Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. TRICKY STEWART (songwriter/producer): Christina is a real diva, and being around her and watching her attention to detail, the vibe that she gives me always made me want to make music that I consider to be "fabulous." Amazed by the flamboyant costumes and the breathtaking choreography, Ali swears to herself that one day she too will be on the stage. Aguilera and Cher both contributed to the album. Unless you're Christopher Nolan. 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. I do wish our differences weren't so public. At times I can be a bit snobby about movies. AGUILERA: I wanted to make sure Burlesque felt right before confirming, so it was important to meet Steven in person. Ali Larter was considered for the role of Tess. 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. When he stumbles over words, she says "Jack, we're friends for Christ's sake. We begged for five minutes of her time. After her role in "Burlesque", in 2011 Christina Aguilera won the MSN Entertainment Award for Best Attempt at Acting. ANTIN: The day we shot "Welcome to Burlesque," I'd never seen Cher do the number. What is the Hindi language plot outline for Burlesque (2010)? 50s Burlesque By the 1950s burlesque had been clamped down on in New York. I was vocal about saying this isn't the best version of how this works. FAYE: When Cher started working on that, she wanted to work at her house with her person, meaning one of her dancers coming to our rehearsals and bringing the work back to her. Ali (CHRISTINA AGUILERA) has had enough of Iowa and moves to Los Angeles where she hopes to find a job singing. This tune was replaced in the DVD version. But it was the right song for her and the movie. So, Clint and I wrote an outline together, then started writing the script. . First, Alan Cumming (plays the money taker at Burlesque) famously starred as the Emcee in the 1991 stage version of Cabaret. I wasn't there for that meeting, and I believe Clint helped in getting her to say yes. I might've seen him at the party after, and I didn't thank him in the thank you speech [at the Globes]. it was all over the place! It had boys, then the boys were gone, then it had boys and girls, but it ended up being pretty simple and beautiful. Ali rekindles her relationship with Jack after he tells her about breaking up with Natalie, as she cared more about her job than her relationship with him. Tell me you don't have the flu. The "Dirrty" singer added that she channeled her lack of acting experience into the character. Milla Jovovich was considered for the role of Tess. She wanted it to reflect more of today's woman. 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. The O.C. [26], Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune said, "The choicest dialogue in Burlesque provokes the sort of laughter that other, intentionally funny films only dream of generating. None of us thought she could do it, and honestly, we weren't concerned because we had the double ready to go. Four, the main heroine gets run out of her residence, and moves into an apartment with a nice-guy friend who soon becomes a lover. Dianna Agron shot her scene in just one afternoon. "I also had to have a balance of starting out very vulnerable and wide-eyed and naive," she explained. 1. 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. 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. Antin never returned to direct a motion picture although he did find success with his commercials. Enough said. Steven and Christina were, creatively, on the same page. I also had to have a balance of starting out very vulnerable and wide-eyed and naive, she explained. 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. Try a leg crossover for a fun move to perform with a chair. 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 . And normally you don't have [that familiarity between two people] because it's more of a professional discussion. Their cast mate on this film, Julianne Hough, is one of the professional dancers on the Emmy-winning show. The former Dancing With the Stars judge played Georgia, a dancer whose sudden pregnancy opens up a spot for Ali to audition. Emma Stone was considered for the role of Ali. I think you should give it to someone else. I had an initial meeting with Amy Pascal and Clint Culpepper, and I said, I just dont think shes for me. They started the number, and. But there were many more meetings and conversations before she actually said yes. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. Well, welcome to Wonderland. "It was always sad that it was not a good film." Did Christina Aguilera actually dance in Burlesque? It was insane. She'd rehearse, even at home, because Christina's not showing up to not be the best on set. 