Jill Marie Jones is most affectionately known as our beloved Toni from Girlfriends, but since leaving the show, the actress has been exercising her acting skills and appearing in other projects that have wowed her fanbase. Jill has dominated a myriad of different roles, such as a serial killer, a transsexual, a lesbian and a non-fit mother. Our cocoa Vixen lady’s latest efforts have been onscreen in 35 & Ticking alongside Black Hollywood beauties Nicole Ari Parker, Meagan Good, Tamala Jones and Wendy Raquel, and onstage for her first theatre performance in Marriage Material with Allen Payne.
We chatted with the LA-resident about her recent roles, what we definitely didn’t know about her and her beauty must-haves!
VIXEN: You’ve had so many different diverse kinds of roles, what has been your favorite role to date?
JILL: That’s kind of hard. Girlfriends was definitely huge for me because it’s one of the reasons we’re able to have this conversation right now. It just started everything for me. I’ve been very blessed. I’ve played a serial killer, I’ve played a transsexual, I’ve played a lesbian, I’ve played a non-fit mother. I’m just a creative, artistic soul and I’ve just been very blessed to play diverse characters. I love them all.
What would you say are three things that make a person “marriage material?”
Honesty, first and foremost. Not just honesty with the other person, but honesty with yourself, because sometimes we want certain things from a marriage, but what we want and what can actually make us happy are two different things. For me, laughter is very important. For me it’s about a life partner, it’s about someone I want to see when I’m 90 years old on the swings and we’re still laughing and best friends. Enjoying it through the good, the bad, just having that love of that person. Third, I would say [inaudible] I think having the same ultimate goal in mind. Because, you can love somebody but they’re on a different path. And sometimes just because you love somebody doesn’t mean you that you don’t have to let them go because you dream is a different dream from theirs. I think that falls in with honesty as well. Staying honest with what you want and who you are.
Do you feel that women should get to a certain age and have children?
I think when God blesses me with a baby then that’ll be a blessing that I have. I don’t necessarily believe in society telling me it’s time for a woman to have with a child. I think for each woman it’s individual, for me I’ve never felt the clock ticking. I do want children one day and when God blesses me with that, that’s what I’ll have. I just don’t believe that we should let society play into that because I think everybody’s situation is different and when that woman is ready to have a child she will and it’s OK if she does not want to have a child. But, I don’t think society should play a part in that. I’m from the South, so most of my friends back home in Texas have been married, had children right out of college. So I went through a period where I felt like “Wow, maybe that’s what I’m supposed to do.” But, I felt like I’m blessed to be able to have an amazing life and I’m so happy to be in this life and when God feels I’m ready. I’ll be ready.
What are five things that people don’t know and should know about Jill Marie Jones?
1. Purses…
Nine time out of 10 times I always have a purse inside of a purse. The small purse is for the night, the big purse is for the day, there’s always a purse. The (small) purse plays the role of a wallet, it’s like the brain and the nucleus, so I can change from big bag to big bag to big bag daily, but I still have the small bag inside the big bag. So I can change my big bags, it’s just as easy as taking that small bag and putting it into another bag.
Where did you learn that from?
I don’t know, maybe laziness? [laughs]
2. Country music…
I love country music. I was born and raised in Dallas, I have friends from Texas who don’t like country music, I just happen to love it. The only style of music that really hasn’t rocked my boat yet is heavy metal. I really don’t like a lot strings and that loud (music). But, I really like most kinds of music, but I love country music.
Who would you say is your favorite country music artist?
Well, my favorite album is “No Fences” by Garth Brooks. My favorite song is probably “Unanswered Prayers” by Garth Brooks.
3. Addressing rumors…
There were rumors from back when I was on Girlfriends… Yes my lips are real and yes my boobs are real.
4. Sense of humor…
I’m kind of corny, I have a goofy type of sense of humor.
5. Pickle juice…
I drink pickle juice. I love pickle juice.
You put it in a glass and drink it?
Yeah, or in a wine glass when I’m feeling fancy. I love pickles and pickle juice.
Do you drink pickle juice often?
No, but I can. But, if I did I would look like the Goodyear Blimp. [laughs]
What are a few beauty products that you have to have with you?
Laura Mercier Pink Champagne is my favorite lipstick and it’s a beautiful nude and it’s always in my bag. I’m kind of like Angelina Jolie in a way, because I really don’t like lip glosses. I like my lips to be matte. Jasmine Oil is typically in my purse. I have my mineralized MAC powder. It’s so amazing, it’s great. I never have a mirror, which is crazy, so hopefully it looks right if my friend is not a hater. [laughs] Normally mirrors don’t fit in my cute little clutch.
What does it mean to be a Vixen?
I think a Vixen is someone who knows their worth and really understands what they means. Because women are powerful. You can’t multiply without us. I think a Vixen just means knowing your worth. I always look at Samantha from Sex and the City and a lot people thought of her however they thought of her. Whatever you do in life, as long as you’re taking care of yourself and you have the power I think that’s what a Vixen is. As long as you know your worth and you’re running the shots and no one has the power over your life then I think you’re in control. As long as you do it on your own terms.