Diana Ross is simply the best person to play this part. In fact she was the first choice! It earned her a nomination for best actress. For anyone to say that she isn’t a great actress has to re-evaluate what it means to be a great actor.
Furthermore, no one really knows who or what the real Billie Holiday looks like. Famed fashion designer Bob Mackie mentioned that he himself doesn’t even know what Miss Holiday looks like. I personally think Diana’s voice was better than Miss Holiday’s, although Suzanne de Passe mentioned before during the filming of the movie that Berry Gordy wanted Diana to sound more like Diana Ross, not Billie Holliday.
Diana took this film with a vengence and she silenced her critics. If this movie was to be an accurate portrayal of Miss Holliday then we would have to have a few more leading men other than Billy Dee Williams and the film would’ve been much longer. Berry Gordy and Paramount Pictures did a great job in portraying her and most people would agree that this movie depicts Diana Ross’ acting talents and portrayal of Billie Holiday at it’s best.
Cast
- Diana Ross – Billie Holiday
- Billy Dee Williams – Louis McKay
- Richard Pryor – Piano Man
- James T. Callahan – Reg Hanley (as James Callahan)
- Paul Hampton – Harry
- Sid Melton – Jerry
- Virginia Capers – Mama Holiday
- Yvonne Fair – Yvonne
- Isabel Sanford – The Madame
- Tracee Lyles – The Prostitute
- Ned Glass – The Agent
- Milton Selzer – The Doctor
- Norman Bartold – The Detective #1
- Clay Tanner – The Detective #2
- Jester Hairston – The Butler
Tags: Lady Sings the Blues, R&B