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. Menu. Struggling to find a gig, she discovers a dazzling underground club, where the marquee attraction is beyond the muscly hunk Jack (Cam Gigandet) tending bar a troupe of confident, ravishing dancers (Kristen Bell, Julianne Hough) in complete control of their bodies (and the eyes that gaze upon them) while they writhe, lip-sync, and twirl, tempting Ali into their wonderland of dance. She'd never really done it before, and suddenly she was the lead, carrying a movie. I also have two TV shows in development now, both involving music. The disagreements came from, we didn't have time, we have to move on. I rolled up my sleeves and wrote something really great. The simple idea was to set it in a small burlesque club: A girl escaping her life shows up with a big voice. You can find her work if you want to, you know, 10 Behind The Scenes Facts About Burlesque You Didn't Know, the original ending was designed as an homage to, The Pussycat Dolls was actually a burlesque dance troupe, Antin had considered Queen Latifah or Michelle Pfeiffer, Hamilton: 10 Differences Between The Real-life Events And The Broadway Show, 10 Movies/Television Shows You Didn't Know Had Been Adapted Into Musicals, Cher had revealed during the red carpet of the films premiere, The 10 Greatest Movies About Music, Ranked (According To IMDb). The most influential 50s burlesque dancers, who were successful in their decade and the genre. 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. She was coming out with words, going back and forth. I hate that device. This is the last sound heard as the screen blacks out and the film ends. By the Christmas weekend, it was number 15 at the box office. The credits play over a background of the stage set from the final scene ("Show Me How to Burlesque" dance number). Meanwhile, Ali and Jack become romantically attracted. She makes a joke herself that, at the end of the world, it'll be cockroaches and Cher. Started shooting on November 9, 2009 and ended on March 3, 2010. That, Culpepper says, is where Burlesque found wider audiences outside the largely queer demographic that supported its theatrical run. [9] Nolfi applauded Burlesque as "a campy, niche classic". She was at the Chateau with some friends and she said, "Come here immediately. I wrote a story for her show that loosely weaved together their musical numbers. I didn't like the way it was written, and I didn't like the set. 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]. But a campy, niche classic isn't exactly what the Burlesque crew set out to make. [Georgia shakes her head and starts crying] Oh no. [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]. [38], The week after Thanksgiving, Burlesque experienced a substantial decrease on ticket sales, earning $9.65 million ($6.1 million for the weekend), for a total of $26.98 million for its first twelve days. Clint always loved the idea of doing a more grounded Burlesque musical in a nightclub, not a broad comedy, and he pushed me to write the script. She smiled and said, "Oh my God, this is going to be fun!" 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. ANTIN: We tested the movie several times of course, and the final test was with an audience in Arizona. FAYE: "Tough Lover" went through an awful lot of changes. I wasnt there for that meeting, and I believe Clint helped in getting her to say yes, Antin revealed in the same interview. MICHAEL KAPLAN (costume designer): I wanted a modern take on burlesque with a retro feel and a nod to its history and origins. Lisa Kudrow was considered for the role of Ali. 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? After her selfish boss refuses salary, Ali steals from him and moves to Los Angeles. Tensions arise between Ali and Jack as Marcus grows increasingly infatuated with Ali, making Jack jealous. Screen It! Parental Review: Burlesque Effeuilleuse legends in the height of their fame, up and coming burly-Q beauties and the new bad girls of burlesque. She unknowingly walks into a burlesque club run by Tess (Cher), which is facing financial hardship despite its talented group of dancers. The role of Tess could've gone several ways. The DVD and Blu-ray sales exceed one million units and have grossed $20,563,918 in the United States alone. It was still the early days of the Pussycat Dolls, before they were a pop group. [10] While on the film set, she went on to praise co-star Christina Aguilera's acting abilities, revealing to Entertainment Tonight: "She was keeping up, and she was hot. AGUILERA: Every dancer moved their body in a different unique way, and it's a beautiful thing to appreciate and fall in love with dance on the personal level that this movie provided for me. Peter played Hank, Amy's (Mila Kunis') father. 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! I remember him saying to me, I don't care about what you say, I just want to shoot the dance numbers." 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. I tried to put her at ease. The difference is, in every movie, the director isn't in a relationship with the studio. From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Critical reception was similarly muted, which many of those involved with the film feel was yet another byproduct of the exploitative pre-release coverage. After Ali's debut as the lead, she asks Jack what he thinks about her outfit. She really had my back on that song. CULPEPPER: Christina kept saying, "Please, Clint, get Cher! Ali replaces Nikki one night to host a performance after the latter is too intoxicated to perform. Offers may be subject to change without notice. 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. Culpepper felt Aguilera's deep admiration for Cher emotions complimentary to the dynamic between Ali and Tess in the film. I was offered Mamma Mia with Meryl Streep but I was on the road so I couldn't do it. See production, box office & company info. The Good Place alum portrayed Nikki, a performer who strikes up an ongoing rivalry with Ali. Ali quits her job, and then decides to. I thought something was off. 