How Does Beyonce Keep Getting All These Movie Roles?

It’s open season on Beyonce now that she’s about to drop a double album next month.

Blogger Clay Cane skewers Beyonce in this post that questions how Beyonce landed the role of Eartha Kitt in her upcoming biopic.

Clay asks, how the hell does Beyonce keep getting plum movie roles when she can’t act worth a damn?

Well, he didn’t say it in those exact words, but you get my gist:

[Beyonce] has never proven herself to bring in box office dollars yet she is snatching introspective and thought provoking characters that any black actress would love to tackle.

Yes, Beyonce is a great performer, but an actress she is not. Eartha Kitt was a child conceived by rape, born on a cotton plantation in South Carolina, and rose to fame the old fashion way, hard work—while suffering awful sexism and racism. Her career was practically ruined for being an outspoken advocate of the Vietnam War and she allegedly made the First Lady at a White House luncheon in 1968 burst into tears. Nothing about Eartha’s life story will Beyonce be able to pull off. Bey doesn’t even know how to drop her George W. Bush Texan accent—how is she going to manage Eartha’s South Carolina/pseudo-European accent? READ MORE…

My guess is, just like with rap/hip-hop, the industry doesn’t care if our artists are talented or not. Sex, misogyny and violence against our own people is what sells and that’s all that’s necessary to be a star in today’s entertainment industry

purepisces

Ohhhhh….NOT AGAIN. Is there no other black “actress” on earth?! DAYUM. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised…
http://myspace.com/lorettadivine DivineBrown

Bey is getting all these roles because you bloggers won’t get off her sack!

Next to being extremely talented and beautiful…THIS POST IS WHAT KEEPS HER IN THE PUBLIC EYE!

I think Jada should be playing Eartha Kitt…

Sorry Bey, I love you but still!
purepisces

@ Divine

I can’t stand Jada either, but she IS more like Eartha in looks, short little and all…

Soooo…you seen your boy lately??
toosexy

gosh, their are so many actresses or upcoming actresses that need this, why is a musician or artist getting roles? why can’t someone who has acting skills get roles, or someone who needs the exposure, dang i wish she would just go away from the movie scene for real. but she did say she wanted that oscar.
purepisces

@toosexy

She wants an Oscar too??!!OH LAWD!! LOL!!
http://myspace.com/lorettadivine DivineBrown

LMAO @PISCES….

Sure have…stopped in B-Ham on the way up here!

REFRESHED…IS ME
http://myspace.com/lorettadivine DivineBrown

WHERE YOU BEEN ANYWAY, GIRL!
Nina

Hmmmm….Papa Knowles been putting in overtime.
purepisces

MMMMMHMMMM!! Good for you!! LOL
Anna

toosexy Says:

dang i wish she would just go away from the movie scene for real. but she did say she wanted that oscar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Damn, I just realized how many more movies she is going to have to make to get the Oscar. But then again, home many good movies were ruinied because Helle was in them. Halle finally got her Oscar.
purepisces

I’ve been around, gettin on here late and not bothering to comment!!
Naima

The only movie Beyonce belongs in in Eve’s Bayou Part 2 if there was going to be one.
terika83

Yeah, there are a lot of great actresses out there…I think someone else should have had a shot at this.
purepisces

@ Anne

I was just thinkin, this is Halle all over again! There was a minute there where it was like Halle was the only black actress working…nobody else was gettin jack!! In any case, Bey has a lonnnnng way to go…
toosexy

@anna, yea she going to try an dmake sure she get it, but i just don’t see how. beyonce can’t even keep a straight face in her video’s, I can’t explain it but she makes the stupidest faces i have ever seen.
teecee

well if he doesnt know, then he needs to talk to me. movies have to make money. they dont give you money to make movies that dont have audiences.

bey is still the hottest money making chick in the game. now, tell me if you want to make a second movie, the first one has to make money. unless it has a big money backing they will not go with an unknown.

