They just looked at it and went, "That's charming as s---." Their cast mate on this film, Julianne Hough, is one of the professional dancers on the Emmy-winning show. Show me how you burlesque! As of 2021, Eric Dane (Marcus) and Peter Gallagher (Vince) have both appeared on the television series Grey's Anatomy (2005-present). Gabriela Spanic was considered for the role of Tess. 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! 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 also added that had it been shorter, it would "have squeaked by and been a really good popcorn movie". Jane Fonda was considered for the role of Tess. Her performance was good and she looked great. She owned it. Cher's "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", which was written by Diane Warren, won the award. 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. 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." Steve Antin got the idea for this film after watching Christina Aguilera perform as a featured vocalist for The Pussycat Dolls in 2002. The reason Cher accepted a supporting role in a film was that she believed this may be her last opportunity to be in a starring role where she gets to sing. STEVEN ANTIN (writer-director): My sister, Robin Antin, had a show that she created at the Viper Room [for] the Pussycat Dolls. Ali wants to audition but finds herself working at the club as a waitress. Antin switched the big romantic gesture-driven conclusion to a more grounded ending; the original ending was designed as an homage to Pretty Woman and the test audience reportedly found it quite derivative. ANTIN: [I didn't direct another film because] I guess I needed time to lick my wounds, and I was suddenly getting jobs directing commercials mostly musical commercials at first, but it opened up to all kinds. Plagued by stories of on-set clashes that overshadowed the production's aesthetic merits, Christina Aguilera's first feature film (and Cher's debut screen musical) had to find its audience after a middling theatrical curtain call, eventually blossoming into an enduring cult phenomenon that's still inspiring everything from drag queen revues to viral internet moments, 10 years later. [33] Time Out labelled the drama "perfunctory"[34] while Roger Ebert said that "Burlesque shows Cher and Christina Aguilera being all that they can be, and that's more than enough. Really terrible director. Steven and Christina were, creatively, on the same page. RELATED:5 Best (& 5 Worst) Movie Musicals. When he stumbles over words, she says "Jack, we're friends for Christ's sake. 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. After Ali's debut as the lead, she asks Jack what he thinks about her outfit. Where aside from the perky, young go-getter fronting this movie hope goes to die. Welcome to the Quantum Realm. It's not like we're brother and sister," to which Jack replies "No, we certainly are not." 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. But, I'm happy the gay community embraced it and I'm happy that people still enjoy watching it. 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. [Georgia shakes her head and starts crying] Oh no. The Dirrty singer added that she channeled her lack of acting experience into the character. I don't think Steven even wanted it then! By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. ANTIN: The first ending for the film I shot wasn't good. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. At the end of its box office run, Burlesque grossed $90 million worldwide, with multiple millions more in home video sales. I called Steven [and told him] it was a sign he should make this movie. A few years after, we sent her the script for Burlesque. Try a leg crossover for a fun move to perform with a chair. The film follows Ali played by Aguilera a small-town girl who finds her big break performing at a Burlesque Lounge. Ali leaves Marcus, after discovering his plans to sell the burlesque for money. 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 saw her at a party and approached her. 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. The film earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy at the 66th Golden Globe Awards, where Cher's performance of "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", written by Diane Warren won the for Best Original Song. Of course, that makes me happy that 10 years later people are still embracing it and new people are still discovering it. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. She had the best skin and the bluest eyes I'd ever seen. It was insane. 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. It was Jack and Ali saying goodbye, and then he gets into a taxi to go to the airport to go somewhere. See production, box office & company info. The history of American burlesque [timeline] - OUPblog It was a very good meeting. The idea for "Express," when the girls are crawling through the vanities, we came up with that there, and the idea for the "Burlesque" letters lighting up at the end, we came up with that and using the 360 degrees of the space because it was so gigantic there. [7] Keep your back straight while you bend forward. It was Pretty Woman on a fire escape. 