Post by Sweet Meat aka CC on Apr 20, 2007 11:36:12 GMT -5
Almost Grown
One name crooner Mario is carving out quite a niche for himself in the entertainment industry. The 20-year-old protégé of Clive Davis is preparing to release his junior album 'Go' on July 17, almost five years to the date that his gold-certified self-titled debut hit stores in 2002. In the meantime, Mario is excited about his second film, the critically acclaimed 'Freedom Writers' being released on DVD this week.
"I learned a lot man," he said of the movie. "The experience was great. From the challenging moments to the great moments, the happy moments to getting the actual role. It's a lot more challenging than people think to actually act and to actually get roles. There's a lot of people trying out for one part. It's not like in music where you're creating your album and it's just you, the producer and the writer and ya'll just working it out. It's a lot more people involved. Your talent speaks for itself."
Since he grew up in inner city Baltimore, Md., the script for 'Freedom Writers' resonated with Mario. "I experienced a lot of what the character Andre experienced as far as when it came to the environment he was around, why he was the way he was. His challenges in his life made him bitter. I remember being in those moments in my life when I was younger and having a lot of obstacles. I didn't really have people like Erin Gruwell [played in the movie by Oscar winner Hilary Swank] in my life who were constantly there. I had one teacher who I had in my life who helped me out a lot and we had a lot of conversations. Those experiences is what attracted me to the script," shared the singer, who also starred in the film 'Step Up.'
Despite his tough upbringing-its been reported that he was raised by his grandmother because his mother, a single mom, struggled with a drug problem - - Mario has managed to not become a victim of his past and has steered clear of the accessible troubles found in the music business. "Certainly things either you're into or you aren't. I'm not perfect. I do have a good head on my shoulders and there are certain things that I want out of life and either you got to learn from other people's mistakes or learn from your own mistakes. It really just depends on the type of person you are at the end of the day. There isn't really any specific method I use to stay out of trouble," he explained.
Mario will celebrate his 21st birthday Aug. 27, and the singer is ecstatic about it. "Ah man, I'm excited. It makes you legal, well, that's what they say," he laughed. "I'm just blessed enough to make it to 21. I come from Baltimore and a lot cats my age and a lot of my old friends are either dead or in jail."
And if Mario could have anyone in particular to take him to dinner for his birthday? "I'd have to say Beyoncé man," he said beaming. "I think she's amazing! I've always thought she was amazing. To be in an intimate environment with her, at 20 years old, it would kind of put me on another level mentally. I think it would be a great time and whatever comes out of it comes out of it."
What about her boyfriend Jay-Z? Would Mario let rapper/Def Jam executive join in on the fun? "Honestly? Yeah! Why not? It doesn't matter to me," he added laughing. "As long as she and I get to sit down and chat. I don't mind him being there at all. We might be able to talk about some business together. But the main reason for the dinner would be to kind of make a connection with B in some sort of way."
Wouldn't that make headlines! And speaking of headlines, Mario has had his fair share over the last year or so, being romantically linked to women such as singer Rihanna and video girl Vida Guerra in the gossip pages. "I think gossip is fun. Its real fun. Why not? We're in the entertainment business. Gossip is gossip and it is what it is," he offered, without confessing if either rumor was true or false. Just last week the blogs were abuzz with a slightly risqué image of the singer, poolside in a pair of white boxer-briefs with a young lady by his side. "Um, um, no comment," Mario said laughing, when initially asked about the photo. "I don't even know how they got out, to be honest with you."
But after a little more probing, Mario came clean. "I had a show in Anguilla [British West Indies] and I was just kicking it by the poolside. I didn't have no shorts out there and they didn't have a place that had shorts I could fit 'cause they like to wear things a little tight out there and I don't. So actually, once somebody pushed me in the pool I just took my clothes off."
Just as long as Mario's occasional public display of semi-nudity doesn't have him ditching music for the porn business like one of his R&B counterparts, I think he'll be fine!
Ain't he somethin'!
But that's my man-man though...yeah him is! 
Oh and for those who HAVEN'T seen the tighty-whities pic of him, juss click the Mario Myspace Fan Page Banner at the top of the main screen here at the board. 
I meant Chingy right now 
(lol) I can't seem to find that pic 
can I get a little help please ;D
But anywayz (lol), my bad about the first place I mentioned to check the tighty-whities pic b/c they have taken it down; but go 
(lol) thank you Miss Chingy. ;D
Lawd, you and my momma both must be seein' somethin' I ain't seein'. I blame it on the "lil' man" bein' cold and wet though, bless he heart. 
But at room temperature, I bet it's somethin' DANGEROUS! 