Beyoncé is going to have the best coach in the biz when she takes on the role of Etta James in Cadillac Records, a forthcoming movie about Etta's life. The legendary singer tells PageSix.com exclusively that she's going to be advising the "Bootylicious" star herself. "It's a privilege and an honor to have somebody like that girl. I don't think she looks like me, but that's all right. They can fix that up," Etta tells us. And appearance isn't all Beyoncé will have to work on. "Oh my god, she's going to have a hill to climb, because Etta James ain't been no angel!" she says. Producers have informed Etta that she'll get the chance to consult with the 26-year-old Destiny's Child star, giving her pointers on both the acting and the singing — the latter being something the "At Last" singer was most concerned with when she got wind of the casting. Of her many hits, Etta feels, "I have my own way of putting those songs over, and I was just wondering if Beyoncé could, and my son said, 'They're thinking about how she looks, but mama, she can really sing!'" It was the Dreamgirls star's performance at the Grammys earlier this month that won Etta over, when Jay-Z's main squeeze rocked "Proud Mary" with Tina Turner."I kinda have a man's voice. It's a contralto, more bluesy, religious. I would really like to work with her on that," the 70-year-old songstress says. Of her life lessons, Etta, who battled heroin addiction for many years, says, "I can tell Beyoncé some things; some of the things I might not tell her." She does stress that the emotional transformation Beyoncé must undergo will have to be a little intense. "I wasn't as bourgie as she is, she's bourgeois. She knows how to be a lady, she's like a model. I wasn't like that... I smoked in the bathroom in school, I was kinda arrogant, so those are some of the things I would want to tell her." The flick will co-star Adrien Brody (reportedly replacing Matt Damon) in the role of music exec Leonard Chess, as well as Cedric the Entertainer and Jeffrey Wright. The meeting between the divas will be happening soon, as sources tell us filming is scheduled to start on March 10 in New Jersey, with two days on location in Mississippi.
GALLERY UPDATE: SEVENTEEN 11/2000
Etta James, the legendary soul singer to be portrayed by Beyonce in the upcoming film "Cadillac Records," recently spoke about how pleased she is with the casting choice. "It's a privilege and an honor to have somebody like that girl. I don't think she looks like me, but that's all right. They can fix that up," Etta told PageSix.com. But moving beyond looks, James warns: "Oh my god, she's going to have a hill to climb, because Etta James ain't been no angel!" For one, James says Beyonce will have to make some changes to her singing style. "I have my own way of putting those songs over, and I was just wondering if Beyoncé could, and my son said, 'They're thinking about how she looks, but Mama, she can really sing.'" "I kinda have a man's voice. It's a contralto, more bluesy, religious. I would really like to work with her on that," the 70-year-old songstress adds. Etta, who battled heroin addiction for many years, says, "I can tell Beyoncé some things; some of the things I might not tell her. "I wasn't as bougie as she is, she's bourgeois. She knows how to be a lady, she's like a model. I wasn't like that... I smoked in the bathroom in school, I was kinda arrogant, so those are some of the things I would want to tell her." As previously reported, "Cadillac Records" will star Adrien Brody in the role of music exec Leonard Chess, as well as Cedric the Entertainer and Jeffrey Wright. Shooting is scheduled to start on March 10 in New Jersey, with two days on location in Mississippi.
Beyonce is still talking about her memorable performance with Tina Turner at last weekend's Grammy Awards ceremony. And that includes the 68-year-old legend's sleek set of pins! "You can't compare my legs to Tina's - no!" Beyonce told Extra. "Tina's legs at 68 look better than mine at 26." "I was beyond nervous. I was so nervous I couldn't even hide it," she added about her performance. "So I just had to scream and jump up and down." And despite the fact that Beyonce has sold millions of records and won a multitude of awards, her mum Tina Knowles has her own advice for what keeps her daughter grounded. "Smack 'em around every once in a while," she joked. "No, not really. I'm not an expert on it - I just did a lot of praying." Extra spoke to Tina and Beyonce as they prepared to unveil their new autumn line from their House of Dereon fashion label. "We have hosiery, we have lingerie, our bags are sick and our shoes are crazy," smiled Beyonce.
Beyonce Knowles was spending St. Valentine's Day gorging herself with chocolate because the special day fell at the end of a lengthy diet. The Crazy In Love singer admits she has been watching what she eats for the past two months - so she'd look trim and sexy next to Tina Turner at the Grammy Awards. And now the big event has passed, Knowles plans to celebrate the most romantic day of the year in style. She explains, "I dieted before the Grammys because, after the holidays, I needed to drop a couple pounds. So, now I can eat whatever I want. I want a lot of chocolate. A lot of carbs." Other than that, she's planning a quiet night in with boyfriend Jay-Z. Knowles adds, "(It'll be) really quiet - a great movie and a great meal." Jay-Z revealed though, he was planning a romantic surprise for Beyoncé. The producer told US TV show 'Extra': "I'm very romantic and very suave. I'm going to do something really great for her but only she'll know about it!"
Shakira and Beyonce's steamy Beautiful Liar video has beaten promos by Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and new mum Christina Aguilera to claim the top spot in a new Sexiest 2007 Videos list. The clever film, in which the Colombian pop star and Knowles appear to morph into each other, beat Rihanna's Umbrella to gain the number one place in a new Playboy magazine poll. Justin Timberlake's all-wet pool kissing session with Scarlett Johansson gave his What Goes Around... Comes Around video third place, ahead of Gym Class Heroes' Clothes Off and Candyman by Aguilera.