I can't believe this! This, from the woman who did Critter's 4? What's love got 2 do with it, indeed! Read on:

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Bassett Bashes Berry's "Monster" Role
Mon Jun 24, 2:10 PM ET
By Mark Armstrong

Actress Angela Bassett hasn't had a starring role on the big screen since 1998. So how is she getting her groove back? By dissing the role that earned Halle Berry an Oscar.

The 43-year-old actress is speaking out about racism, sexism and ageism in Hollywood in the latest issue of Newsweek, and she saves her harshest words for Monster's Ball, saying she turned down the film's lead role because she thinks it was demeaning to black women.

Berry later snagged the part--that of a death-row widow who inadvertently falls in love with the warden who executed her husband--and nabbed the Academy Award for Best Actress. But according to Bassett, "It's about character, darling."

"I wasn't going to be a prostitute on film," she tells the magazine. "I couldn't do that because it's such a stereotype about black women and sexuality."

Bassett swears she's not trying to criticize Berry (um, okay), but she then points out that "it's about putting something out there you can be proud of 10 years later. I mean Meryl Streep won Oscars without all that."

No word from Berry's camp about Bassett's comments. But they appear to be a not-so-veiled jab from a woman who Berry mentioned in her tearful Oscar acceptance speech in March, when it marked the first time an African-American woman has received the honor.

Bassett herself was once nominated for an Oscar for her gritty portrayal of Tina Turner in 1993's biopic What's Love Got to Do with It. And with a résumé that already included Boyz N the Hood and Malcolm X, Bassett followed with work in such films as Strange Days, Contact and Waiting to Exhale.

Since then, however, the lead roles have dried up: Her last starring gig came four years ago, with 1998's adaptation of the Terry McMillan book How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

So is her Monster's rant just a case of sour grapes? The Newsweek story spins Bassett as a fiercely independent woman on the comeback trail, earning critical raves for her latest role in John Sayles' ensemble drama Sunshine State. She says it's been difficult to battle Hollywood perceptions of race and age (she says both were at play when then lesser known Catherine Zeta-Jones beat her out for a role opposite Sean Connery in Entrapment) and at the same time, remain true to herself.

(Of course, not all of Bassett's film credits are nearly so high-minded: 1991's Critters 4, anyone?)

But Bassett says she's not willing to take just any role in order to keep working. "I'm not living on beans and water yet," she says. "I'll just have to wait for it to come to me. If it's supposed to be mine, it will be."

As for the Monster's Ball role, Bassett insists she's happy for Berry, and did get teary-eyed when Halle mentioned her in the Oscar speech.

"I can't and don't begrudge Halle her success," Bassett adds. "It wasn't the role for me, but I told her she'd win and I told her to go get what was hers. Of course I want one, too. I would love to have an Oscar. But it has to be for something I can sleep with at night."

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Yeah, this will get her some offers! Everyone loves bitter, jealous people! Quick, get me her agent!

What's the uproar about?

if u read the entire article, she doesnt sound bitter...she, just like a host of other actresses, Meryl Streep, Helen Hunt, Sally Fields (to name a few) who refuse to do gratuitous sex scenes..if you ask me, the media is making more out of this then there really is...


more power to *all* actresses (expecially african american whos roles are very limited) who can make that choice...

I did read the entire article...and in between the lines... It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that lines like, "I wasn't going to be a prostitute on film, I couldn't do that because it's such a stereotype about black women and sexuality." and "It's about character, darling." and ""it's about putting something out there you can be proud of 10 years later." sounds judgemental, and, in my opinion, bitter!

That's if I still get an opinion on things 'round here!

Meanwhile, Halle will b polishing her Oscar ten years from now, and Angela will b still tryin' 2 get her groove back!

see, i just dont read it that way...its fine to disagree, im not hell bent on making you agree with me..

I just see Angela's comments as "I wont do something that *I* wont be proud of in ten years"...the movie called for a lot of raw and emotional scenes, in the nude..A lot of actresses wouldnt have touched that role...which is one of the reasons I think the Academy awarded Halle...she took the risk...she made the role work...

Bassett is really not saying anything different than what many Blacks (women AND men) have said about that role.

