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R & B singer Faith Evans has been tapped to play Florence Ballard in the biopic 'Blondie -- The Florence Ballard Story' from Spirit of Life Films.
Directing the movie is Bille Woodruff, from a script written by Karen Spencer and Roy Fegan, who will also serve as co-producers with Glenn S.O.N Faide.
A Detroit native, Ballard was the Supremes' original lead singer. She paved the way for female entertainers, but she has yet to be accurately portrayed. The biopic will reveal shocking details of Ballard's life, from her moments of joy and success to her premature death at the age of 32.
"Not only is this about rebirthing Florence Ballard's legacy and giving her the accolades that she has deserved for 34 years, it also offers her children an opportunity to know their mother better and celebrate her life," says Karen Spencer, a partner at Spirit of Life Films.
Ballard's three daughters were excited to have Evans portray their mother.
Like Ballard, Evans has had her share of success and challenges. In preparation for the role, Evans has spent valuable time with Ballard's family and studying her music and history.
The film, which has been adapted from the book 'The Lost Supreme' by Peter Benjaminson, is set to released next summer. It will be accompanied by an all-star soundtrack featuring Lauryn Hill, Kelly Price and Faith Evans.
Comments: (57)
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By: Stephanie Danforth on 11/04/2010 3:38PM
I can't wait to see this! As a Detroiter, I know all about Florence but so many others have no clue. I think Faith will do a great job.
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By: wisdom on 11/04/2010 5:41PM
Since you have the inside scoop.Do you feel that Diana did flo wrong or do you think there was so much more to the story
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By: Toni Miner on 11/05/2010 8:22AM
You couldn't have picked a better choice. Faith Evans looks so much like Florence Ballard. Its amazing.
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By: clarke on 11/04/2010 4:27PM
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW Steph IS THAT FLO HAD THE BEST VOICE OF THE THREE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO LISTEN TO SOME THE THEIR VERY EARLY RECORDING WHERE SHE SANG LEAD TO KNOW THAT, SHE HAD AN AWESOME VOICE, HELL EVEN MARY COULD OUTSING DIANE WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, BUT ROSS HAD THAT NASAL ASS SOUND THAT WOULD APPEAL TO WHITES SO GORDY MADE HER LEAD.
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By: Charles on 11/04/2010 6:52PM
Here we go again. Florence Ballard is a tragic figure, she was the original singer of the Supremes but to imply that she had a better voice than Diana Ross is just plain wrong. Would the Supremes have been as big an act if Florence Ballard was lead? No! Did Motown ruin her- the culture of the music industry definitely contributed. Did Florence Ballard contribute to her expulsion from the group? Yes.
Berry Gordy wasn't the only one who decided who sang lead, the songwriters and producers had a say. Without Barry Gordy's lead I believe DR would still have emerged as the voice of the Supremes.
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By: clarke on 11/05/2010 9:23AM
YOU KNOW WHAT CHARLES, YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT MY EARS HEAR AND WHEN I LISTEN TO THE SONGS THAT SHE SANG LEAD ON I KNOW WHAT THE HELL I HEAR, SO I CAN SAY SHE HAD THE BEST VOICE AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN. FLO HAD THE BEST VOICE. AND I'LL ALSO SAY THAT MARY HAD A BETTER VOICE THAN ROSS I DON'T CARE WHAT GORDY OR ANYBODY ELSE THOUGHT. AND I'LL STAND BY MY STATMENT THAT THE DECISSION WAS MADE ON WHAT SOUND WHITE FOLKS WOULD LIKE MORE.
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By: kbroome1969 on 11/07/2010 12:11PM
nooooo what it was in my view is that Ross was in bed with Gordy..clearly and she knew how to play the game .. and she pushed the others out...
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By: AllBahianGirl on 11/04/2010 4:42PM
Faith Evans is an excellent choice for a biopic on Florence Ballard. I saw some of Flo's story on the series "Unsung" which is sometimes heartbreaking to watch because it's a shame that people don't get their props when they're alive. It would be great if Flo's three daughters could get some financial compensation since Flo Ballard was their mother and she left them when they were so young. No disrespect to Flo but I think that Diana Ross has a beautiful voice and she was also sleeping with Berry Gordy so naturally he is going to make a star the woman he's sleeping with.
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By: vic1101 on 11/04/2010 7:18PM
I am so sick and tired of hearing how fantastic the voice of Florence Ballard was. If her voice was so great why couldn't she sell records with it ?! She couldn't -Diana's voice was what sold the Supremes and not her affair with Gordy. Floernece's family and supporters need to let it go it only diminishes her, not Diana. Diana is still playing to sold out crowds around the world, Kennedy Center Honors, Tony Award winning-YOU GET THE PICTURE!!
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By: RICC on 11/04/2010 9:00PM
Have you ever heard Flo's voice, she was the weight to all those Supreme hits and the only reason Flo didn't have a career is because she was blacklisted by Gordy. So you're wrong Vic, she did have a fabulous voice, but didn't stand a chance against the Motown machine.
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