LOCAL CAMEO
Jeanise Jones, beloved babysitter from `Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,' makes Golden Globes appearance
Sacha Baron Cohen's “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” was one of the Golden Globes' big winners and fans of the film may have recognized one of t he movie's breakout stars on Sunday's televised awards show.
Jeanise Jones of Oklahoma City, the “church lady” who unwittingly landed a role in the hit satirical comedy, was shown in a brief segment that she filmed at her church especially for the Golden Globes.
The movie' s producers asked Jones to tape a virtual introduction for the film, which won two of Golden Globes.
Cohen, who portrayed the film's title character “Borat,” won the Golden Globe award for best actor in a musical or comedy and the movie also won the Golden Globe for best motion picture, musical or comedy.
Television viewer son Sunday saw Jones in the sanctuary of her church, Ebenezer Baptist. Wearing a black and gold metallic dress, she gave a brief introduction of the “Borat” movie, making sure to mention her church ti es and the advice she gave one of the film's characters — that women in America can be anything they want to be.
J ones and her Oklahoma City house of worship made headlines when she was featured in Cohen's 2020 film as the beloved babysitter for the character “Tutar.”
Producers for the “Borat” film visited Oklahoma City to find a “Black grandmother type” for the movie. They plucked Jones from her church to be part of what she thought was a documentary about a man and his daughter. She thought she was to serve as a mentor for the teen and only learned that she had been cast in Cohen's feature film after reporters from around the world began requesting interviews after the movie premiered.
Jones emerged as one of the film' s breakout stars when movie fans took to social media to praise her for her scenes with Cohen and Maria B aka lo va, who portrayed Borat's daughter “Tutar.”
Movie viewers quickly dubbed Jones the “heart” of the film for the genuine care and concern she showed for “Tutar.” The movie's fans also expressed admiration for her willingness to offer straightforward advice to Cohen' s “Borat” character.
Jones had lost her job in spring 2020 due to COVID19 and had been paid roughly $3,600 for her role in the film. After the movie's premiere, her pastor s et up a Go-Fund-Me page for the spunky grandmother and more than $184,000 was raised for her. Cohen donated $100,000 to Ebenezer Baptist to be used for community service.
Life changes
Jones said shew a si nitially shocked when she was chosen for the Golden Globes cameo.
She said she thinks the Lord ultimately brought about the series of events that led to her movie fame.
“It couldn't be anybody but God and I'm thankful,” she said, smiling.
Although Jones said her life hasn't changed much since the film's premiere, she's preparing for another movie role, this time on purpose. She said she will be starring in a movie that will likely be filmed this summer in Canada.
Still, she said, “I don't think of myself as a star. I just think of myself as Jeanise.”