Beyonce is on the set of her new film, Cadillac Records, about the life of soulful jazz singer Etta James. I love Etta James and I’m excited about this film. Beyonce has some big shoes to fill and I hope she has the acting skills to pull this off. Etta James has a lot of spunk and spirit. Here’s what Mrs. Etta James had to say about Beyonce starring in the film:
“It’s a privilege and an honor to have somebody like that girl. I don’t think she looks like me, but that’s all right. They can fix that up.”
“I have my own way of putting those songs over, and I was just wondering if Beyoncé could, and my son said, ‘They’re thinking about how she looks, but mama, she can really sing!’”
“I wasn’t as bourgie as she is, she’s bourgeois. She knows how to be a lady, she’s like a model. I wasn’t like that… I smoked in the bathroom in school, I was kinda arrogant, so those are some of the things I would want to tell her.”
March 10th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Etta James calling Beyonce Bourgeois? Wooooowwwww, I don’t know if that is an insult or a compliment coming from a legend.
As for Beyonce, I hope she doesn’t do another Master Cleansing diet for this one. She keeps gaining and losing weight!
March 10th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Well, I’m impressed by the look. I hope she can pull this off. I love Etta James.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I reeeeaaaaalllly have my doubts about Bey pulling this one off…
But I’m taking a wait and see attitude…I’m not writing her off like I am that Anthony Mackie playing Tupac (REJECT!!!), I’m just saying, “We’ll see”…
March 10th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
At Last is my favorite by Etta James. The comment didn’t sound like a compliment, but since I didn’t witness the whole conversation, I guess I’ll keep my comments to myself (oops too late…smile).
March 10th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I hope that she can do this some justice…
March 11th, 2008 at 9:10 am
This should be interesting to say the least.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Ms. M. You are funny! lol
Bey is bourgie as an alley cat. Looks are deceiving…notice how rarely you hear her talk?
March 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
hott,cant wait for the film
March 11th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I can only say that I am familiar with one of Etta James’ songs and it was beautiful. I am not a fan of Beyonce’, but the one film that I did see her in [that joint with Cuba Gooding Jr.], she was pretty talented. I am sure she will do her role as Etta James some justice as well.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I’m just not impressed… but it’s hard to just judge on a couple pictures, you know?
Jay
March 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Just because Beyonce is beautiful doesn’t mean she’s a good actress… ’cause Lord knows she isn’t.
And I, personally, would like to see some new acting talent in Hollywood! Am I alone?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:39 am
beyonce do not listen to any thing any body say girl you can do it your the best and you pull off every thing eles you do and you can do this just keep in your mind you have a lot of peple like me that looks up to you so you should put your best foot forward my name is latisha and i love you ps your concert was amazing
March 13th, 2008 at 9:39 am
i love you
March 13th, 2008 at 11:02 am
@ #1 Fan: I’m glad you admire her, but are you saying that she’s a great actress! We are not attacking her, we just know she has some big shoes to fill. Etta James is a whole lot of woman, and I’m not talking in a Austin Power type of way. Do you know who Etta James is?
March 15th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Beyonce is always so lovable and it does my heart good to see a young black woman who is so talent in all ways keep her head up high. She is the next Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson put together. She can sing like Whitney and Dance and act like Janet.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
All I can say is B better bring it. This is make or break for her as far as acting goes. We gave her a pass in “Dreamgirls,” because she was surrounded by a great cast. She better study Etta’s every move and have it down!!
March 25th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Okay, can everyone give the girl a break?1 For all those who says she can’t act,in the words of her beau,”show me what you got”.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
@ Shanice: I’m just waiting. Seeing is believing.
December 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
“Cadillac Records” what a joke… I am just sick to my stomach about Beyonce playing Etta James…she doesn’t have the voice…plus she did not even gain the wieght…Beyonce needs to stop…she sucks…
taff
December 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Why didn’t anyone consider Queen Latifah for the role? She has way more acting experience and she certainly looks more like her than Beyonce does. She didn’t even put on enough weight for the role. Sorry, but Beyonce is no actress. She a good enough singer, but acting just isn’t in her. She has been terrible in every movie she has done, say for Dreamgirls to a certain extent. It’s a crime that’s she’s playing Etta.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
SHAKIN MY DAMN HEAD! U FEMALES SHOULD B QUIET WIT ALL THIS HATING…CAUSE NONE OF YAW CAN SING OR ACT….DNT B MAD @ BEYONCE CAUSE SHE GOT THE WORLD ON HER TIP N UR JUST MAKIN NOISE…SIMPLE ASSES…
December 6th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I am married to a musician (of Prince, Sheila E.and Stevie Nicks fame.) We all went to see the movie last night (12/5); and thoroughly enjoyed it!! My musician husband and brother-in-law especially appreciated it! We all felt Beyonce did a good job. She indeed has talent whether or not one is a die hard fan of hers! As for Ms. James’ “Bourgie” comment - In reading them; I didn’t interpret it as a “slam” at all! What I got out of it, is the comparison she was making between the two of them (she was more ‘rough’ around the edges, and Beyonce is more polished and a “lady”). Mr. Knowles groomed Beyonce to be this way…anywho, me and my family of musicians enjoyed the story, the music and Beyonce!!
