Channing Tatum Talks Sex Scenes, Dance Battles—And More

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REDBOOK: Your new animated movie The Book of Life blends Mexican folklore with a love triangle and a rock musical. What made you excited to work on it?

CT: I grew up in Florida, so I have an attachment to the Latin world. I've always been interested in the Mexican Day of the Dead—people painting their faces like skulls—and this movie shows it all in a gorgeous way. My character, Joaquin, is more of a fighter than a singer, so I just got to make a lot of kung fu noises. I do want to sing in a movie someday, though.

RB: I've heard you're a fan of the TV show The Biggest Loser. What do you love about it?

CT: You just see people that have it in them—they don't want to be the size that they are—and it's such an emotional thing for them. I can relate to that on a lot of levels. I fluctuate almost 20 to 30 pounds in between roles, just because dieting sucks the color out of life for me. I don't mind working out—that's fun in a way—especially if you find people to do it with.

RB: Is it weird to watch your wife Jenna Dewan- Tatum's love scenes? They're pretty sexy—especially on Witches of East End.

CT: Yeah, of course. I mean, she's a very sexy individual, which is obviously why I'm with her—

RB: Only reason? Tsk-tsk.

CT: [Laughs] There are many reasons! But that is definitely very high on the list. She watches when I do love scenes too, and we've had to kind of find our way with it. She'll cover my eyes, and I'll cover hers. It's all in good fun.

RB: Is your 1-year-old daughter, Everly, more of a little Channing or a little Jenna?

CT: She has moments of both, but right now I'd say she's like me. I can't sit still and pretty much run into everything at full speed.

RB: You and Jenna met on the dance movie Step Up. So, I'm assuming you two decide who changes Everly's diaper via dance battle.

CT: That would be amazing! Dance battles do sort of happen, to be honest. When we wake up in the morning we put on music, and while Everly's eating we dance and it just starts to get stupid. Changing the baby is an intermission—but our daughter hates getting her diaper changed, so it's almost like a break-dancing battle to get it on her. As soon as you lay her down, she's bridging out of it and doing some jujitsu windmill. It's pretty intense.

RB: You and Jenna didn't date until after Step Up had wrapped. What made you step up then and not sooner?

CT: We were basically together on the movie. It's interesting now, because we can watch it and see; we can go, "Oh, wow, that was actually our real first kiss." As soon as the movie wrapped, we went back to L.A. and were together, and together ever since—never broken up. That's nine years…

RB: So even though it was a scene for a movie, that kiss counts to you.

CT: It felt different in that cameras and about 30 sweaty grips were all around—but not really. I don't know how to explain it. It definitely counted. We were both obviously reeling from it. And we liked it enough to keep coming back. —As told to Kate Sullivan

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