Alicia Sounds the Horne
Posted Wed. Dec. 12, 2007 6:05pm by Jarett Wieselman

Looks like Janet Jackson’s dream of playing music legend Lena Horne is officially dead, because Oprah Winfrey has taken control of the project and cast Alicia Keys in the title role. During an interview for her new film, The Great Debaters, Oprah revealed that while she’s never going to act again, she’s taken to producing like a billionaire fish to water. “We’re going to start filming next year,” Oprah said of her Lena Horne biopic. “And we’ve got Alicia.”

Now, unless she’s talking about one-time Batgirl Alicia Silverstone (please, no), it’s pretty much a given that the Grammy winner nabbed the role. Especially when you consider that Oprah told Alicia in 2005 that she would love for the 27-year-old to slip into the legendary singer's shoes.


The casting makes perfect sense since Lena and Alicia share more than a passing resemblance. Both were born in New York, both conquered the music industry quickly and both share a passion for philanthropy. Alicia is a spokesperson for several AIDS organizations, while Lena (below) dedicated her life to the civil rights movement.


Lena has been heavily involved in the casting of her life story since she famously asked for Janet Jackson to remove herself from the project (when it was set up as a TV movie at ABC) following her wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl. What an honor for Alicia: to not only have the blessing of the powerful Oprah, but the legendary lady as well.
www.pagesix.com/story/ali...unds+horne

what a titty can do!!!

Oh hell, they look nothing alike Can Alicia even act? I haven't seen anything she's been in

And voice-wise, it's no match either. Oh boy... Good for Alicia though, prove me wrong PLEASE

Oprah trippin' if she thinks Alicia can actually do it well.

I mean Alicia's cool but come the fuck on now...
[Edited 12/13/07 10:25am]

Wow. Didn’t see this one coming. I guess that means she’s not doing that movie about the pianist that Halle was producing.

MikeMatronik said:

JackieBlue said:

I rather see her do that. That's more her style.

This should be excellent. Alicia is a great choice for this roll and much better than Janet IMO. Alicia has much more musical talent than Janet.

Empress said:

I actually don't think neither were capable but you know what, I'm gonna see what Alicia does with it despite my own feeling that she would be better doing another film role.

The way they're setting this up, it's like they want Alicia to be the next Diana, like get nods for her first role as an entertainment legend.

Timmy84 said:

Personally, I don't see why there is so much dislike for Alicia. She seems to have class and talent. Her latest cd was flogged on this site, but I'm really enjoying it. It took me a few listens before I could say that, but after 4-5 listens I started to feel it and I think it's great. She seems so down to earth too, which I love.

Empress said:

Maybe because they don't feel she lives up to the billing Clive Davis gave her so that gives people leverage to think she sucks or something, lol.

Timmy84 said:

Perhaps - but Clive and most like him usually overhype anyone they're hoping will make them mega-millions. I support Alicia all the way. I enjoy all 3 of her cd's and I'm sure she will put everything into this role.

alicia is too f*ckin hard to pull this off...there is a feminine elegance that horne possessed that alicia's boyish swagger will never be able to replicate...

i will go so far as to say i will eat my left shoe if this woman can hid all her mannerisms and pull this off.

ughhhhh.....

Lil jon says; WHHHAAAAATTT?

sosgemini said:

I'm inclined to agree with that assessment. It just doesn’t come across as the right fit. Question is... who would?

audience1 said:

Excellent question, I got nothin' My answer is 30 years too late: Lonette McKee

This is a very bad idea. Oprah would be better off holding auditions for an unknown actress who can ACT. Did you see Alicia in the "You Don't Know My Name" video? She wasn't very convincing as a waitress.

Great news! The epitome of MANHOOD portraying the epitome of femininity, goooood casting, Harpo!



I bet its a bargain from Oprah's part; I'll give you a movie if you let me

Give a motherfucker a record deal and a hit machine to back it up and he/she'll be qualified to be a professional actor/actress in no time.

Fuck Oprah
[Edited 12/13/07 13:56pm]

Harlepolis said:

OMG!!!!!

CalhounSq said:

Lonette would have been perfect

Harlepolis said:

They are going 2 have 2 lipsync her singing parts.....lol.

Graycap23 said:

They have to. Alicia's voice is too rough. Lena had that soft and sultry sound to it.

Some of ya'll just made cuz she got Common j/k

Janet must be pissed tho

bboy87 said:

Common, who's that dude she's always talking about that she's in a relationship with?

Harlepolis said:

Timmy84 said:

-----
This sounds like something her management wrote.(LOL)

"The casting makes perfect sense since Lena and Alicia share more than a passing resemblance. Both were born in New York, both conquered the music industry quickly and both share a passion for philanthropy. Alicia is a spokesperson for several AIDS organizations, while Lena (below) dedicated her life to the civil rights movement. "