SkletonKee said:

Thats what I'm talking about yo,,,

Whats so bitter about all that?? PPL be playing wit the words and make 'em seem like they're harsh wassup wit that?? Altho I felt BAD 4 sistas like Whoopi(Purple colore) & Angela(WLGTDWI) but guess what?? I'm so proud of Miss Berry(THE FIRST BLACK(Or maybe woman of color) 2 recieve an OSCAR?? That is somthing and I'll be damned if I didn't support the sistah to the fullest.

So ain't no need to be paranoied!!! Much love to all the actresses ESP ALL WOMEN OF COLOR!!!

"Strange Days" is a very good movie and A. Basset's role was very interesting in it...

Angela Bassett and Halle Berry obviously have different opinions about the meaning and value of the female role in Monsters Ball. You know, women don't all have to agree on exactly what is degrading to them and people of color don't all have to be of the same mind about what exactly constitutes racism. Just as I don't speak for all white women, Angela and Halle don't speak for all black women. Live and let live...

Luckily, there is variety within all groups!

I respect Angela Bassett for being honest, rather than sucking up and telling sweet lies to the media. She wasn't rude, she just was honest about why she herself didn't take the role.

Yeah, SkletonKee..I see where u comin' from. I respect ur opinion. I loved Ms. Basset in "The Score" as Robert DeNiro's lover, small part that it was, and I absolutely loved her in WLGTDWI. She was exceptionally good as Michael Jackson's mother in the TV Movie "The Jacksons - An American Dream".

I agree with u that a lot of actresses won't do the kind of nudity that that role required. But, still, as a friend of Halle's, she shouldn't b knocking it either...imo.

I give all credit 2 Halle 4 taking on that role! She was fantastic in her portrayal. As far as her winning the Oscar, I don't see where color has anything 2 do with that.

She was an actress who pulled off an incredible per4mance...period.

I don't see what the problem is. AB spoke her mind because some goofball reporter asked her. This is hardly an issue to be concerned; for either Halle or her fans and I certainly don't see Bassett as bitter or angry.

I cant see Angela doing that specific Monsters Ball role due to the obvious scene..hell, that took some...somethin'. I see Angela as a female Denzel in the fact that Denzel will not play or do scenes where he is what they called beefcake etc. He had issues with Spike Lee in taking his shirt off for Mo Better Blues ("look..I got 3 kids..."). I respect Angela's decison and I think she is criminally underrated as an actress. I love her. Strange Days is an excellent sci-fi movie that got buried. Her limited role opposite DeNiro in The Score made you just want to see more of her. Courtney Vance is a lucky mf.

I'm a (young) black woman and I didn't see a problem with Halle's role, but my mother and grandmother did. They now have less respect for Halle. I think that has to do with old stereotype of black women being nymphos and that's all they're good for

A more balanced reporting:


Angela Bassett slams Halle Berry's Oscar role. Despite not having had a lead movie role in four years, she turned down the ''Monster's Ball'' part because she didn't want to ''be a prostitute'' by Gary Susman




ANGELA'S LASHES Bassett criticizes Berry's ''Monster's Ball'' role, but not her performance


Had things turned out differently, it might have been Angela Bassett, not Halle Berry, baring all for ''Monster's Ball'' -- and shedding copious tears on Oscar night as the first African-American to win a Best Actress trophy. But Bassett tells Newsweek that, despite a screen career drought, she turned the role down because she found the part demeaning. ''I wasn't going to be a prostitute on film,'' she says. (Not literally a prostitute -- the character is a waitress who has an affair with her convict husband's executioner.) ''I couldn't do that because it's such a stereotype about black women and sexuality.'' She says, ''Film is forever. It's about putting something out there you can be proud of 10 years later. I mean, Meryl Streep won Oscars without all that.''

The 43-year-old actress says she has nothing against Berry, that it was just the role. (Vanessa Williams and other actresses turned it down, too, Newsweek reports.) She tells the magazine she loved Berry's performance and cried herself when Berry mentioned her in her acceptance speech. ''I can't and don't begrudge Halle her success,'' Bassett says. ''It wasn't the role for me, but I told her she'd win, and I told her to go get what was hers. Of course I want one, too. I would love to have an Oscar. But it has to be for something I can sleep with at night.''

