Arts

(Photo courtesy of Eric Benét)

The R&B singer talks about raising his daughter as a single father and how his new role  in “Triniti Goodheart” paralleled his own parenting experience. 

Kam Williams

Eric Benét stars in the new film “Trinity Goodheart,” a family drama about a difficult father-daughter relationship. (Photo courtesy of ReelWorks Studios)

Born in Milwaukee on Oct. 15, 1970, two-time Grammy-nominee Eric Benét is an actor, singer and songwriter whose music has been influenced by such R&B greats as Al Green, Sly Stone, Chaka Kahn and Marvin Gaye. His first professional break came back in the late ’80s while he was in a local group called Gerard.

Since then, Benét has struck gold on the R&B charts and released albums like “True to Myself,” “A Day in the Life” and “Love and Life.” He has collaborated with a range of highly respected artists, including Something for the People; Earth, Wind, and Fire; and Wynonna Judd. As an actor, he’s enjoyed recurring roles on the TV series “For Your Love,” “Half & Half” and “Kaya.”

Here, he talks about starring opposite Erica Gluck in his new film, “Trinity Goodheart,” a heartwarming family drama about a strained father-daughter relationship.

Great to see you back in films. What interested you about this particular project?  

Well, my manager had read the script, and liked it a lot. And I finally got around to it after I was ambushed at a gig in Atlanta by the producers and the scriptwriter. They told me they felt I was perfect for the part.

So, I took the initiative to read it that night and fell in love with it, because there were so many parallels between the main character’s life and my own. And I also liked how the story was so warm and about faith and how it reminded people that love and family are both worth fighting for.

This film has some similarities to your having been a single dad with a young daughter in real life. Is that one of the reasons why you chose to do the film?

I felt that if this was going to be my first male lead in a film, then it would be a great opportunity to latch onto since there were so many anchors in this character that I could sink my teeth into because of all the parallels with my life.

Was that you really playing the sax in the movie?

I did not actually play. I kind of just pantomimed, hoping that whoever really played the sax would sound good and coincide with what I was doing.  

You play a black, single father raising his child alone. This is definitely not the norm in the black community where there are so many single female-headed households. What message do you want to communicate through your role?

You’re right, it’s not the norm. But it was my reality. I was pretty much a single father for most of my daughter India’s life. She’s 19 now, just finished her freshman year at USC, and she’s blossomed into an incredibly talented, beautiful, strong young woman.

Looking back, were there things I could’ve done better? Yes, but I’m still pretty proud of myself for having raised such an amazing individual. Being a parent is not easy, but speaking for myself, it’s a wonderful blessing and the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.  

Will your daughter India be following you into the music business, and if so, how do you feel about it?

India is an extremely talented singer/songwriter, and she is absolutely forging her own way musically. She’s majoring in music business and communications, and she’s been spending a lot of time in the studio while at school, so I think we’re going to see a whole lot from India in the future.

What parenting skills have you employed raising your beautiful daughter India, to produce such a healthy offspring? Do you have any parenting tips to share with single fathers?

I have always tried to keep an honest, age-appropriate line of communication open with India, even during the teen years, a painful time of development when they usually shut down, and the last person they want to speak to is a parent.

But India would always tell me what was going on, so I really encourage people to be as open with your children as you possibly can.

The duets that you’ve done, like the one with Tamia, have been outstanding. Have you considered doing an entire album of duets, especially since love songs are what people are craving during these trying times?  

Hmm … That’s a good idea, but I don’t think I will ever do an entire duet album, because the logistics and scheduling get tough. I will continue to do two or three duets per album. And I agree that those kinds of very nurturing melodies and lyrics are needed more so than ever right now and I’m definitely going to do my part to make sure more of those songs are out there.

How do you explain to India about real love, and how do you explain your songs with risqué lyrics to her?

Hmm … as accurately as I possibly can. I explain that love’s an elusive, fragile and resilient thing. And as far as the lyrics, I say that part of being an adult is being sexual, and when you’re in a relationship, to express yourself that way is a beautiful thing.

Is there a recording artist you haven’t worked with that you’d like to? And which of your recordings is your favorite?

Every time I think about the first question, the answer generally turns out to be a living legend like Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder or Chaka Khan. I would love to record with any one of them because they helped shape and mold who I am creatively.

As to the second question, the answer changes with my mood. But right now, I’d have to say it’s a song I wrote called “Sometimes I Cry,” which audiences always really get into when I perform it at live shows.  

When you played music producer T. Davis on the MTV series “Kaya,” was that character based on anyone you know from the music industry?

[Laughs] Yeah, I did base my character on a mosaic of a lot of the cocky, self-assured producers I’d worked with over the years. [Laughs some more]

If you could go back in time and speak to the Eric Benét of 1992, when your first album was released with the band called Benét, what advice would you give to yourself?

Oh, that’s a great question! The No. 1 tip I would probably give myself is: “Enjoy every moment of this journey,” because back then I would really get caught up in the details of “Why aren’t we signed yet?” and “Why isn’t this happening faster?”

I would have to tell myself that there’s always a reason why things happen. I’ve learned in my older age how to let it go when things don’t work out because something incredible that I don’t know about yet is probably right around the corner.    

What is more challenging for you, singing or acting?

Singing, for me, is like breathing air. Acting is a challenge. I find it difficult to switch gears emotionally.

There are probably a lot of struggling young artists who are working at UPS and trying to break through into the music industry at the same time, like you did. What advice do you have for them besides, “Lift with your back?”

[Laughs] I think the best advice I would give them is to always be working on your craft because there are so many people out there with a dream similar to yours, a whole lot more than when I started.

You have lived through some real tragedy in your life. How did you deal with the grief?  

The way I’ve tried to grieve is by not holding it in. If you’re mourning, cry, scream and purge whatever is going on inside you emotionally. That’s part of the process. And keep those that love you very close as you go through it.

Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

No, because one of the least enjoyable things for me to do is to talk about myself.  

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Reality TV shows like “Hoarders.”

What was the last book you read?

An old classic from Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer Series called “One Lonely Night.”

What are you listening to on your iPod?  

The last song I listened to is one I just wrote called “Real Love” which is going to be on my next record.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Contentment.