And while talking about the project at a television critics association panel on thursday, queen latifah. A few episodes of her tumultuous life explored in depth would resonate, but like too many biopics, this one suffers from the creators attempt to tell the whole story, or most it, and the results are mechanical, predictable and forcefitted into various agendas. Bessie is an hbo tv film about the american blues singer bessie smith, and focuses on her transformation as a struggling young singer into the empress of the blues. Published on mar 25, 2016 queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this hbo films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker dee rees from a screenplay by dee rees and. With a story by dee rees and horton foote, the film focuses on smiths transformation from a struggling young singer into the empress. Queen latifah is bringing bessie smith to life in hbos forthcoming biopic on the legendary bluesjazz singer. Jul 16, 2015 queen latifah stars as blues singer bessie smith in an hbo biopic also starring michael kenneth williams. Blues singer bessie smith queen latifah rises to fame in the 1920s to become a musical legend. Cbs news in her latest role, queen latifah adopts the persona of a 20th century. Since 2016, she has starred as carlotta brown in the musical drama series star. Apr 14, 2017 queen latifah takes on nudity, sexuality, and the indomitable bessie smith.
The movie is a passion project for queen latifah, 45, who first auditioned for the part in 1992. Hbos bessie, premiering saturday on the network, is a flawed drama that nonetheless warrants a look simply because of the bright spotlight it gives the underrated talents of star queen latifah, who does quite easily the best work of her career here. It took queen latifah more than 20 years to bring the life of pioneering. Bessie, queen latifah reveals herself in ways those of us who knew her from her.
Bessie hbo trailer starring queen latifah hits youtube. The oscar nominee, 45, will pay tribute to bessie smith the socalled empress of the blues in the new hbo film bessie. With queen latifah, kamryn johnson, rikki mckinney, alan t. Queen latifah plays bessie smith in new trailer for hbos. Queen latifah will reportedly star as singer bessie smith. This sexuallycharged, intense look at blues icon bessie smith often feels defiantly episodic, as if co. She plays legendary blues singer bessie smith in the upcoming hbo biopic titled bessie.
Latifah was best known as a rap artist in the 1990s when. Nudity, bisexuality, belting the bluesshe says none of it scared her. Watch bessie, the original hbo film online at or stream on your own. Bessie teaser trailer reveals queen latifah and monique.
Queen latifah stars as smith, and supporting roles are played by michael kenneth. Bessie teaser trailer reveals queen latifah and monique in. Bessie smith played by queen latifah on bessie hbo. Bessie smith 2015 hbo emmy fyc dvd queen latifah vaudeville. Queen latifah on bessie smith, the blues, and baltimore. Queen latifah stars as smith, and supporting roles are. Queen latifah stars in bessie on hbo the new york times. In september 20, queen latifah became the host of her very own talk show which she produced with partner shakim compere, and overbrook entertainments will smith, jada smith and james lassiter. The official bessie music from the hbo film soundtrack is now available for preorder. May, 2015 a star vehicle and then some, bessie casts queen latifah as blues singer bessie smith, in a big, bold movie thats as vibrant, raw and musical as it is unfocused and messy. The film, which has its premiere saturday night on hbo, stars queen latifah as.
Queen latifah to star in bessie smith biopic by amanda dobbins honoree queen latifah c speaks during the 2014 matrix awards at the waldorf astoria on april 28, 2014 in new york city. The 44yearold actress discussed the project at the television. Aug 18, 2015 queen latifah has never shied away from a battle. Transcript for queen latifah sings the blues in her new film. Queen latifah opens up on nude bessie scene by brennan williams queen latifah is bringing bessie smith to life in hbos forthcoming biopic on the legendary bluesjazz singer. Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at. Queen latifah is heading to hbo the rapper, actress, and talk show host will star in and exec produce a bessie smith biopic for the premium cable network the telepic revolves around iconic. The film costars monique, michael kenneth williams, and oliver platt. Queen latifah on playing bessie in a new hbo movie the hip hop artist and actress recreates the life of the empress of the blues, bessie smith. Latifah was best known as a rap artist in the 1990s when producers richard d. Queen latifah s new movie, hbos bessie, actually has been on her radar for more than 20 years. The queen is heading back to movies once again, and this time she is taking on her most incredible role yet.
