TheLoop21.com

By: Kam Williams (Add to your loop)
Fri, 12/18/2009 - 01:00

Rochelle Aytes stars in ABC's 'The Forgotten.'

Rochelle Aytes is quickly establishing herself as one of Hollywood’s brightest, young starlets on the rise. In 2004, she made her big screen debut playing Shawn Wayans’ love interest in the genderbending comedy White Chicks, directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans. She can currently be seen in the ABC drama series The Forgotten.

Aytes has also shot guest leads on ABC’s My Wife & Kids, and on FOX’s Johnny Zero. Furthermore, she’s starred in the Fox series Drive and enjoyed a guest-starring role on the HBO series Sex & The City, although she is perhaps best known for her breakout lead role in the Tyler Perry hit movie Madea’s Family Reunion.

Rochelle was born on May 17, 1976 in NYC, where she developed a love for ballet at an early age. As a classically-trained ballerina, she appeared with Ballet Hispanico as well as the national tour and Broadway cast of Aida. Fueled by her growing passion for acting, she quickly built up an impressive modeling resume’ by appearing in the commercials for Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, L’Oreal and Mercedes Benz, to name a few. And she was subsequently featured in ad campaigns for Dasani, Tylenol, Gillette, Johnson & Johnson, Heineken and Burger King.

Kam Williams: Hi Rochelle, thanks for the time. What interested you in The Forgotten?
Rochelle Aytes: I loved the concept and the strength of the character.

KW: How would you describe the show?
RA: The Forgotten is about a volunteer group that assists the police in identifying the unknown and capturing the guilty. It's filled with passion, darkness and humor.

KW: Tell me a little about your character.
RA: Detective Russell is a tough, smart, passionate detective from Chicago.She works very closely with the network to solve these cases and bring closure to the victim's family. She also has a soft spot for the character, Alex [played by Christian Slater], her former partner, and tries her best to keep him and the rest of the group out of danger.

KW: How is it working with Christian Slater and the rest of the cast?
RA: It has been such a joy working with him. He has been kind and generous in his work and inspirational. His work ethic is amazing. The same goes for the rest of the cast. We work hard, but laugh a lot!

KW: Where in New York City did you grow up?
RA: I grew up in Harlem

KW: What high school did you attend?
RA: LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts

KW: When did you develop your interest in acting?
RA: After working in a Broadway show, called Aida.

KW: What’s the difference between working with the Wayans’ Brothers in White Chicks versus Tyler Perry in Madea’s Family Reunion?
RA: Working with the Wayans Brothers was my first film and just a lot of fun to do. It was much less demanding of my time and emotions than working withTyler.