Podcast: Diana biographer blasts 'Dreamgirls'
Listen to my podcast chat with J. Randy Taraborrelli, author of "Call Her Miss Ross," who contributed his views to my feature article about Diana Ross' "Dreamgirls'" dilemma. CLICK HERE to listen to our full chat and to his strong disapproval of the Broadway stage show and Hollywood film. (After clicking, there may be a slight delay while the podcast file downloads.)
"They blurred the lines between fiction and reality in 'Dreamgirls' to the point you really think you're looking at Diana Ross and the Supremes," he fumes. "And as a Motown historian and somebody who's written three books about Diana Ross, it bothers me that this very important woman in our culture has been relegated to the realm of fiction where this movie is concerned and that they — Motown, Barry Gordy, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson — have never been able to get together to do something that would be official and actually be the true story. I think that once 'Dreamgirls' is released, that will become the official version in our lifetime and, man, that's a shame because Diana Ross' story is such an important story and it's not Beyonce's story and it's not the 'Dreamgirls' story. But what they've done is so close to the truth — it’s soooo close — that I'm afraid people will think it is the truth!"
Photo: "Call Her Miss Ross" — the definitive, no-holds-barred, unauthorized biography of Diana Ross — has been completely rewritten and updated by author J. Randy Taraborrelli. The new edition will be published in January, just weeks after the release of the new "Dreamgirls" film directed by Bill Condon and produced by DreamWorks.
IT IS WHAT IT IS!
We pay for entertainment and they (entertainers) give us a vision of loveliness to take us away from the hum-drum of daily living. We want to think that we CAN be taken away just as those Dreamgirls were to the land of plenty and stardom. Yet, no one wants believe there are bumps and curves and sometimes casualties along the way. I have no doubt that people become callous in the business (At least Ms Ross played the starring role of innocence in the movies.) You can't stay in vermin and not smell! One could easily become a diva of self-importance or conniving to get star placement. Who really knows the real story? We all are composed of many complex layers that peel at ant given time. What we see at the movies and what personal relations put out is an image (usually distorted) to fit the public. So, don't be so naive as to think the personality that you love 'IS ALL THAT". MS ROSS BRATH STINKS JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSES. But, keep on loving baby.
Posted by: laverne | July 29, 2007 at 05:34 PM
Why is there so much concentration on Diane's character? "Dreamgirls" is a fictional account of the SUPREMES. As I recall, we are talking about Diane, Mary, Flo, and I guess we'll include Cindy as a replacement for Flo. The legend of the Supremes is greater than the sum of any of its parts and that includes Miss Ross. Look at how this play (now a movie) minimizes Mary Wilson's character. That character is hardly even developed in the musical. What does that say? As for Flo, she died of a broken heart at least indirectly related to the political decisions of Diane and Berry Gordy to escalate Diane's solo career. This was real life tragedy, not a play that trivializes Flo's struggles by making a happy ending. As for Diane, no, this is not a true depiction of her, either. The lead character in this fictional account is depicted as a sweet and innocent pawn of the males in the business who want to capitalize on her talent and beauty. Give me a Break! The saddest part of this whole thing is that this "horror" will be what people who weren't there will remember about the legendary Supremes and their story. Forget about what Diane cares about Beyonce. The tragedy in the making of this movie goes much deeper.
Posted by: Neil | November 12, 2006 at 05:03 PM
I think it it interesting that J Randy Taroberelli has changed over the years, its just interesting that this big change came about around the time that Dreamgirls will have been released...I can spot a fake anywhere, this is about the almighty dollar and he has used Miss Ross to create that for himself, if he truly claims that he is not the same person that bashed her many years ago, in "CALL HER MISS ROSS", he would find some way to reach Diana and make amends too her for the damage that he and Mary Wilson created in her career. To be honest it was really nice that Diana was a Supreme, because she brought class and dignity to a profession that many young black people looked up too. Lets create this dream, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, it is now the early 60's, three girls, african american, beautiful, hands streched out singing...."STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE!", who do you still see, DIANA ROSS! she was and is still the star, she is like electricity, one of America's most Natural Resouces. Its too bad that you killed her persona and her career, up until your trashy book, Diana was accepted by each generation of kids.... because of you, most kids today think that she is something crude, rude and stuck up! Its too bad her life will not be acknowledged until she is dead and gone. I hope the world wakes up and realizes just like God and myself, that he knew exactly what he created when he created Diana Ross, he sent us a BLACK GODDESS TO ADORE! SO DONT GET IT TWISTED! DONT HATE MISS ROSS.... CONGRATULATE HER!
