Why do you think the title changed from "If You Were My Girl" to "Love Don’t Cost a Thing?"
I don’t know. No one consulted me (laughing). No one called me to ask. "Love Don’t Cost a Thing" applies a little more to the cash element of the movie. It’s more in line with "Can’t Buy Me Love."
In high school, were you popular or a geek?
Here’s the thing, I wasn’t cool but… I went to a high school that actually didn’t have that.
That’s not possible.
It is.
In America?
Yes! It was a regular high school and there was an Honors program, and a performing arts high school in it. You ended up getting this very randomly respectful group of people because everybody knew that everybody excelled at one thing or another.
You lucked out. Now why should people see “Love Don’t Cost a Thing?”
I think it resonates to a lot of people because it’s a universal principle in terms of what most people deal with in high school. Even though I went to this perfect high school, you’re still dealing with stuff like finding things in common with one group of friends and identifying with another group of friends. Also not wanting to piss off one group if you’re hanging out with the other group. Things like that. This film deals with popularity and mixes it with not being superficial.
Last time we spoke, you were looking forward to releasing a comedy CD. What’s happening with that project?
It’s finished and I actually was going to try and release it in conjunction with a movie, so I was thinking about this one or the one I have coming out after this. I decided on that because it’s either a summer or a winter release, and it’ll give me more time. There was a little glitch in finishing the editing, but now it’s all done. I have the master copy sitting there and now it’s a question of how quickly I can make copies of it.
What’s your next film project?
It’s called “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.”
And you play Kumar?
Yeah. Harold and Kumar just graduated from Columbia. Harold’s an investment banker and Kumar’s a med school candidate. They smoke weed one night and they’re just driving around New Jersey looking for a White Castle hamburger stand. It’s similar to “Dude, Where’s My Car?” in the genre, if you want to even call it a genre. It’s cool because it’s got the teen comedy element but it’s also got a lot of intelligence. The writers were very, very smart – well, they still are. We’re really interested in seeing how it does. It should be a good mix.
I just read something about you. Are you going to be in the “Mask” sequel?
Yes.
Did you sign on already?
Technically it should be done by the end of the week, but yes.
Who will you play?
I play the best friend of the guy who is in the mask.
Jamie Kennedy?
Yeah, Jamie Kennedy. Jamie’s in the mask. I play this guy who is like a special effects techie who is really freaked out at what’s going on with Jamie’s character. He ends up coming to save him to bring him back to work for this big meeting that he needs to [attend to] keep his job. I’m holding down the job thing while he’s doing this whole ‘mask’ stuff.
RUSSELL HOWARD ('Anthony'):
You play Christina Milian’s ex-boyfriend in "Love Don't Cost a Thing." Do you have a lot of experience being an ex-boyfriend?
No, not as much (laughing). Enough to play an ex-boyfriend. I understand what it is to be left. I’ve had my heart broken myself a couple of times.
Were you familiar with “Can’t Buy Me Love?”
Yes, I was. I had not seen it sitting down in one session from beginning to end, though. But I would catch a glimpse.
In high school, were you a geek or one of the cool guys?
I was a cool guy. In my high school it was all about the less you did, the cooler you were. The more you didn’t show up at things, the cooler you were. I missed out on a lot. It was all about who knew where the parties were, and who didn’t. Who had the girlfriends – friend(s) – and who didn’t.
Were you into sports?
Yes, I was.
Did that help you get into the cool group or are you just naturally cool?
You know, that’s how it started. When I was about 9 years old, I was able to play with the older kids in soccer. As the school years went up, I just kind of stayed with the older kids. If you’re a freshman and you’re friends with a senior, you are good to go. The girls are like, “Look at that cute baby…” (laughing)
Would you ever let anyone make you over?
Of course, my mom every night. She says, “I wish you were a girl” (laughing).
If someone were to make you over, what would you let them fix about you?
I’m very open with my hair. I like to keep that fresh. That and I wouldn’t mind a little eyebrow thing (laughing).
Additional “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” Premiere Interviews:
Nick Cannon/Christina Milian and Melissa Schuman/Director Troy Beyer
Premiere Guests: Arjay Smith (“The Day After Tomorrow”) and Edwin Hodge (“The Alamo”)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
"Love Don’t Cost a Thing” Photos, Trailer, and Credits