Ertha kitt’s life story isnt interesting to a large audience and especially to white America. in order to make money, they need a hot chick who can draw an audience and bey has the popularity and fans to draw in a crowd. so you want to know why she gets the rolls, it because she is popular.
toosexy

all i know is she better be glad aliyah died rest her soul
http://MYSPACE.COM/ERIKAMAGALY hermosa

toosexy Says:

all i know is she better be glad aliyah died rest her soul

________________________________________________________

I think Ciara should be more thankful. . .She’s a carbin copy of Aaliyah.
Terry .W

Aint that the truth!…I totally agree with that article…
I wish she would stick to music.!
Anna

toosexy Says:

all i know is she better be glad aliyah died rest her soul
~~~~~~~~`
It is sad to say that but it is true. Bey didn’t stand a change because Aliyah was the “it”girl.
toosexy

@hermosa

but ciara is not the it girl. aliyah had the game locked.
toosexy

I like ciara way more than beyonce, ciara is a true dancer, she has the art of dancing and people get confused with dancing and art. I give beyonce singing> average, entertaining yes, but dancing heck no. she can move and do a dance routine but the art of dancing she does not have. I guess beyonce’s fans really turned me off from her with the overly hype. she is ok but really that’s all. but she grabbed that it girl and can’t knock that.
toosexy

to tell yall the truth i have just really started paying attention to beyonce about maybe 3 or 4(maybe) years ago. and now i’m learning they were out back in 98 and stuff.
mimi08

I WILL NOT GO SEE IT! I’M BOYCOTTIN BEYONCE. I’M TIRED OF THEM TAKING GOOD MOVIE ROLES FROM REAL ACTRESSES, AND JUST GIVING IT TO BEYONCE CAUSE SHE’S HUGE IN MUSIC. IF I WERE A ACTRESS, I WOULD BE PISSED.

I WILL NOT GO SEE ANY MOVIE BEYONCE IS IN FROM THIS POINT ON. AT SOME POINT YOU GOTTA TAKE A STAND, AND STAND UP FOR THAT’S RIGHT. I’VE SEEN BASICALLY ALL OF BEYONCE’S MOVIES, AND HER PERFORMANCES IN THEM WERE ALL BELOW MEDIOCRE. THAT’S ALL I NEED TO SEE AND THEREFORE, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

THEY THINK BLACK PEOPLE ARE STUPID, AND WILL GO SEE ANYTHING JUST CAUSE SHE’S IN IT! THEY TRIED THIS WITH WHITE PEOPLE, BUT WHITE PEOPLE SHOWED THEY ARE NOT THIS DUMB. WHEN THEY STUCK BRITNEY IN THAT MOVIE, IT FLOPPED LIKE PANCAKES EVEN THOUGH ALOT OF WHITE PEOPLE LOVE HER DIRTY DRAWERS. AND THE SAME WITH PARIS, ALOT OF WHITES LOVE HER AS WELL, BUT HER MOVIES ALWAYS FLOP. IT’S BECAUSE WHTIE PEOPLE WILL NOT LET THEIR INTELLIGENCE BE INSULTED.

BEYONCE SHOULD STAY IN HER LANE, OR BETTER YET, THE PRODUCERS OR DECISION MAKERS FOR THESE FILMS SHOULD STOP TRYING TO INSULT THE INTELLIGENCE OF BLACK PEOPLE BY SIMPLY STICKING A HUGELY POPULAR SINGER WHO CANNOT FUCCKIN ACT, IN EVERYTHING.

THOUGH MY GUT FEELING TELLS ME THAT BLACK PEOPLE WILL FALL FOR THIS SHYT, HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.
stefany

I agree, Beyonce is so overrated when it comes to acting and don’t think it’s fair that she keeps getting roles when there are more qualified starving black actresses who can’t catch a break in white Hollywood..You’d think after dream grils people would have woke up..Why is Beyonce being chosen to portray every light skinned entertainer that ever lived.
http://MYSPACE.COM/ERIKAMAGALY hermosa

@ toosexy

If we being real, all these girls have to thank Aaliyah for doing what she did.

I love both Ciara and Beyonce. I think Ciara can dance her a$$ off like no other, the girl reminds me of Janet. Beyonce is a different kind of dancer. I think she could dance but definately cannot pull of the intricate (SP?) dance moves that Ciara has. I mean Beyonce has to entertain me using all her skills, Ciara only has to dance and I’m glued to the T.V.
bklynchick

I think halle berry should of gotten this part or either jada.
keely107

@too sexy:

Thought I was the only one who noticed that she couldnt shine until Aaliyah left.
Naima

I think Beyonce can play Marlynn Monroe, but not anyone else
Anna

Naima Says:

I think Beyonce can play Marlynn Monroe, but not anyone else

