hardest lesson was the last one that I learned about dancing that makes one a good dancer. That lesson is that you’re presence and your energy when you’re performing outdoes any skill that you’ve learned in class. I learned that above all things to have, all types of energy and fun to be portrayed in what I was doing were the important things. To have confidence and strength in one’s self is important. I didn’t care if I stumbled. If you had that confidence with that skill it helps. I’ve applied those thoughts towards every audition. It was an entitled movie and they wanted highly skilled exotic dancers for this movie. I didn’t land it though and it was lead role in a movie. I was mad. It was a real part for a real good movie. I knew that I danced better than all of them and I was upset. But some people may not think that you’re appropriate for a movie. That was one of those times where I was upset about not getting into a flick.
B&B: So, is the exotic dancing for that special somebody you got in your life?
KT: [Laughs] Gosh, I wish that I had a special someone… but I don’t. It’s mainly because of my trade. I’m an actress, through and through. I’ve tried to maintain a relationship, but it never lasts. They try and when they see me dancing and doing kissing scenes, it all changes. I can’t stand having to argument about integrity. Just because I want to portray a certain role, they want to pull the “ho” card out. Most men can’t handle the business that I’m in.
B&B: So, are you interested in dating or are you more focused on your career?
KT: I am dating men who are working behind the scenes. They understand the demographic behind putting things together. They know that certain things have to happen in order for a film to continue.
B&B: Have you ever thought about how women became the main attraction in music videos and magazines? I mean… don’t women like to see men, just like we like women?
KT: I think that it’s basic natural instinct. Women have the curves and the circles to please. I think that a woman is just better at exalting eroticism and beauty. A woman who even likes woman would want to see that type of woman. I think that it’s the basic natural thing. That’s why I don’t try to argue against music videos and how they portray women. I think that people should know the difference between right and wrong. Women are better to look at when you think about it. I have no problem with it at all. I like looking at women. I’ll pick up the magazines, too, just to see who is cute and what not
B&B: Katt Williams said that Hollywood is kind of on the funny side. T.I. backed up that statement recently, too. Have you ever ran into anyone who played one or the other side of the fence?
KT: [Laughs] I sure have! I sure have! There are a couple of people, not a lot of people, but they’re both right about that. I have been to the Hollywood parties that he’s [Katt Wiliams] been to, not at the same time, but you would see some things that have been questionable. You see a lot of comics who are hilarious on stage and in movies, but in person, they’re very introverted. You see some really clean-cut actors and actresses who are some alcoholics. With anyone in show business, when you see them eye to eye, you can see them better there than on TV.
B&B: Would you rather date a celebrity or a star on the rise? Or would you rather stick with the “regular” folks?
KT: I think that I’m better of with the star on the rise because just like I’m learning, we can learn together. We can grow humble together. It’s better to come up that way. When some people get money, they just do the switcheroo. You can really see the sparkle in their eye when they work. I’d like to date them because we can share a lot. It’s a stepping stone and we can share each other on different levels.
B&B: Pretty women are usually put on a pedestal – have you ever been given props on something that you felt that you didn’t deserve?
KT: Yes, I have. There’d be times where I would have these alliances with these up-and-coming rap artists. But I tried to do the whole entourage thing and I couldn’t stand it. I like to be useful, upbeat and involved. These guys treated me like I was some delicate flower, but then it got annoying. Every little thing I tried, they wouldn’t let me do. I couldn’t make my own dinner, I couldn’t wash my own hands, they treated me like I was a Ming vase and I was tired of it. It takes away from your humanity when people cut you off and make you feel like you can do anything. I felt like I went from being somewhat pampered to being babysat. I couldn’t do anything. On top of it, I wasn’t getting anything out of it. It was crazy! I stepped away because when I would talk to this rapper and his entourage, they couldn’t say anything. They would only flatter me some more. I would want to contribute to what was going on and it was getting sour. Someone actually told me that I didn’t have to think! Who says that?! But the catch is that a lot of girls would like that and would love to live that lifestyle. On a personal level, it just wasn’t me, I can’t be that way. I can’t be that kind of woman who has her needs tended to by hand and foot. I can use my own brain.
B&B: Most men look at you and would want to know where all those “curves” came from. So, did it come from momma?
KT: Oh, my gosh! [Laughs] I get a lot of my looks from my dad. I think he got some really strong X-chromosomes somewhere. I have a sister, we have different mothers, but the same father. So, we both have a lot his features.
B&B: What’s different between you two?
KT: She wears a J-size bra cup and I have the booty. [Laughs] Because of my body size, I’m a little more proportioned. But I remember being 12-years-old and wanting to have boobs. I went to sleep that night and it was there. When I was 18, I wanted to have an ass and that happened the same way [laughs]! So, I do think that it’s from my dad’s side. I was truly blessed though. Even women come up to me who say that I have the most amazing tits that they have ever seen. I take pride it that the fact that they’re real. I would love to have cheek bones next. [Laughs]
B&B: With so much access to entertainment world – what is one rule that others must observe before they try to get involved in it in any way, shape or form?
KT: Thank you for asking me that! The answer to that is to maintain your faith. You can really easily lose yourself in the entertainment business. People commit suicide when they can’t get what they want out of this business. The only way you can do this is to stay true to yourself. That’s what lands you the part. When people can feel you and they say that you’re a real person. I have seen the worst fake stories. I’ve seen straight men go gay, just to have parts; just to stay working. People do the craziest things just to land parts. When all that fails, no one is going to be around for that. So, I always tell people to think about tomorrow and remember who you are. If you believe in yourself, you’ll always be good enough. It took me to be totally alone, in order to find myself. I went down that path, that’s why I wish someone would’ve told me that.
Want to go Hollywood Swingin’ with Ms. Khira Thomas?! Check her out at her personal site – http://www.mskhirakurves.com or at MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/khira2009!
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