Blair Underwood Says Missed ‘Dreamgirls’ Role Is “The One That Got Away”
Blair Underwood almost landed a starring role in Dreamgirls.
During the Emmy winner’s recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, he confessed that missing out on Dreamgirls was the role “that got away.” Underwood first expressed how “it’s not right” that he’s just meeting Hudson for the first time. “I’ve been a fan of yours for so long,” he gushed.
However, it’s not right because he was being considered as her costar in the 2006 film, which gave her an Oscar win. “Let me tell you something—for me, that was the role that got away. Jamie Foxx‘s character, the one she was in love with. I wanted so badly to do that movie,” said the 60-year-old.
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He explained how Dreamgirls‘ director Bill Condon came to see him in the Broadway production of Purlie! Anika Noni Rose also starred in the stage play at the time and she wound up landing a role in the film as Lorrell Robinson.
However, Underwood nearly snagged Foxx’s role, Curtis Taylor Jr., due to a conflict the singer had with his record label. “There was a conflict with the soundtrack. So for a week, [Condon] said if it doesn’t happen, the role is yours,” the Set It Off heartthrob added.
Gleefully, he reflected, “Ah, I’m gonna be in Dreamgirls with Jennifer Hudson.” The latter said it would’ve been an honor to work with him, but “Jamie is Jamie.” Funny enough, Underwood quipped, “I can’t sing, though. That’s the thing. I can carry a tune, but I can’t sing like Jamie.”
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Later in the segment, Underwood discusses his new role in STARZ’s Three Women and reacts to some thirsty tweets.
Watch above.