~~~~~~
Playing Marliynn Monroe in a blonde wig and singing Happy Bday to the president. I could see that being more possible than the great roles that she gets and ruins because she can’t act. LOL
PAGESINADIARY

SHE WAS FILMING THIS WAY EARLIER THIS YEAR
dakotab

OKay, I’m a beyonce fan but this ish is going to far.

Eartha Kitt. There are plenty of actresses that could have been given a crack at this role.

Taraji P Henson
heck Kyla Pratt
I’m tired of the same ole faces
Or find someone new!

Beyonce should say NO! She shouldn’t just to take a role to take it, think about it.

and what’s up with all the biopic Black movies.
Sharonda

Are all the black Hollywood actresses busy or something?Oh nevermind, they aren’t because we don’t see them much anyways.I won’t be that interested.She looks like she gonna play everybody so that’s good I get a break lol.
candycane

Ok Sandra I’ll give you this one. YESSSSSSSSSS there are definitely more talented ACTRESSES out there. I dont understand why all these dayum singers are taking prime acting roles.
kdillon

Beyonce is ruining her own career! This is overkill, she has 2 videos out, 2 singles, a Double Album coming, a Deluxe Double Album, 110 city tour in April, 2 movies, “At Last” single releases, Loreal Commercials, H.O.D. ads, etc.

Where are the serious black actresses? Are these ladies being offered auditions? Is Matthew paying someone? I need to know some answers.

Just like Sarah Palin Beyonce should have declined this role and sat down somewhere. Beyonce so tries hard to be better than others, if you notice she never tries to put anyone on……
daninicole

I am a HUGE Beyonce fan and I even think that there would be better actresses that could handle the role. With that said, IF they offer it to her then she needs to take it. Everyone keeps saying that there are better actresses out there and they should have been offered the roles, well they were not. Don’t hate Beyonce hate her game. It is not up to Beyonce the roles that she gets chosen for. If Jada or Sanaa, or Tariji, or any other black actress wanted the roll they should have auditioned for it. If they got it or not it would not be Beyonce’s fault. She is only the actor. She is not the producer, writer, director, CEO of the movie company. You can’t knock her hustle. She gets it where she can.
daninicole

kdillon says:

Beyonce so tries hard to be better than others, if you notice she never tries to put anyone on

I have noticed that too (in regard to singers) but I personally would not want to be put on by Beyonce. Everyone would be comparing you to her and expecting you to do the numbers that she does because she put you on. She would still be your competition and we all know when it comes to that, you can’t ckuf with her. She does on the other hand put directors on. She picks up and coming video directors to do her videos and then the next thing you notice they are working with other stars. She probably doesn’t want to put anyone “on” in fear of ruining a relationship because she’s selling and making money and they are not.
phineinphilly

Her name will sell tickets, not her acting..if she blows this role the critics will eat her alive!
missmiami

She should not get this role. I am sure there is a real hollywood actress that would kill for the opportunity. Maybe Angela Bassett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess it’s who u know in the industry. Not to mention her dad probably threatened someone.
sexieblacc

