LOS ANGELES - In December, during an interview about “Dreamgirls”, Beyoncé told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson that, despite the similarities in the story, she only truly felt like she was channeling Diana Ross during the scene in which she sings “Heavy.”

However, anyone who knows their music history can see that “Dreamgirls” has a lot in common with the story of the early days of Motown Records.

Motown Icon Smokey Robinson noticed it, too, and let Shaun know how unhappy he is in a new, exclusive interview.


Shaun: You took issue with Jamie Foxx and with Beyoncé and with Eddie Murphy for even taking this role?

Smokey: I love all of them I admire them you know and I said Motown is also their legacy, they’re young black people. Motown is also their legacy. It’s your legacy. It’s every black person’s legacy in America. The creators of the “Dreamgirls” movie have blatantly indicated that they are depicting Berry Gordy and Diana Ross and the Supremes and Motown and they have done it with a lot of false information and negativity.

Shaun: Well, wait a minute … where have they ever said that this is the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes and Barry Gordy?

Smokey: You’ve seen the movie right?

Shaun: Yes.

Smokey: So you know what they’re saying.

It is Smokey’s belief that Jamie Foxx’s character, Curtis Taylor, Jr., is supposed to be a not-too-well-disguised version of Motown founder Berry Gordy, who first signed The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Jackson 5, just to name a few.

Shaun: What was it about that portrayal that offended you?

Smokey: Berry Gordy created something with his dream that allowed a lot of other dreams to come true and he did it with integrity, he did it honesty…

Shaun: As opposed to taking money from organized crime figures?

Smokey: Absolutely! As opposed to doing that…

Shaun: As to paying DJs under the table?

Smokey: As opposed to doing that.

Shaun: That never happened?

Smokey: That never happened. As a member of the Motown family, it’s insulting to me … I think that they owe Barry Gordy a public apology and they should do it rapidly.

Now, for the record, in spite of what Smokey believes, Foxx told Shaun that he did not base his performance on Gordy, claiming, “I got my character from all the record executives that I have ever met in the past four years. Not Berry Gordy at all.”

I know I am in the minority here, but I don't care for Dreamgirls and all the hype that Beyonce received, as if her performance was the only one that matters. When that crap happens, it overshadows everyone's work on that film and I am glad she got snubbed by the academy and other awards shows.

Irene--

Well said!!!

:clap :clap :clap

I know I might show my age... but I don't get a rats ass how bitter Smokey or Diana is about Dreamgirls. Where was Smokey's behind when Dreamgirls debuted on Broadway 25 years ago? Why didn't he complain then, oops, I know why, since Dreamgirls the movie is winning big time at awards shows and Jennifer and Eddie are up for oscars, Smokey feels as though he needs to open his mouth as a way for him to draw his name into the movie good or bad. He's saying this only for attention now that everyone is kissing the stars of the movie's asses.

Smokey and Diana need to move on(she also complained about the movie talking about she's going to see it with her lawyer, please....), their time as stars is gone.:rolleyes:

I know I might show my age... but I don't get a rats ass how bitter Smokey or Diana is about Dreamgirls. Where was Smokey's behind when Dreamgirls debuted on Broadway 25 years ago? Why didn't he complain then, oops, I know why, since Dreamgirls the movie is winning big time at awards shows and Jennifer and Eddie are up for oscars, Smokey feels as though he needs to open his mouth as a way for him to draw his name into the movie good or bad. He's saying this only for attention now that everyone is kissing the stars of the movie's asses.

Smokey and Diana need to move on(she also complained about the movie talking about she's going to see it with her lawyer, please....), their time as stars is gone.:rolleyes:

Any lawsuit would be meritless, as the movie is a WORK OF FICTION. It may be inspired by what happened in real life, but unless they use a character called "Diana Ross" and cite real life events, she should just let it go.

I think Diana's bitter because, let's face it, she's a has-been and this just reminds people of her glory years in perhaps not a flattering way (I haven't seen the movie yet).

Diana is the person who tried to stage a Supremes "reunion" with two members who were replacements long after she'd left the group. Fortunately, no one was buying it - or cared - and the tour tanked in 2000.

Hey Smokey, I heard that Barry Gordy can fly and heal people with his mind, is that true?

;)

I know I might show my age... but I don't get a rats ass how bitter Smokey or Diana is about Dreamgirls. Where was Smokey's behind when Dreamgirls debuted on Broadway 25 years ago? Why didn't he complain then, oops, I know why, since Dreamgirls the movie is winning big time at awards shows and Jennifer and Eddie are up for oscars, Smokey feels as though he needs to open his mouth as a way for him to draw his name into the movie good or bad. He's saying this only for attention now that everyone is kissing the stars of the movie's asses.

Smokey and Diana need to move on(she also complained about the movie talking about she's going to see it with her lawyer, please....), their time as stars is gone.:rolleyes:
I so agree. Hearing her say that on Letterman made her look stupid. My God, if she were to sue, why didn't she do it waaaaay back then???? Was she in a coma and just came out of it? HELLLLLOOOOOOOOOOO, GET OVER IT MISS ROSS. Smokey, I don't know where he is coming from or where he is going. :crazy:

I agree with everyone.

But my question is this, why didn't Miss Ross sue Mary Wilson for writing her book about the Supremes? I read the book and every work of it mirrors Dream Girls. And everyone knows that Miss Ross sold her sole to Mr. Gordy and the result was he made her a star. Everyone knows the story of Florence Ballard, and how she was forced out of the group. So although the producers of the play and film both deny that it is the story of the Supremes, everyone knows that it is loosely based on that story.

And besides how many girl groups were there back in the day, it could be anyone's story, we just know of the Supremes.

I agree with everyone.

But my question is this, why didn't Miss Ross sue Mary Wilson for writing her book about the Supremes? I read the book and every work of it mirrors Dream Girls.

You can't sue someone for writing about a real life event unless they deliberately lie or distort the facts. I'm guessing that however unflattering Mary Wilson's book may have painted Diana (I didn't read it), she had no recourse unless Mary lied or smeared her in some fashion.