December 6th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
First of all let me start off by saying that I am so sick and tired of people always hating on Bey!!! Whether you’re a fan or not, she’s doing her thing, always has and probably will for years to come, and if you can’t recognize talent, drive and hard work than you are clearly HATING!!! As for the movie that I just saw (12/7) I was extremely proud of my girl Beyonce, she did a fabulous job! I must admit I am usually bias because I am a huge fan and agree that her acting in the past certainly didn’t deserve an Oscar, but I was very impressed with her role in Cadillac Records! So to all you hatin ass b$tch!#, Bey gonna keep gettin money while you stay broke and lame! GET SOME BUSINESS BOUT YA SELF!
December 7th, 2008 at 3:23 am
First let me start by saying if you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say nothing at all! I’m with nikia on this one,B did her thing in this movie. Just wish she was in it from the begining. Not to say nothing but no one is going to look like someone else to the T! Ya damn dummies! Ha ha ha haters!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I believe Beyonce played her part but Yes, I do believe she should have put on some weight. I think she got in to the part well.
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December 11th, 2008 at 1:14 am
I saw Cadillac Records at a NAACP Screening in Los Angeles and I thought that it was absolutely excellent! Beyonce was the BOMB as an actress and as Executive Producer I might add..but the one that stole the show was the handsome brother who played Little Walter (Columbus Short) he worked that role! I am proud of Beyonce and her accomplishments; and her game must be tight because she certainly seems to have a lot of haters! Ya’ll got a reason cause she got it goin’ on for real!
December 15th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Everytime someone makes a criticism of a a blak celebrity someone else claims its “Hating”. If your best friend says I love your dress but I dont like the shoes does that mean they hate you or are they just expressing thier opinion about what you are wearing.
I for one love Beyonce my daughter does to, but her acting, in my opinion, is nowhere near the same league as her singing or dancing. If she had to rely on acting she would be broke just as if eddie Murphy had to rely on singing he to would be broke (by Hollywood standards) Jamie Foxx on the other hand is a talented actor and comedian/singer/musician(I also think hes great) but he’s not a great dancer. Jennifer Holiday (love her too) talented singer and actress but she cant dance like beyonce.
So lets get it straight a subjective opinion is not an expression of hate, it is personal observation which can be argued against or agreed with. So, take note idol worshippers we who love our celebrities will always be hear to keep it real for ya…. I’m looking forward to seeing Beyonce in her new film, I hopes she kicks ass in it.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Bey was not thats great it was just plain and simple and her singing was not even close to E.James…. she is just not a actress she needs much to improve she is a talented singer in the R&B world but outside of that not much she is still young and can work on it.
Someone said Queen Latifah and I argee she has a voice for this style of music. Again not taking anything from Bey but she needs not to act she didn’t fit this role.
December 28th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I have seen the movie several times, and I enjoyed it each time. I will say that I am a die hard beyonce fan, but I do not think that my opinion here is biased at all. Bey has been at the top for YEARS…in every magazine, and the topic of discussion almost everywhere, so I can see where some of the criticism comes from and if you dont love her then i also see why people might just be tired of her at this point.
Being that Beyonce has such an awsome vioce, beautiful persona, killer looks, a body to die for, and amazing moves, and her acting is shy of oscar worthy doesnt make her a bad actress. I think everyone has super high expectations for this woman, and anything shy of PHENOMENAL won’t be good enough for people and she is going to get criticized. She is only human, she can’t be super woman!!! So it kills me when people says she’s a bad or terrible actress, NO SHE ISN’T or else she wouldn’t have gotten any of the roles that she has. If beyonce wasn’t already famous for her singing, and was a new actress then she wouldn’t be getting this much rap from people. Those same people who have criticized her may even say that her acting was good. But since she’s THE beyonce, she can’t please everyone at all times.
Beyonce is getting better and better in each role she plays, and you can see her grow as an actress. I just cant wait to see this new film coming out in february. Since its not a musical, we will be able to see what she can really do as far as acting goes. and im sure she will impress.
December 31st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Ok i read everything and i also say the movie wit my family. now i really dnt know much about etta james but i think bey played this part and from wat my family says she played etta real good also so all this criticism isn’t really called for i think she’s a good singer and actor. in my eyes she always come out on top wit anything you throw at her so GO BEY
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 am
I truly hate to see so many people hatin’ on Beyonce. I saw Cadillac Records, and I think she did an outstanding job.