I read somewhere that Eartha asked for her, and approved her playing her role…..i know that this has been in the works for a few years though….hmm, I still think they could’ve found another actress who could’ve played the part better. I think singers and rappers are taking all of these roles because there isn’t any money in the music business. And the environment is negative. Movie money is easy and less stressful.
shunda

Beyonce seems like she is mentally challenged whenever she opens her mouth. Sorry to the stans out there
http://myspace.com/bettathaniwasb4 2bme

This is a mistake..I think they should see how she does as Etta before making a decision like this. Eartha to this day still oozes sex appeal..The woman is what 70 something and still commands a room..Beyonce will never be Eartha and I honestly don’t think there are enough acting coaches out there to help her..Her diction alone is going to kill it.whoever ok’d this needs their head examaind
LADYTEA

this is sooooo true, I like Beyonce, but give these roles to Women who work their azzes off in acting!! give them a chance to prove their acting abilities, because IMO Beyonce has none.. great singer and performer though.
Deep Thoughts

I posted this on Clay’s site and I would like to post here, I am going to contact Black actresses in the industry. It’s time to speak out. And I will also do a Boycott site on Beyonce. I’ve gone from simply not being a fan due to not being impressed by her music, to wanting to expose her greedy, uncaring ways. I’m sure her father plays a big part in buying these roles for her.
**************

Well I’m glad the community has their eyes open enough to be SKEPTICAL and convey they don’t understand the situation.

Well let me explain it to you. Black people are considered insignificant in the media. Most Black celebrities are used for their marketability. And because we are a race focused on standing behind someone simply because they have money this is allowed to happen.

We have proven just by the actions portrayed in our movies that “making money” is all that counts, so just like the saying goes “thoughts become reality” and our culture is suffering.

They would never, ever, let Britney Spears despite all the money and fame she has, portray a substantial women in their history. They would not insult their own race in that way.

But again with Black people we are insignificant and it’s all about the money so it really doesn’t matter. And because many of us will support this, the cycle will continue.

I wonder if this race understands(sense we choose not to think, and excluding you Clay)how Black actresses and actors are suffering, they are in pain. They are literally being overshadowed for roles by talentless singers who offer marketability. I can’t imagine the way they perceive this woman. Beyonce will be her own downfall in the end. I will not support this and encouraged others not to, so that we can take back our culture and send the message “that we do care, it’s not all about marketability, but we do care what a product produces”.
Deep Thoughts

Correction to the above post.

In our movies==In our culture

We have portrayed in our culture that it’s all about “making money” by any means.
Deep Thoughts

sexieblacc Says:

I read somewhere that Eartha asked for her, and approved her playing her role…..i know that this has been in the works for a few years though….hmm, I still think they could’ve found another actress who could’ve played the part better. I think singers and rappers are taking all of these roles because there isn’t any money in the music business. And the environment is negative. Movie money is easy and less stressful.

I don’t believe that, I don’t think Eartha would do such a thing willingly. I think any form of support was due to her being convinced to do so for the films sake, even with Etta James. I don’t think she would have picked Beyonce, but she is an international celebrity and that would allow the movie to have more exposure. Money talks and the legitimate actors and actresses as well as our culture is suffering.
licia

i don’t see beyonce as eartha kitt.
iscream

Wow! This is what Robin Givens was talking about on The Game last night. Damn. I will not be supporting this.
kwallace577

laughing at iscream about the game last night. but you speak truth!

i am like the article. give this one to tisha campbell who actually resembles kitt. tisha can sing too. and dance (little shop of hororrs, school daze, hell even rags to riches…) not errythang can go to beyonce. i think lynn whitfield did a helleva job on josie baker and i remember they were trying to give that role to some of errybody when IT came around.

and about eartha’s accent? she has not lived in south carolina in like 70+ years. she got an accent but it is not a south cak one!
iscream

