There's a bit of the Crazy Horse Saloon in Paris, the musical Cabaret, as well as the '60s TV show Hullabaloo as well as the Follies Bergre. Where aside from the perky, young go-getter fronting this movie hope goes to die. "[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. CULPEPPER: The audience it got that was surprising [after release] was the young girls who looked at these strong women. 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. The most influential 50s burlesque dancers, who were successful in their decade and the genre. One night, Ali comes across a burlesque club where Tess Scali (Cher), the club's owner, and an entourage of dancers perform an opening number. The audience loves it. 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). The O.C. Amazed by the flamboyant costumes and the breathtaking choreography, Ali swears to herself that one day she too will be on the stage. What you don't usually have is the two people who are discussing it also able to discuss it at home, at dinner. A few years after, we sent her the script for Burlesque. The song just didn't belong in the movie. 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. I just learned what downstage and upstage is. It was all very spontaneous. I tried to put her at ease. Their cast mate on this film, Julianne Hough, is one of the professional dancers on the Emmy-winning show. But, I'm happy the gay community embraced it and I'm happy that people still enjoy watching it. Burlesque is an exotic dance style that draws on theatrical and often comedic performance elements. Show me how you burlesque! Antin, along with Culpepper and the couples producer pal Donald De Line met Cher at her Malibu mansion and after quite a bit of convincing, Cher agreed to be a part of a twenty-day filming schedule, although the production lasted about four months. The Good Place alum portrayed Nikki, a performer who strikes up an ongoing rivalry with Ali. She finally read it and agreed to a meeting with Clint and [then-Sony Motion Picture Chairperson] Amy Pascal. When she got to my office, she was impressed with everything she saw. Repayment Mortgage can help you away fvrier 17, 2023. 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. One is a timely, provocative story inspired by a classic movie, and one is related to Burlesque. 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. While spending time with Marcus, Ali finds out about "air rights", which refers to the empty space above a building and what can be done with it. 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. Marcus calls Ali, and Sean prompts her to go out with him. We were up against huge titles. I also have two TV shows in development now, both involving music. 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 . She has sold more than 30 million albums . Antin filmed Aguileras performance too. FAYE: We're working on this hybrid spectacular, live musical version of Burlesque that's going to stream and have extraordinary add-on features because of technology. She manages to get hired as a waitress by Tess (Cher from Silkwood and Moonstruck), the owner of the club, an uncompromising woman who is also the star of the show. 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. The performer had in fact, been a collector of burlesque archive and had researched burlesque and drag culture vividly, specifically for one of her albums. Aguilera also gave an interview to show host Chelsea Handler to discuss the film and other subjects. Aguilera performed "Express" at the American Music Awards of 2010 and "Show Me How You Burlesque" at the Dancing with the Stars finale. Although Cher enjoyed her time working on the movie, she admitted in 2013 that she wasnt proud of the project. Cher was on a soundstage doing a voiceover for Zookeeper. Show me how you burlesque! When he stumbles over words, she says "Jack, we're friends for Christ's sake. like that! Glitter and shine might be the hallmarks of Burlesque's visual appeal, but the inspiration for the film's dance numbers required scaling back. Ali wants to audition but finds herself working at the club as a waitress. We had a detailed outline, but it was really broad, and more of a comedy, like the old Beatles movies. So, I did. When Georgia (Julianne Hough), one of the leading dancers, becomes pregnant, auditions are held in search of a replacement to fill her role. But it was the right song for her and the movie. we're going to take you right up there [to Steven's office] and talk you into doing this movie!" Menu. An interview with Christina Aguilera, who is making her feature film debut in the big screen musical BURLESQUE, starring opposite musical icon Cher. and then came Cher. [12] It was later further revised by Susannah Grant, also uncredited. He is the brother of the group's creator, Robin Antin. The credits play over a background of the stage set from the final scene ("Show Me How to Burlesque" dance number). [It's all a] normal process of making a movie. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. One has to be quick and prepared for someone like Christina in a meeting. She was sweet, cool, and very casual, and she somehow made it all seem normal. The Glee alum made a cameo appearance as Jack's fiance, Natalie, who returns from New York to find her beau in bed with Ali. 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. 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? "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. I'd put clothes in her room every day and she'd walk out combining them in a different way than I thought she would. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. I might've seen him at the party after, and I didn't thank him in the thank you speech [at the Globes]. Shipped to theaters under the code name "Former Glory". AGUILERA: Cher definitely felt like my mama bear during shooting. As a result, she manages to get a job as a waitress at the club. Overall, it has grossed over $30,053,366 on video sales (DVD and Blu-ray sales) in United States alone. I thought something was off. It sounded like an '80s power ballad, which I love, but it seemed incongruous in the movie. [9] Nolfi applauded Burlesque as "a campy, niche classic". They started the number, and. 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! Burlesque was an extension of "Glam" and "Prima Donna" from Bionic, a continuation of that fabulousness, but with a controlled theme and narrative. 