Was it hard to keep a straight face and get things done with it being so relaxed? “It was impossible that’s safe to say because they’re all a bunch of idiots. We all act like idiots so it was next to impossible but that’s what made it so much fun. We had to sort of work through that and still be productive.” Tell us a little about Looking for Jimmy Lee and your new role. “It’s a romantic comedy that I’ll be directing. It’s my first foray into the directing world behind the camera and I’m excited about it. It’s a truly an American romantic comedy. A feel-good movie that reunites me with my wife … something that we’ve been looking forward to.” What evoked you to sit in the director’s chair? “I’ve always seen acting or the world of entertainment as a three-dimensional vehicle with so many aspects to entertainment and this business. … I’ve always been interested in exploring different venues and getting a different perspective of things. I’ve never closed myself off to anything. Having developed this interest of becoming or attempting to direct a movie was sort of my logical next step and I’m very excited about it.”
THE BUSINESS MAN So, while researching you, I found out that you have a business called the World of Alfa with custom suits. Tell us about your business World of Alfa. “It’s something I’m very proud of because my brother, Patrick, and I developed the concept and turned it into almost a clothing revolution because we wanted to bring the luxury of custom made clothing to everybody. … We figured out a way to make it affordable. Our suits start at $220 and our shirts start at $30 which is something everybody can afford. It’s great because people don’t have to compromise anymore in terms of size and style. When you buy off the rack, you always buy something that doesn’t really fit. … There’s a 3D designer and you pick from everything: the color, the cuffs, the collars, the lining. … Twenty-five days later you get your stuff. … We can afford to basically share those savings with our customers and make it affordable for everybody.
THE ENTERTAINER What was it like playing Luther [West] on Resident Evil: Retribution? (Released Sept 14, 2012) “It was a lot of fun. This was my second round with Mila and the whole crew. So, for me it was sort of like a family reunion. ... The whole atmosphere is so fun and so relaxed and that makes it much easier to enjoy what you’re doing obviously. ... You get to be physical, which is a lot of fun and kick some zombie ass; so playing Luther is definitely one of those roles I’m looking forward to playing over and over.” So, you guys had a good chemistry. You said it was like a family. What made you take on the Luther character in the Resident Evil film series? “Luther was one of my first forays in the action genre. … I never really had the opportunity to do an action movie so this was the reason for me to pick that role because I wanted to explore some other things about some other roles and some other genres. I love the action drama. For me, it was a welcoming aspect.” So, with you already being a very physical person, how you did you prepare yourself for the demands of an action movie? “Well, we did a lot of fight training. … We learned a lot of
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martial arts like jiu jitsi, tae kwon do, kraw maga to be able to pull off these quite specific fight sequences. … You can’t just walk on the set and do these moves and expect to walk away without bruises, ya know? We definitely have to get ready for it but it was fun. It was a lot of fun.” So, since you like this type of action genre, will we see more of you in this genre? “I would love to do more action films. To me its a lot of fun.” On the opposite end of the spectrum, what was it like working on the comedic series The Real Husbands of Hollywood? “The [Real] Husbands [of Hollywood] is definitely on the other side of the spectrum, but its just as much fun because I’m working with family again. I’m working with people that I love. I’ve known Kevin for many, many years. I’ve known Nick. I’ve known all these guys … the producers. I’ve worked with all of them so to be able to do that it’s almost like being at one of our barbeques, ya know? Everyone’s familiar, you’re goofing off, you’re being yourself so even though the Real Husbands is sort of a hyper version of who we are … in a safe environment so its a lot of fun to let go and be goofy.”
We launched the Alfa Team Initiative which is an initiative where we empower people to partner up with us. Everybody who partners up with us can start their own business and have their own website … supplement your own income … boosts the economy and gives people a sense of purpose, a sense of pride to be financially independent. That’s been very successful because in this economy everybody needs a boost.” That’s great. You found a way to do something where you found a void, turn around and still create opportunities for others. “When you have a platform like I do, anything you do HAS to benefit more than just yourself otherwise you’re an idiot. My wife and I always find ways to create opportunities for other people and be socially conscious. In this day and age, I think it’s important that celebrities do that and not just take advantage of the opportunities for their own benefit but to create benefits for other people.”
THE PHILANTHROPIST Your daughter, Sophie, was born with spina bifida. Tell us about Sophie’s Voice Foundation [SVF]. “SVF was born in honor of Sophie who was born with spina bifida at birth. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that affects about 8 babies a day in the US. It’s the most preventable birth defect there is which means 75% of spina bifida patients could be prevented … if women knew to take their folic acid. To protect yourself, you have to be on folic acid at all times because 50% of pregnancies are unplanned … the crucial time period to prevent spina bifida is the first 10