But, I'm happy the gay community embraced it and I'm happy that people still enjoy watching it. Sean: Alice, hm? She's not a quitter. 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. Second, similar choreography. [9] In 2019, a full-length Burlesque tour, based on the movie, embarked, including at British venues. Michelle Rodriguez was considered for the role of Tess. it was all over the place! As time went by, she felt a lot more comfortable." The film opens in every movie version of every small town ever. 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. says the actress. Despite its mixed reception, the film did modestly at the box office, grossing $91 million worldwide and earning an additional $42 million in domestic video sales. DIANE WARREN (songwriter): At first, I wrote something else, I sent that in, and they didn't want that, and I don't even remember what that song was. I thought something was off. I got really inspired. She was sweet, cool, and very casual, and she somehow made it all seem normal. I hated it. Aguilera told Collider in November 2010 that she wanted Ali's character to be rewritten before she agreed to sign on to the project. I didn't think it was right the first time Diane played it for me. Her performance was good and she looked great. 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. Ali quits her job, and then decides to. She finally read it and agreed to a meeting with Clint and [then-Sony Motion Picture Chairperson] Amy Pascal. That's what I was aiming for. Paula van Oppen, who plays Anna, one of the burlesque dancers, turned down a spot in the top 20 of Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance to do this film. But, Christina worked so hard. I didn't like the way it was written, and I didn't like the set. Electra Avellan was considered for the role of Ali. Christina was on the other side of the lot rehearsing. [42] The movie was also referenced in the third season of the VH1 reality show RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She smiled and said, "Oh my God, this is going to be fun!" In my experience of meeting and working with some of the greatest legends, the best ones usually are that way. The theatrical trailer was attached to screenings of Step Up 3D and Easy A. I wrote a story for her show that loosely weaved together their musical numbers. Steve Antin got the idea for this film after watching Christina Aguilera perform as a featured vocalist for The Pussycat Dolls in 2002. . Ali runs out onto the fire escape and calls his name, and he jumps out of the taxi and climbs the fire escape to her, and they have this big, romantic kiss. vevo arrestato volte biglietti contatto un conoscenza ad esempio ospita autorita aspetto di burlesque. Cher's first film appearance since her cameo in Stuck on You (2003). ANTIN: I certainly didn't set out to make a camp movie that people laugh at. Sean encourages Jack to end the engagement, as Ali is a better person than his shallow fiance. Drama Music Musical A small-town girl ventures to Los Angeles and finds her place in a neo-burlesque club run by a former dancer. 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 . reading the script, because that character is a lot like Cher. -M-NUva. It was insane. "Express" is the fruit of actually having them explain their vision, then the vision [for that song] came out through the music. I should've. ANTIN: The movie has continued to have legs and make money, well over $100 million with a [Gold soundtrack] album. At Georgia's wedding, Jack appears to call off his engagement and becomes drunk. Its story is earnest and timeless: A vocally gifted, small-town waitress, Ali (Aguilera), leaves Iowa for Los Angeles with nothing but a bus ticket and raw talent in tow. CULPEPPER: With all the coverage, "Show Me How Your Burlesque" took the most days multiple long days. The truth was that I didnt have any idea where to stand, not that I know where to stand now. The Spy Kids star portrayed club doorman Alexis, who briefly takes the stage for a risqu dance number. There was me saying "Hey, you've got to move on," and him saying, "I don't have it, I'm not going to move on." Then, we cut to the big musical finale,"Show Me How You Burlesque," which is still the same. No need to waste time endlessly browsing here's the entire lineup of new movies and TV shows streaming on Netflix this month. It did, however, win a Golden Globe, so perhaps I was wrong! Menu. She was sweet and said she knew about the script, but hadnt read it yet. [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. Julieth Restrepo was considered for the role of Ali. What, I dont have a brain? She overcame a lot. They had to rewrite the character because I was just like, This girl doesnt have a lot of drive,' she said at the time. In defense of Ali, Tess questions Nikki's gratitude for the help she has received during her binges. [It's all a] normal process of making a movie. 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. What's happening in this Burlesque movie clip?Ali and the Burlesque Lounge Troupe perform "Express" on stage at the Burlesque.Click to Buy/Rent Burlesque on . That, Culpepper says, is where Burlesque found wider audiences outside the largely queer demographic that supported its theatrical run. Jana Kramer was considered for the role of Tess. However, not all movies are to meant to challenge social structures or deliver underlying meanings and here there certainly is none of that. and I liked it! Cher was on a soundstage doing a voiceover for Zookeeper. In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies. But, like Tess and her wise, right-hand gay, Sean (Stanley Tucci), the film's journey became all about making do with what you have and throwing a little glitter over the grease when the odds are stacked against you. CHER (Tess): I loved performing "Welcome to Burlesque" so much that I decided to recreate a version of it for my live show. ANTIN: I'd talked to a few different studios and networks