Alicia Keys recently decided to jump behind the director’s chair as one of five directors, including Demi Moore and Jennifer Aniston, in charge of Lifetime’s “Five,” a series of short films telling the interweaving tales of five women affected by breast cancer. Keys, who directed the short, “Lili,” recently spoke with Glamour about her directorial debut, reality TV and the origin of her son, Egypt’s, name.
“After I read the scripts, I felt like this was something important, and I wanted to be a part of it,” said Keys on her involvement in the film series. “I chose Lili because she’s close to my age and I understood the family dynamic. I had an immediate idea of what I could bring to it.”
The music industry veteran also shared her thoughts on reality TV music competitions. Although Keys once thought of them as a sham, she explained that she now sees them as a great venue for aspiring artists.
“Initially, I felt like it was showing people that to be an artist you’re just supposed to get on TV,” said Keys. “But as time passed, and the industry changed, I started thinking of it as an outlet for people who otherwise wouldn’t have any opportunity to be heard. Now I think it’s a good thing. When you’re talented, you’re talented.”
Keys, who gave birth last year, also explained how a much-needed trip to country of Egypt inspired her son’s name.
“It was a time of transition. There were certain people [I was working with] who weren’t right. I had friends who weren’t right anymore. I was tired and I had overworked myself and burnt myself out. So I went to Egypt by myself,” explained Keys. “When I saw what was built there, it made me understand how powerful we are, that we can create anything. And I felt like I needed to create things that were timeless too.”
“Five,” which stars Rosario Dawson, Patricia Clarkson, Tracee Ellis Ross and Jennifer Lewis, premieres on Lifetime on Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. EST/PST. –nicholas robinson
