Garcelle Beauvais talks about romance in the new film “Tempted by Love”
Garcelle Beauvais talks with USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa about her new Lifetime movie, “Tempted by Love,” and the portrayal of women on television.
Garcelle Beauvais found out how far a love scene in a Lifetime movie can go when she was on the set of one of these scenes.
Beauvais stars in and executive produces “Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love” (premieres Saturday, 8 EDT/PDT and streaming Sunday). In the film, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star plays Ava, a cook who returns to South Carolina from Europe to care for her ailing aunt (Donna Biscoe). When she lands back in the States, she feels a connection to Luke (Vaughn W. Hebron), the driver who picks her up from the airport and is 20 years younger.
“At one point, my character unbuckles Luke’s pants and I’m like, ‘Can we do this for Lifetime?'” Beauvais, 57, recalls with a laugh. “It just felt too daring. It didn’t end up making it into the movie. But I think we pushed the boundaries and it was hot and grown-up and sexy.”
“For me, as a woman of ‘a certain age,’ as we would say, it’s really cool to have the hope of finding love at any age,” Beauvais says of the film’s plot. “And we touch on really real things: she’s a chef, but she has arthritis and is going through menopause. We didn’t shy away from what people might think is uncomfortable. But I think that’s what makes the film endearing, because it’s real.”
It’s hard to believe that television has become more inclusive when it comes to older women, whether through the success of franchises like Bravo’s “Real Housewives” or ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor.”
“I think women look better today than ever before,” says Beauvais. “I think we live longer and take care of ourselves. Why should we stigmatize that? It’s about the spirit. It’s not really about the numbers.”
Beauvais describes herself as “interested” in other reality shows like “Golden Bachelor,” but admits she tries to avoid reality TV while filming “Real Housewives.” She just wrapped up season 14. The model and actress notes that she has become closer to some of her costars, including Sutton Stracke and Kyle Richards.
The actress also filmed an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington a few months ago before she became the Democratic presidential candidate. The interview was posted online on August 10. She not only joked that the Secret Service “freaked her out,” but also enjoyed the conversation.
“I’m a Democrat and I was nervous about all the things I’ve heard about President Biden,” Beauvais admits. “But I’m so glad she’s getting the chance she deserves. We’re in America and we’ve never had a female president? This is our first (female) vice president? I mean, let’s be honest, we’re behind the times.”
