That's just Ludacris. No, really.

As one of the most successful rapper-turned-actors, Chris `Ludacris' Bridges has starred in Oscar-winning films such as Crash and Hustle and Flow. That's not to mention blockbusters like 2 Fast 2 Furious, RocknRolla and Max Payne, or his illustrious career as a Grammy-winning, platinum-selling rap artist. It would seem hes done everything, but there was still one thing on Bridges to-do list; a romantic comedy.

The 33-year-old stars in Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman's No Strings Attached and says he ``really enjoyed'' his first rom-com experience.
``I like doing roles where I surprise people and just doing different stuff a lot,'' he says.
``I really had a good time and it's the number one film here in the States, so I'm hoping to have the same kind of effect in Australia.''

In the film Bridges stars alongside Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman as best friends who begin a physical relationship.
He says working with the two actors was the highlight of his time on set.
``It was great working with Ashton,'' he says.
``He's really cool and laid back, just a humble guy; not necessarily the Punk'd person you see all the time.
``And Natalie Portman man, this is her year.
``She's come out with Black Swan and she's in three other movies this year.
``I think that she's just shining right now. I'm really proud of her and I wish her well.''Bridges is one of the few rappers who has been able to forge a successful career as an actor and be taken seriously in dramatic roles, unlike Ja Rule, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Ice Cube, DMX or Sisqo.
But he's quick to discount the praise and says he's just "glad people understand and respect what I'm doing.''
``I think Will Smith is the most successful rapper turned actor, but I appreciate the compliments,'' he says.
``It feels good, you know, I really like the acting.
``I love it so much and I think people understand how focussed and how much work I've put into it.''

He says his career as a rapper definitely helped a crossover into acting.
``I think because we're making music videos, it's already a form of acting; we've written the lyrics and we're kind of acting our own lyrics out on to camera,'' he says.
``I think that's half the battle, trying to be comfortable in front of the camera and being able to display words.
``It's the best transition and I think it helped out in the process of acting.''But unlike his peers, Bridges never intended to make the leap into movies. While working on the 2 Fast 2 Furious soundtrack, it was Boyz N The Hood director John Singleton who pushed Bridges to join the cast.
``Actually John Singleton was the first person who asked me to be in the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious and once I got in the movie I really liked it and the process and that I had a chance to do it, you know.
``I guess I can attribute John Singleton asking me to be in the movie to me loving it and continuing to do it now.''

No Strings Attached is out tomorrow.