OlderBeyonce is Etta James — FIRST LOOK
Mon, 10 March 2008 at 11:12 am
Beyonce and Adrien Brody are first seen on the set of Cadillac Records in New Jersey on Monday.
Beyonce stars as legendary Blue singer Etta James and Adrien plays legendary record produce Len Chess. Mos Def, Jeffrey Wright, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Cedric The Entertainer co-star in the movie.
The film which chronicles the rise and fall of influential R&B record label Chess Records will also shoot in Mississippi later in the month.
Etta James spoke to PageSix about Beyonce playing her, “Etta James ain’t been no angel!” she said at the time. “I don’t think she looks like me, but that’s all right. They can fix that up.” Let’s hope they can fix Beyonce up!
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88 Comments
Beyonce as Etta James?
Please!
Sorry but this is a big miscast. Beyonce can’t act. She’s like the black Jessica Simpson in that regard.
Adrien and Beyonce? Ummm…..ugh…but i guess we will have to wait and see. I am sure they could have gotten someone else to play the roll. Wouldn’t mind seeing Heather Headley or something.
love her!
she’s beautiful!!
I love Beyonce, but I just can’t take her acting seriously. Stick to making great music!!
Oh dear. Well at least she manages to look decent with blonde hair.
I cringe when Beyonce just talks much less “acts”.
What next ? Rhianna playing Earth Kitt? Hollywood needs to stop with he bull crap
she looks funny.
Wat the hell is this???Is this the devil?
#2 awesome…she is the black Jessica Simpson. She really can’t sing well without the studio remixing.
I wonder if they plan on dubbing Etta’s voice in for the song? Or maybe they can dub in Amy Winehouse…
YEAH THAT IS RIGHT! BEYONCE..IS ETTA! and she is going to be GOOD! stop hating..haters!
Why does she keep getting movie roles. She can’t act.
So how old is Beyonce? I Heard she has lied about her age and is actually much older then she claims to be, any truth to this?
I love Beyonce…I have to admitt it even if my husband disagrees…She’s is a great talent and I know that she can only get better with her acting. I can’t wait to see this film…
Why, Why, WHY…………………
Why her?
Hee at Etta James. Why does Beyonce insist on doing movies? I hate that just music or just acting isn’t enough anymore.
why are these people letting her act, have any of you guys seen any of her movies?? she cant act, she has that stupid grin on her face throughout all her movies.
This is a good transformation. Beyonce’s giving Etta’s look a boost. I’m sure she’s going to embody this role how she conquers everything else she applies herself too. THIS WILL STRETCH HER AS AN ACTRESS.
To those saying she can’t act - where did you see her “acting” and it was bad? In Carmen - SHE DID EXCELLENT - jump started her acting career; Austin Powers - SHE DID GREAT - it was action and she held her own; Pink Panther - SHE DID HER JOB - she herself turned down the sequel because it was NO ACTING INVOLVED; Dreamgirls - SHE DID GOOD - J.Hud won the Oscar, but Beyonce’s the one people are still talking about, not to mention they use her silhoutte to promote the movie and she produced the soundtrack. Beyonce also scored 2 GG noms of her own. SO I ASK AGAIN - WHERE WAS HER BAD ACTING?
Watching her act is as painful to endure as having a root canal without anesthesia. Not to mention, she looks nothing like Etta James. With all the good actresses out there that could’ve pulled this off so much better, why cast this hack? Hollywood needs to get a clue…yeech!
O lala. Keep hating haters. She still the hottest chick in the game, that’s why she still got all this roles. It doesn’t matter if she can act or not cause in the end, that’s not gonna stop whatever she loves doing. And she still has way more money than any of you combine anyway. Hollywood did a great job for picking her, cause she actually can sing and entertained in a movie, unlike anyone else. Period.
Beyonce look great. I can’t wait to see this.
Etta James is a LEGEND!!! Beyonce is a disappointment for this role.
