Posted by | Ray Cornelius
It’s too big! It’s too wide! It’s too strong! It won’t fit!
Apparently that is what Hollywood casting director Jen Rudin was probably singing thinking when Beyoncé expressed interest in playing Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog but refused to audition for the part.
According to HipHollwood, Rudin is dishing all the dirt in a new book, Confessions of a Casting Director and talks about how Bey’s ego probably got in the way of her becoming the voice of the first Black princess. “Beyoncé expected an offer, but wouldn’t audition and so she didn’t get one,” Rudin explained.
The coveted role instead went to Bey’s Dreamgirls co-star and Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose, whom Rudin says “was the most qualified.”
Rudin also revealed the names of three other high profile stars that auditioned for the role including Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keys. “Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson wanted it. Alicia Keys auditioned three times … They had to sing, so we made it clear they needed sheet music. Tyra came in with a CD, but it didn’t matter because she was so pretty and nice.”
In the end, Disney got their princess and Beyoncé was later cast as Queen Tara in the animated film EPIC, which opened in theaters last spring. I guess Bey said, “Who needs to be a princess when you can be a QUEEN!” (LOL)
Rudin’s Confessions of a Casting Director will be available in stores next month.
Photo Credit: hdwallpaper2013.com
