re: Jennifer Holliday strikes again- Page 5

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:46am

Rath -- I also agree with your statements about the Leading Ladies concert. It's a fine performance, but the acting seems to be ungrounded and it almost seems like she's going on auto-pilot. I never saw the OBC and I HOPE there was a lot more behind what she was doing. However, given the history that Margo has given us, so much of what Jennifer Holliday did in the original was the creation of Michael Bennett. Her vocals were her own, but her acting was comprised of line readings that were given to her. Maybe the same can be said of Jennifer Hudson. I'm hoping that we will find that she has acting talent and not just vocal pyrotechnics. Even a kick-ass singer, if they want to succeed in the music business, has to "perform" on video and on stage to reach a certain level. That requires a certain level of acting ability.

[imafantu]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:55am

yeah. but attention does not translate to money or job offers...they used her voice in the trailer, and obviously whatever they paid her for (if they paid her) was nothing in comparison to the loads of publicity they garnered for using her voice....
Now, while I doubt that this next scenario happened, I have no doubts whatsoever that it has happened in other cases, and that hollywood is capable of it now: Let's pull some underhanded moves-like denying her right to sing the song while the movie is in high promotion, like inviting her and then disinviting her to the openings and premiers, like not paying her for the use of her voice.....she'll raise a stink about it(because we know how she is), and we'll get the free publicity to boot! yet another way that we can capitalize on anything associated with OBC
Or maybe she has been paid to be the disgruntled "has-been" and she is foolin the hell out of us---the opposite approach with the same publicity results...
Consider this, how much attention would we have paid to this movie(how much was it getting on bww) before she starting doing negative press???
I posted in another forum about her depression so i won't repeat it- just go easy on the woman- she has a clinically diagnosed depression, and no job...what are the chances that she can no longer afford medicine, or counseling and her interviews are her way to get some free help?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:59am

Get a grip, imafantu. Lots of people are clinically depressed, and if she can't afford high-end docs, she can go to low-cost clinics as so many others do. She can get perfectly good therapy and medication for very little money if necessary. She wouldn't need to act out all over the press.

[imafantu]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:20am

that's funny, cuz you so callously and crassly throw out a "fix- it"...i spoke from my experience...what are you telling me to get a grip on? there are lots of people who are clinically depressed...but they also don't have the double jeopardy of being a known face, who is assumed to be wealthy, and being broke. And plenty of stars act out in the press...you make it sound like she is the first person to be disgruntled in the press. and if you are so sure she can low cost and therapy- then make a list and send her some suggestions. Put Your money where your mouth is...people crack me up when they just assume that because help exists, then everyone has access! You should get a grip, and realize that you only have what the media shows you- you have no idea of what they have not or have done to encourage her actions....i merely pointed out that some of y'all should consider that there is another side to it. I'm glad that your illnesses are covered and taken care of-- you should be so fortunate to have what you need when you need it...but that ain't everyone's reality, and you don't get to deny or ignore that just because it doesn't beef with what you think is possible....don't assume- you make an ASS of U first

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:24am

"I'm glad that your illnesses are covered and taken care of-- you should be so fortunate to have what you need when you need it..."

Speaking of assuming.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:35am

I agree with b12b that the media outlets are egging Ms. Holliday on. I also believe that Ms. Holliday has a responsibility as an adult to ACT LIKE AN ADULT and get right on over it. She's not the only one in the world who's ever been disappointed. She's just one of the few who gets quoted for it because everybody loves to read about the drama queens.

[imafantu]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:37am

right...that was exactly my point- it's unfair of me, but not of you? I am just as wrong as you are....but for clarity, i thought i was responding to another post where you said something to the effect "we all have illnesses..." if that wasn't you then i apologize...if it was you, then I made my point. Nobody should make a bottom line judgement about others- even when that person is running their mouth all over the media


Edit:
as a matter of fact...you did, check page four- when you made the ricki lake comment, and the "mental illness....needs a new therapist" comment.

Updated On: 12/13/06 at 11:37 AM

[Marlothom]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:57am

Not to [be]mean, but I read above that some regional theatres are putting on Dreamgirls next season w/ Ms. Holliday as Effie; isn't she a little too mature now to portray this role; particularly Act 1? I think she would do well with a cabaret act.

Edited.

Updated On: 12/13/06 at 11:57 AM

[imafantu]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:02pm

definitely, i think that ship has sailed for her...she would be in a different place if she could accept that

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 1:22pm

I think this entire excellent conversation (and I am really glad I started this thread) is getting down to the crux of the matter:

The aggressive, pro-active press.

