After a string of attention-grabbing roles in Raising Victor Vargas, Be Kind Rewind and Lords of Dogtown, Melonie Diaz was crowned the new Queen of Indie Film. Now the New York City native takes on her most challenging role to date, as girlfriend of Oscar Grant (played by Michael B. Jordan) in the highly anticipated Fruitvale Station.
Diaz talks to us about getting in character as Sophina, a role she related to on a very personal level. "I'm strong and opinionated, just like my character," she shares. And the familiarity helped Diaz deliver raw, unfiltered emotion during some of the film's most moving scenes.
Plus, the 29-year-old beauty takes it back and tells us about working with Mary J. Blige and Trey Songz for the music video "We Got Hood Love."
Watch our exclusive video below, and check out Fruitvale Station in select theaters on July 12.

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