By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

It had been almost 24 hours since the Hollywood premiere of Kym Whitley's new film, 'College Road Trip' at Disney's El Capitan Theatre on the legendary Hollywood Blvd., but when she spoke to me about the film, the actress/comedienne still had on the same clothes and make-up from the night before.

"I haven't had a moment to rest," she told me over the phone. "I had 32 family members in town for the premiere. The folks were laughing at me saying I had the largest entourage at the premiere. But we went to the after party and then I got everyone to the airport this morning. I went and recorded some voiceover work and did a few other things and I looked up and realized I never went to sleep. And now I'm sitting here wondering why my eyes are burning. I guess because this mascara needs to be washed off."

The Shaker Heights, Ohio-bred funny woman said entertaining her relatives was no easy task either.

"I was trying to get my weave done and have my eyelashes put on and they were just all in the way," she laughed. "Dr. Boogie can't do my hair while I'm driving them to the Hollywood sign! So I called this guy Norman Lewis who owns a limousine service and he came and took all of them on a sightseeing tour so that I could get myself together."

Whitley stars opposite Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symoné in 'College Road Trip.' The Disney film, which opens March 7, was a change of pace for the comic, known for her racy standup routines.

"For me to be clean and not cuss, it was unbelievable! For me not to be a 'Ho,' I was like, I'm there," she laughed.

The former host of BET's talk show 'Oh Drama' said the chance to work together with Lawrence and Raven was a dream come true.

"Of course it was wonderful! Martin Lawrence is sexy to me. He's like that quiet-sexy to me. He's a comic genius. He goes into these characters and knows exactly how, when and where to deliver. Martin and his brother are responsible for putting me in this film. Disney had the last say, but they were the ones who said, 'We want Kym Whitley!' First of all, that in itself was unbelievable. I was a little nervous at first, because working with Raven and him...they're both two people with great comedic timing. I had to bring my game face and be ready," she offered, before adding: "And they're both filthy rich! But Raven don't know she's rich or even act like she's rich."

The thirtysomething talent, who has also starred in films like 'Deliver Us From Eva,' 'Next Friday,' and 'The Perfect Man,' has had a career boost since her 2004 guest spot on HBO's 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' Her hilarious role of Monena the prostitute made Hollywood bigwigs take note, particularly after that episode was used as the screener that landed the show an Emmy nomination.

"It's created a cult following. I am still riding the wave off of that one episode," she said. "Everywhere I go, people are like: 'I love you on 'Curb.' I just went back in and recorded audio so that we could take out all of the curse words for syndication."

After seeing Vivica A. Fox, Ellia English and comedian J.B. Smoove on Larry David's acclaimed improvisational series last season, Whitley shared she would like to see Monena resurface on 'Curb.'

"I want to go back on 'Curb.' I want Monena to roll up on Larry David in the car with Vivica and yell: 'What you doing with my man? Get out of the car,'" she pretended in Monena's voice.

"Hell, I want to go back on 'Grey's Anatomy' too," she added. "But I died on 'Grey's Anatomy.' Maybe I can pop up on Shonda Rhimes' other show 'Private Practice' instead!' Just because I died in one hospital don't mean I can't emerge in another one."

Whitley will star next in the film 'Group Sex' opposite 'Heroes' stars Greg Grunberg and Hayden Panettiere, Henry Winkler ('Happy Days'), James Denton ('Desperate Housewives') and Tom Arnold ('The Kid & I').

"Its really funny," she said about the movie.

And maybe by then, folks will stop mistaking her for veteran actress Jackeé Harry.

"When I tell you that I was walking down the red carpet at my premiere the other night and this guy with a microphone was like, 'Jackeé, can we interview you?' Usually I play along with people. But since it was my premiere I said, 'You can interview Jackeé when she gets here!' How long have me and Jackee been out here? But people still confuse us. It's not a bad thing. If Jackeé looked crazy and was ugly and looked like a troll, I'd be mad about it though," she explained.

One of Whitley's first Hollywood roles was playing Harry's twin on an episode of '227.'

*****

Raven talks more about 'College Road Trip' in Wilson Morales' 'It's All Reel' blog.

The movie opens March 7 nationwide.