Mariah as Deena?

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 1:11am

Ok, before anyone tears me a new one, let me just say, this is NOT a "BEYONCE SUX!!" Shoulda, coulda, woulda post. I just want to have a civil, polite discussion.

What do you guys think of Mariah Carey as Deena? I think she would have been an interesting choice. I doubt she was even considered, considering how Glitter bombed. Also, people would have probably complained about her not looking "black enough". Still, Lord knows she has the voice, and the glamour girl look and persona. And I refuse to use Glitter as an example of her abilities as an actress. I can't think of one person who could have been convincing in that piece of crap. With the right material and the right direction, who knows how good she could be? Anyway, it's probably a moot point since the ship has long since sailed, but what are your thoughts?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 1:37am

Deena needs to be a VISIBLY black girl or one of the main aspects of the show makes no sense. The Dreams' struggle to crossover to the predominantly white pop charts and break into the mainstream (as well as the racism within the record industry) is one of the most important themes and conflicts within the show. If they were a group with a white-looking lead singer, they wouldn't have had nearly the difficulty that they did and their eventual triumph in becoming famous would be meaningless. There were lots of successful white girls with black backup singers. White girls didn't need to "crossover" to the mainstream -- they were already part of it (and if they sounded black, all the better).

Updated On: 8/6/06 at 01:37 AM

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 3:02am

Hmm, suppose your right, but wouldn't having a more "white" looking Deena make the fact that she was pushed to the forefront of the group make more sense because she was an easier image for whites to embrace? I definitely see what you're saying, but I think it adds an interesting dimension to the story.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 3:10am

Also, unless she pulled it way back, Mariah's got way too strong a voice to be Deena.

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 9:06am

Wow, this is a great topic and great discussion. I'm interested to hear what others have to say, considering I don't know DREAMGIRLS that well.

[Chitty]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:24pm

Umm no

[catstagestud]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 2:49pm

I think that Mariah as Deena could actually have been an interesting choice, but I understand what Margo has to say about the troubles and difficulties that The Dreams have to over-come. Mariah's acting got many many positive reviews for her second film, Wisegirls, where she co-starred with Mira Sorvino. I rented it and she was actually pretty good. I'd love to hear her sing one of the songs from that show. And yes it's true she'd have to hold back immensely to do Deena. Cool topic for conversation though!!

Cheers,

Christopher

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 3:16pm

Please no. It would've been great to see the Dreams singing "Dreamgirls" in barely there outfits though.

[jpbran]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 6:18pm

Oh god no... She'd start that high-pitched screeching she calls singing (think: dog whistle), deafen everyone, and probably make the shoot a living hell...

Sure she has an almost shocking range to her voice, but do you have to hit every possible note in every song? Mariah's probably the only singer who can make Whitney look subtle.

"The dogs?!?! Won't someone please think of the dogs?"

Sandra Bernhard's on-off ghetto-diva impression of Mariah is still one of the funniest things I've seen on stage in forever...

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 6:24pm

Mariah would be too worried about playing pretty diva Mariah, instead of playing a character.

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 6:25pm

Well, her "on-off ghetto-diva" is not what makes her an incredible singer and a great entertainer. I'm looking at her talent and that alone, not her antics or her rumoured diva beahviour, and her talent is why I think she would be good for the part. And why not sing every note? If I had her range I'd milk every song for all it was worth, too.

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 6:26pm

>>Mariah would be too worried about playing pretty diva Mariah, instead of playing a character.

How do you know that?

[mediakilled]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 7:58pm

Mariah's voice USED to be good in the early 90's when she first started. Now, it is just shriking..or hiphop/r&b trills which is probably the most annoying things to listen to together. and that's where her talent has gone. I'd love for her to get rid of the ghetto to capitalize on the urban crowd's money and actually sing real music for once..as well as sing from the spirit and heart and not worry whether she looks good on camera. She is too full of herself and her diva antics ..that it distracts her talent and her big head is in the way. At least Beyonce has a sense of humor about things..although..I think regardless..Beyonce is not my favorite..but a great choice since she LIVED the whole Dreamgirls aspect of things.

But Mariah need to get over herself. She is highly boring and has nothing to offer when you watch her. a complete lack of an entertainer.

I enjoyed her first 5 years..now she's just miserable.

and yes,..Sandra Bernhard's depiction of Mariah is probably the best statement ever made.

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:51pm

How is she full of herself?
I agree that he voice was better in the 90's, but she's still better then 90% of these chicks on the radio today. And what do you mean "real music"? She's doing music that she, and obviously millions of fans, enjoy. Who is anyone to say what's real music and what's not that others find enjoyment in?

[froggy2]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 10:57pm

I don't know what you're talking about, but Sandra Bernhard's comments on Mariah Carey were blatantly racist and absolutely disgusting, and if Mariah were two shades darker there's no way in hell she'd have gotten away with that crap.

Also?

Mariah in Wisegirls > Beyonce in The Fighting Temptations

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:18pm

OH HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLS NO.

NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS!

[iliketheater]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:18pm

I would have to agree with Margo. Dreamgirls is a show in which color-blind casting really can't be exercised.

Vocally, I think she would be great. She would have to hold back in songs that she performed as a dream, such as "dreamgirls", and "one night only"; but I see no reason why character songs like "it's all over" "when I first saw you" & sections of "heavy" can't be sung in her full voice.

As far as acting, I really I don't care to see most pop stars attempt it. It's just an unfair bias I have. Mariah hasn't proved herself worthy of doing any heavy acting, so I wouldn't want to see her take a shot at a musical. I love them too much

so overall, I'm going to say no.


... but this is interesting, good discussion!
Updated On: 8/6/06 at 11:18 PM

[Funny Face]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:48pm

>>Dreamgirls is a show in which color-blind casting really can't be exercised.

Well lets keep in mind, Mariah is bi-racial.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:00am

She looks white though--heck before I was told she was bi-racial, I never would have guessed in a million years. It kind of defeats the purpose if you're casting a woman who looks white in this role.

That, and personally, I have no desire to see or hear Mariah do anything. Ever. Especially a movie I'm looking forward to.
Updated On: 8/7/06 at 12:00 AM

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:02am

let's also keep in mind that Mariah's father is not African American but actually dark skinned Venezuelan.

but aside from that Mariah is totally wrong for the role for the very reasons Margo Channing stated in her post.

[froggy2]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:44am

Her dad was a mix of African American and light-skinned Venezualen, if I'm not mistaken. (They found out more family history once her father passed away a couple years ago, which is why most information out there is sort of garbled.)

That said; if the part is centered on someone looking darker than Mariah, then obviously she's not right for it.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:49am

"urban crowd's money and actually sing real music for once"

what the hell does that mean? r+b isnt real music?

[silent]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 2:16am

Considering they are the same complexion and Beyonce ripped off alot of her image stylings from Mariah (and J.Lo), I'd say...yes...she could play Deena.

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 4:11am

^ b*tch are you blind?!!
mariah and beyoncé are nowhere near the same complexion.

do as your screen name suggests and remain that way

[zzannahk]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 4:42am

let's also remember that beyonce sells, as for Mariah if i remember correctly despite her overall selling records, Dane Cook sold more albums last year than she did