I know #18, its never enough why can´t these artists just stick to one thing. All these singers wanna act, they must think its easy ugh.
who? what? why? What studio is making this film.? and who is directing this?..Holly wood is getting loney,nuts…those ppl really need to leave the dope alone…what kidda of pull does beyonce got on these ppl. .Is she really that gorgeous to make? anyone say. “yeah, sure.” “audition, on you dont need to do that”, pluzzzzz im going to throw up. of all the actress who could of played this role and u give to a R/B singer who cant act and has only a few movies…what a shame
She can sing but she CANNOT act!!!
the oscar buzz has already begun.
shut up!! stop hating, give her a break!!!!! she only made 5 movies!!! she got time to improve her skills
she has talent , well im a fan but that’s my opinion
Man, Beyonce’s no angel either. All I have ever heard about her is that she is an insane, obsessive, rageful prima donna.
She can’t act people - stop drinking the koolaid. Carmen - she was singing so that doesn’t count. Anytime she had to stand there and actually emote, she was painful. Austin Powers - she wasn’t funny and she had the same monotone voice throughout. Dreamgirls - again, she was NOT the star of that show, I don’t care how many nominations her daddy paid for. J Hud was the star and she shut this chick down. I haven’t even bothered to see the rest of her films….she’s just so awkward on camera that it’s cloying. Beyonce doesn’t even remotely sound anything like Etta so I hope they don’t let her sing.
bWaaaaaahahahahahahhhhaaaaaa!!!! Its like a little orphan Annie wig, but blonde.
I think Beyonce is perfect for this role. She’s a good actress and one of the best singers of our time. Stop hatin on her…
Beyonce is a wonderful performer/singer but her acting is a very painful experience to watch. When is someone going to sit her down and tell her it’s just not a pretty sight to witness. Madonna kept on trying and her acting was just a bad. When has being able to sing given someone the ability to act?
I love B. but whenever she’s in a movie, i can’t see it.
She looks really funny! lol!
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Why is it that whenever someone doesn’t like Beyonce, they’re labeled a “hater”? Some people need to pry their lips off her ass long enough to realize that not everything she does is good.
Her music is good, but her acting is painful. I have to wonder if the people who think she’s a good actress have actually watched her movies.
Just because Beyonce is a singer by profession does not mean she should play every black singer in a biopic
THAT’S A TOTAL INJUSTICE TO THE SUBJECT
Poor Etta, Beyonce should not be playing the icon. How would Beyonce feel if some two-bit wanna be singer player played her in her biopic. That’s the exact same thing here, only here she’s the two-bit wanna be singer.
POOR POOR POOR POOR POOR Etta.
First rule of thumb when you’re a singer trying to become an actor: Do not take a role that requires you to sing, if that film is a biopic. (If it’s a musical, well obviously…)
The point of acting is to transform yourself into someone you’re not. This won’t be Angela Bassett playing Tina Turner. This will be Mandy Moore in…most of her films.
If I felt that Beyonce had any respect for acting, or had any intention of *being* an actress, I could get behind this. But it seems to me she’s just doing this to win an Oscar; you have to admit, this is Oscar bait. So was Dreamgirls.
Her most successful attempt to date was Dreamgirls. There are three major papers considered the best in the biz: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, New York Times.
“Meanwhile, Knowles shows more flair than her character is supposed to have.” That’s all THR had to say about her role in Dreamgirls. The rest of the review was basically about Hudson.
NYT: “Ms. Knowles’s performance has been static and detached. In her limited work in movies she has never seemed comfortable with acting, shying away from any emotional display that might compromise her steely, hieratic dignity.”
Variety: “As befits a character described at one point as “a product,” Deena is more manipulated than self-driven, but Knowles is poised, quietly determined and beautiful beyond belief, blossoming from innocent teenager to self-possessed star.”
That Variety review? Is the most positive of the bunch. Which is kind of sad. I agree with the NYT review, that she refuses anything that compromises the image she’s built for herself. Beyonce is too safe, generic, and untalented to be an actress. She ought to stick to singing. The rest is just ego.