Queen latifah was a young rapper just beginning to dabble in acting when she was first approached about the possibility of playing the lead in a film about singer bessie smith. Queen latifah to star as bessie smith in hbo biopic. Queen latifah sings the blues in her new film bessie the multitalented actress and singer produced and stars in the new hbo film. With a story by dee rees and horton foote, the film focuses on smiths. That actress and singer is dana elaine owens, who the world knows as queen latifah. Queen latifah will reportedly star as singer bessie smith in. Queen latifah stars as pioneering bisexual blues singer bessie smith in the hbo biopic bessie, premiering on may 16th. And while talking about the project at a television critics. May 07, 2014 actress queen latifah will reportedly star in an hbo adaptation of the biography bessie by chris albertson that tells the story of the life of blues singer bessie smith. Queen latifah stars in this biopic of pioneering singer bessie smith, depicting her tempestuous relationships and incomparable artistry in the downanddirty world of southern blues. Queen latifah takes on nudity, sexuality, and the indomitable.
Queen latifah talks about playing blues singer bessie. Queen latifah sings the blues in her new film bessie. Queen latifah sings the blues in her new film bessie video. The story of legendary blues performer bessie smith. If you want to make a movie about bessie s turbulent, amazing life, then do not adjust the story her life was dramatic and interesting without adding fictional bits or stretching the truth to make it more enjoyable. So now when im recording new songs, new jazz songs, new hiphop songs.
Hbo films presents bessie, focusing on legendary blues singer bessie smith, saturday, may 16 at 8pm. Bessie queen latifah as the blues singer bessie smith in this film, which. Theres a new movie poised to hit hbo, and the movie about blues singer bessie smith called bessie stars none other than a modern day superstar who seemed made to take on the role of the socalled empress of the blues. Latifah received critical acclaim for her portrayal of blues singer bessie smith in the hbo film bessie 2015, which she coproduced, winning the primetime emmy award for outstanding television movie. May 16, 2015 in hbos bessie, queen latifah stars as empress of the blues it took queen latifah more than 20 years to bring the life of pioneering blues singer bessie smith to the screen. Released 2015, bessie stars queen latifah, michael kenneth williams, khandi alexander, mike epps the movie has a runtime of about 2 hr 0 min, and received a score of out of 100 on metacritic. Queen latifah real name is dana elaine owens a popular american singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, model, television producer, record producer, comedienne, and talk show host. In hbos bessie, queen latifah stars as empress of the. Bessie tv movie 2015 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Queen latifah did her homework to play blues singer bessie. Queen latifah opens up on nude bessie scene huffpost. By greg cwik hbo has released a new trailer for its bessie smith biopic, helmed by pariah director dee rees. Queen latifah talks about playing blues singer bessie smith. May 10, 2015 queen latifah did her homework to play blues singer bessie smith in hbos movie bessie, airing saturday at 8 p.
May 16, 2015 a movie about some aspect of bessie smiths life is decades overdue, considering the broad cultural shadow she casts. Queen latifah to star as bessie smith in hbo movie. Its available to watch on tv, online, tablets, phone. The multitalented actress and singer produced and stars in the new hbo film. The film, which looks and sounds gorgeous, digs into smiths beginnings in vaudeville. May 14, 2015 lr queen latifah, richard plepler, dee rees, monique and len amato attend the bessie new york screening at the museum of modern art on april 29, 2015 in new york city. About us whats new help center jobs api become a partner. A movie about some aspect of bessie smiths life is decades overdue, considering the broad cultural shadow she casts. Bessie character spot queen latifah bessie hbo films teaser trailer. Queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this hbo films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker dee rees from a. Filmmaker dee rees gets queen latifah to bare all in bessie. While queen latifah and monique are outstanding, i was somewhat disappointed in the facts not facts presented. Queen latifah gives the performance of her career in hbos biopic of singer bessie smith. The story of legendary blues performer bessie smith, who rose to fame during the.
