Letâs take a look at who all will be playing the iconic roles in the film:
Andra Day as Billie Holiday
In this screengrab, Andra Day performs during the Virtual Parade Across America on January 20, 2021. Following the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden, the Virtual Parade Across America features celebrities and performances from across the country. (Getty Images)
The 36-year-old American singer, songwriter, and actor has multiple Grammy nominations. Her debut album, âCheers to the Fallâ, peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was nominated for Best R&B Album and the album s main single, âRise Upâ, was nominated for Best R&B Performance at the 2016 Grammys. Her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the biopic âThe United States vs. Billie Holidayâ received two nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actress in a Motion Picture â Drama and Best Original Song.
Lady Sings the Blues” was made. The movie was
Diana Ross’ debut as an actress, where she shared star billing with
Billy Dee Williams. The film was also
Berry Gordy’s debut as a film producer.
Like most films, there’s always a back story to the things that happen on the set. Billy Dee Williams has revealed some interesting tidbits about a few of the happenings during the making of the film, which caused a few awkward moments between Williams, Ross, and Gordy.
Williams’ character, Louis McKay, was deeply in love with Diana’s character, Billie Holiday. The film called for Williams and Ross to get close – real close on the set. The problem was that Gordy, according to Williams, wasn’t cool with the love scene between the actor and Ross.
Hamilton mum transforms life in 4st weight loss
Claire Louise McKay had withdrawn from social groups and avoided friends and family celebrations. (Image: Freelance)
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A Hamilton mum shed four stone in weight after saying she was fed up standing on the sidelines watching her children enjoy all their activities.
Andra Day stars in The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.
On a list of Civil Rights movement leaders, few people would think to name Billie Holiday. But in his new movie,
The United States vs Billie Holiday, starring Andra Day, Lee Daniels shines a light on that facet of the jazz singer’s story, in which Holiday’s 1939 song about lynching, Strange Fruit, made her a target of the FBI. When you think of Civil Rights leaders, you think of men, Daniels says. When you think of Billie Holiday, you think of this brilliant tortured jazz singer that happened to have been a drug addict. I didn t know that she kicked off the Civil Rights movement. Before there was a Civil Rights movement, there was Billie Holiday and Strange Fruit. The government saw that song as a threat and she was a target. That s history and they keep it from us.
Courtesy of Hulu
In the film starring Andra Day, Daniels tracks the FBI’s fear of the power of Strange Fruit : The government saw that song as a threat and she was a target. That s history and they keep it from us.
On a list of Civil Rights movement leaders, few people would think to name Billie Holiday. But in his new movie,
The United States vs Billie Holiday, starring Andra Day, Lee Daniels shines a light on that facet of the jazz singer’s story, in which Holiday’s 1939 song about lynching, Strange Fruit, made her a target of the FBI.