Exclusive! Monique Coleman on Going from Grateful to Greedy in Lifetime's "Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story"

"On top of [that]," she added, "was having the opportunity to work with Eric Benét and LisaRaye McCoy, who are both iconic in our culture. It was just such a great experience and such a different character for me. I [usually] play the sweet girl, and while she's definitely sweet, she's kind of sucked into something and reveals another side to herself."

In the film, Coleman portrays interior decorator Zuri Maxwell, a young woman striving for career success, yet content with her family, friends and artist boyfriend Stephon Gardner (Nathan Witte). However, after meeting entrepreneur Godfrey Anderson (Benét), and landing her dream assignment -- redecorating the home of his wealthy Aunt Viv (LisaRaye McCoy) -- home things take a turn. After experiencing the trappings of wealth, Zuri begins to compromise her better judgment and morals, soon finding herself trapped in a world of greed.

The movie raises some interesting issues, such as when is a person just trying to better themselves and further their career, as opposed to being selfish and greedy? Coleman's take is interesting. "I think the line is drawn when you start hurting other people and you become aware of that yet aren't doing anything about it," she said. "[My character] does start out innocent; she just wants more and is grateful that she's [finally] being seen and considered by someone so successful, and able to show her things in a way she's never experienced. There's a moment when the Godfrey character says, 'Do you wanna fly with me?' and she's like, 'Yes, this is what I've always wanted.' She's living the life she wanted.

"But there comes a moment where something is asked of her that makes her feel slightly uncomfortable," she continued. "I think that happens in life. We don't question things or get a sense that it may not be pure, or a sense that it might not be what we need to be doing or are supposed to be doing. Still, we make that allowance, that compromise, because of ambition. Maybe that's what everyone does? But deep down, [Zuri] was raised in the church and has supportive people around her. She kind of throws her morals out the window and that's when it becomes greed."

Coleman admitted in that sense, she didn't relate to Zuri, yet in other ways she did. "The part of me that related to her was being someone who didn't always see my gift," she revealed. "Or the value I have, which I believe made her susceptible. I've been a victim of identity theft, fraud and embezzlement, and what put me in that position was the vulnerability of not having a sense of worthiness. [The movie] shows how easy it is that when you don't feel worthy, and someone presents a [certain] lifestyle, how easy it is to fall into it. In a way, the movie helped me heal in my own situation. It wasn't that long ago, and at the hands of a person I was very close to.

"So, it gave me a chance to develop compassion for how one decision can change everything," she added. "How that one time you can look up one day and have gotten in way too deep. It was horrible, but at the same time, it taught me things I don't think I would have learned otherwise, and it shone a light on ways I couldn't be held accountable, or responsible, for that happening -- and some parts of myself I needed to work on so that I would never be susceptible again."

In preparation for the role, Coleman watched the previous films in the Seven Deadly Sins series and loved them. Given the success of the franchise, she felt no pressure in telling this story. "I felt excitement," she beamed. "This was a wonderful opportunity to explore different parts of myself as an actor. I've gotten to a point in my life, and my career, where I try not to take myself too seriously. I tried to lend my own personal experience as best as possible to tell a story people could hopefully walk away from with a positive message. And hopefully, avoid having this sort of thing happen in their life."

In her own life, Coleman is looking forward to continuing her relationship with Lifetime and is currently shopping a children's book she wrote. She also dropped some High School Musical news that's sure to excite fans. "Corbin and I are actually developing something behind the scenes," she teased in closing. "We want to keep working together and are developing a story that could potentially become a series."

Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story is telecast Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m. on Lifetime.

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