Image copyright Matthieu Bitton
The singer beforehand starred in movies together with Precious, The Butler and The Hunger Games
Rock star Lenny Kravitz says he misplaced a role on the TV present Big Little Lies as a result of producers felt uneasy about casting a black actor as a villain.
The star was "considered to play one of the husbands" within the drama, which revolves round three emotionally troubled girls in suburban California.
Big Little Lies was one of the vital critically-lauded dramas of 2017, with an all-star solid together with Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern.
Had he gained the role, Kravitz would have been "the only black man on the show," he instructed the BBC.
"And the phrase that got here again to me was that, if I used to be the one black man on the present, they did not need me doing what it was that I might be doing.
"So that ended up not happening," Kravitz added. "The director [Jean-Marc Vallée] was like, 'I so want you for this but we'll work together another time.'"
Kravitz declined to specify which role he was up for ("I can't really say")nevertheless it appears doubtless he was referring to Perry Wright, who's seen subjecting his spouse Celeste to vicious beatings and psychological torture all through the HBO collection.
The half ultimately went to Alexander Skarsgård, who gained each an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his efficiency.
The BBC contacted HBO for a response to Kravitz's story, however was instructed that "producers are deep into production on the second season for Big Little Lies and are unavailable for comment".
A second collection of Big Little Lies is already in manufacturing with Meryl Streep anticipated to hitch the solid.
Adapted from the Liane Moriarty novel of the identical identify, it touched a nerve with viewers in coping with divorce, home violence, the troubles of elevating youngsters, college bullying, and ageing.
Kravitz, who beforehand starred in movies like Precious and The Hunger Games, was philosophical about being handed overparticularly as his daughter, Zoë Kravitz, was later solid as bohemian yoga trainer Bonnie Carlson.
"I'm much more happy that she got the role," he mentioned. "It worked out wonderfully."
The singer additionally denied rumours he'd be becoming a member of the present for its second season, taking part in Bonnie's father.
"As fun as that soundsthat's not going to happen," he mentioned.
"But I love all the ladies in the show. I actually just saw them in LA, we had a birthday party for Reese Witherspoon and it was wonderful being with all the ladies and my daughter."
Kravitz is about to hit the UK for a collection of dates on his world tour, previewing songs from his 11th album, Raise Vibration.
Among them is the brand new single Low and the luxurious, eight-minute protest music It's Enough.
The latter remembers Marvin Gaye's What's Going On because it surveys gun crime, environmental catastrophe and the abuse of political energy; and asks why humanity is not doing a higher job.
"I simply thought someway / That issues would get higher," sings the star over a muted funk groove.
"Well, I really did. I really did," he tells the BBC.
"I'm one who believes that peace and unity may be achieved. Since my first album in 1989, once I got here out with Let Love Rule, I've all the time stood for that.
"But during the last 30 years that I've lived, I've seen it worsen and worse and worse.
"It's amazing that we just haven't learned how to work together."
Kravitz recorded nearly all of Raise Vibration by himself in his Bahamas residence studio, assisted solely by his long-serving guitarist Craig Ross.
His present tour marks the primary time he is performed an album in live performance earlier than releasing itwhich he accepts is a threat.
"Of course it is," he says, "nevertheless it's OK to problem the viewers a little bit as nicely; and never simply do the 'typical factor that works', ?
Besides, Kravitz says, he is higher suited to taking part in Europe in the summertime.
"Well, , I stay within the Bahamas, so I like heat climate," he laughs.
"I've carried out European excursions and Russian excursions within the useless of winter and it is brutal."
Lenny Kravitz performs in Manchester, Birmingham and London this week, and seems on the line-up for Radio 2 in Hyde Park in September.