Latifah is denied the role of Effie

Though they had Queen Latifah in mind for the role of Effie Melody White, they had to deny her the role, simply because she was too old.

My Source: The Village Voice.

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That's sad What do you think of her as Motormouth in the Hairspray film? The story on playbill.com said they're looking for high profile TV and music celebs to play roles besides Tracy...

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Hahaha.

I actually think Latifah is a great singer, although her voice is definitely more suited to jazz. Not only was she good in the movie of Chicago, but the jazz CD she released last year was excellent.

I know Latifah was interested in recording I Know Where Ive Been a while ago... Mary Bond mentioned it when I interviewed her for spouzic.com.

Updated On: 3/3/05 at 06:10 PM

Margo, I was thinking Patti LaBelle in that role as well!

This is off subject, but did anyone see Mary Bond Davis in the reading of The Mistress Cycle? She was phenomenal, as was every lady who participated in that reading.

Also, as far as the Dreamgirls movie goes, I would love to see the three original Dreams in a cameo as the Stepp Sisters. It slips my memory now how many girls there are in that group, but I would love it if the movie started with the three of them together, in costume, singing their hearts out. It would be great because they wouldn't stick out in the film for people who don't know who they are, but anyone who knew who they were would get a huge kick out of seeing them kick off the movie. What do you think?

"It would be great because they wouldn't stick out in the film for people who don't know who they are, but anyone who knew who they were would get a huge kick out of seeing them kick off the movie. What do you think?"

"Now whether those four with those egos would EVER agree to such a thing is a whole other question."

Chita did a one-liner in the movie version of Chicago. If she can do it, as great as she is, then they should lay aside their egos and do it.

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Off-topic- Patti LaBelle would be a perfect Motormouth.

LaBelle has a good sense of comedy. I liked her as Duane Wayne's mom on "A Different World".

I think that Latifah could do Motor Mouth.....

I never saw Queen Latifah as Effie but I do think she can act. She just hasn't had the best luck in picking movies. She was great in "Set It Off" and a knockout in "Chicago." But I might be biased since I'm also a fan of "Living Single" (I mean, in a '90s kinda world, I'm glad I got my girls...) cheesy as it is. I wish she could have a cameo in the film but I don't see a place where she could fit. Speaking of the cameos (or some of the roles that could be cameos in the film), how are they going to fill those? The people who I would love to have cams (Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, etc.) are all a little ahem mature to play the other acts and what not. Hell, even En Vogue is too old to play the Stepp Sisters. Ahh well, maybe Beyonce can convince all the former members of Destiny's Child to play them. On a different (but sorta related) note, Patti Labelle must play Motornouth in the Hairspray movie. She would be firce with the song and is the only woman who I can imagine saying things like, "Everybody hussle, here comes Von Tussle." Also, there would be no need for craft service tables because she would cook for the entire cast and crew. Lord, I love that woman.

Zach

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Patti LaBelle is terrible in CHICAGO. Can't act her way out of a paper bag, and it looks like she isn't even trying to play Mama Morton. Just terrible!!!

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Her acting ability is less relevant that ner ability to sell tickets. Let's see how BEAUTY SHOP does. After that TAXI turkey, she needs a hit.