Rose: 'For Coloured Girls cast were lovely'

Anika Noni Rose has claimed that working with stars such as Janet Jackson and Whoopi Goldberg on the film For Coloured Girls was a career milestone.

In an interview with Parade, the star expressed her belief that the movie was very special because it defied the trend of African-American women competing for a limited number of jobs.

"We're usually pitted against each other in Hollywood - everybody rushing out trying to get the same one or two roles," she said.

The actress continued: "So it was nice to be able to be on a set with each other and just talk about life and have fun in the times when we weren't actually shooting something devastating."

Rose, who won a 'Best Featured Actress' Tony Award for her performance in Caroline, or Change, also revealed that she remains friendly with several of her For Coloured Girls castmates.

She explained: "Thandie [Newton] and I became very close. Kerry [Washington] and I speak often. Janet [Jackson] and I talk every now and then. It's lovely to be able to say, 'This woman is my friend.'

"Not because we are known as celebrities, but because we are people who share a goal, who share a quest in the arts. We're able to really come together and find common ground and also just enjoy each other as women."