I love her singing and dancing but she cannot act! I hate to eveb hear her speak in an interview-she sounds so stupid and uneducated!
Hell to the f**kin no!
beyonce looks friggin ugly and would not make a good etta james. etta could sing and was very pretty when she was young, and still is now; beyonce looks nothing like her. plus etta has a great personality; beyonce has none. beyonce can’t wear her shoes. sorry but she can’t. she is’nt even humble enough i heard to let someone who actally knows how to sing sing the songs for the movie. she’s disgusting.
and for all of you who are calling individuals here with enough common sense to know beyonce is a talentless hack, you sound like a flock of uneducated lowclass ghetto people! do yourselves a favor and go to school!
Love Beyonce but after Dreamgirls, I can’t imagine her playing Etta and doign it with depth. IEtta’s life was awful - drugs, welfare, booze - I don;t see Beyonce playing this with any depth. I think they should have cast an unknown or Thandie Newton, Halle Berry - someone with more acting talent. My 2 cents.
Jon @ 03/10/2008 at 9:27 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I love Beyonce as a music figure and singer and dancer but your post is dead on. I could not agree more. Tired of singers getting roles that should go to actors.
She’s hungry for an oscar and going about it in all the wrong ways
AND at the expense of good people like Etta James.
Damn…like we haven’t endured enough from Beyonce.
This is a TRAVESTY!! Etta James is not a simple woman to portray.You can’t just cast any ole body to play ETTA JAMES!!!!! Beyonce does NOT have the skill nor the training to pull off this role and sounds to me like Etta ain’t to thrilled about it either. Hell if I was Etta i’d be insulted. Every well trained black actress out there should be insulted, this is disrespect to the craft! Beyonce needs take 2 years off and learn how to act before she EVER gets in front of the camera again.
I do Love Beyone! She is great in her own right! I am truly dissapointed in the Director of this film to give this role to Beyonce. She does not look anthing like Etta how dissapointing isn’t that how a bioghraphy should be? At least there should be a resembelance. The make up and hair is a mockary! Come on people get it the hell togethor. Etta deserves a profound portrayal well before Beyone
there was Etta!!
Who else would put fannies in seats? Heather Headly? Please. They ran her off Broadway. Faith Evans might have been good, but when are White folks gon’ pay money to see Faith Evans? Hate her or love her, Beyonce moves the crowd, and that’s what movies are all about. Somebody asked why they can’t stick to music; BECAUSE, with the Internet, NO HAS TO PAY FOR MUSIC ANYMORE. (Ren of “Ren and Stimpy” voice): EEDIOT! PEACE.
she is damn gr8 at singin actin and everthing
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OH MY GOD MAKE IT STOP. BEYONCE YOU F*CKING SUCK AT EVERYTHIN STOP STOP STOP STOP
Etta James was a chubby young woman, so when I think of putting someone in a role as her I automatically think Beyonce. No one in Hollywood can play chubby girls better than slender ones. And so what if she can’t sing like Etta either, most people who like Beyonce don’t know who Etta is anyway. Unless they’ve been to a wedding recently they probably never heard an Etta James song either. Actually they could have Jamie Foxx play Chuck Berry and 50 Cent can be Muddy Waters too, talk about awesome!
Beyonce conquers with a vengence anything she’s working on because she wants it to be perfect. That’s what real talented people do - they’re already good, but it has to the best. Beyonce as Etta will be the best!
Jon was dead on with his post. I thought the exact same thing he did when I first heard she was doing this: “this girl is desperate to get an Oscar and will do anything to get it.” I don’t care how much training she gets and even if she gets it from Etta herself, the girl is STILL not an actress. She never does anything that requires her to show any depth and is completely wooden onscreen. A complete travesty this will be.
bIG BLACK ROD- Faith Evans isn’t an actress. It isn’t about what white people will or will not pay to see. White people got in line for Dreamgirls after they heard and heard *about* Jennifer Hudson. (Being both “big boned” and black, she should never have become as loved in that film as she is, going by the White People Hate Anything To Do With Black People rule. And yet.)