^^^^ Tisha is a great choice she also had an album out before.
Coo Coo Bananas

Anyone seen the Game last night besides #48? Poor Robin was damn near in tears talking about the same exact ish.
Irene

Really simple phenomenon, really. Most o the ppl she is starring as are light skinned people. Beyonce s lightskinned and so can be made to somewhat look like them. Light skinned will always be in. in that same vein, the next light skinned young starlet will play the life of Beyonce and other light skinned artists around today.
Nadine

Beyonce is as good an actress as Janet Jackson. She gets these roles because she’s ambitious and has to prove to herself that can do EVERYTHING. She will get movie roles because she’s hot right now, recognizable, and white folks will pay to watch her. One white cyber friend of mine remarked how ‘black women are getting better looking, look at Beyonce’….
ReadTheBlog

The only reason Beyonce got this role is because Eartha Kitt is of no importance to blacks and whomever bought the rights to this story realized that too late, and only wants to make some $ back. Eartha was nothing more than a self hating negro, and she had a baby by a white man. SOunds like Halle should hav landeddt his role instad. Ain’t nobody checkin fa dis sshhiitt – NEXT!

The Game was good last night.
justice

Since most of her fans are little girls they are not going to see a movie about Eartha Kitt and since she is not taking clothes off neither are the men After my husband stared at Beyonce in put a ring on it I asked him since she has shown you all her goodies are you going to by her cd when it comes out he couldn’t answer that…lol
istandbehindtheIam

Deep thoughts, that was DEEP and you hit the nail on the head. Not a Beyonce hater or lover, there’s just no interest there, it’s one thing to be a go getter and another to step over others to achieve ones greatness and Beyonce has tendencies to do that. I’m paraphrasing her in her interview in Essence this month, but she goes on to say, “It’s hard being a superstar these day, people can’t get enough and I can’t satisfy everyone.” I thought I was gonna vomit.
ChokLitFactory

Licia said it, I don’t see Beyonce as eartha either…don’t make no sense…I also don’t think she could pull of a whole movie on her own.
pointhimout

i dont hate on her, but i too wonder how she’s getting parts that jada, sanaa or latifah should be playing; even vivica.

how shes diana ross, etta james and ertha kitt? i dont get it either. halle berry was dorothy dandridge, but i guess she’ll do that one too pretty soon.

i think mathew is trying to set her up for that OLDER audience???? i dont know.
mimi08

@deep thoughts

You basically repeated what i said, and so of course i agree. If and when you get the boycott together please let me know. I know plenty of people who feel the way i do.

I don’t like Beyonce cause i think she’s fake…but this got nothing to do with the other.

It’s the fact that the producers are simply selecting her to put more bodies in the seats (we should be insulted by this people in case you didn’t know!), not for the authenticity of the character or the hardiness of the film. It’s depressing, and we all are suffering for it. I feel very sorry for black actresses and actors who are looked over, who have studied years at Sarah Lawrence and other pretigious acting schools, for a rapper or singer whose hugely popular. You might like beyonce, but at the end of the day, it boils down to everybody staying in their lane and being respectful. If Beyonce could actually act, i don’t think she would be getting these complaints. But for the fact that her acting literraly sucks major azz, and she’s getting coveted roles that it takes good actresses years and years of studying and acting to get, she’s getting it based on her name. NOT FAIR.

And no, it’s not necessarily Beyonce’s fault, it’s the movie producers and writers whose offering her these roles. Still, she knows she’s outta her league, but will take it cause of her constant greed and need to be praised.

The movie producers though are the ones who truly think we are dumb! They think we will continue to allow this. But i refuse to. I will boycott every last one of her projects so that these producers will make her earn what she gets and just stop giving her stuff cause her name is Beyonce.