*****************Ty Smith*******************
COLUMBUS, OHIO
SMITHTY01@AOL.COM
Posted by: TY SMITH | November 09, 2006 at 11:34 PM
Could it be that Mr. Taraborelli's comments are totally self serving? If he kindly bashes Dreamgirls by purporting the story to be untrue and unfair to Diana Ross won't that pique interest in his revamped attack bio on the legendary Miss Ross? I am certainly going to read it again but I don't know what to think about his alleged change of heart.
Posted by: MissRossToYou | November 01, 2006 at 12:49 PM
Amen! Thank you so much, Daniel Garrett. Taraborelli is a hack writer and a blood seeker. Period. This entire controversy over the Dreamgirls release has been contrived to sell movie theater tickets, and Tarahorelli is jumping on the bandwagon in hopes of selling the latest in a long line of quasi-journalistic trash bios by him. It is both to this country's glory that it produced a Diana Ross and to its shame that her new album has been released abroad and not in the United States.
Posted by: Don Belton | October 25, 2006 at 04:00 PM
In my precious message, I meant to say that "Randy is NOT the same person he was ALMOST 20 years ago when he wrote CALL HER MISS ROSS"
Posted by: Sam | October 25, 2006 at 09:07 AM
Give Mr Taraborrelli a chance, as he has mentioned he is the same person he was 20 years ago when he wrote "CALL HER MISS ROSS", forgiveness is the best thing, no point being bitter about what's written almost 20 years ago.
Give Randy the benefit of a doubt, that he has changed for the better and he's regretted what he wrote years ago in "CALL HER MISS ROSS"
By the way Daniel, you ROCK, I have really enjoyed reading all the articles you've written about our darling Miss Ross, which he could get some recgonation for your wonderful writing.
Posted by: Sam | October 24, 2006 at 09:06 AM
I agree with Daniel. This guy J Randy has a lot of gall to "defend" or "feel" for Miss Ross. His book was like a dagger to the hearts of all of my friends who are Diana Ross fans. I realy don't want to read, nor hear anything this "so-called fan" has to say. He's like Mary Wilson Jr, who can only claim fame by some else's life story. I usually ignore negativity about Miss Ross, but I really can't take this Taraborelli guy! Thanks Daniel Garrett. You echo my feelings 100%
Posted by: Robert Butler | October 23, 2006 at 06:08 PM
I wrote a critical and biographical essay on Diana Ross that was posted online by Offscreen.com, and one purpose of the piece was to introduce various sources--writers and critics--on Diana Ross that were much more balanced on the lady and her work than Randy Taraborrelli, whose Call Her Miss Ross book is garbage. His hypocrisy would be funny if it weren't already so damaging: his book his greatly responsible for the negative image people have of Diana Ross. His misunderstanding of the dedication involved in maintaining a high-profile career, and his allowing mediocre, vengeful people to use his book as a method of revenge should not ever be forgotten or forgiven. His critique of the film Dreamgirls seems intended to prepare the way for his coming book, another chance for him to make money off Diana Ross--while doing how much harm? Ambition and success are not crimes, nor indicators of selfish or bad character. Diana Ross has given us music that is an endless pleasure. The charm and joy, delicacy, intelligence, and sensitivity in her music is impossible to fake: it reflects who she is. She has had to work hard to bring us that music, to insist on high standards for herself and those who work for and with her--standards that are the foundation of her accomplishments--accomplishments that continue with her new album I Love You.
Posted by: Daniel Garrett | October 23, 2006 at 11:56 AM