In just a short amount of time, former 3LW singer-actress Naturi Naughton has become one of today's rising stars, having done 'Notorious' and the remake of 'Fame.' And, more recently, it's been revealed that she will also guest star on the Emmy-winning series 'Mad Men.'

The New Jersey native's latest film put her opposite rapper-actor Bow Wow in the comedy 'Lottery Ticket,' which is produced by Ice Cube.

In 'Lottery,' Naughton plays Stacie, a sensible woman who tries to guide her best friend Kevin (Bow Wow) to make the right decisions after he's won the lottery and everyone in the neighborhood wants a piece of his winnings.

Black Voices caught up with Naughton. Excerpts of the conversation are below.

What was it that attracted you to 'Lottery Ticket?'

Naturi Naughton: When I first read the script I thought, "Wow, this is so much fun!" It was a lot of fun to read and, of course, to shoot. Working with a great cast, Warner Bros., Eric White, who I actually knew from my 3LW days. He was a video director. We sat down and met about the film, and I definitely was excited to work with him. Also, the story was funny but had a purpose about what we should do in our communities when we do have good fortune. Winning a lot of money doesn't mean it's all about you; it's about being blessed with opportunities to make a difference, to change someone's life or to change your environment.

Most of your scenes are with Bow Wow. How was working with him?

NN: It was fun. We kinda grew up in the game, around the same time. I remember us being on tour back in the day when we were teenagers. Playing games in our hotel rooms; we did a European tour together. It's so crazy to see him mature and grow into an actor. I've been able to make my transition as well. It was a lot of fun working with him. He's always about having a good time on set and also getting it done.

This movie hosts a lot of other actors, but it's also a movie produced by Ice Cube. What's it like being a part of the Ice Cube family?

NN: Oh, man, it's great! I've always been a fan of Ice Cube from the beginning. His career from N.W.A. on has been such an inspiration. To be a part of the family and working with Ice Cube and everybody who's given me an opportunity to be a part of 'Lottery Ticket,' it makes me feel really good, and it's wonderful when you have African American producers or people who are making great films who want to include talented young black artists. I'm just happy Ice Cube was willing to give me that chance and was excited to work with him.

What would you do if you had the winning lottery ticket?

NN: First, I would freak out and be scared. Everybody would probably try to do what they do in the movie and knock down my door, but then I would be really really happy. I'd want to do so many things, like maybe build a school for young urban kids in the inner cities, like Newark and East Orange, where I'm from. Help teenagers express themselves through music and the arts, some kind of program keeping them off the streets. I would buy myself a house. I would want to do so much, whether it's donating to certain charities or building things, saving my money for the future family. I can't even imagine having that much money, but I can definitely imagine doing the right thing.

So with you and Bow Wow, both singers and rappers in the film, were there thoughts of you two putting something down for the soundtrack?

NN: It was a thought for me for sure. I would have loved to do that. We never got to get together, but I'm a fan of Bow Wow. I would have loved to have been a part of the soundtrack, but it just didn't work out this time. We all hang out and were part of the video for his song 'For My Hood' with Sean Kingston, and it's a great record. I'm just excited to have good music attached to the film. You know, I'm sure we'll get in the studio and work it out.

When is your album coming out?

NN: I'm not currently slated to drop an album. I definitely want to. Music is a part of who I am. So many of my fans know I've been singing since I was a little girl. I'm always gonna do that. I'm just waiting for the right situation, getting the right team and producers together. I'm planning on being in the studio as soon as I get a ton of downtime from the movie world and I can really focus. I'm not just gonna put out an album without making sure it's right. I definitely anticipate by the top of next year to be in full swing as far as the music, so hopefully all my fans can look forward to an official solo album in 2011. I appreciate everybody's support. It's coming!

So the film bug is going pretty good for you so far?

NN: It has been. It's been an amazing ride so far, and I'm not trying to stop, I just want to keep grinding, keep working hard, keep showing people what I can do. At the end of the day, it could have been anybody who was blessed with the opportunity to do the films I've done, from 'Notorious' to 'Fame' to 'Lottery Ticket.' I'm absolutely shocked sometimes when I think how far my career has gone. I started in this business when I was a teenager, 15 years old, and that was 10 years ago. I'm just thinking, "Wow, okay, Naturi, you're really in this." I shock myself sometimes to see where I am today.

What's next?

NN: I did another film, an independent film called 'Highland Park' with Danny Glover, Kimberly Elise and Rockmond Dunbar that is awesome. Hopefully it will be released at the end of this year or top of 2011. It's about a real place in Detroit called Highland Park. They're impoverished neighborhoods, people are struggling, it's really rough. The movie is about a lot of different things. My character wants to be a singer and break out of her neighborhood, but she's kinda stuck with a young girl. She has a daughter who is two-years-old and trying to break out of her circumstance. I'm really excited about 'Highland Park.'