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. Figure Skating Championships. When we met Cher, Christina was holding her kid on her hip, and we walked over. Having earned Nikki's respect, Ali performs "Show Me How You Burlesque", a song written by Jack, with all of the dancers on stage, delighting the crowd. Second, similar choreography. AGUILERA: She's truly an incredible woman and a force of nature. Steven started to write it and it snowballed from there. Sony Pictures Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. Ali learns that Marcus is interested in the "air rights" above the club; he hopes to build a skyscraper on the property. I just learned what downstage and upstage is. More meetings and many more conversations followed. The show exploded. Credit: Thierry Carpico/News Pictures/Shutterstock. "[36] The New York Times said that the story line "had already gathered dust by the time [of] the 1933 musical 42nd Street". This tune was replaced in the DVD version. The song just didn't belong in the movie. Unless you're Christopher Nolan. At lunch, I went to Cher's trailer to say hi and check in. We begged for five minutes of her time. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place. [43] In a 2020 interview Antin revealed a "hybrid television event/series", based on the movie, was under development. (2003), as Kevin Volchok and Sandy Cohen, respectively. Lisa Kudrow was considered for the role of Ali. 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). [9], In January 2021, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue won the gold medal at the U.S. 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. ANTIN: I certainly didn't set out to make a camp movie that people laugh at. 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. CULPEPPER: A lot of people worked really hard to get this movie made. I had everyone that I knew calling [Steve]. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" CULPEPPER: Cher called me to say she was on the lot [on a different stage] rehearsing her Vegas act, and to drop by. The credits play over a background of the stage set from the final scene ("Show Me How to Burlesque" dance number). Christina Aguilera made her big-screen debut alongside Cher in the 2010 musical Burlesque, and the films cast was rounded out with a few forgotten stars. [30] Lou Lumenick of the New York Post said, "Aguilera can dance like nobody's business, but her acting debut isn't going to keep Anne Hathaway awake at night. I think it was my 19th song I'd done with Cher, and I knew what it would sound like in my head, but it sounded better, if that's possible. When she came to set, we needed to have a melting time to coalesce the whole thing into what it ultimately became. It was obviously an audience that loved Cher and Christina, but I was worried. How come individuals court relationship where the son is a lot old versus lady? The controversy on the set was the number of days and getting the movie done so it wouldn't go over budget. CHER (Tess): I loved performing "Welcome to Burlesque" so much that I decided to recreate a version of it for my live show. At times I can be a bit snobby about movies. I was offered Mamma Mia with Meryl Streep but I was on the road so I couldn't do it. Stanley Tucci's character smokes in many of his scenes at The Burlesque Lounge, including in the front of the house. Christina was the choice. A third TV spot also aired the following day during Dancing with the Stars, later followed by another during MTV's Jersey Shore. I'd never been taught or exposed to such a wide range of "technical" dance and so many different styles and levels all at once while rehearsing and filming this movie. She was completely in it, she wasn't trying to change it at all, she wasn't trying to make it comfortable for herself. In fact, Cody even opened up about how people ask her about projects she was only briefly involved with. It starred Farrah Moan as Ali Rose and Chad Michaels as Tess Scali. I'd take dailies and I'd give it to an editor to put dance numbers and scenes together like a promo reel, and I showed it to Cher to show what we'd done for the last two months while she was in Vegas. It stayed in the top five until December 10, 2010, when it fell to sixth behind The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Tourist, Tangled, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Unstoppable. They thought I might have something, and I smiled and told them I might. The first time I saw it in the movie was the night of the premiere, and it got a standing ovation. Glitter and shine might be the hallmarks of Burlesque's visual appeal, but the inspiration for the film's dance numbers required scaling back. At least that's the sentiment you get when talking to the artists behind the 2010 musical Burlesque, a true showgirl of a studio spectacle that never got its proper due in the Hollywood spotlight. However, Jack is already engaged to Natalie (Dianna Agron), an actress working in New York City. She overcame a lot. Burlesque (2010) - IMDb First, Alan Cumming (plays the money taker at Burlesque) famously starred as the Emcee in the 1991 stage version of Cabaret. We even did a rewrite to make the character more active. 