Over a few drinks, the two talk about their parallel careers and finally colliding as costars.
“When I came out, Brandy, you were [onMoesha].
And then when I went into TV [onEve], Brandy went back to the music.
Eve, Brandy, Naturi Naughton, and Nadine Velazquez play the rap group formerly known as Nasty Bitches on the new ABC drama ‘Queens.'.Kim Simms/ABC
“But I’m, like, her biggest fan.
She’s one of my faves,” responds Brandy.
The women, both 42, indulged in some nonalcoholic beverages they still have scenes to shoot today!
‘Queens’ stars: Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton, and Nadine Velazquez.Jeff Daly/ABC
But now you also see them in their own individual spaces.
I play Brianna (a.k.a.
BRANDY:And I play Naomi (a.k.a.
The female rap group now reestablishing themselves as Queens find their opportunity to make a comeback at the BET Awards.Kim Simms/ABC
Xplicit Lyrics), and I’m still trying to be a musician.
So the name of the group is Nasty Bitches
BRANDY:For now.
What can you share about them?
‘Queens’ stars Eve and Brandy have a laugh at the bar at Noona in Duluth, GA.Christian Cody for EW
BRANDY:It’s been great working with them.
Everybody is so excited about the show, so the passion and the drive is there.
We all support each other, which is amazing.
Naturi plays Jill Da Thrill.
And then Valeria, who’s played by Nadine Velazquez, she’s Butter Pecan.
EVE:She’s a very driven person.
Not that we are not, but her character is so driven.
She wants this fame and power, but misses her family.
We are essentially her girls and her family.
BRANDY:Well, them.
Maybe not [Naomi].
BRANDY:Because she stole my man.
What can you tell us about the music we’ll be hearing?
EVE:We haven’t really spoken to him just yet because we need to churn things out.
I speak with Swizz often, though.
It sounds like Swizz.
EVE:And it sounds like that time.
We have captured that time, literally.
And each verse in the songs is perfect for all of us.
BRANDY:Yes it is.
And we are really spitting like guys, we’re really forward.
EVE:I think people are going to be surprised at how good the music actually is, honestly.
Brandy, people love the clip ofWhitney Houstoncoaching you through recording “Impossible” forRodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
BRANDY:Well, the girls like their studio time by themselves.
We want to check that that we get it right.
She does do that.
So I’m the one who [tries] to get everybody going.
EVE:But it’s good, we need it.
You have both recorded some of the biggest female collaborations of all time.
Is there anything from those experiences that you’ve brought to this experience?
Any sort of wisdom or knowledge?
BRANDY:I would say that I love sharing the light.
I think when you share the light, you sparkle brighter.
That is a special thing to be able to do.
ROUND 3: STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER
Have you compared UPN experiences?
EVE:We haven’t talked about it!
Because I know I was scared.
I didn’t even want to be an actor.
I was like, “Yes!”
I didn’t really want to act.
And I was like, “Oh whatever.”
And then he was like, “Look, if you get a script that we like, cool.
If we don’t, I won’t ever talk to you about it again.”
Then the first script I read, I actually really liked.
BRANDY:Of course, hindsight is always 20/20.
In the moment, you don’t know exactly what you’re creating or what’s going on.
That feels amazing because you feel like your work isn’t in vain.
You feel like a vessel.
You feel like it’s not about you, it’s about the people that you’re serving.
It’s so great.
Eve, did you have people clamoring forEveto be on streaming?
I think it’s on HBO Max now.
EVE:Is it?
Hold up, you’re bringing me some money, maybe.
Because obviously reunions are big, and reboots.
But I think it’s cool, people really did love that show.
When I look back on it, it takes me right into where we were and what it was.
I was learning so much by being a part [of it].
I was wondering too, did you guys catchGirls5evaat all?
EVE:That came to me first
BRANDY:Really?!
EVE: Just as a call, but I wasn’t at all ready to act.
I wasn’t at all ready.
And I was like, “Oh, that sounds like a cool idea!”
But I never even got anywhere with it.
I’ve been seeing it, but I’ve not caught it.
BRANDY:I haven’t seen it.
Been just so tunnel visioned on what we have to do.
Did you catch her inHamilton?
EVE:I didn’t catch her, but I’ve heard of her, yes.
She got an Emmy nomination forHamilton, right?
BRANDY:Oh nice.
If there’s ever a crossover, you guys rapping against each other would be wild.
EVE:She should come on the show maybe!
BRANDY:Yeah she should come on the show.
EVE:But you ain’t gon’ catch me in no [rap] cypher now, child.
BRANDY:Yeah she don’t need cyphers now, honey.
On ABC, she don’t.
As we’re coming to the end, whatQueensstory lines are you excited for people to see?
If that transfers over into the show that’d be really cool to see.
BRANDY:That’s really important.
I definitely feel like we can touch on that.
And I think that will catch people as well.
What we are doing, while there might be a comedy aspect, is real stuff.
BRANDY:Women need each other.
EVE:You need your friendships, whether you’re in a group or not.
It really is important.
And I think people will gravitate to it.
BRANDY:Mm-hmm, and the music.
The soundtrack to all of our layered lives.
EVE:Yes lord!
For more from our Fall TV Preview,order the October issueofEntertainment Weeklyor find it on newsstands now.
