You're always against a clock, and that will always be every project's nemesis. please have the flu! Antin wanted a big, familiar face for the role of Tess, and Antin had considered Queen Latifah or Michelle Pfeiffer for the role of the club owner Tess. [jwplayer eTtrv57w-zhNYySv2] I wrote a story for her show that loosely weaved together their musical numbers. I called Steven [and told him] it was a sign he should make this movie. The credits play over a background of the stage set from the final scene ("Show Me How to Burlesque" dance number). I mean, hello. ANTIN: I'd talked to a few different studios and networks about the project with my ex-producing partner, Joe Voci. There wasnt anything Steven wanted, creatively, that anybody disagreed with. "I also had to have a balance of starting out very vulnerable and wide-eyed and naive," she explained. In today's world, that's all you hope for. Culpepper felt Aguilera's deep admiration for Cher emotions complimentary to the dynamic between Ali and Tess in the film. Now that it's taken on this cult following, Cher has a whole new audience of young girls. In conjunction with the image of the modern, independent woman, these women were exploring their sexuality and flaunting their agency, although often in a manner directly dictated by the male gaze. It was insane. It was obviously an audience that loved Cher and Christina, but I was worried. These girls were watching it time and time again on TV, they'd watch it with their friends or their mothers or buy the DVD. Cher and [her character] Tess are not that unalike both are show business troupers, Kaplan said. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. She finally read it and agreed to a meeting with Clint and [then-Sony Motion Picture Chairperson] Amy Pascal. Steven and Christina were, creatively, on the same page. I have to hear everything!". [Georgia shakes her head and starts crying] Oh no. Sean: [from trailer] So, is Ali short for anything? In fact, Cody even opened up about how people ask her about projects she was only briefly involved with. Several years ago [RuPaul's Drag Race stars Farrah Moan and Chad Michaels] did a live drag version of the movie, which I thought was hilarious. In my experience of meeting and working with some of the greatest legends, the best ones usually are that way. But I don't have one number in that movie that I wish was a different number. She unknowingly walks into a burlesque club run by Tess (Cher), which is facing financial hardship despite its talented group of dancers. (2003), as Kevin Volchok and Sandy Cohen, respectively. into a club called Burlesque and is instantly mesmerized by the choreographed and somewhat risqu dance numbers to old classic tunes performed by the likes of Nikki (KRISTEN BELL), Georgia (JULIANNE HOUGH) and Coco (CHELSEA . Im like, That was a week of my life, she remarked once. we're going to take you right up there [to Steven's office] and talk you into doing this movie!" The first instrumental Ali dances to during her audition is the background music from "Nasty Naughty Boy," performed by Christina Aguilera. Dandy Dillinger, a 33-year-old baker and burlesque performer living in the East Village, lost both her day job and her performance career when the pandemic hit. Christina Aguilera's "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" fantasy was the first scene shot. [42] The movie was also referenced in the third season of the VH1 reality show RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. He is the brother of the group's creator, Robin Antin. But they never got to fully share that excitement at the time of release. When he stumbles over words, she says "Jack, we're friends for Christ's sake. The film marked Aguilera's film debut and Cher's first musical. RELATED:5 Best (& 5 Worst) Movie Musicals. Christina was the choice. I want someone with more bite and more passion for what she wants in life. And so, they rewrote it., In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies. That night, Ali and Jack sleep together, beginning an affair. She will make friends and enemies, and by dint of perseverance, will manage to get closer to her dream. Sean encourages Jack to end the engagement, as Ali is a better person than his shallow fiance. I had an initial meeting with Amy Pascal and Clint Culpepper, and I said, 'I just dont think shes for me. There were a few scenes we shared where I learned from her that being a supportive costar really helps to create something special, and motivating each other is what makes for a great outcome. What, I don't have a brain? I had everyone that I knew calling [Steve]. Patron Tequila product placement in several scenes. alum shines in a few scenes as Tess' ex-husband, Vince, who wants to sell the burlesque club to Marcus. -M-NUva. I can't even remember where. One is a timely, provocative story inspired by a classic movie, and one is related to Burlesque. Cher. She'd never really done it before, and suddenly she was the lead, carrying a movie. ANTIN: I certainly didn't set out to make a camp movie that people laugh at. It was a long process. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Powered by WordPress VIP. It was Pretty Woman on a fire escape. It's not like we're brother and sister," to which Jack replies "No, we certainly are not." Burlesque was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture [and won for Diane Warren's song]. And really terrible script. If you look at that number, the amount of coverage that he was able to get, when we took it into the cutting room, it gave him so much to work with. I also had to have a balance of starting out very vulnerable and wide-eyed and naive, she explained. Aguilera performed "Express" at the American Music Awards of 2010 and "Show Me How You Burlesque" at the Dancing with the Stars finale. The difference is, in every movie, the director isn't in a relationship with the studio. Beyonc Knowles was considered for the role of Ali. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from, Behind the music: High Fidelity stars look back on the cult-classic film 20 years later, The rise and fall and rise of Kevin Smith's Mallrats. The Dirrty singer added that she channeled her lack of acting experience into the character. It had that feel to it. Cher's "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", which was written by Diane Warren, won the award. Five, Ali's "I am a Good Girl" outfit and hairstyle is similar in looks to Jane Horrocks version of Sally Bowles in the same 1991 production as Cumming. Peter Gallagher (Vance) and Kristen were also in Bad Moms (A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)). Timing can play a big factor in balancing between album and touring cycles. CULPEPPER: When you show it to an audience that doesn't know [the controversy], it's like The Voice: you parse it down to the voice, nothing else. CULPEPPER: [One newspaper] decided they'd do a thing on the back-and-forth between me and Steven about budget and making our days, and it turned it into, 'Oh, these two queens making a movie together,' and that's so reductive and not fair to Christina, Cher, Denise, all the dancers. It was a bunch of 13-year-old girls who've loved it and grown with it. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. EW's oral history with the cast and crew celebrates the musical's 10-year anniversary with candid secrets from the set. Several teasers have been released for promotional purposes including the Etta James's "Something's Got a Hold on Me". It became very personal. At least that's the sentiment you get when talking to the artists behind the 2010 musical Burlesque, a true showgirl of a studio spectacle that never got its proper due in the Hollywood spotlight. She was adorable, reading off her iPhone kind of scared with something prepared, and the songs blew us away. Generally, the studio wins. It did, however, win a Golden Globe, so perhaps I was wrong! The film opens in every movie version of every small town ever. Dianna Agron shot her scene in just one afternoon. She owned it. . ANTIN: Christina had to become familiar with the entire process of acting. Somewhere along the way, Antin jokes, the infamous "air rights" plot device found its way into the story ("It was a feeble attempt at infusing story. [40], According to Joey Nolfi of Entertainment Weekly, since its release the movie "inspired everything, from drag queen revues to viral internet moments". But Clint came up with and loved the idea of Cher. Burlesque was released in the United States on November 24, 2010 by Screen Gems. Its story is earnest and timeless: A vocally gifted, small-town waitress, Ali (Aguilera), leaves Iowa for Los. Christina Aguilera's first choice for the role of Nikki was Emma Stone. "She reminded me of the relationship that I had with Meryl Streep [on Silkwood], when Meryl took me under her wing," she said at the time. Both the ballads from the soundtrack "Bound to You" performed by Aguilera and "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" performed by Cher were nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. AGUILERA: I wanted to make sure Burlesque felt right before confirming, so it was important to meet Steven in person. Glitter and shine might be the hallmarks of Burlesque's visual appeal, but the inspiration for the film's dance numbers required scaling back. Movies. But, Christina worked so hard. Amy really wanted Cher, and so did Clint. Steven got it and achieved his vision. Instead of leaving, Ali begins serving customers at the club as awaitress, while Tess and Sean observe with Jack asking Tess to give Ali a chance. [29] Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter called Burlesque "a refreshing throwback to movie musicals that celebrates its stars while indulging in sexy fun" and also praised Aguilera's acting and singing. I think you should give it to someone else.' Ali's Hotel Manager: Michael Landes . When she discovers the spectacular revue of the Burlesque Lounge, a cabaret that was once the reference, the young woman is immediately fascinated. The brand also featured in classic Dirty Love (2005), starring Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg and Carmen Electra. like that! The film follows Ali as she fights her way from the bar to the stage while juggling a love triangle between sensitive bartender Jack (Cam Gigandet) and wealthy real estate developer Marcus (Eric Dane). WARREN: I don't ever expect anything, but it was kind of shocking [that "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" didn't get an Oscar nod]. The American style of burlesque evolved and spread across the country, but with an increased emphasis the . Now, the team behind Burlesque including Cher, Aguilera, Antin, choreographer Denise Faye, songwriter Diane Warren, music producer Tricky Stewart, costume designer Michael Kaplan, and