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. Scroll down to see stars you may have forgot appeared in Burlesque. From rehearsing with other actors to learning lines to embracing the moment and the realness of it all. They look out for you in a real way, and it was an honor to work alongside Cher. Watch Burlesque | Netflix "I also had to have a balance of starting out very vulnerable and wide-eyed and naive," she explained. All of that felt good. Ali Rose: If I'm not 20 times better than "b*obs for brains" over there, you don't have to pay me. It's a very tough move that requires a lot of skill. "Express" is the fruit of actually having them explain their vision, then the vision [for that song] came out through the music. 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. She overcame a lot. Years later, fans of the movie will still find the trivia just as interesting as it was in 2010. She unknowingly walks into a burlesque club run by Tess (Cher), which is facing financial hardship despite its talented group of dancers. 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 Several teasers have been released for promotional purposes including the Etta James's "Something's Got a Hold on Me". This is the second movie with Stanley Tucci where he provides the lead character with new clothing and a makeover which leads to a montage backed by Madonna music. I don't hold grudges. Cher and Christina Aguilera in 'Burlesque', Cher, Christina Aguilera sing justice for. The audience loves it. When he stumbles over words, she says "Jack, we're friends for Christ's sake. Although Cher enjoyed her time working on the movie, she admitted in 2013 that she wasnt proud of the project. Judy Greer was considered for the role of Ali. 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. CLINT CULPEPPER (Screen Gems studio president): One day I was on the set of a movie [and] Christina's agent called, saying they'd had a big meeting with her and that she wanted to do a movie. I have to hear everything!". And really terrible script. -Welcome to the Hero/Protagonist wiki! She was at the Chateau with some friends and she said, "Come here immediately. RELATED:10 Movies/Television Shows You Didn't Know Had Been Adapted Into Musicals. Its been more than a decade since Burlesque released and Steve Antins passion project is still considered one of the most memorable musicals Hollywood has produced. Tess asks Sean what happened to all the good dancers in LA, to which he responds Dancing with the Stars (2005). Heather Graham was considered for the role of Ali. She doesnt have enough meat. They were beyond genius. DENISE FAYE (choreographer): I remember when Christina wrote the song to the number "Express," and the finale song "Show Me How You Burlesque," she brought me to her house with Clint and Steven, and [she started playing songs, like] "Maybe this song for this number" and "Maybe this song for the finale." Who Is The Actor Who Plays Natalie In Burlesque? - NickiSwift It's been a decade since Burlesque premiered, but the trivia surrounding the Christina Aguilera and Cher helmed movie is still just as interesting. ANTIN: We tested the movie several times of course, and the final test was with an audience in Arizona. It's a hybrid television event/series taking the movie to the next level. [9], Cher accepted the supporting role of Tess Scali because she wanted to sing in a movie and thought this would be her last opportunity to do so. Despite rumors, Aguilera and Cher got along well on the set and became friends. We tested it with an audience, and everyone agreed reshoot it! When she got to my office, she was impressed with everything she saw. 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. In retaliation, a furious Nikki quits after she reveals to have slept with Tess' ex-husband Vince (Peter Gallagher). So, he introduced Aguilera to her idol on the Sony lot after Cher committed to the project. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. Aguilera performed "Express" at the American Music Awards of 2010 and "Show Me How You Burlesque" at the Dancing with the Stars finale. There wasnt anything Steven wanted, creatively, that anybody disagreed with. 10 Behind The Scenes Facts About Burlesque You Didn't Know - ScreenRant There Ali attends multiple auditions with little success. [21] A Blu-ray/DVD combo has been released as well. It was still the early days of the Pussycat Dolls, before they were a pop group. But leaving her star persona behind to disappear into a character was new to her, and she committed to a grueling rehearsal schedule atop heavy contributions to the soundtrack. 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. 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! I've got this." Julieth Restrepo was considered for the role of Ali. Musically, everyone anticipated Aguilera delivering natural talent. Ali's Hotel Manager: Michael Landes . Milla Jovovich was considered for the role of Tess. ANTIN: She came and met me in my office. After her selfish boss refuses salary, Ali steals from him and moves to Los Angeles. The burlesque star, and her all-American little sister, the pin-up girl, were crucial ingredients to American pop culture throughout the 20th century. 'Burlesque': A Cliche Is Born (Entertainingly, Too) - NPR Cher was on a soundstage doing a voiceover for Zookeeper. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Meanwhile, Ali and Jack become romantically attracted. 