It's been a decade since Burlesque premiered, but the trivia surrounding the Christina Aguilera and Cher helmed movie is still just as interesting. FAYE: The biggest challenge is having the time to do the work that you want to do when timing is money. The disagreements came from, we didn't have time, we have to move on. FAYE: She was dancing in styles she hadn't before, and you can see how gorgeously she did. I mean, it was, like, she was really up there. Its story is earnest and timeless: A vocally gifted, small-town waitress, Ali (Aguilera), leaves Iowa for Los. Hoda Kotb Makes Pre-Taped Appearance on 'Today' Amid Continued Absence, Formula 1 Driver Max Verstappen and GF Kelly Piquet's Relationship Timeline, PDA in the Rink! At Georgia's wedding, Jack appears to call off his engagement and becomes drunk. The Grey's Anatomy alum's character, Marcus, attempts to seduce Ali while also making plans to build a skyscraper on the club's property. It was all very spontaneous. 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. CHRISTINA AGUILERA (Ali/songwriter): I'd been presented other acting and movie opportunities, but was holding out for something that felt right. Ali performs a difficult dance routine and eventually persuades Tess to hire her. The song just didn't belong in the movie. But Culpepper revealed in an interview that though they did have disagreements, they were not creative in nature but were about scheduling issues. First, Alan Cumming (plays the money taker at Burlesque) famously starred as the Emcee in the 1991 stage version of Cabaret. [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? ANTIN: The day we shot "Welcome to Burlesque," I'd never seen Cher do the number. [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. Ali also meets songwriter Jack Miller (Cam Gigandet) at the club's bar. Kelly Stables was considered for the role of Tess. Jane Fonda was considered for the role of Tess. Both Diablo Cody and Susannah Grant did rewrites of Steve Antin's script. The role of Tess could've gone several ways. In fact, Cody even opened up about how people ask her about projects she was only briefly involved with. I had an initial meeting with Amy Pascal and Clint Culpepper, and I said, 'I just dont think shes for me. I had everyone that I knew calling [Steve]. 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 said, "Ok, let's see it!" -Welcome to the Hero/Protagonist wiki! Okay, so theres a movie like Burlesque that came out a long time ago and I was one of 900 writers that worked on it, and people will still ask me about my involvement in Burlesque. It became very personal. [20], The DVD and Blu-ray were released in North America on March 1, 2011. After filming wrapped in early 2010, industry publications reported on-set tensions between Culpepper and Antin, as the couple allegedly clashed during production. ANTIN: I'd talked to a few different studios and networks about the project with my ex-producing partner, Joe Voci. We begged for five minutes of her time. Of course, that makes me happy that 10 years later people are still embracing it and new people are still discovering it. CULPEPPER: Christina kept saying, "Please, Clint, get Cher! Aguilera told Collider in November 2010 that she wanted Ali's character to be rewritten before she agreed to sign on to the project. Feedback is usually caused by microphones, and since the dancers were supposed to be lip-syncing at this point, the microphones on stage would not be live to create feedback anyway. I'm a perfectionist, and Steven is even more so, and that's the challenge: Wanting every second to be delicious or finessed and powerful, and that specificity takes time. 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. Most of the flamboyant costumes worn by Cher were her own clothes, some of which were designed by her longtime friend Bob Mackie (interview on The Graham Norton Show (2007) / 18 Dec. 2010). I've got this." But there were many more meetings and conversations before she actually said yes. Overall, it has grossed over $30,053,366 on video sales (DVD and Blu-ray sales) in United States alone. reading the script, because that character is a lot like Cher. WARREN: I was trying every way [to keep the song in the film]. Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! I wanted to sing, Ive never been able to sing in a movie. In the scene where Marcus meets with Tess about his offer, he is seen playing with a ring on his wedding finger when the camera pans to him after Tess's Sandbox comment. I didn't believe those high numbers. 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. Credit: Thierry Carpico/News Pictures/Shutterstock. By the Christmas weekend, it was number 15 at the box office. Cher was really pissed off. 1. When you think about Cher, she did do it her way, and she'll never go away. And really terrible script. 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. She was coming out with words, going back and forth. Antin filmed Aguileras performance too. CHER: One of my favorite scenes is when I was helping Christina with her makeup. STEWART: The set had been built out on a miniature scale, then we got to see the set built out into the real thing, and they had us walk through the whole set that was being built for those numbers so we could feel the essence of what needed to happen in those scenes. Culpepper, Aguilera, and Antin all agreed on Cher, but the issue lay with the stars availability. She was open to my direction, which was great. Her game is good. Ali's Hotel Manager: Michael Landes . Christina Aguilera made her big-screen debut alongside Cher in the 2010 musical Burlesque, and the film's cast was rounded out with a few forgotten stars. Musically, everyone anticipated Aguilera delivering natural talent. I'm in Cher's trailer dressing room, just hanging out and chatting. Marla (as Wendy Benson) Tisha French . The DVD and Blu-ray sales exceed one million units and have grossed $20,563,918 in the United States alone;[22] and, as of May19, 2011[update], it is the 19th highest selling movie of the year. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. MICHAEL KAPLAN (costume designer): I wanted a modern take on burlesque with a retro feel and a nod to its history and origins. There Ali attends multiple auditions with little success. Whats happening in this Burlesque movie clip?Ali auditions to be one of the club's dancers and when she's done, she persuades Tess to take her much to the lead dancer Nikki's (Kristen Bell from Veronica Mars and Forgetting Sarah Marshall) annoyance.Click to Buy/Rent Burlesque on iTunes: https://apple.co/2BNHE2nWhats the Burlesque movie about? Loree said if I got her the CD, she'd get it to Cher. ANTIN: Directors fight for what they believe in. I said, "We're ambushing you. She also added that had it been shorter, it would "have squeaked by and been a really good popcorn movie". I can't even remember where. But leaving her star persona behind to disappear into a character was new to her, and she committed to a grueling rehearsal schedule atop heavy contributions to the soundtrack. I was thinking, "Ok, this is surreal. 