about the project with my ex-producing partner, Joe Voci. The O.C. Sony Pictures Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. I'm old but I'm still pretty on top of everything." Ali also meets songwriter Jack Miller (Cam Gigandet) at the club's bar. [7] Keep your back straight while you bend forward. CULPEPPER: When you want somebody and they're not available, before you move on, you have to see if it's logistically possible [to accommodate], so that's what we did: We frontloaded [Christina's solo parts] before Christmas, and we shot everything with Cher after Christmas. We were up against huge titles. Coming Wednesday Grammy-winning divas Cher and Christina Aguilera star in this musical drama, which quickly became a camp classic. But Culpepper revealed in an interview that though they did have disagreements, they were not creative in nature but were about scheduling issues. alum shines in a few scenes as Tess' ex-husband, Vince, who wants to sell the burlesque club to Marcus. Burlesque (2010) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Anyway, we worked it out and I shot the number in what turned out to be a very long day. One decade after the film's Nov. 24, 2010 release, those who took writer-director Steven Antin's vision from far-off fantasy to a dream come true all attest: The memories of the magic they experienced on set are still as vivid as they were all those years ago. He revealed that he wanted Cher to wear black in the film but Cher bought her own styling prowess on set. "The truth was that I didnt have any idea where to stand, not that I know where to stand now. Cher was really pissed off. Keep your legs straight while you bend and then bring your body back up, running your hands up your legs. It morphs what's best about TV, Broadway, film, and digital entertainment. The brand also featured in classic Dirty Love (2005), starring Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg and Carmen Electra. The costumes for the film's finale were made from a variety of chains I bought at hardware stores. Perhaps if it were rewritten and interpolated into something that belonged in our world, it would've worked better. More than just a pretty face, Gypsy Rose Lee was an author and playwright in addition to being a dancer and burlesque . The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. Sean: [from trailer] So, is Ali short for anything? A press freebie to Las Vegas to watch Cher perform organized by Screen Gems was generally credited with the film's erroneous nomination. That's just what happens in movies. 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). I'd travel all over the world with her, and the one thing people would scream when they had the audiences lined up was "Cher, I loved you in Burlesque!" I wasn't there for that meeting, and I believe Clint helped in getting her to say yes. - no indeed.". MICHAEL KAPLAN (costume designer): I wanted a modern take on burlesque with a retro feel and a nod to its history and origins. Honestly, I didn't do a very good job. I was like, "No, tell her it's a new f---in' song!" AGUILERA: Cher definitely felt like my mama bear during shooting. Ali learns that Marcus is interested in the "air rights" above the club; he hopes to build a skyscraper on the property. First introduced by a visiting British dance troupe in the 1860s, burlesque took off in America even as its popularity dwindled in England. Many people may not know this but The Pussycat Dolls was actually a burlesque dance troupe and Antins sister Robin created a show at the Sunset Strips Viper Room that would also see quite a few celebrity performances. At first, I was interested in Queen Latifah or Michelle Pfeiffer. Once I hit a kick pattern, she loved it, and she started rapping. So, he introduced Aguilera to her idol on the Sony lot after Cher committed to the project. Marcus (Eric Dane), a wealthy clubgoer, becomes infatuated with Ali, who begins spending time with him, making Jack jealous. "[10] Canadian actor Shawn Roberts, who was previously cast in another Screen Gems production Resident Evil: Afterlife, was briefly considered for the role of Jack Miller. And he needed them to feel it, too. When she discovers the spectacular revue of the Burlesque Lounge, a cabaret that was once the reference, the young woman is immediately fascinated. "[35] Variety observed that the film "wants to be Cabaret, but lacks the edge and historical context to pull it off. Jack refers her to Tess for an audition but she is told to come back another time and ushered out by her assistant Sean (Stanley Tucci). Tess: [upon seeing a nauseous Georgia emerge from the bathroom stall] Oh, God, Georgia. Once in L.A., she tries and fails at every audition she does until one night, she finds herself unknowingly in a burlesque club when she hears the music on the street. But I don't have one number in that movie that I wish was a different number. It stars Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kristen Bell, Cam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci, Julianne Hough, Alan Cumming, and Peter Gallagher, and features cameos from Dianna Agron, and James Brolin. [23] In all, the DVD has sold over 1.4 million units in the United States. Milla Jovovich was considered for the role of Tess. Yes, the gays love it, but there's no one in town that's surprised that the gays are going to love something that Christina Aguilera and Cher do together! CHER: One of my favorite scenes is when I was helping Christina with her makeup. Burlesque. Try a leg crossover for a fun move to perform with a chair. I just learned what downstage and upstage is. Erin Gray was considered for the role of Ali. I saw her at a party and approached her. I rolled up my sleeves and wrote something really great. The "Believe" singer told Collider in November 2010 that she felt an immediate connection to Aguilera, whom she tried to mentor during filming. 