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. Movies. Feeling heartbroken and betrayed, Ali runs to Sean for support, also learning that Sean is gay. From rehearsing with other actors to learning lines to embracing the moment and the realness of it all. 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. Steven Antin's sister Robin was a member of the girl band the Pussycat Dolls. Overall, it has grossed over $30,053,366 on video sales (DVD and Blu-ray sales) in United States alone. I'm old but I'm still pretty on top of everything." Burlesque Quotes The resulting money is enough for Tess to buy out Vince's share, pay off the bank, and re-fashion the club to her own vision. 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. He believed in the project, but I just couldn't get my head wrapped around a story that I thought worked. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. 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. "Express" is the fruit of actually having them explain their vision, then the vision [for that song] came out through the music. Now that it's taken on this cult following, Cher has a whole new audience of young girls. CHER: It's not a surprise to me that it has been deeply embraced by the gay community. She then uses the money to buy out Vince's share, pay off the bank, and redecorate the club in her own vision. I have to hear everything!". What you don't usually have is the two people who are discussing it also able to discuss it at home, at dinner. . The soundtrack includes a mix of original and cover songs. Honestly, I didn't do a very good job. It was brilliant, then it was like, no, this is Tess' club, back to zero! Burlesque. 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. Julieth Restrepo was considered for the role of Ali. 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.. 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. CHRISTINA AGUILERA (Ali/songwriter): I'd been presented other acting and movie opportunities, but was holding out for something that felt right. It was all very spontaneous. More meetings and many more conversations followed. To keep it strictly professional was impossible. Later, a sobered Nikki admits that she lied about sleeping with Vince out of anger, and Tess rehires her. She laughed and turned to her assistant and said, "We have a few minutes. 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!" 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). It's a hybrid television event/series taking the movie to the next level. Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Stokes Get Cozy at Rangers Game. 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." Second, similar choreography. Perhaps if it were rewritten and interpolated into something that belonged in our world, it would've worked better. Who Is The Actor Who Plays Natalie In Burlesque? - NickiSwift Ali Rose (Burlesque) | Heroes Wiki | Fandom The film opens in every movie version of every small town ever. So, I did. It was all of these numbers with Christina. The show exploded. Why did Cher regret Burlesque? She was open to my direction, which was great. It became very personal. The films script was written by Antin but it was revised by names like Diablo Cody and Susannah Grant uncredited. 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! For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews Subscribe on YouTube! I went to the drum machine that I use and just [plays drum], the first thing that popped off was how it needed to feel and move. Then there are the custom shoes and the blisters. One of Christina's costumes was made completely of pearls wired together. "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." Cher was really pissed off. I had an initial meeting with Amy Pascal and Clint Culpepper, and I said, 'I just dont think shes for me. I'd told Cher that Christina loved her so much: "You don't understand, this chick would drink your bathwater!" An interview with Christina Aguilera, who is making her feature film debut in the big screen musical BURLESQUE, starring opposite musical icon Cher. We were up against huge titles. Im like, That was a week of my life, she remarked once. Director: Steven Antin. Ali performs a difficult dance routine and eventually persuades Tess to hire her. The film follows Ali played by Aguilera a small-town girl who finds her big break performing at a Burlesque Lounge. 'Burlesque': A Cliche Is Born (Entertainingly, Too) - NPR CULPEPPER: Cher called me to say she was on the lot [on a different stage] rehearsing her Vegas act, and to drop by. This was then followed by the track "But I Am a Good Girl" which was released in November 2010. RELATED:Hamilton: 10 Differences Between The Real-life Events And The Broadway Show. I was thinking, "Ok, this is surreal. . It was a bunch of 13-year-old girls who've loved it and grown with it. It was a very time-consuming number, but well worth it! There werent creative differences. She was adorable, reading off her iPhone kind of scared with something prepared, and the songs blew us away. Burlesque (2010) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. When she discovers the spectacular revue of the Burlesque Lounge, a cabaret that was once the reference, the young woman is immediately fascinated. As time went by, she felt a lot more comfortable.. Others, I lost. After her selfish boss refuses salary, Ali steals from him and moves to Los Angeles. Once in L.A., she tries and fails at every audition she does until one night, she finds herself unknowingly in aburlesqueclub when she hears the music on the street. All of that felt good. She had the best skin and the bluest eyes I'd ever seen. What Is Life Without Burlesque? - The New York Times Jana Kramer was considered for the role of Tess. [13] Burlesque is Screen Gems' most expensive film, with the exception of the Resident Evil films, with costs of $55 million. It had that feel to it. Scroll down to see stars you may have forgot appeared in Burlesque. Aguilera was also one of the celebrities Antins sister Robin directed for a cameo at The Pussycat Dollss Viper Room show. That song is hers. A few years later Antin sent her the script for the movie. Welcome to the Quantum Realm. 