Kip Pardue Talks About "Undiscovered"

On Working with Ashlee Simpson: “I came into this movie thinking about, ‘Oh man, I’m doing a movie with Ashlee Simpson who’s never done a movie before. She’s horrible. She’s the devil…’ No, but I mean it was scary to think about doing a film with someone who was more well known as a singer. That preconceived notion was blown out of the water right when Ashlee showed up because she was there to work, and she was there to make the best movie that we could make. She leaned on me and all of us in a way that was really great to see from someone [like her].

It’s strange for me to be in the position of being the veteran, but it was nice that they thought of me that way, Ashlee especially. I hope that I gave them some good advice. And she actually kicks a** in the movie, so pretty much that’s my fault.”

On Bonding with the Cast of “Undiscovered:” “We were working so hard. I mean it was fun, we all had a good time, it was a great time but we were there a lot. It was no joke. I think that was one of the things I think that anytime you hear about somebody who’s not used to working in this business or making films, it seems like such a cakewalk and it’s fun to watch, but we worked hard.”

On His Favorite Scene from “Undiscovered:” “For me, I got to perform – I’m not a performer, I’m not. I didn’t come into this movie selling 3 million records and so for me to get to perform was actually kind of weird. So the scene where I get to sing ‘Jungle Love,’ which wasn’t bad. I got some foxy back-up dancers…”

On Getting Singing Tips from Ashlee Simpson: “She wasn’t even there. She didn’t even get to see me.”

On Having to Don a Wig for One of His Scenes in “Undiscovered:” “For a couple of movies I’ve worn extensions and I’m not good at sitting in the make-up chair. I don’t know how [Ashlee and the others] do it. It was a hassle, but we managed to keep the big giant Afro wig on my head, fortunately.”

On the Decision to Wear a Thong: “To be more specific with your question – to have the thong was scripted. Which thong it was? That was my choice. They gave me an array of thongs. I felt like the pink and green was the color scheme that matched my particular feeling that day and it worked well with the film, quite honestly. And that was a legitimate thong from Victoria’s Secret – they sell that thong!”

Kip Pardue on His Upcoming Projects: “I have a movie coming out October 14th called ‘Loggerheads,’ which was a movie that was in Sundance a while ago and that’s great. I have another movie that will come out early next year called ‘Farewell Bender,’ and I start work on another movie with Virginia Madsen and Forrest Whitaker called the ‘Ripple Effect.’ A guy named Philippe Caland [is directing ‘Ripple Effect’] who wrote ‘Boxing Helena.’ So he’s really great…”