Clint Culpepper, the Screen Gems president (and Antin's romantic partner at the time) who made it all happen, have assembled to reflect on the film's legacy, recount its gestation, and reclaim the spotlight their work deserved. They were becoming a popular thing, so she decided to do a bigger show at the Roxy. WARREN: At one point they were saying [Steven] wanted to test the movie without the song in it, and I think Cher was like, if you even test the movie without the song in, I will do no press! That, Culpepper says, is where Burlesque found wider audiences outside the largely queer demographic that supported its theatrical run. 8. [22] Overall, it has grossed over $30,053,366 on video sales (DVD and Blu-ray sales) in United States alone. At some point in everyone's life, you feel that need to remind the world who you are. Burlesque is now available on disc and digital. In the [concepting] days of "forget money," actually, either "But I'm a Good Girl" or "Tough Lover" was supposed to have a conveyor belt that people were supposed to run on while it was moving. CULPEPPER: She had these little '70s glasses on, and she looked up, stopped, and said, "What are you two doing here?" Here you will find iconic scenes, moments, and lines from all the films, characters, celebrities and actors you love. As Aguilera boarded, Antin also sought technical collaborators to bring Burlesque's aesthetic to life, including Kaplan, production designer Jon Gary Steele, and choreographers Joey Pizzi and Denise Faye a Broadway dancer who'd worked with Rob Marshall on Chicago and Nine in early 2009. [9], Cher accepted the supporting role of Tess Scali because she wanted to sing in a movie and thought this would be her last opportunity to do so. Ali Larter was considered for the role of Tess. Cher's first film appearance since her cameo in Stuck on You (2003). RELATED:Hamilton: 10 Differences Between The Real-life Events And The Broadway Show. ANTIN: Directors fight for what they believe in. My sister was getting all these celebs to appear as guest performers. ANTIN: Denise and Joey wanted Christina to do a difficult dance move in "But I'm a Good Girl" an extended back-attitude kick to the head. The burlesque star, and her all-American little sister, the pin-up girl, were crucial ingredients to American pop culture throughout the 20th century. The first movie is The Devil Wears Prada (2006), when Tucci's character Nigel gives Anne Hathaway' a makeover, followed by a montage set to "Vogue.". So did Christina. After her selfish boss refuses salary, Ali steals from him and moves to Los Angeles. I can do it." Despite Nikki's (Kristen Bell) attempt to thwart Ali's (Christina Aguilera) performance, Ali's live vocals save the show.#hdclips #moviescenes #musical #burlesque #Cher #EricDane #ChristinaAguileraWatch the full movie! In defense of Ali, Tess questions Nikki's gratitude for the help she has received during her binges. [39] As of February6, 2011[update], it had grossed $39.4 million in North America, and, as of May15, 2011[update], $51.1 million in foreign countries, for a total of $91 million worldwide,[1] and an additional $42 million in domestic video sales (DVD and Blu-ray). I am more attracted to slow artsy fartsy movies that try make grand points about society or existence. Sony Pictures Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. The soundtrack album features ten tracks: eight performed by Aguilera, including "Express"; and two performed by Cher, which are her first original recordings in 7 years. Essentially, spend money (the film was Screen Gems' most expensive picture to date) to look worn. The restaurant she worked for. ANTIN: She came and met me in my office. Overall, it has grossed over $30,053,366 on video sales (DVD and Blu-ray sales) in United States alone. But, I think she'll outlive the cockroaches. [44][45], Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 19:10, Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, Burlesque: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 2010, Best Sound Editing: Music in a Musical Feature, Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film, "Behind the scenes of Christina Aguilera's Burlesque movie", "Julianne Hough Grooves On With New Projects", "Peter Gallagher/ Hershey Felder ideal duo for Drury Lane Water Tower stage", "Cher, Christina Aguilera sing justice for Burlesque, 10 years later", "Screen Gems enlists Antin for 'Burlesque', "Movie projector: 'Harry Potter' to rule again as four new movies open, three competing for women", "Burlesque Filming Locations (With Cher and Christina Aguilera)", "Christina Aguilera "Soundtrack and Poster Bundle" @ Burlesque Global Store", "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - November 05, 2015", "Rihanna, Christina Aguilera X Factor Performances Branded 'Porn', "Burlesque Movie Review & Film Summary (2010)", "Weekend Report: 'Harry Potter,' 'Tangled' Tower Over Thanksgiving Weekend", "Weekend Report: 'Tangled' Takes Reins from 'Potter', "Exclusive: RuPaul's Drag Race star Farrah Moan talks wanting change to the All Stars format and touring with Chad Michaels", "Does Burlesque hold the key to RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3 twist? I'd told Cher that Christina loved her so much: "You don't understand, this chick would drink your bathwater!" FAYE: The biggest challenge is having the time to do the work that you want to do when timing is money. The "Dirrty" singer added that she channeled her lack of acting experience into the character. