Dating for millennials can be quite complex for young professionals on the go. But what if there was some magical formula, or “Holy Grail” for actually finding love in a dating world that’s constantly changing?
Well, the new Lifetime movie “Love By the 10th Date” explores this very subject, following a super sexy editor of an upscale digital magazine named Gabby, played by actress Meagan Good, who sets out in the pursuit of love after encountering an enticing editorial piece pinpointing the matter.
Joining the plot are Gabby’s girlfriends, who each have their own set of relationship crescendos. The star-studded cast includes singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland, who stars as Margot Scotts, Kellee Stewart as Nell, and Keri Hilson as Billie. While Margot tries her best to maintain professionalism as she conducts interviews with a Jamaican reggae artist, Nell explores the ebb-and-flow of sexual fluidity while dating a bisexual man. On the other hand, Billie struggles to keep her marriage alive. As each of the ladies explore the art of dating, love and even sisterhood, new revelations are found every step of the way.
In an exclusive interview with Rowland, she revealed quite candidly what she would tell her younger self about dating.
“I was just always in a rush for a relationship. I would probably tell myself to slow down, to have fun, to value my time a little more, because some of them really didn’t deserve it, but I learned that lesson quickly,” Rowland said.
On whether or not ten dates should be the standard for women who are dating, Rowland said, “You never know if it’s going to be two dates or seven or ten. I think that it really depends on the people who are discovering what’s to come in this relationship”.
Reflecting on past relationships, Good says she would have advised her younger self that she’s worthy.
“You’re worthy of God’s very best, and it doesn’t matter what mistakes you’ve made, where you’ve been, what you’ve done, what’s been done to you, you’re worthy,” Good proclaimed. The actress says she doesn’t regret any of her past relationships, because they’ve each brought value in finding the true love she now shares with husband DeVon Franklin.
As far as Good’s more jesting role in the romantic comedy, she said the film gave her an opportunity to take on a more carefree, physical comedy role.
“I’m usually the straight guy to somebody else’s funny, so when I read the script, immediately I fell in love with the character. I fell in love with her child-like ability to just believe anything is possible. She’s so optimistic, she’s so corky, and she’s fun,” Good stated.
Actor and comedian Brandon T. Jackson, who stars as Dante in the film, also shed some light from a male’s perspective on finding love.
“Back in the day, our parents would get married like on the first, second date. It’s possible,” he said.
“These days, it’s tougher cuz’ you got Tinder, you got Facebook, somebody might be a stalker, somebody might be crazy, you gotta’ kind of vet em’ out,” Jackson stated humorously. “For me, I’m happy I was able to play against all of these beautiful ladies and it’s just such a good movie for the women, it speaks to a voice,” he continued.
For Keri Hilson, she strongly believes that one should have an idea of what they want, or where they’re going by the tenth date.
“I believe that by that tenth date, you know whether or not it’s going to transcend into something real, which could be love. I believe in that,” she declared.
Hilson also touched on the dating variety found in the film. “You have to relate to some aspect of dating in this film. Either you dated a certain guy like that, or you find yourself in this situation, or you’re in an open relationship, or you’re dealing with someone who you find out is bisexual, whatever the case, there’s so many things that are actually happening right now in the dating field,” Hilson said.
Cast dynamics were also a huge topic during the movie screening, with all of the ladies in awe of their natural on-and-off set chemistry.
“You get four women together and you never know what you’re going to get, and in this situation, you’ve got no divas, so much love, so much support, so much like real sisterhood on set,” Good stated.
“They’re not only beautiful on the outside, like drop-dead gorgeous, but they’re so beautiful on the inside, Hilson stated. “We had a blast, and not the ‘fake, cute girl we secretly hate each other blast’, the real, ‘we click, we love each other, we’re all queens’, that kind of click,” she added.
“Love by the 10th Date” premiered on Lifetime, January 28, 2017, and was written, directed and produced by Nzingha Stewart. For more exclusive interviews with the cast, be sure to visit lasentinel.net.
