NO SHRINKING VIOLETS HERE

Red Carpet Roxy at the "American Violet" Premiere

Regina Kelly, the real life heroine

Star of the movie, Nicole Beharie

Samuel Goldwyn, Alfre Woodard, director Tim Disney, Nicole Beharie, and Karimah Westbrook

Violets, in all of their delicacy, are frequently attributed to being acaulescent-seemingly rising from the Earth with no apparent stems, as if these beautiful blooms pushed their way through dirt to get where they want to be. Such was the parable tonight at the premiere of "American Violet" at the Silver Screen Theater in the Pacific Design Center deep in the heart of West Hollywood, which was a benefit for the ACLU Foundation of Southern California. "American Violet," distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, centers on the real life drama of a woman, Regina Kelly, who was wronged, but wasn't about to let that impede her from procuring right. Falsely accussed and arrested in a sweeping drug bust, Regina had to stand up for her freedom and fight for the right to be reunited with what was paramount in the world to her-her children. Click here to read more about her harrowing journey.

Everyone associated with this production who I chatted with, from director Tim Disney to stars Nicole Beharie and Alfre Woodard, all shared similar feelings of warmth and camaraderie from the set. In fact, Alfre Woodard, clad in a violet colored Nanette Lepore cap sleeve sheath dress, expressed to me that it was truly "a set of friends" and Tim Disney relayed that the first time they showed the movie to Regina Kelly, whom the film is based upon, Nicole and Regina held hands throughout the viewing.

The New York-based, Julliard groomed star of the film, Nicole Beharie inquired,"How do I do this? Explain it to me!" as the Red Carpet newbie glided down the line of flash bulbs pointed her, posing every couple of feet in a form fitting black zipper-front Betsey Johnson number. Commended by many at the premiere for her performance in "American Violet," the actress divulged to me that the most humourous and challenging moments on set incorporated the children (4 real life sisters) who portray her daughters in the movie. The youngsters would pelt Cheerios at her head while they were trying to shoot! Leave it up to the kids to lighten the mood!

Regina Kelly was reveling in her night, but don't count on her to make a habit out of walking Red Carpets. She affirmed to me that she didn't know how actors got accustomed to living in the limelight and that she was perfectly blissful with her life now of speaking engagements, community organization and involvement, and "just living her life now that she is free." Certainly, a life well worth fighting for.

"American Violet" opens in theaters this Friday, April 17, 2009.