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" [9] Nolfi applauded Burlesque as "a campy, niche classic". Here, that is his character's nickname for Ali. Having earned Nikki's respect, Ali performs "Show Me How You Burlesque", a song written by Jack, with all of the dancers on stage, delighting the crowd. Cher was reportedly at a soundstage recording for Zootopia and when Culpepper found out she was there, he and Antin camped outside for quite a while, waiting for her exit, and eventually introduced themselves. Antin filmed Aguileras performance too. The truth was that I didnt have any idea where to stand, not that I know where to stand now. She was completely in it, she wasn't trying to change it at all, she wasn't trying to make it comfortable for herself. The reason Cher accepted a supporting role in a film was that she believed this may be her last opportunity to be in a starring role where she gets to sing. [20], The DVD and Blu-ray were released in North America on March 1, 2011. Offers may be subject to change without notice. She and Steven sat and played ideas for music, [later] she went into his office and saw all the books he'd collected on production design and photography all stuff that appealed to her. FAYE: I directed and choreographed Cher for many years. It's not like we're brother and sister," to which Jack replies "No, we certainly are not." As movie fans, we give you content we know you will enjoy!#burlesque #backstage #musical #cher #christinaaguilera #dancer #cabaret #music #artist #audition #persuade #kristenbell #stanleytucci #movieclips #clips I collected books, had played with burlesque style on my Back to Basics tour, and explored visual concepts and songs (including Nasty Naughty Boy, about a striptease), Aguilera shared. [17][18] In the United States, the soundtrack was certified Gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies in October 2011.[19]. Perhaps if it were rewritten and interpolated into something that belonged in our world, it would've worked better. It was a joke between us, because after I met Cher at her house for three hours with Donald [De Line, the executive producer] and Steve, we called Christina as we left. Although director Steven Antin wrote the original screenplay, Diablo Cody (Juno) revised it uncredited. And so I thought this may be the last time I will be able to sing in a film and I just wanted to do it, Cher had revealed during the red carpet of the films premiere. Ali leaves Marcus, after discovering his plans to sell the burlesque for money. The Twilight star's character, Jack, is a bartender at the club who captures Ali's heart despite being engaged to another woman (Dianna Agron). Faye says each number went through a "series of versions," evolving from magical fantasy and ending as "the poor version" that would actually be feasible in an underground club struggling to make money. But, Christina worked so hard. This tune was replaced in the DVD version. says the actress. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the cast's performance and the soundtrack but criticized the cliche writing. They just looked at it and went, "That's charming as s---." It sounded like an '80s power ballad, which I love, but it seemed incongruous in the movie. First introduced by a visiting British dance troupe in the 1860s, burlesque took off in America even as its popularity dwindled in England. But it takes luck and extraordinary talent for a star to shine to the point of dazzling the public. The "Believe" singer told Collider in November 2010 that she felt an immediate connection to Aguilera, whom she tried to mentor during filming. STEWART: We were sitting in a room at her house. Figure Skating Championships. An interview with Christina Aguilera, who is making her feature film debut in the big screen musical BURLESQUE, starring opposite musical icon Cher. -Welcome to the Hero/Protagonist wiki! I just learned what downstage and upstage is. It had Cam Gigandets Jack getting into a taxi as Aguilera's Ali climbed down a fire escape and called out his name before the couple reunited. In the same amount of time it takes to snap your fingers and command a "Wagon Wheel Watusi," a decade can shimmy by. Steven started to write it and it snowballed from there. Sean: Alice, hm? You can not create feedback by disconnecting the inputs. He revealed that he wanted Cher to wear black in the film but Cher bought her own styling prowess on set. CULPEPPER: She had notes. Watch Burlesque: Christina Aguilera as Ali Rose, Watch Burlesque: He Bats For The Other Team, The photo of seven-year-old Ali with her mother is actually a photo of a much younger. It all worked out! This is the second movie with Stanley Tucci where he provides the lead character with new clothing and a makeover which leads to a montage backed by Madonna music. [41] The Burlesque stage musical was supposed to open at the Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey, in Autumn 2020, followed by a Broadway theatre adaptation, but the plans were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shout-Out: After Ali's debut as the lead, she asks Jack what he thinks about her outfit. It starred Farrah Moan as Ali Rose and Chad Michaels as Tess Scali. The film eventually pulled in $17.3 million over the five-day holiday frame in fourth place behind a Harry Potter film, Tangled, and the animated holdover Megamind. Aguilera performed "Bound to You" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and gave an interview and performance on Conan. before the roles went to follow Planet Terror star Naveen Andrews. That song is hers. In mid-2010, a melodramatic trailer that didn't match the film's tone was poorly received ("everyone thought it was going to be Showgirls," Culpepper jokes), though a second cut fared better. