Los Angeles: After conquering the world of music Alicia Keyes is expanding into movie and television production.
Keys, 24, and her longtime manager, Jeff Robinson, said on Thursday they have formed a company whose first project will be a UPN TV series inspired by Keys' experiences as a biracial youngster growing in New York.
"A lot of times I watch TV and I watch film and there's so many things I'd love to talk about that I feel don't get the opportunity to be shown. Sometimes things become very stereotypical and one-sided, and I feel like it's such a colorful world." Keys said.
Their company, New York-based Big Pita, Lil' Pita, will provide "the opportunity to expose that array," Keys said in a phone call.
She's also intent on developing projects that give women their due, she added.
"I was mostly raised by very strong women, and I consider myself one as well. So I'd like to see things explore that and see that strength shine through," she said.
Keys, a singer, songwriter and musician, was born to a white mother and black father. Her parents split when she was 2 and she was raised in the Hell's Kitchen area of New York by her mom, Terri Augello.
The new company's eye-catching name has a special meaning for Keys and Robinson, who have worked together for more than a decade: "Pita stands for pain in the ass," Keys said. "That's what he and I both are — so watch out."
The two will serve as executive producers for their untitled TV drama, which has a script commitment from UPN and which Robinson said may be on the air by next fall.
The pilot, not yet cast, will be written by Felicia Henderson (Soul Food, Moesha,).
Keys is making her film acting debut in the upcoming Smokin' Aces, which stars Ben Affleck and Andy Garcia.
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