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. 10 Behind The Scenes Facts About Burlesque You Didn't Know - ScreenRant Just us." Erin Gray was considered for the role of Ali. But Christina quietly kept rehearsing it and trying it and working on it, and one day she said to me, "I don't need a dance double. Distraught, Ali breaks off her relationship with Marcus. 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. I wanted to write Cher's "My Way." However, Jack is already engaged to Natalie (Dianna Agron), an actress working in New York City. Of course, that makes me happy that 10 years later people are still embracing it and new people are still discovering it. WARREN: I was trying every way [to keep the song in the film]. Burlesque (2010) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb She was actually really funny about it, and I was surprised that she agreed to join us! 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. Aguilera performed "Bound to You" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and gave an interview and performance on Conan. That night, Ali and Jack sleep together, but the following morning Jack'sfianc, Natalie (Agron), returns unexpectedly from her play inNew Yorkand tells Ali that the engagement is still on. One has to be quick and prepared for someone like Christina in a meeting. 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. At the end of its box office run, Burlesque grossed $90 million worldwide, with multiple millions more in home video sales. One thing Antin initially wanted to remove from the film, however, has since grown into one of its most iconic moments: Cher's solo number, "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me," which sees her singing a meta tune (penned by longtime collaborator Diane Warren) about resilience. Natalie angrily insists she and Jack never broke up though the latter denies this but asks Ali to leave. 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. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Powered by WordPress VIP. In the end Ali, having reunited with Jack and earned Nikki's respect, performs "Show Me How You Burlesque" with all of the dancers, a song which Jack wrote and finally finished. It wasn't about Cher's performance. "[36] The New York Times said that the story line "had already gathered dust by the time [of] the 1933 musical 42nd Street". RELATED:5 Best (& 5 Worst) Movie Musicals. She knew what it was, and Cher doesn't always know what the right song is. and this one she loved from day one. Sean: [from trailer] So, is Ali short for anything? The meeting went well. [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. Christina Aguilera Interview BURLESQUE - Collider [7] Keep your back straight while you bend forward. I'm in Cher's trailer dressing room, just hanging out and chatting. Cher started laughing hysterically and said, "Well, I hope that doesn't become necessary!". 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). Genre: Musical. 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). She did it on the day we shot it over and over. I didn't believe those high numbers. RELATED:10 Movies/Television Shows You Didn't Know Had Been Adapted Into Musicals. Christina was the choice. Cher and [her character] Tess are not that unalike both are show business troupers, Kaplan said. With a budget of $55 million, Burlesque is one of Screen Gems' most expensive films outside of the Resident Evil franchise. More than just a pretty face, Gypsy Rose Lee was an author and playwright in addition to being a dancer and burlesque . 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. [9] In 2019, a full-length Burlesque tour, based on the movie, embarked, including at British venues. You can not create feedback by disconnecting the inputs. "It wasn't a good film," the Moonstruck star told the Los Angeles Times. CULPEPPER: The audience it got that was surprising [after release] was the young girls who looked at these strong women. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Cher [saw us] and went, "Ok, everybody, take five!" I mean, hello. It's not like we're brother and sister," to which Jack replies "No, we certainly are not." AGUILERA: In songwriting, I had to tackle both the tender moments of Ali falling in love with Jack, while also tackling the opposite energy of the up-tempo [songs] where I needed to embody and exude the powerful, sensual, and celebratory sides that encompass a woman. Aguilera and Cher developed a close bond behind-the-scenes of the film that emulated their characters budding mother-daughter relationship in the movie. I hated it. You're always against a clock, and that will always be every project's nemesis.