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews Subscribe on YouTube! That was one of the things where Steve rolled up his sleeves and got in there for two or three days of [angles]. Little by little, the young woman discovered the life of this small world. She was like, "This is so great!" I'm old but I'm still pretty on top of everything." Steven Antin's sister Robin was a member of the girl band the Pussycat Dolls. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Ali wants to audition but finds herself working at the club as a waitress. Aguilera and Cher developed a close bond behind-the-scenes of the film that emulated their characters' budding mother-daughter relationship in the movie. After finally quitting her waitressing job and getting out of Dodge (aka Iowa), Ali (Christina Aguilera) lands in Los Angeles, where her plan to get a singing gig quickly goes nowhere.Then she finds the Burlesque Lounge, a popular but down-on-its-high-heels nightclub -- owner Tess (Cher) is juggling two mortgages and has creditors and a real estate shark breathing down her neck -- where . I thought something was off. You have shown that you can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to make it improper," to which Mr. Knightley replies "Brother and sister! They had to rewrite the character because I was just like, This girl doesnt have a lot of drive,' she said at the time. I'd basically given up, and I ended up going out to dinner the next week, where I ran into Loree Rodkin, Cher's best friend. [14], Filming locations included the exterior and adjacent parking as the "Burlesque Lounge" of the Ricardo Montalbn Theatre in Hollywood,[15][16] as well as the interior of the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana.[16]. Marcus (Eric Dane), a wealthy clubgoer, becomes infatuated with Ali, who begins spending time with him, making Jack jealous. CLINT CULPEPPER (Screen Gems studio president): One day I was on the set of a movie [and] Christina's agent called, saying they'd had a big meeting with her and that she wanted to do a movie. It reminded me of when I was a young girl and my mom and all her friends would put on makeup together. KAPLAN: Dance costumes have different requirements than the type of clothing I'm used to designing. Moon Bloodgood was considered for the role of Tess. His warm and genuine nature encouraged me to confirm, along with him interweaving so many pieces of my love for Etta James [into the script], knowing my personal passion for Burlesque [on] my Back to Basics album, and also [with me having] performed in the original Pussycat Dolls stage show at the Roxy. Ali replaces Nikki one night to host a performance after the latter is too intoxicated to perform. Despite the club's growing popularity, Tess struggles with a bank loan indicted to her owning the rights of the building. But, the meat of the narrative was there, and the pair were ready to dot their call sheet with glistening stars beginning with courting Aguilera to play their budding ingenue. Steve Antin got the idea for this film after watching Christina Aguilera perform as a featured vocalist for The Pussycat Dolls in 2002. While preparing her Hollywood debut, Aguilera was simultaneously finishing her sixth studio album, Bionic, which released in June 2010. Upon seeing the waitress shortage, Ali picks up a tray and begins serving. We camped outside of the stage and waited for her to exit. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. [43] In a 2020 interview Antin revealed a "hybrid television event/series", based on the movie, was under development. TV series. Rose McGowan was considered for the role of Ali. I was vocal about saying this isn't the best version of how this works. [11], Burlesque started shooting on November 9, 2009[3] and ended on March 3, 2010. WARREN: I was blown away. At the end of its box office run, Burlesque grossed $90 million worldwide, with multiple millions more in home video sales. So, I was a bit disappointed by the opening weekend numbers. ANTIN: I actually shot the show that Christina Aguilera did with the Pussycat Dolls [years prior], but I didn't get to know her then. The controversy on the set was the number of days and getting the movie done so it wouldnt go over budget. Keep your legs straight while you bend and then bring your body back up, running your hands up your legs. I was thinking, "Ok, this is surreal. Of course, that makes me happy that 10 years later people are still embracing it and new people are still discovering it. The "Beautiful" singer portrayed Ali, a small-town girl who heads to Los Angeles with big dreams and a dynamic voice to back up her determination to see her name in lights. The Believe singer told Collider in November 2010 that she felt an immediate connection to Aguilera, whom she tried to mentor during filming. Alice "Ali" Marilyn Rose (Christina Aguilera) is a young waitress from Iowa who dreams of becoming a professional dancer following her mother's death during childhood.