Sharon Leal. She would’ve made a good Etta.
Beyonce as Etta James is a joke……a crying shame. Her acting
abilities are lackadasical and will leave you befuddled. I agree with
one of the earlier post, why not Queen Latifah.
Latifah can act and she can actually hold a note. Beyonce…let see,
she’s is a great performer and that’s it. The girl can not sing, she
has great hooks and beats which makes her Beyonce. She reminds me of Roger & Zapp…that girl make all her own sound effects.
She has stage presence and to be honest……for today’s generation,
she is a modern day Tina Turner although Turner could sing as well.
Beyonce……one of the first people I ever hear sing the Star
Spangle Banner and run with it……sing the song as it was
written…..the best selling rendition ever was done by Whitney
Elizabeth Houston…..no one will top that.
Again Queen Latifah would make a better choice….outside of that I
don’t know another Hollywood actress that will pull off the look and
singing.
Beyonce is a talentless *****, and she’s fat!
i think that beyonces is a good actress, well she made a good roll in dreamgirls and she was nominated for a golden globe
beyonce is good at anything
beyonce is good at anything she doez so back off haterzzzzzzzzz
This girl CAN NOT ACT! NOT HATIN, JUST TELLING THE TRUTH. NO ONE CAN DO EVERY THING BEY!
shut up y’all losers! Beyonce is great. and very talented, there is nothing wrong with her, so shut the hell up! you effin’ losers!
What do you all expect when she and her father have put money into the movie to have it made. how else wiil she be able to steal a leading role. Beyonce can’t even speak proper grammer without saying, umm, ahh , yea, git or umm so blessed.
I am a skeptic, but I wanted to comment on those questiong Beyonce’s ability to play this role. Someone above me posted saying that Etta James is a legend and how Beyonce is a “dissapointment.” I’m sorry, but Beyonce is a legend. She is the defining woman of this era. There was a Whitney Houston, there was a Mariah Carey, there is a Beyonce. I love all three of those girls, but Beyonce is the one in the forefront today.
Sorry she is pretty but can’t act and her singing is not to hot either. Anytime you see someone who has to take off her clothes to sing and do provocative dances, hint, she is trying to cover something. It’s funny because I hear men say how attractive she is but, you rarely her them comment on her acting or singing. Any by the way she is being type casted in most of her roles like Carmen, Austin Powers, Pink Panther, and Dreamgirls she is always the “sex symbol”, nice to look at but that is about it. I have to give it to her though, she is a great performer on stage.
Beyonce isn’t exactly a legend–she’s a pop star. Let’s see what time holds for her and then we can decide if her fame lasts.
She’s a talented woman, no doubt, and luscious to look at, but really, she is just miscast in this role. I agree, Queen Latifa has the right look for the role, and has a closer vibe to Etta’s. Etta was a BAWDY, big-mouthed, tough woman at a time when it was not commonplace for a woman, much less a black woman, to be that way. Latifa broke into the male-dominated rap scene and succeeded. Of course, she’s moved beyond that now.
Neither woman is a trained actress and it shows when they appear on film. But Latifah’s big personality is more interesting than Beyonce’s and would translate on the screen better as Etta. Too bad it didn’t go in her favor.
I am Beyonce’s biggest fan, but it irks me that this part was not given to an unknown. Beyonce is already a star by every definition. You want to know why there are only two black starlets who really gets mainstream press in Hollywood, its because the same black stars are being cast for roles. Give this role to a starving black actress who can do it justice would have been the ideal road. Look at Nikki Blanki (spelling of the last name, sorry), she was an unknown when she took that Hairspray role, and now she has a career. Its okay to love Beyonce, but this was an error. I’m sorry, her acting skills were horrible with the exception of Dream Girls.
Oakling, you’re referring to Beyonce’s alter ego Sasha.
Jealousy, Jealousy,
The people posting neative comments on here are more than likely black. Black women especially don’t like to see when black women get ahead.
