Entering into an iconic position is daunting sufficient, particularly in a remake of a multi-Oscar-nominated movie that is still as beloved at the moment as when it was first launched virtually 4 a long time in the past. However for Fantasia Barrino, the position of Celie within the new big-screen manufacturing of The Coloration Purple additionally got here with dangerous recollections.
“I performed her on Broadway, again in 2007, but it surely was a tricky time for me,” mentioned the 39-year-old actress. “It was eight reveals per week, I used to be so younger and I used to be going via rather a lot personally.”
This time, nevertheless, it was completely different. “I beloved the expertise. Celie taught me a lot. She beloved all people. She was stuffed with forgiveness and that’s what I wish to attempt to be. I carry Celie with me and I hope to make her proud.”
Though Oscar glory has eluded her this yr, the previous American Idol winner has been savouring awards season, particularly with a Golden Globe nomination. She misplaced out to Emma Stone for Greatest Actress in a Comedy or Musical, however being a contender was thrilling sufficient. “I do not know easy methods to comprehend what’s occurring to me,” she admitted.
© Warner Bros“I really missed the [nomination] announcement on TV, however my mother and husband instructed me on the cellphone. I hung up, I used to be so shocked.”
Fantasia initially turned down the prospect to reprise the position of Celie, partly because of the similarities between them – each are survivors of home violence who struggled with melancholy. However director Blitz Bazawule persuaded her. “He allowed me and the viewers to see what girls undergo and that generally, now we have to think about ourselves in a distinct place earlier than we get there.”
The star is definitely now in a cheerful place with husband Kendall Taylor and their daughter Keziah, three in Could, along with 22-year-old daughter Zion and 12-year-old son Dallas from earlier relationships. Whereas filming, she had a “second” household – her co-stars together with Corey Hawkins, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P Henson. “I used to be everybody’s greatest fan. I saved having to ask Corey to inform me if I used to be getting on his nerves as a result of I am his greatest fan.”
The unique 1985 movie, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, had an impression on her rising up. “I bear in mind seeing it once I was youthful and it felt like such an enormous second for me and the black neighborhood.
© Getty“I felt like I had rather a lot in widespread with Celie, however I by no means imagined for a second that I might be taking part in her on Broadway and in a film. I bear in mind additionally seeing the Broadway present for the primary time and being blown away at the way it moved the room. Everybody was crying. It was so highly effective and so therapeutic.”
MORE: Meet True Detective star Kali Reis’s well-known husband
READ: Tina Fey on creating Imply Ladies: ‘There have been actual Imply Ladies again in my high-school days’
The most important problem of taking part in Celie was studying easy methods to faucet dance. “That took plenty of exhausting hours of observe, observe, observe,” Fantasia mentioned. “The singing I used to be used to, however doing it at 5am or 6am was powerful, too.”
© Warner BrosWanting again on the at-times rocky 20 years since she first discovered fame, Fantasia is grateful for the expertise. “I used to be simply 19 once I received American Idol. I did not know. I did not know something and I trusted everybody.
“I’ve learnt plenty of harsh classes since about life and love. However I imagine every little thing I went via was essential to make me the girl I’m at the moment.”
The Coloration Purple is presently accessible to observe in cinemas.
Report by Katie Ellis.
