Ross phones home after portraying thug

Diana Ross' actor son Evan phoned home in tears from the set of new movie Life Is Hot In Cracktown - because playing a violent hoodlum left him exhausted and upset.

Ross' character Romeo is a thuggish gangster in the gritty new film, and insists he needed support to get through the project.

He explains, "First I called Terrence Howard, who I worked with in Pride, and asked him what he thought, and he told me to follow my instincts with the role, but I didn't grow up with gangster qualities.

"There is a scene at the end of the movie where I'm yelling and we did the scene so many times. I had to go to the trailer for a second because I couldn't stop crying and I didn't feel like I could do it again.

"I left that day and I called my mom because I live alone now and I don't see her all the time, so I can't just go home. I called her and I told her I was riled up and I needed to calm myself for a second."

And the sage-like soul star gave him advice that he'll always hold dear: "She was like, 'Go outside and find light. Go to where the sun is and just breathe.' She gets worried about me when I get into that dark place."

Titles related to this article

Related/similar articles

• Luhrmann eyes Knowles/Jackman movie musical (26 March 2009)
• Howard lashes out at Marvel bosses (23 April 2009)
• Howard won't spoil Iron Man 2 (24 April 2009)
• Beyonce to play Eartha? (3 May 2009)
• Titanic stars hand over cash to ship's last survivor (11 May 2009)
• Washington loves her curves after transgender role (26 June 2009)