Etta James approached Beyonce to play her in the movie, because she knows Bey is not only talented, but marketable. Every major endorser signed her to rep their products, because she is that damn good.
Jealousy haters know they can’t attack her musical talent, so they don’t want to give her credit as an actress. This is one of many roles to come so you haters better get use to it. The next movie is “OBSESSED”
For all you losers who only dream about the life Bey has, just sit back and watch her make those $$$$$$$$$$$$$
Haters don’t kill ones spirit, the only boost ones ego. I bet Bey islaughing at all your broke losers.
you people on here are clowns. the problem is people don’t want to see beyonce do it all, but she’s doing it. so get over it people.
beyonce younger years she was a little shy and didn’t have much to say, but she have grown and speaks very well and is very articulate. haters are only trying to convince themselves that beyonce don’t get better and better with time.
check out some of her interviews on youtube if you want to see just how articulate she is.
its always the people who don’t have nothing that talk about the ones who are doing something for themselves. get up off your lazy asses and go out and make a life yourselves. don’t hate beyonce because she has it and you all don’t.
I can’t see Beyonce doing this. She cannot act and her voice is not that great. A better choice would have been Queen Latifa. She is a natural in blonde hair and has a beautiful voice. Don’t you agree! As a matter of fact, I would love to see the Queen do a role as Pearl Bailey –look at some of Pearly Mae’s old photos and tell me what you think .
I LOVE Beyonce and commend her for chasing her dreams and being an example for us. PEOPLE SHOUDL STOP HATING ON HER becuase she is BEAUTIFUL, SMART, and that every one loves her. I WILL BE AT THE OPENING OF THIS MOVIE, the first night. YOU GO BEYONCE!!!
okay i know everyone is entitled to an opinion but you know what if it aint nice dont say it at all!, oh and if you think you can find someone better then beyonce go ahead….oh thats right you cant because you cant!,…damn people let her do her thang get off her jock about what she can or cant do!
Well, it’s not any worse than them casting Diana Ross as Billie Holiday in “Lady Sings the Blues”. At least B is closer in size to Etta. It would be nice if she showed some real dedication and put on a few extra pounds to show that she’s serious about this role. Like she showed dedication by losing 20 pounds for “Dreamgirls” wink wink.
Come on Beyonce it would show the haters what your fans already know, that you are the best in what you do. Though I’m sure that many of the psychos out there who call Beyonce fat won’t be able to tell the difference, which is a large portion of America. It’s like the modeling industry has given Americans mass anorexia. This coming from someone who is a natural size four, you people need help, and a nutritionist fast.
what are yall how could she of gotten a GG nomination if she couldnt act. Now I know Beyonce is doing her job to have so many haters. I wish i had as many haters as beyonce. Everytime the media puts something out about beyonce people tell her to sit down. why? If she keeps doing great things why should she? If something else about Britney Spears yall be saying leave her alone. Beyonce doesnt even act like a Diva in interviews she is quiet and sweet with manners she barely even curses. so how is she rageful people must be judging her by rumors
you all are just haters…beyonce is a great singer and she can act…you all should get a life.
You ass will be the first in the theater when it comes out anyway…shut d **** up!
Beyonce???? Must be a joke. Terrible miscast!!! Jen Hudson seems a lot more suitable for the role:
#1 - critically aclaimed actress
#2 - stronger vocals (big difference when comparing both voices in the song “Listen”)
I know, everyone is saying how beautiful Beyonce is, bla-bla, but sorry not everything is about beauty. I’m sure there are plenty of other talanted girls that can play young Etta James.
beyonce beyonce beyonce ….. i dont know what else to say. she does resemble etta james, yes she can act and to answer a question no one asked no she wont stop. get used to her or hide under a rock. she will be here long after y’all fake wacky critics are done being hateful. stop praying for people’s downfall. bye haters.