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. The website's critical consensus reads, "Campy and clichd, Burlesque wastes its talented cast (including a better-than-expected Christina Aguilera) on a movie that wavers uncertainly between 'bad' and 'so bad it's good. Cam Gigandet and Peter Gallagher both previously starred on the television series The O.C. we're going to take you right up there [to Steven's office] and talk you into doing this movie!" What's happening in this Burlesque movie clip?Ali auditions to be one of the club's dancers and when she's done, she persuades Tess to take her much to the l. Erin Gray was considered for the role of Ali. Ali wants to audition but finds herself working at the club as a waitress. Just us." [37], Burlesque was released on Wednesday, November 24, 2010, the day before Thanksgiving in the United States; on its opening day, it came in third to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Tangled. 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. ANTIN: Christina had to become familiar with the entire process of acting. During the 202021 season they danced to a medley of Aguilera's Burlesque songs, which included "Express". Heather Graham was considered for the role of Ali. I was like, "No, tell her it's a new f---in' song!" Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Tell me you don't have the flu. It was a very good meeting. Im old but Im still pretty on top of everything.. Jack denies this, and while trying to fix things, he asks Ali to leave. Aguilera performed "Bound to You" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and gave an interview and performance on Conan. 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. AGUILERA: She's truly an incredible woman and a force of nature. At lunch, I went to Cher's trailer to say hi and check in. Ali breaks things off with Marcus after she sees his plans to build a skyscraper on the property the club is on. ANTIN: [I didn't direct another film because] I guess I needed time to lick my wounds, and I was suddenly getting jobs directing commercials mostly musical commercials at first, but it opened up to all kinds. 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! Others, I lost. Coming Wednesday Grammy-winning divas Cher and Christina Aguilera star in this musical drama, which quickly became a camp classic. [12] It was later further revised by Susannah Grant, also uncredited. She was sweet and said she knew about the script, but hadnt read it yet. I got some cameras and shot the show over a few nights and edited together a little movie. Although Cher enjoyed her time working on the movie, she admitted in 2013 that she wasnt proud of the project. Despite the club's growing popularity, Tess struggles with a bank loan indicted to her owning the rights of the building. But I don't have one number in that movie that I wish was a different number. 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. Naughtiness without being crass! I might've seen him at the party after, and I didn't thank him in the thank you speech [at the Globes]. Amazed by the flamboyant costumes and the breathtaking choreography, Ali swears to herself that one day she too will be on the stage. Really terrible director. But they never got to fully share that excitement at the time of release. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the cast's performance and the soundtrack but criticized the cliche writing. But, I think she'll outlive the cockroaches. . Enough said. More meetings and many more conversations followed. One is a timely, provocative story inspired by a classic movie, and one is related to Burlesque. CHER (Tess): I loved performing "Welcome to Burlesque" so much that I decided to recreate a version of it for my live show. I liked her so much. She didn't use any doubles. 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. 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. The film earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy at the 66th Golden Globe Awards, where Cher's performance of "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", written by Diane Warren won the for Best Original Song. [22] Overall, it has grossed over $30,053,366 on video sales (DVD and Blu-ray sales) in United States alone. and then came Cher. [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. Michael Kaplan who designed costumes for the film revealed in an interview that he wanted to assign a color to Chers character Tess and actually believed Tess and Cher to be alike in various ways, especially with respect to their professionalism. It was Pretty Woman on a fire escape. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. Lisa Kudrow was considered for the role of Ali. The controversy on the set was the number of days and getting the movie done so it wouldn't go over budget. When you're upright again, swirl your hips to the side towards the audience. Writer and burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, working at her desk, 1941. Why did Cher regret Burlesque? WARREN: I was blown away. KAPLAN: Dance costumes have different requirements than the type of clothing I'm used to designing. Steven and Christina were, creatively, on the same page. After her selfish boss refuses salary, Ali steals from him and moves to Los Angeles. "I put that energy into how I really was feeling, approaching acting in the first place, which was wide-eyed and as a newcomer, who was open and vulnerable to everyones opinions and ideas, and ready to learn." 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. The brand also featured in classic Dirty Love (2005), starring Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg and Carmen Electra. Although director Steven Antin wrote the original screenplay, Diablo Cody (Juno) revised it uncredited. Christina Aguilera's first choice for the role of Nikki was Emma Stone. Steven started to write it and it snowballed from there. The first TV spot premiered during the season 2 premiere of Fox's Glee on September 21, 2010. She came on the set with us, and thats a little bit nerve-wracking when youve done nothing in film. 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. They were beyond genius. The soundtrack received a nomination at the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. I liked the idea, too. In a fit of rage, Nikki sabotages the performance by turning off the music that the dancers usually lip sync to until Ali impresses everyone with her singing skills. The film follows Ali played by Aguilera a small-town girl who finds her big break performing at a Burlesque Lounge. 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. When she got to my office, she was impressed with everything she saw. When Ali isn't wowing crowds with her vocals, she's growing close to the . She later tells Tess about his plan, and they inform the owner (James Brolin) of new million-dollar condos being sold across the street. [It's all a] normal process of making a movie. They thought I might have something, and I smiled and told them I might. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place. Glitter and shine might be the hallmarks of Burlesque's visual appeal, but the inspiration for the film's dance numbers required scaling back.