LisaRaye McCoy Had An Identity Crisis After ‘The Player’s Club’: I Felt Like I Had To Have The Long Hair And Look Like  Diamond In Order To Be Recognized.

LisaRaye McCoy Had An Identity Crisis After ‘The Player’s Club’: I Felt Like I Had To Have The Long Hair & Look Like  Diamond In Order To Be Recognized

LisaRaye McCoy revisits her role in Player’s Club.

Actress LisaRaye McCoy recalled the “identity crisis” she had after playing Diamond in 1998’s The Player’s Club. Speaking about the aftermath of the character that solidified her career, she stated:

“I had an identity crisis after ‘Players Club’ because I felt like I had to have the long hair and look like my character, ‘Diamond,’ in order to be recognized.”

She continued:

“Players Club’ put me on the map… it made me a bona fide sex symbol, and when you are a sex symbol people think that you’re sexy all the time, and that stigma follows you.”

She noted:

“So I am forever Diamond.”

The seasoned actress also gave some insight into how the classic box office hit came together:

“They gave me a trainer for a good six weeks so that helped me feel more confident about my body. So when it was time to do a striptease, Ice Cube was so great, and [was] there for me as a new actress.”

She added:

“He was so professional. I didn’t even see the rapper then. I saw the father, the businessman, the director. He was gracious enough to set up multiple cameras, and I did the strip scene maybe twice. So he allowed me to what I needed for a green new actress.”

LisaRaye was about 30-years-old when The Player’s Club hit theaters. Today, at 54, she is content with her age and can properly reassess how she portrayed Diamond.

“I’m an older ‘Diamond’ now, but diamonds always shine, so I am here for it. I did not know what sexy was at the time… I think it was best for me not to really know, because I probably would’ve tried to play it up in my role and messed it up.”

Prior to her Player’s Club fame, LisaRaye starred in music videos like the late Tupac Shakur’s “Toss It Up.” After the film’s success, she snagged prominent roles on the UPN sitcom All of Us and the Vh1 Series Single Ladies. 

What’s your favorite scene from The Player’s Club? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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