It used to be that reporters reported the news. Occasionally, some, like say, the photographer Weegee attempted to shape the news. Weegee kept a child's doll in the trunk of his car. When he arrived at a particularilly horrific auto accident scene, he would throw the doll into a pool of blood and photograph the scene with the doll in the foreground - always good for a front page.

Nowaways, the press does not report, it actively creates the news. Reporters try to find people with some tendential link to a story, then egg them on to make outrageous statements and then report these "statements" as news. Often, the people interviewed have emotional problems and the press plays on these weaknesses to "get the story."

It seems that EVERY story in the news today will have a sidebar about someone protesting or claiming injury. Jennifer Holliday is just another sad victim in an endless line of victims.

So sad. So sad....

[Marlothom]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 1:26pm

Well perhaps you are right, but in the most recent radio interview; I did not feel that was the intention --- I mean Ms. Ralph gave a wonderful interview and both interviews were in the context of celebrating the movie (with pre-recorded interviews with movie stars and directors).

Updated On: 12/13/06 at 01:26 PM

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 1:42pm

Yeah I think it's foolish for her to be doing Effie at this age. She's at least 20 years too old for it. However, if it's a concert version it could work but not a fully produced version.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 5:04pm

I believe for her to find a job worthy of her talents (i.e. Hairspray, Color Purple et al) she needs to move on past Act I Effie and progress to the "I Am Changing" moments, hasn't she said she IS Effie after all? Doesn't Effie have a humbling moment when she admits she has been a fool, thinking she has done it all alone, losing good friends, etc? It might be too late for her to redeem herself and have a real career, but she could try at the very least.
I believe the Atlanta production where she'll be playing Effie is indeed a concert. Is her attitude the reason why Lillias White was cast over her for the Actor's Fund Benefit concert?

[jv92]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 8:08pm

GET A LIFE! Instead of bitching about not playing a part you're too old for in a show that you were great in 25 YEARS AGO, get a real job! Replace someone in The Color Purple. Do a club act. Do something!

[kevs]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 8:35pm

"Is her attitude the reason why Lillias White was cast over her for the Actor's Fund Benefit concert?"

I'd also be interested to find out why she was not cast in that concert. Was it because she could no longer sing the song in the original key?

[chino]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 8:56pm

They better stop feeding her attention. It might cause her weight gain.

She's too much.

Someone has to let her realize that she did not loose it all! Crazy, talking like she wont see the light of day.

I feel sad cause I do respect her, but she's saying things to make people hate her. There is nothing wrong with being honest, but to say words like that is just sad. SLR, made a strong statement but she's happy with everything.

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:02pm

She was also vocal at the time about not being in the concert (indicating it would have been a wonderful opportunity for the original cast to record the complete score), but it was planned by Seth Rudetsky to showcase his friend, Lillias White.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 3:31am

I wish Broadway stars whose shows get turned into movies with someone new in their role would take a lesson from Marissa Jarrett Winokur. After the announcement of Nicole Blonsky as Tracy for the Hairspray movie, she said something to the effect of,

"I'm so happy for Nicky! I hope that the role of Tracy does as much for her as it did for Ricky Lake and me."

Why can't they all realize that a movie is a different animal, and no matter how iconic they were in their role, the makers of the movie don't OWE them anything. If every movie, book, play, etc. paid homage to every one of its predecessors, the homage-paying would never end!

That having been said, I do think it would have been cool to see SLR as Deena's mother and Holliday as maybe Curtis' mother or sister (or were they both sisters?)

[ICEcreamAssassin]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:12am

just dump jennifer into the color purple.. she can play sofia! hellooo!!. in any case that article was so heartbreaking. I've been following these interviews with ms.holliday for the past few months and I think she just wanted some positive attention...she has to understand that Dreamgirls will live with or without her.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:48am

Hairspray is an excellent example of grace under fire. I was apparently more enraged and hurt that Harvey wasn't cast than he was. He and Marissa are real pros.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:52am

rentaholic- I had no idea Marrisa said that about Nikki. How wonderful and gracious.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:13pm

AND Marissa KNOWS she too old to play a 16 year old on screen.

Besides, she's got a load of other projects.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:24pm

Plus, Marissa was in Blonsky's shoes when she began. She wasn't the original Tracy either.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 1:01pm

"Plus, Marissa was in Blonsky's shoes when she began. She wasn't the original Tracy either."

Well, Rikki was way too old, plus she was much thinner by then.

[HollidayForever]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 6:04pm

imafantu............AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN.....I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE...FINALLY SOMEBODY WHO SEES THE ISSUE THE WAY I SEE IT.