I think Fantasia is a very talented young lady. I'm not negating that. The reason I object to Fantasia as "Effie" is because in my opinion she is the wrong type - VOCALLY. I'm not expecting a Jennifer Holliday rip-off but I'm not expecting a Macy Gray sound-alike in the role either. It's all wrong for that character. That's where I stand on this.
'What in tarnation??? this show is NOT about denying your race to make it the white business. No one is denyin that they are African American in this show. its about Love, Dreaming and realizing dreams.'
Perhaps I said it wrong. No one denies that they actually ARE black. But they certainly deny their cultural music roots to cross over and make it in the white world. Frank Rich even discusses that fact in his original review of the show. It's not only why Effie is fired from the group, it's also the central fight between Curtis and Jimmie. Soul vs. a smooth (read: white) sound.
The main focus of DREAMGIRLS (in my opinion, the most important musical of the last 30 years) is certainly not love, dreaming and realizing dreams. It's about what the characters give up to realize those dreams. The show is nearly tragic in scope and saying it's about 'love, dreams and realizing dreams' is to seriously negate it's themes.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
EVERY time this subject comes up, it makes me laugh. I mean, if Aretha got her start on American Idol (and for most of these people, AI is ONLY a stepping-stone), she would be bashed to death. I'm not necessarily calling Fantasia the same as Aretha, but I'm making a point that Fantasia is a talented girl who got her start on a reality series. It's as if people can't imagine that those kids are anything but what you see on Fox. I'm not saying that Fantasia will be good or bad, right or wrong for Effie, it's just who is really making the decision? Ultimately, it's their reputation an $$$ on the line!!! If any of you are putting up $$$ and have been a part of the decision-making and have BEEN THERE for the auditions, then let's hear what you have to say. Otherwise, once the role is cast and the film is released, then put your money where your mouth is -- buy a ticket or not.
Fantasia came from a hit tv show Ciara started like most people being discovered. Ciara i dont think has a great singing voice. Fantasia did NOT have 3 hits she had 2 hood songs and 1 chart topper "I Believe" Most of the people who produced her album also did Ciaras and she is signed to Clives record label.
Soul music is gone and will have a Careaer like Lil Mo, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Chante Moore, Taral Hicks, D'atra Hicks, Shola Ama, Beverely Knight.
Those are some talented women and if they cant make it and Ciara can. Child its over for her.
I Believe, Truth is and Free Yourself are all hit songs. R&B hits. Of course, they won't go down in the anals of of music history like "My Goodies and "One, Two Step. Updated On: 11/1/05 at 03:22 PM
"The main focus of DREAMGIRLS (in my opinion, the most important musical of the last 30 years) is certainly not love, dreaming and realizing dreams. It's about what the characters give up to realize those dreams. The show is nearly tragic in scope and saying it's about 'love, dreams and realizing dreams' is to seriously negate it's themes".
Wrong on so many levels. lol. you make it sound like a greek tragedy. please. gotta move on, beacuse to indulge what i just read is an excercise in futility.
Anyway. Fantasia Fantasia Fantasia. she'll be awsome. watch eveyone.
//Never heard of any of those 3 "hits". I guess the term "hit" is used liberally these days, what with a million different music charts and all.//
You have hit the nail on the head. It all depends on what you listen to and what dial your radio is set on. I couldn't tell you what the number one pop tune is, but I can tell you what is number one on the R&B charts.
You are truly misguided...Fantasia has sold almost 2 million Cd's while Keisha Cole has barely gone Gold...Keisha hasn't even sold 500,000 units officially.
I'm happy for Keisha. Perhaps she can have more hits like Fantasia. And break 1 million in sales. And receive better reviews on her opening performances for Kanye.
To bring this back to the topic at hand -- can Fantasia be a viable Effie? I think so and you apparently do not. It's all good though. To each his own.
I not sure that BET is the guardian of exceptional R&B music. Jill Scott has never been in the top 5 either. 1.7 million sold is pretty good for any artist IMO.