Will Diana become a Dreamgirl at last?
In the 25 years since the debut of the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls," Diana Ross has made it clear how displeased she's been with the fictionalized version of her career story. At issue was how its creators borrowed her history without asking, changed details ever so slightly, then didn't give her input or offer financial compensation.
Now what will Miss Ross' response be to the upcoming film, which is a frontrunner in the Oscar best-picture race? If she lashes out against it, that may cause Hollywood, her fans and America to rally around the wounded diva and thus turn against the offending film, dooming its hopes at the Academy Awards.
One of Miss Ross' longtime colleagues and pals believes that she'll not only refuse to support it, but that she may even lambaste it, if the diva mood strikes her.
But The Envelope has reason to believe that Miss Ross may actually support the film — or at least not oppose it. Not only has she formed a close personal palship with the songbird who portrays her on celluloid, Beyonce Knowles, but — in major news disclosure here — Miss Ross even inquired early on about starring in the film with her. Producers offered Miss Ross a cameo as her own mom, but great divas don't accept small roles, of course, so she turned it down.
Read my full feature story — CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE HOT DISH ABOUT DIANA ON 'DREAMGIRLS'!
Photo: Diana has become such a good chum of Beyonce's that she keeps the young diva's phone number in the memory of her cell phone.
(Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
Diana Ross won't make a big stink about Dreangirls. Look it is about her and the Supremes. And she knows it is a great historical tribute. The Supremes were a big deal ...beautiful and giftedand black. They set the path not only in music but the american dream for african americans, Do you know that one of our space missions has the music of the Supremes? These are american legends. And it is what it is. Take care, Poodle
Posted by: Francis | October 22, 2006 at 05:57 PM
This article sounds like an emotional blackmail to me, making Diana feel sort of guilty if she decided not to support the movie, Diana should do whatever she thinks it's right and not what the public thinks she should do.
Posted by: Tina | October 21, 2006 at 06:22 AM
If Miss Ross is wise she will embrace the movie. This movie is not unlike the biographical picture of Billie Holiday which garnered her an Oscar nod. She should show up at the premeir looking fabu and loving every moment (or at least act like she does). If she doesn't you know ol' Mary Wilson will be there to get another 15 minutes in the spotlight at Miss Ross' expense. This movie is a sign of her legitimate status as a legend along with the Supremes.
Posted by: MissRossToYou | October 20, 2006 at 01:37 PM
As a huge Diana Ross fan i find it absolutely ridiculous reading the comments made about her going into "tantrums" over the forthcoming "Dreamgirls" movie. Living in Great Britain as i do, we tend to think that Americans in general take things far too seriously! If any one us were treated the way miss Ross has been treated by the american media over the years we would have left the country years ago! At least we know how to treat a bona fide genuine living legend and icon! She has every right to complain about not being asked to give her input or her blessing for the film especially as it's supposed to be about her and her life! She is without question a Goddess of the entertainment industry and should be treated with far more respect that she gets shown in her country.She hasn't got to where she is today without being a uniquely talented and "supreme" performer and woman. So please America, lay off of miss Ross otherwise i feel you will finally lose one of the greatest female entertainers of all time to come from your great country!.
Posted by: James Waugh, Glasgow ,Scotland | October 20, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Knowles still sounds like Beyonce. You can't take her seriously. She sounds too modern for that picture.
Hudson, however, sounds amazing.
Murphy sounds great too.
Foxx appears to be incredibly annoying.
Posted by: James | October 20, 2006 at 10:47 AM
The Los Angeles Times article seems to be another in a long (decades' long) series of articles made up of gossip, supposition, misinformation, and outright lies about Diana Ross. Ross has become a person about whom some people think they can say absolutely anything: more a myth than a person. She is an ambitious, complex, and talented woman whose accomplishments deserve respect, but her personality, ideas, and goals have been misunderstood and/or ridiculed by those who do not bother to do basic research and fact-checking. The Los Angeles Times current article describes--very inaccurately--the meeting at which Sheryl Ralph went up to Ross and introduced herself and Ross said, very calmly, "Yes I know who you are, you're the Ralph girl." Ross was not impressed nor rude: and there was no reason to be impressed or pleased by someone involved with a misrepresentation of your life. A New York Times article said that Ross was rude to her band onstage--that she threw a tantrum on stage--at her own Central Park concert--a concert televised around the world. An outright lie, recognizable to me: who was at both concerts from beginning to end and who also saw it televised later. When will journalists investigate those who lie about Ross and who slander her? When will the mediocre interpretations of people like Mary Wilson and Randy Taraborelli cease to be the resource that journalists use when interpreting Diana Ross? I wrote a couple of articles about Ross, one available at Offscreen.com, and another at CompulsiveReader.com, but these intelligent and researched articles have not received the public attention that the salacious lies have.
Posted by: Daniel Garrett | October 20, 2006 at 09:24 AM
Well I for one can understand why Diana feels a little bothered by this production. I would not be flattered that someone used part of my life story to make a buck, and I am not being paid as well.
Posted by: louis | October 20, 2006 at 06:40 AM
After seeing the Trailer for Dreamgirls last night i really look forward to seeing the film, especially Jennifer Hudson's turn as Effie. Hearing her sing "And I Am Telling You" gave me chills. So often in stage musicals going to film the show stopping number will sound rather tame compared to it's predecessor. In this case it didn't seem to be that big drop off from the original. I guess having two great Jennifer's who have killer pipes really helps too.
I was born in 1962 on West Grand Blvd. in Detroit at an unwed mothers home just down the road from the Hitsville USA (Motown) building. I have always felt a special kinship to the Motown sound, especially the Supreme's. My favorite song of their's is "Love Child". I have seen Diana Ross in concert also. Everyone knows that the story is "based" on The Supremes and not an exact replica. I Hope Miss Ross won't make a big stink over it and possibly try to find the positive in it. After all it celebrates the birth of one musical history's greatest gifts, the Motown sound. As mentioned, she could always tell her story as Tina Turner did if she wants to set the record sraight on what she experienced back then.
Posted by: Kim S | October 19, 2006 at 09:09 AM