Oh please. I heard this role wasn’t offer to her…she actually just grabbed it…..And is the co-executive of this movie. WOMP WOMP. Etta James even said it herself she isn’t too please and that Beyonce does’t even look like her. This should have went to Queen Latifah…at least she can act better than Beyonce..but Latifah isn’t as light…but that is okay….But Beyonce can not act…when wil she learn? She can’t have everything she wants. She is only playing this role because she wants an Oscar. So damn sad if you ask me. Beyonce claims she CAN ACT. Yeah, right. She claims she WANTS AN OSCAR. Yeah, right again. If she wants to be taken seriously as an actress then why keep playing “singing roles” these musical movies? Etta James….a singer…Beyonce playing Etta James…thinking this will help improve her acting and hoping she will win an Oscar…nah, she needs to go for the roles that doesn;t consider singing…..Play as some slave in a movie, or a killer, or assassin, or do Shakespear, or play as a cop…then maybe just maybe we all can see if you are worthy for an Oscar.,…..but you can’t play those types of roles..because you even know you can’t act and the only time you are looked as a good actress is when you are playing a role as a singer…something you do in real life…WHOOPY DOOO..give me a break…Bee ain’t all that talented…..For someone who lies about writing her own songs and stealing other people’s lyircs and demos….and cpy off of other artists and their music and songs and videos…She isn’t all that damn talented…and everything will catch up to her one day…Just like how it happen to Mariah and Whitney and others.
And for once people…Beyonce got 80 million dollars in the bank….probably more….now that her Jay is married…..So it isn’t hard for her to write a check for 5 million just to get what she wants…why do yo think she is sooo selfish with her money when it comes to her dancers and paying folks who help design the clothes for House of Deron…why do you think she doesn’t really give to the needy or charity..because she is too busy using most of that money to pay off to the top dogs in Hollywood…How do you think she was nominated for a Golden Globe? LOL ya’ll really don’t think that the Golden Globes really thought her acting was good did you? LOL and two weeks before the Golden Globes aired…..the announced all the nominees…Beyonce was even’t on the list…and then a week later she is nominated or two Golden Globes…come to find out on E! they said it was in her contract she should be nominated….Eddie and Jennifer were the only ones from the movie who was nominated…not Beyonce.
Hello every one let me introduce myself, I’m the oldest son of my mother Etta James Donto and I just hapen to be on the computer and I ran into this site.I wanted to find out more about the filming.
As for the casting, out of all the sh— my mother went though in her life and servived, I’m glad there is a movie with anybody playing her part. I say god bless Beyonce this is her shot to dig deep, very deep.
first off i have alot to say to all of you about my mother and how she feals about the movie but I think I’m gonna wait but I want all of you to log on to me and my mothers website and find out what weir trying to do. you will see my picture with my mother , Im holding the drum sticks. Oh yea I forgot to tell you that I’m her drumer and pruducer. So back to wat I was saying,
there wil also be a phone number listed were if you call you will get the plesure of speaking with me personally. you can ask me all kinds of questions about my mother or me only if you try to help our cause.
so before you E-Mail me log on to http://www.ettajameshelpatlast.com first befor anything .
look this is the real deal I have an real intresting idea for all of you regarding this movie.
thanks.
Tis is Etta James oldest son Donto, please logg on to me and my mothers web site http://www.ettajameshelpatlast.com and give me a call if you want to help our cause. thanks.
all of you’ll are haters!!!! HATERS
YOU’LL ARE HATERS
LEAVE BEYONCE ALONE LETS SEE YOU PEOPLE ACT
Anyone who says Beyonce can’t act can’t have seen Dreamgirls! She studied the part and transformed her very own voice for the part of Deena Jones. Quit hatin’! She puts the work in into being a great actress AND performer. Go girl!!!
I feel sorry for the rest of the cast some of the best actors Adrien Brody and Jeffery Wright etc…even mos def who i think is the only rapper that can act. Beyonce sucks she can’t sing she defiantly can’t act she can’t even speak properly and people don’t call me a hater or whatever cause ya know its true shes a big drama queen.
stop hating before ya see it, im sure she will do just fine!!
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