Trey Songz
Trey Songz Makes His Horror Movie Debut in New Texas Chainsaw Movie
The music icon talks about his journey into the film industry and his first starring role in a major feature film.
At last! A horror movie has arrived where the Black guy does not die first. Or within minutes after the opening credits roll. Trey Songz is here to prove his staying power and star power as he cuts his acting chops with a starring role in the, Texas Chainsaw 3D.
“I make jokes about it, but the cliché of black people in horror films is very real,” Songz jokes. That was something that John [John Luessenhop, movie director] and I discussed.”
Born Tremaine Neverson, the strikingly handsome R&B singer—who is known for stirring the libido of women all over the globe—is now hoping to stimulate a different type of feeling when the ladies watch him: fear. The 28 year old is no longer just “inventing sex”; He’s now reinventing himself as a noteworthy actor who is fully capable of making his audience temporarily suspend their visions of him crooning with a mike in his hand. Texas Chainsaw 3D, which opens in theaters January 4th, is his new baby, and clearly one that he is very thrilled about.
“It was exciting first of all to be involved in any major film,” Songz remarks. His intensity is palpable as he muses over his much-desired position of being a young man with options. “Being a musician and having the opportunity to have films and scripts being sent my way for years now, this one actually ended up being the one that struck me as the right film,” Songz says.
The film picks up where the legendary 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre left off, and digs into the roots of the homicidal Sawyer family. Songz plays a character named Ryan who travels with his friends to Newt, Texas after his girlfriend Heather [Alexandra Daddario] inherits a home there. When they arrive however, they are quickly greeted by a human-skin-wearing, chainsaw-carrying serial killer.
“It was really real,” Songz says intensely. “The scenes were definitely done with a real chainsaw, and it was really loud. As a man I don’t think of being frightened too often, not too many things scare me. I had to put myself in a situation where it was as though this was how I would really be acting in these situations—where I wouldn’t scream like a girl, but I ‘d still be alert,” Songz chuckles.
Songz reveals that he was very selective in choosing his first major feature film. He emphasized that he wanted to create a smooth transition into the film industry where he could learn and grow and not have to take on all of the spotlight.
“I think a lot of musicians who transition into acting sometimes take on roles where the movie is relying upon them,” Songz explains. “They take that starring role where the whole movie is based on their success or failure. I think with this film having a young cast, and having Alex there to take on most of the pressure, it was a movie where I was still able to grow. I didn’t have to go into layers of depth to study the character; he’s a pretty easy-going guy,” says Songz.
Still, he makes it clear that a lot of personal preparation went into making the film.
“Watching the original film was something that I think all of us felt was very vital to our success,” Songz declares. “I felt even more honored to be a part of it after watching the original and seeing the way it was tied to the new script. Preparation for me was basically just learning as much as I can and soaking up all of the energy. Alex will tell you that I asked a million questions—I’d go in every day and I would ask John about writing, I would ask the DP [director of photography] about camera focus—I was very much in tune and very much willing to soak up all the information I could.”
While it’s apparent that Songz indeed put a lot into his acting, die-hard “Trigga” fans will welcome the inclusion of one of his latest songs, “2 Reasons”, which is actually featured in one of the scenes. While he feels that it is important for fans to embrace him as a new actor, he still wants them to relate to Trey Songz the singer.
“John and I talked about it first before it [the inclusion of the song] happened, and he really wanted the song in there. It’s very real for a lot of people coming to see this movie who view me as Trey Songz. So it [having his music in the movie] kinda ties in the fact that I am still that musician and I’m making this transition, but you still get to identify with who I am already.”
Songz has high hopes for Texas Chainsaw, and is optimistic that it will be something that his fans and thrill-seekers in general will enjoy. Having gained well-deserved accolades as a musician, he’s now open to the possibility of building more success by possibly creating more movies in the future.
“I won’t put a cap on any possibility,” Songz declares. “I’ve been that way in music and I think that with any form of success you can’t x out what you will and won’t do because you never know where your path leads you. As for the movie, I hope you are scared and I think you will be. My personal goal is that people will view me as having made the right choice as a musician. I took it very seriously, and for the franchise I hope it’s viewed as a great part two for what the original was.”
One can’t help but conclude that thrill-seekers and nail-biters everywhere will willingly join you on this adventure, just as they have on your musical journey.
