I'm mildly disappointed and stuff. It would have been neat to have seen my girl in it. BUT, as I said in the last Fantasia is/ain't mean't to play Effie White, the part calls for a BIG, SWOOPING Gospel voice. Not sassy, sultry, shouting-ness that Fantasia has.
Updated On: 11/16/05 at 10:50 AM
WOW! Well congratulations Jennifer. Effie is a career-making part!
This is why you have to wait until people start discussing it in the press "officially." I would almost count this as a "leak" from the Daily News rather than an official announcement. But the fact that she's talking about it to them openly is pretty startling... and confirming.
I hope that Anika Noni Rose is locked as Lorell, but as you can see she wasn't even mentioned in this article's "hopefuls."
Until you get official announcements from studios or reps, it's all speculation.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
eta: If you think about it, she was mean't to play the part. Because on AI, it was her, Fantasia, and LaToya. She had the strongest of the three voices in terms of sheer power and range, but she was the least popular. Plus her name is Jennifer. Plus she's heavy set. Yeah, they're right. This makes sense.
Updated On: 11/16/05 at 10:57 AM
I'm sure there are many reasons why she landed this role. Considering how strong Fantasia's screen test was rumored to be, Jennifer really must have knocked her audition out of the park.
Fantasia's got to be devastated. Part of me wonders if there was any legal road-blocks from Fantasia's reps. God, I hope that wasn't the reason. We'll probably never know. But the fact remains now... she isn't going to be Effie.
Show biz... It's just show biz.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Probably not. She's got a lot of other things she working on, namely a tour and a new album. This movie would have been a good thing for her and it definitely would of gotten her a lot more press, but eh, she doesn't need it. She was a star from the moment she auditioned.
If they ever do a movie about the "Color Purple" musical, they oughta try and get her.
While I do like Fantasia, I think Jennifer is probably better suited for this role.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
I hate to break it to you, but as talented as she is, Fantasia is not perfect for Lorell.
Lorell is the youngest of the three girls and very naive and sweet. It makes sense to cast Anika Noni Rose... but again, I don't see any official announcements of that anywhere. Just a lot of "strong rumors."
Fantasia was always up for Effie, not Lorell.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
I loveee Jennifer Hudson and if this is true i am SOOOO proud of her and excite because she is amazing. and she is pretty "unknown" to many. I voted for her on Idol all the time.
Jawn is a friend of Jennifers and he wanted her to get this role from day one, He has posted on many forums that she landed the role five months ago. Sorry...yet another hoax.
"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'"
-- unknown
Frankly, I'm surprised the Daily News printed this. Notice they contacted Fantasia's people for comment, but not Condon, Geffen, or anyone involved with the production...
WHAT GOES AROUND....: Jennifer Hudson, who lost out to Fantasia Barrino in Season 3 of American Idol, has come out on top this go-round. Per the New York Daily News, Hudson been cast as Effie in the big-screen adaptation of Dreamgirls — a role long rumored to be a lock for Fantasia. Still to be cast opposite Hudson and Beyoncé is the third Dreamette. I have four words: Ruben Studdard in drag!
Of course, it mentions they got the news from the Daily News but I think it is unlikely to be fake.
If this is true, I'll be sad. I'm new to Dreamgirls (having bought the OCR last week and I'm already in love) and have been pulling for Fantasia since I heard that there were even rumors of her as Effie.
But good for Jennifer!
"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs."
-RuPaul