Take a note from the white folks…they love them some Brit Brit, Lindsay Lo, Paris, and Nicole Richie…but you will never ever see them come out in scores to support their films cause they do not recognize them as “actors” and will not be insulted by being told they are. Their movies always flop. Now on the flip side, Britney Spears gone make a killing with the new cd, why? Cause this is her lane, and this is why they love her. Now if her acting gets better no doubt they will support her. But to simply come out in scores of roaches to see her on a film, NOT!
spongebobfan

alicia keys was great in ‘bees’ she has range beyonce could never have
pointhimout

so number 60 what you’re saying is if beyonce started licking twat, she’d have range too? that remains to be seen.
ReadTheBlog

#61 – So inappropriate, and irrelevant. Let’s stay focused, OK?!?
KaraZ

I’m convinced that The Knowles clan is pimping someone for Beyonce to keep getting roles because its public knowledge that Beyonce couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag.

I wish they would give underemployed black actresses the acting roles, vs no talent all fluff pop stars; I know Beyonce keeps wanting to be branded as a triple threat, but she needs at least two other “threats” for that to be true.
mimimumbi

Allot of these actresses are maybe too old to play her. Tisha, Jada, Tachina…..and the young ones, I donno, i cant see Meagan Goode on this one, Jennifer Hudson, naaah….I donno. I think Beyonce has a great team behind her, she doesnt get these roles on her own, her management team finds these roles and directors want her, she has the looks, BUT she doesnt really have the acting down, anyway, this is experience, she knows she cant sing forever, not the way she does now, she isnt changing with time, and soon enough that wont fly. She has potential, but she stays in her comfort zone. Anyway, she will get better, not all actors were born great, some took time to perfect that talent. Halle could act at first BUT after a few movies he got better and took home an oscar. Remember in the 70’s diana ross was stealling all the really good black films, it happens in every generation. In another few years, someone new will come along and it will be Beyonce WHO? Right now, i dont think she even auditions for all her roles, she just lands them. anyway, we cant blame Bey for that, its Hollywood!
Krysi J

This is not a good move. All I know is Beyonce Knowles better work this role for all it was worth, because if she doesn’t she will probably lose some of her supporters because of it. Not only do the majority of the comments on this post oppose the idea of this, but even her STANS are saying NOT COOL. This is a really important role and Beyonce couldn’t even pull off her role in dream girls…WHY O WHY would someone even think about offering her an Eartha Kitt script?? I was she would just be a LADY and step down….This role deserves so much better.
Krysi J

*wish*
http://myspace.com/thegameoncw Bird

I’m definately not feeling this one, but who knows, maybe Miss B can pull it off. We shall see.
MzTee

Those who wrote that Beyonce’s name will sell tickets, didn’t read the article or lack basic reading comprehension skills. Beyonce hasn’t proven that she is a box office draw. The box office receipts don’t lie — she ain’t putting butts in theater seats. The only movies she’s been in that have grossed $100K+ million are either franchise movies (Austin Powers’ series) or have talented ensemble casts (Dreamgirls) which would have been successful regardless if Beyonce were in those movies or NOT.

I agree with the article — Beyonce is a good entertainer, but an actress she’s NOT. This is a star-making role that should go to a deserving and talented actress. BUT unfortunately due to the short-sidedness of Hollywood, the role has been offered to a musical artist instead of a trained and technically skilled actor. Hollywood seems to think that musical artists can easily transition from music to acting and that just ain’t the case except in rare, rare occasions. And, Beyonce’s name is not part of the list of musical artists who have gone on to successful movie careers.
koki83

They should find a talented, unknown actress. This is stupid.
brwnsugga4you

beyonce doesn’t even speak well…let alone being a great actress i’m sorry. it is what it is!
peachapple601

I have been waiting for my membership to get approved so that I could comment on this. I am sorry this woman doesn’t have an acting bone in her body; never even seen an “acting bug”…let alone been bit by one. If you have been paying attention all the roles that ppl are saying she has done well in are roles where all she does is sing. I am so over this woman it is a shame. I am so ready for her to be exposed!!!!

How Does Beyonce Keep Getting All These Movie Roles?

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