BAZ BAMIGBOYE: All twerk and no play for Gugu's troubled diva in Oscar-nominated film Beyond The Lights
Rising star Gugu Mbatha-Raw studied video vixens like Rihanna, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga to understand the bump and grind of today's crop of in-your-face pop princesses for her latest role.
The actress also looked at more serious artists like Adele, Nina Simone and Lauren Hill. All of those women are wrapped up in the character of Noni, the troubled hip-hop sensation at the heart of Gugu's terrific new Oscar-nominated film Beyond The Lights.
Among other things, the movie addresses the misogyny and sexualisation of young women trying to get to the top in the music business.
'You don't have to fall out of your clothes to sing for your supper,' Gugu told me, when we met up in West Hollywood recently.
The movie starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw (pictured) addresses the misogyny and sexualisation of young women trying to get to the top in the music business
Of course, grooming young talent for stardom is a tale as old as time. Judy Garland's mother used to hawk her schoolgirl daughter around somewhat questionable gigs to get her noticed. Minnie Driver, who plays Noni's British mum in the movie, manipulates and manages her in a similar way.
RADA-trained Gugu started prepping for the movie before she filmed her award-winning performance in Amma Asante's picture Belle, where she portrayed Dido Elizabeth Belle, daughter of an 18th-century Royal Navy admiral and an African slave, who was raised by her aristocratic uncle in Hampstead.
Of her role as Noni, she told me that unless you have a very strong sense of self before you become famous, 'you very easily, and quickly, become swamped with the pressures of pleasing people'.
She added that it's a tricky balance for children in the entertainment industry, who grow up with their parents handling the business side of things. 'Where do you find someone who's just going to be your mum?' she wondered.
Marilyn Monroe was another personality Gugu studied, at the suggestion of Beyond The Lights director Gina Prince-Bythewood.
'I looked at the idea of becoming a sex symbol. What does that really do to you psychologically, when you have to be 'on' all the time? With people expecting you to be 'her'?'
Laurieann Gibson, who choreographs Katy Perry and Beyonce, worked with Gugu for six months. 'She was a tough cookie,' Gugu laughed. 'I was sweating it out with her until dancing like Beyonce became second nature.'
Beyond The Lights is a heart-warming, powerful picture that deserves a wide audience but, infuriatingly, no release date in the UK has been set
Then she worked with songwriter The-Dream on the original numbers she sings in the film.
Beyonce, Rita Ora, our own Cynthia Erivo and others sing on the movie's soundtrack. One song, Grateful, written by Diane Warren, is up for a best original song Oscar.
'I was definitely out of my comfort zone,' Gugu confessed. 'Having to channel that sexually aggressive energy and the swagger required.'
Kim Kimble, hair stylist to the stars who has shaped Beyonce's mane attractions, created wigs and hair extensions for her.
'It's all fake — but it's Noni's armour,' Gugu said. 'The hair's sewn in, the nails are glued on, and there's even a scene where I have chicken cutlets down my bra.
'Fake ones!' she added quickly, as she saw my eyes going out on stalks. 'They're made of gel, and seeing me slide them in my bra, you see the mechanics, the scaffolding, that props up our pop idols.'
But Noni wants to be free of all the artificial trappings. 'I hope young women see it,' Gugu said of the film. 'It's romantic, it's fun — but I also feel it has a serious message about being free to be who you are.'
Beyond The Lights is a heart-warming, powerful picture that deserves a wide audience but, infuriatingly, no release date in the UK has been set.
However fans can see Gugu in another film: Concussion, which stars Will Smith. Then there's a courtroom drama The Whole Truth, with Keanu Reeves and Renee Zellweger; and she's also preparing to film The Free State Of Jones with Matthew McConaughey.
First, though, Gugu will be heading to Covent Garden Opera House on February 8 for the EE British Film Academy Awards, where she's a contender for the EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public.
Her fellow nominees are: Jack O'Connell, Margot Robbie, Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley.
Visit ee.co.uk/bafta for more details.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2932260/BAZ-BAMIGBOYE-twerk-no-play-Gugu-s-troubled-diva-Oscar-nominated-film-Lights.html#ixzz3QV2A1O9F
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