Actress Lela Rochon is landing her first film role in two years after her shocking weight loss transformation

Actress Lela Rochon is reclaiming her time in the highlight by teaming up with among the “Waiting to Exhale” crew in the brand new movie “Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted By Love.” The project reunites Rochon with writer Terry McMillan and actress Loretta Devine.

The film is executive produced by actress Garcelle Beauvais and can premiere August 17 on Lifetime. Rochon first mentioned the project in May. She eagerly shared the news of the June 21 release date on Instagram, where lots of her followers were overjoyed by the mini-comeback of “Waiting to Exhale.” The 1995 film was based on McMillan’s book of the identical name and in addition starred Angela Bassett and Whitney Houston.

“Lela and Aunt Loretta? “Yes!!!” excited, a fan wrote in the comments section post. Another person similarly acknowledged Rochon and Devine’s past, writing, “Yes, Gloria and Robin are back together!”

However, countless others were blissful to see the Hollywood veteran land recent roles after greater than 30 years in the industry.

“Oh yes! So happy to see you back on screen where you belong,” read the supportive message. “I see @iamlelarochon is busy and busy,” reads one other. A 3rd gushed: “Beautiful , talented cast. I’m glad Lela Rochon is back on the big screen.”

Referring to her recent weight loss, one person said, “You’re looking better and better.”

Rochon’s resume includes work on the movies “Harlem Nights” starring Eddie Murphy, the series “21 Jump Street”, “Boomerang”, “The Wayans Bros.”, “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” and “Any Taking take Sunday into consideration” and in addition mention a number of. However, the brand new role is her first major film work since she debuted her slimmed-down figure in April to have a good time her sixtieth birthday.

In the episode “Where Are They Now?” OWN in 2016, the once-in-demand actress stated that her profession could maintain its momentum if she continued to tackle recent and different roles.

“I used to be offered certain things that I probably must have done to remain relevant. I didn’t go in and browse or engage with ‘The Help,’ and I principally threw the script in the trash,” Rochon revealed.

“I have not read the book. I wasn’t a fan of the thought of ​​playing a maid. So after I began reading it, , I didn’t really understand it and I used to be like, eh, OK… I’m not interested in this. But , sometimes you read a script and you simply do not know what is going on to occur.” The film also stars Viola Davis and Octavia Butler.

Rochon revealed that she also read the script for “The Matrix”. Like Will Smith, whose producers originally desired to play Neo in the sci-fi series, she couldn’t see the vision for the project. “It’s techno gibberish, it’s scientific – I don’t even understand what I’m reading. … It was a huge “Matrix.” Huge! Who knew?” she said.

In the identical episode, the actress revealed that the sequel to “Waiting to Exhale” was never made as a result of Houston’s sudden death. The vocal icon died after by chance drowning in a tub in February 2013. The toxicology report shows that cocaine, Xanax and other substances were detected in the body of the 48-year-old, who had been scuffling with drug use for a lot of years. years.

“We were ready to go. Terry McMillan finished the script and the studio called and asked if we were all ready to shoot in the summer, but they weren’t sure about Whitney,” Rochon recalled. “Loretta Devine and I said, ‘We don’t want anyone else. We want her.”

Known for her long profession, Rochon is also the wife of “Equalizer” director Antoine Fuqua. The 25-year-old couple has two children, daughter Asia and son Brando. Despite the 2019 scandal in which Fuqua was caught kissing Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife Nicole Murphy, the couple has managed to maintain their relationship out of the headlines.

He is currently working on the New Orleans spinoff of “The Family Business.” She plays Big Shirley Duncan, co-owner of the Midnight Blues nightclub. The upcoming series will premiere on BET+.