Jill Scott discusses playing victim of domestic violence in ‘Get On Up’

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Grammy winner Jill Scott stars as James Brown’s ex-wife, Deedee Brown, in Get On Up, the upcoming biopic about the legendary Godfather of Soul’s life.

Scott’s character in Get On Up is an unfortunate victim of domestic violence. In an interview with theGrio’s Chris Witherspoon, Scott opens up about being transformed into her on-screen character and says she didn’t want to judge Deedee for remaining in a relationship with Brown despite his abusive tendencies.

VIDEO: James Brown’s family loves new biopic ‘Get On Up’

“I was concerned about judging Deedee. I didn’t want to judge her,” Scott says. “Why she would stay in a relationship like that? I just knew what was important to her at the time was that she was in love with James, wholeheartedly and completely. That’s a different kind of love than what I know. I was transformed for being in that moment with James Brown.”

Scott says she didn’t know anything about Brown’s career before filming Get On Up, but thinks this film will broaden the scope of his legacy.

“I didn’t know anything about James Brown, and I think when people watch this, they’re going to have a really true understanding of what it takes to be great. It’s going past those hurts. People can wallow in the mire … get stuck down. But he just couldn’t, he wouldn’t, he refused, and then he built himself up to be one of the greatest entertainers of all time … the father of Michael Jackson and Prince and so many others.”

Get On Up hits theaters nationwide this Friday.

Follow theGrio.com’s Entertainment Editor Chris Witherspoon on Twitter @WitherspoonC.