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! We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. It was all of these numbers with Christina. ANTIN: Besides David [Geffen], her manager was also talking to her about the script, so she was very aware of it. 50s Burlesque By the 1950s burlesque had been clamped down on in New York. It's unbelievable. The film marked Aguilera's film debut and Cher's first musical. "Cher always put her imprint on everything she was wearing. She didn't use any doubles. She unknowingly walks. His warm and genuine nature encouraged me to confirm, along with him interweaving so many pieces of my love for Etta James [into the script], knowing my personal passion for Burlesque [on] my Back to Basics album, and also [with me having] performed in the original Pussycat Dolls stage show at the Roxy. The Easy A actor played snarky stage manager Sean, who is best friends with Tess. But, Christina worked so hard. One has to be quick and prepared for someone like Christina in a meeting. Burlesque (2010) - Trivia - IMDb That's what I was aiming for. She smiled and said, "Oh my God, this is going to be fun!" and then came Cher. Im old but Im still pretty on top of everything.. She asked really smart questions. Although Cher enjoyed her time working on the movie, she admitted in 2013 that she wasn't proud of the project. I said, "We're ambushing you. Burlesque oral history: Cher, Christina Aguilera celebrate movie's 10 Perhaps if it were rewritten and interpolated into something that belonged in our world, it would've worked better. 64-year-old For the first time in a decade, she's starring in a feature film, "Burlesque". The Golden Globes drew a lot of adverse criticism when they announced their 2010 nominations as two of the year's most critically derided films - Burlesque and The Tourist (2010) - both were nominated for Best Film Musical or Comedy. She also performed "Express" on the final of the seventh series of The X Factor which received criticism and complaints for the raunchy content. Both Diablo Cody and Susannah Grant did rewrites of Steve Antin's script. I wasnt there for that meeting, and I believe Clint helped in getting her to say yes, Antin revealed in the same interview. The "Dirrty" singer added that she channeled her lack of acting experience into the character. "'She doesnt have enough meat. While preparing her Hollywood debut, Aguilera was simultaneously finishing her sixth studio album, Bionic, which released in June 2010. WILHELM SCREAM: Occurs in the last seconds of the final number, "Show Me How You Burlesque". DIANE WARREN (songwriter): At first, I wrote something else, I sent that in, and they didn't want that, and I don't even remember what that song was. [20], The DVD and Blu-ray were released in North America on March 1, 2011. There was me saying "Hey, you've got to move on," and him saying, "I don't have it, I'm not going to move on." CULPEPPER: Christina kept saying, "Please, Clint, get Cher! ANTIN: [I] wanted to cut that number. 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. [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. She was adorable, reading off her iPhone kind of scared with something prepared, and the songs blew us away. The DVD has sold over 1.4 million units in the United States. After her selfish boss refuses salary, Ali steals from him and moves to Los Angeles. She then performed a track from the soundtrack, the Etta James track "Something's Got a Hold on Me". Writer and burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, working at her desk, 1941. What you don't usually have is the two people who are discussing it also able to discuss it at home, at dinner. Marcus (Eric Dane), a wealthy clubgoer, becomes infatuated with Ali, who begins spending time with him, making Jack jealous. They had to rewrite the character because I was just like, This girl doesnt have a lot of drive,' she said at the time. Background Ali Rose (Aguilera) moves to Los Angeles after she quits her bar job when her boss refuses to pay her. So, I was a bit disappointed by the opening weekend numbers. Most of the stand-ins for the female dancers in the performances of the Burlesque club were actually former members of The Pussycat Dolls, the Las Vegas burlesque-troupe-turned-pop-group (uncredited though). FAYE: I directed and choreographed Cher for many years. "They had to rewrite the character because I was just like, 'This girl doesnt have a lot of drive,'" she said at the time. This movie was on the very first episode of the How Did This Get Made podcast with guest Nick Kroll and was then revisited on the 10 year Anniversary episode number 256. If you can help us with this wiki please sign up and help us! Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Marla (as Wendy Benson) Tisha French . Buzz snowballed ahead of the film's Nov. 24 theatrical bow, to the point where press for the project fixated on gossip, to Culpepper's chagrin. Timing can play a big factor in balancing between album and touring cycles. 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. Don't come back to me without Cher!" Burlesque (2010 American film) - Wikipedia The film tells the story of Ali (Aguilera), an aspiring singer who leaves her small hometown for Los Angeles, where she becomes a dancer at a struggling burlesque lounge owned by Tess (Cher).