This reminds me that I learned a new English word - 'fancy'. 'I fancy you, Jamie,' I heard when I was out with my guys. What's that mean? I asked. Since then, I've been using it all the time - 'I fancy you; who do you fancy?' It's such a fabulous word, but sort of sweet, too, so English. My approach, I suppose, is to be more direct. I like to put everything out there, not to hold back. The line of life being too short might be a cliché, but it has always worked for me because I feel it's true. In your private life, in professional life, just do it. People can always say no.
Which partly explains why I am singing as well as acting, because I want to. Sure, it helps that people are saying yes. I'm proud to be only the fourth person ever to win an Oscar and to have a number one US album. The others were Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Barbra Streisand, so I'm in pretty good company.
After the show, Sade came backstage to say hello - she's long been a heroine of mine. Then somebody persuaded me to go out, though I have to admit I didn't take much persuasion. We went to a club, Pangea (in central London), for some partying. It was a long, wild night. In a strange town, it's good to get involved with the local culture!
I think it's true that I don't lack for confidence, but I always try to work with the best people - it's the finest guarantee of anything. Films especially can be like a crap shoot; plenty of stuff can happen between the script and people seeing it in theatres. Maybe the marketing's not good, the film's not sold well.
But if you're with the likes of Michael Mann, who I worked with on Collateral and just recently Miami Vice (released in Britain later in the year), and Oliver Stone, who gave me a great opportunity with Any Given Sunday, you know there's a very good chance that everything will work out. These are people who know their craft, who know how to get things done. I like to watch how folk like this operate; the best lesson I've taken away is that you need the combination of working your skills plus the authority and the passion to see it through.
Stone I loved. He was just like the coach in the movie (played by Al Pacino; the film tracks an American football team). He was so crazy and he was so ready for life. He communicated that the best things were going to happen. I was watching, thinking the essentials in life are to shape your skills, get through to people and work, work, work ... alongside the occasional party!
The experience of preparing for Ray was in a way even more privileged. I'd been playing the piano since I was five, growing up in Texas, so I knew a few moves. But I got to hang out with the late Ray Charles and what a tutor - humble, charming. 'Look, if I can do it, anybody can do it. I can't even see,' he'd say for encouragement.
The movie also helped me to think again about making music. I'd tried with an album about 10 years ago, but I didn't really get a music career going.
Beautiful, looking back, as I might have missed the acting and the whole Oscar story. But this time around, folk have got used to seeing me at the piano. It's the way the market works; people see you up there singing ... ah, he can be a musician, too.
I came to the music with the lessons I'd learned from the movies about using great collaborators. So Timbaland is on board, Mary J Blige, and Snoop Dogg. With people like this, you know you're starting with a good hand. They also know so much about what's happening. I like to keep up, but my music draws on the traditions, classic R&B, passion, women. Let's call it 'bedroom music'.
One of my friends in London is Ozwald Boateng. We got him to do the clothes for Miami Vice which I just filmed with Colin Farrell. He's a one-off, obviously, but after this fantastic week, I can now begin to see where his invention, his colour might make sense in London. I'm going to have to revise my opinion of people 'over the pond' being quiet.
When I've had time this past week, I've been thinking again about projects to write. I started off doing comedy on In Living Color and worked with my own material on The Jamie Foxx Show. One of the most satisfying times was in creating characters. There are different ways of maintaining control - as an actor, the part does become a little bit your own at some point - but naturally there is a different control with writing. My only reservation at the moment is that I should make sure I'm on top of everything else I'm doing.
At home, I relax by playing basketball. On the road, my big thing now is massage. I can't get enough. I get massaged all the time. I was asked the other night what I wanted to be squeezed when I was being massaged. I though for a while: 'Just squeeze everything,' I said.
The Foxx CV
The Life
Born Eric Bishop in Terrell, Texas, 1967. One daughter, 11-year-old Corinne. Famously single.
The Work
First came to prominence on US comedy show In Living Color in the early 90s, followed by The Jamie Foxx Show. Has since built a highly impressive film career. Movies include Any Given Sunday, Collateral, Ray and the forthcoming Miami Vice. On the music front, he released an album, Peep This, in 1994. He has just released a second album, Unpredictable.
