re: Jennifer Holliday strikes again — Page 5

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?

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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....

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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.

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!

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.

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?)

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.

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

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

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"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.