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. She was open to my direction, which was great. I mean, hello. STEVEN ANTIN (writer-director): My sister, Robin Antin, had a show that she created at the Viper Room [for] the Pussycat Dolls. Moon Bloodgood was considered for the role of Tess. Peter Gallagher (Vance) and Kristen were also in Bad Moms (A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)). "I also had to have a balance of starting out very vulnerable and wide-eyed and naive," she explained. It can only be 50s burlesque. AGUILERA: In preparation of shooting, I worked with an acting coach. It's been a decade since Burlesque premiered, but the trivia surrounding the Christina Aguilera and Cher helmed movie is still just as interesting. There wasnt anything Steven wanted, creatively, that anybody disagreed with. Aguilera and Cher both contributed to the album. Second, similar choreography. so she texted Cher right then, and Cher goes, "Is this an old f---in' song of hers?" WARREN: I was blown away. A few weeks later, Clint and I went to her house in Malibu for another meeting. Musically, everyone anticipated Aguilera delivering natural talent. RELATED:Hamilton: 10 Differences Between The Real-life Events And The Broadway Show. I was like, "No, tell her it's a new f---in' song!" In my experience of meeting and working with some of the greatest legends, the best ones usually are that way. Looking back now, I'm thankful he kept it in. I liked her so much. Ali Rose: If I'm not 20 times better than "b*obs for brains" over there, you don't have to pay me. Jane Fonda was considered for the role of Tess. 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. Distraught, Ali breaks off her relationship with Marcus. Steven started to write it and it snowballed from there. Still, signs pointed to a solid opening for the film against family-oriented fare at the Thanksgiving box office. Once something is tainted with any kind of negativity, press loves to take it and snowball it because that's juicy and it sells. When Georgia (Hough) becomespregnant, auditions are held to replace her. 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. Thanks! 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. Stanley Tucci's character smokes in many of his scenes at The Burlesque Lounge, including in the front of the house. And he needed them to feel it, too. Once I hit a kick pattern, she loved it, and she started rapping. It was brilliant, then it was like, no, this is Tess' club, back to zero! AGUILERA: She's truly an incredible woman and a force of nature. Director Steve Antin Writer Steve Antin Stars Cher Christina Aguilera Alan Cumming See production, box office & company info Watch on Netflix with subscription More watch options Add to Watchlist Added by 83.3K users I wasnt there for that meeting, and I believe Clint helped in getting her to say yes, Antin revealed in the same interview. In defense of Ali, Tess questions Nikki's gratitude for the help she has received during her binges. 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). Cher revealed that, other than herself, the oldest actress in the cast was just 32 (interview with Charlie Stayt on BBC's Breakfast (2000) / 17 Dec. 2010). The Easy A actor played snarky stage manager Sean, who is best friends with Tess. But Culpepper revealed in an interview that though they did have disagreements, they were not creative in nature but were about scheduling issues. FAYE: "Tough Lover" went through an awful lot of changes. 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! Kyla Pratt was considered for the role of Ali. The Spy Kids star portrayed club doorman Alexis, who briefly takes the stage for a risqu dance number. 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. It's unbelievable. Because she dreams of a career in show business, Ali (Christina Aguilera) leaves her small town for Los Angeles. Now that it's taken on this cult following, Cher has a whole new audience of young girls. We wanted her to come to my office to see all the renderings of the set and my references plastered all over the walls, storyboards, and the endless preparation. It was in the high-90s, and that's rare. 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. A press freebie to Las Vegas to watch Cher perform organized by Screen Gems was generally credited with the film's erroneous nomination. 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. I always did," he says). 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.. [22] Overall, it has grossed over $30,053,366 on video sales (DVD and Blu-ray sales) in United States alone. However, Jack is already engaged to Natalie (Dianna Agron), an actress working in New York City. CULPEPPER: The biggest challenge was making sure we had all the coverage for the dance numbers, but I was seeing that stuff cut together, because Steven was asking an editor to cut it together as he was going on so he knew what pieces he had to get. But a campy, niche classic isn't exactly what the Burlesque crew set out to make. By the Christmas weekend, it was number 15 at the box office. That was the genesis. She came on the set with us, and thats a little bit nerve-wracking when youve done nothing in film. It was obviously an audience that loved Cher and Christina, but I was worried. None of us thought she could do it, and honestly, we weren't concerned because we had the double ready to go. I tried to put her at ease. The disagreements came from, we didnt have time, we have to move on, Culpepper said. The soundtrack includes a mix of original and cover songs. [When Cher arrived] I'd play stuff that I'd cut together. Figure Skating Championships. It reminded me of when I was a young girl and my mom and all her friends would put on makeup together. Here you will find iconic scenes, moments, and lines from all the films, characters, celebrities and actors you love. The film originally had a different ending a nod to the Julia Roberts classic Pretty Woman that Antin retooled. Little by little, the young woman discovered the life of this small world. It did, however, win a Golden Globe, so perhaps I was wrong! All of that felt good. 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. [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? It was a very good meeting. We begged for five minutes of her time. After her selfish boss refuses salary, Ali steals from him and moves to Los Angeles. 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. Ali leaves Marcus, after discovering his plans to sell the burlesque for money. CHER: One of my favorite scenes is when I was helping Christina with her makeup. "[36] The New York Times said that the story line "had already gathered dust by the time [of] the 1933 musical 42nd Street". WARREN: I was trying every way [to keep the song in the film]. ANTIN: Especially on a movie like this, it's anegotiation with theactors, all thedifferent departments, production design, makeup, hair, the executives, the agents, managers To be clear, the studio wasn't trying to change anything in particular. Burlesque. 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 . Perhaps if it were rewritten and interpolated into something that belonged in our world, it would've worked better.