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! It wasn't about Cher's performance. She also added that had it been shorter, it would "have squeaked by and been a really good popcorn movie". The revised ending had Jack and Ali reuniting backstage at Tess' club after a fight as Jack presents Ali with the finished version of a song hed been working on. There Ali attends multiple auditions with little success. Ali wants to audition but finds herself working at the club as a waitress. 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. It wasnt a good film, the Moonstruck star told the Los Angeles Times. Betty Grable, all those big, dance-y studio movies about putting on a show. The opening scene of Burlesque tells the story: Ali, our plucky ingenue, logs time as a diner waitress in the corn-tinted town of Genericsville . For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews Subscribe on YouTube! The film tells the story of Ali (Aguilera), an aspiring singer who leaves her small hometown for Los Angeles, where she becomes a dancer at a struggling burlesque lounge owned by Tess (Cher). By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. At lunch, I went to Cher's trailer to say hi and check in. My sister was getting all these celebs to appear as guest performers. Tell me you don't have the flu. The photo of seven-year-old Ali with her mother is actually a photo of a much younger Christina Aguilera with her real-life mother, Shelly Kearns. Ali Rose: The difference is, in every movie, the director isn't in a relationship with the studio. Burlesque is now available on disc and digital. Don't come back to me without Cher!" I always did," he says). [43] In a 2020 interview Antin revealed a "hybrid television event/series", based on the movie, was under development. It all worked out! CHRISTINA AGUILERA (Ali/songwriter): I'd been presented other acting and movie opportunities, but was holding out for something that felt right. Cher [saw us] and went, "Ok, everybody, take five!" Stanley Tucci's character smokes in many of his scenes at The Burlesque Lounge, including in the front of the house. Steven Antin's sister Robin was a member of the girl band the Pussycat Dolls. But a campy, niche classic isn't exactly what the Burlesque crew set out to make. Once something is tainted with any kind of negativity, press loves to take it and snowball it because that's juicy and it sells. Here, that is his character's nickname for Ali. Antin never returned to direct a motion picture although he did find success with his commercials. But it takes luck and extraordinary talent for a star to shine to the point of dazzling the public. It was in the high-90s, and that's rare. It sounded like an '80s power ballad, which I love, but it seemed incongruous in the movie. She unknowingly walks into a burlesque club run by Tess (Cher), which is facing financial hardship despite its talented group of dancers. What is the Hindi language plot outline for Burlesque (2010)? Cam Gigandet and Peter Gallagher both previously starred on the television series The O.C. That was one of the things where Steve rolled up his sleeves and got in there for two or three days of [angles]. 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. Peter Gallagher (Vance) and Kristen were also in Bad Moms (A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)). I think it was my 19th song I'd done with Cher, and I knew what it would sound like in my head, but it sounded better, if that's possible. The DVD and Blu-ray sales exceed one million units and have grossed $20,563,918 in the United States alone. After leaving Iowa with stars in her eyes, Ali arrives at a Los Angeles burlesque lounge with dreams of taking the stage with her soaring voice. There are several allusions to the Broadway show and film of Cabaret (possibly unintended). AGUILERA: In preparation of shooting, I worked with an acting coach. [13] Burlesque is Screen Gems' most expensive film, with the exception of the Resident Evil films, with costs of $55 million. There wasn't anything Steven wanted, creatively, that anybody disagreed with. They hit it off great. AGUILERA: I had always been inspired by throwback classic pin-up art and burlesque style, essentially all things celebrating the female body and sexuality, so I was already versed in the history and appeal of this world, conceptually. Scroll down to see stars you may have forgot appeared in Burlesque. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. ANTIN: Besides David [Geffen], her manager was also talking to her about the script, so she was very aware of it. [9], In January 2021, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue won the gold medal at the U.S. They thought I might have something, and I smiled and told them I might. The film stars Christina Aguilera as a Burlesque ingenue Ali, who gets a chance to be the star of a Sunset Strip Burlesque club owned by a woman named Tess, played by Cher. Steven and Christina were, creatively, on the same page. 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. Why did Cher regret Burlesque? After filming wrapped in early 2010, industry publications reported on-set tensions between Culpepper and Antin, as the couple allegedly clashed during production. [30] Lou Lumenick of the New York Post said, "Aguilera can dance like nobody's business, but her acting debut isn't going to keep Anne Hathaway awake at night. Show me how you burlesque! Moon Bloodgood was considered for the role of Tess. "[36] The New York Times said that the story line "had already gathered dust by the time [of] the 1933 musical 42nd Street". It had boys, then the boys were gone, then it had boys and girls, but it ended up being pretty simple and beautiful. 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. One has to be quick and prepared for someone like Christina in a meeting. we're going to take you right up there [to Steven's office] and talk you into doing this movie!" We even did a rewrite to make the character more active. I started to sweat and panic. Ali Larter was considered for the role of Tess.