Common was in town last week promoting the upcoming release of his new feature film “Just Wright” with Queen Latifah.  The movie is a romantic comedy that marks Common’s leading man debut.

In his first starring role, he plays an NBA All-Star (Scott McKnight) who gets torn between true love with Queen Latifah’s character and groupie love from her friend who aspires to be an NBA trophy wife.

On preparing for his role in “Just Wright”:

One of my friends that plays in the NBA, Barron Davis, I just went and talk to him not only about the NBA but also what made him start playing basketball. Then I would just be around him and look at his lifestyle and talk to him about all of the thoughts and experiences he had. Then I got to talk to D. Wade and a couple of other cats that play in the league.

Everyday, I would train with the assistant coach from the New Jersey Nets and at the time I was filming the movie “Date Night”. So during the day, I would do whatever physical training and whatever preparation for my character. Just staying focus and trying to eat healthy… It was like a training camp, a boot camp but I loved it though.

CLICK HERE to watch “Just Wright” trailer.

Yeah… I could definitely tell Common’s been working out! He was a lean, mean love machine!

Video ~ Common Shouts out StraightFromTheA.com

Common sat down with StraightFromTheA.com and also shared a bit of information about his life lessons, his relationship with tennis star Serena Williams and revealed that he’s been dodging a crazed stalker!

Common on life lessons:

Don’t try to please everybody. Make sure you love yourself and think great of yourself. Like NOW! When you’re 21. Think, like ‘yo… I’m great!’ and don’t be afraid to claim that and say that. Cause that’s not disrespectful to people or arrogance… that’s just believing in yourself and claiming what you want. And it’s OK to do that…

Video ~ Common Speaks on life lessons & his Stalker

What kind of game or lines did you spit to holla at Serena?

The game of love * laughing * …. I don’t have lines to be honest. I always felt like just being honest and being true to who you are, that’s the only way I could win in life. Whether it was music, relating to people and that’s what I want. That’s really what this movie [Just Wright] was about. This character, Scott McKnight, he was into finding love and definitely wanted love. He thought he could get it in Paula Patton’s character but then he discovered, a certain type of love that brought something else out of him. He knew that that person was a good person for him and he didn’t have to think to hard about love.

Common also has a mixtape full of music inspired by “Just Wright:

Download the free mixtape here –> Common Presents: ‘Just Wright’ Mixtape Vol 1

Photos by FreddyO