Bassett came close to winning an Oscar herself when she was nominated for her starring role as Tina Turner in 1993's ''What's Love Got To Do With It.'' In the years since then, however, the offers didn't exactly pour in for the actress. After ''What's Love,'' she says, ''I didn't work again for another year and a half. I guess I was pretty naive to think it would be different -- that it was just about the talent -- particularly for someone who looks like me. You forget that sometimes.'' Her last starring role was in 1998's ''How Stella Got Her Groove Back.''

She says she was also up for the starring role in the 1999 thriller ''Entrapment,'' opposite Sean Connery. ''I remember him saying how beautiful our skin would look next to each other's, and how I was perfect. I left the meeting thinking, 'It's mine.' But a few weeks later, they cast a lesser-known actress at the time.'' (That would be Catherine Zeta-Jones.) Bassett currently costars in John Sayles' indie ensemble pic ''Sunshine State.''
(Posted:06/24/02)

DAMN,I really gotta see this movie! Is the love scene THAT explicit?? Can someone describe it for me in more detail?

many actresses don't like doing nudity.

DavidEye said:

Hey Davideye!

It IS that explicit!! Sometimes you are wondering if they are acting or not!

But I dont think anyone wants to spoil it for you with the details!!

DCM

I don't think AJ is bitter or jealous of Halle. She just doesn't want to do roles where she doesn't feel comfortable playing. Everyone's entitled to their own beliefs. That's not her character, anyway. I am a little pissed at Halle for portraying a stereotypical role, though. Not only as a Black woman, but a woman period. We need to see more films with strong, powerful women of any race on the big screen. I'm sick of seeing women being portrayed as scandalous, backstabbing, lust-filled nymphs. We need some positivity around here!

Don't 4get the Oscar Jodie Foster won 4 her portrayal of a woman "gang-raped" in the movie The Accused.

The rape scene was riveting and brutal and much nudity was shown (far less than Monster's Ball, however). She was portraying so called "white trash", and no one bitched at her 4 doing it.

Why is this an issue?

June7 said:

well, rape is a horrible act that is forced on a woman..i think why so many people have shown concern's about Halles actions (err, the characters) is that she decided to act on her own accord...which, give Halle credit, she created a character that moves people to think...and thats the power of art...it just further proves what in excellent job she did...

but, people need to remember, its the character that behaved like a needy slut, not Halle. I dont discredit Halle, but I use the character's actions as a starting point for dialog...

June7 said:

Historical stereotypes?

Supernova said:

I concur. I haven't seen "Monster's Ball" and from what I hear have no wish to either.

Supernova said:

HISTORICAL or HYSTERICAL (?)

rdhull said:

I wholeheartedly agree on both points!!!

Let's not forget that Mira Sorvino won an Oscar for playing a character called Judy Cum - a prostitute whose character fell in love with (oh, LAWD) Woody Allen in "Mighty Afrodite". If the issue is really about sexism, I'd venture to say that the problem knows no color lines.

Thank U, Anxiety! I concur!

AnotherLoverHoleinYoHead said:

preach girl, preach

Anxiety said:

actually, this has been a complaint from a large group of female actors...Why is it that a huge amount of Oscar Winning performances/noms are prostitutes...Mira, Jane Fonda, Liza Manelli, Barbra Streisand, Elizabeth Shue and a host of others have all won for playing hookers...
the speculation is this; since there are a lot of older men Academy voters, the young hot babes who play sexy roles tend to win over more respected older roles (wonder why Sissy Spacek, Ellyn Burnsten, Judy Dench and Annette Benning all lost to young hot thangs?)...its not sexism, its ageism...
[This message was edited Tue Jun 25 17:31:13 PDT 2002 by SkletonKee]

bassett is jealous because halle gets more opportunities because she is prettier than her.

most women are very jealous of halle because she is fine and her feet don't stink


xenophobia is jammin...

SkletonKee said:

Ah, yes, but--the Oscar winning prostitutes always have the "heart of gold" and reform themselves. At a societal level, you could say that this is because women are desired for their sexuality, but only respected if their sexuality is accepted by society's standards. The old "whore in the bedroom, lady in the parlor" stereotype/ideal...
[This message was edited Tue Jun 25 17:38:27 PDT 2002 by AnotherLoverHoleinYoHead]