May 03, 2015 in a new hbo movie the hip hop artist and actress recreates the life of the empress of the blues, bessie smith. In hbos bessie, queen latifah stars as empress of the blues. Details about bessie smith 2015 hbo emmy fyc dvd queen latifah vaudeville tv movie brand new. Check out the new trailer for bessie, the hbo biopic of blues singer bessie smith starring queen latifah, michael kenneth williams, and monique. Born in newark, new jersey, she signed with tommy boy records in 1989 and released her debut album all hail the queen on november 28, 1989, featuring the hit single ladies first. Queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this vivid portrait of a tenacious spirit who, despite her own demons, went on to become one of the most successful and influential musical artists of the 20th century. Actress queen latifah will reportedly star in an hbo adaptation of the biography bessie by chris albertson that tells the story of the life of blues singer bessie smith. Lr queen latifah, richard plepler, dee rees, monique and len amato attend the bessie new york screening at the museum of modern art on april 29, 2015 in new york city. May, 2015 queen latifah is so convincing in the new hbo movie bessie, that you will find yourself googling the real empress of blues just to differentiate the two the rapper turned actress mesmerizes as. Bessie starring queen latifah hbo auditions for 2020.
Bessie digital copydvd queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this hbo films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker dee rees named one of 20 filmmakers to watch by the new york times. Dana elaine owens born march 18, 1970, better known by her stage name queen latifah, is an american rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and producer. Mar 25, 2016 queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this hbo films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker dee rees from a screenplay by dee rees and christopher cleveland. Jun 23, 2015 queen latifahs new movie, hbos bessie, actually has been on her radar for more than 20 years. In hbos bessie, queen latifah stars as empress of the blues it took queen latifah more than 20 years to bring the life of pioneering blues singer bessie smith to the screen. Bessie, on hbo, stars queen latifah as blues singer. Queen latifah is so convincing in the new hbo movie bessie, that you will find yourself googling the real empress of blues just to differentiate the two. Queen latifah as american blues singer bessie smith in bessie. Queen latifah sings the blues in her new film bessie video abc. Figuring out what made bessie smith different from every other blues singer doesnt require a ph.
Mar 12, 2020 queen latifah is a grammy awardwinning rapper, record producer and actress, known for her roles in the bigscreen adaptation of chicago and the tv film bessie. Queen latifah plays blues singer bessie smith in the hbo movie bessie. Queen latifah queen latifah s new movie, hbos bessie, actually has been on her radar for more than 20 years. Queen latifah on bessie, her past and what shell conquer next. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon. It looks like queen latifah may be holding royal court once again and going on another award tour with her latest hbo movie, bessie. Queen latifah topless screenshots from the bessie 2015 movie. Queen latifah stars as smith, and supporting roles are played by michael kenneth williams as smiths first husband jack gee. Queen latifah is set to take on the title role and produce the hbo biopic bessie and casting calls for several roles in this incredible true story will be taking place very soon. In the new aprilmay issue of uptown magazine the awardwinning powerhouse opened up on one of the biopics most compelling scenes, in which latifah appears nude. Queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this hbo films presentation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker dee rees from a screenplay by dee rees and christopher cleveland.
Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Watch bessie starring queen latifah in this drama on directv. All about legendary blues singer bessie smiths rise from obscurity. Life lessons from the queen, was released in may 2010.
See queen latifah as legendary blues singer bessie smith in the first trailer and images from hbos bessie, also starring monique and oliver platt. The film is directed by dee rees, with a screenplay by rees, christopher cleveland and bettina gilois. Queen latifah stars in this biopic of pioneering singer bessie smith, depicting her tempestuous relationships and incomparable artistry in the. May 22, 2015 hbo films presents bessie, focusing on legendary blues singer bessie smith, saturday, may 16 at 8pm. Queen latifah stars as legendary blues singer bessie smith in this hbo films. Queen latifah is an american rapper, singersongwriter, actress, model, producer and talk show host who started her acting career in 1991 with small roles in the films jungle fever and house party 2, and the television show the fresh prince of belair.
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