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'Sparkle' Gets a Motown Makeover
The classic 70’s film offers a new twist with its star-studded, Detroit do-over
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On a recent evening, Tandreka Keaton scans the room at Cliff Bell’s while having drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the downtown Detroit jazz club.
But this is no ordinary night at the club. Neo Soul crooner Goapole has just finished singing a moving number on stage, and now American Idol Season Six winner Jordin Sparks belts outs a song with Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter.
Cliff Bell’s has been transformed into a movie set for the Detroit makeover of the 1976 classic film, “Sparkle.” As an extra, Keaton has a front-row seat on all the action months before an updated version of the film, set in 1968 Detroit, is released this summer.
Extras aren’t told what to expect when they go on set, so Keaton was shocked to see Bishop T.D. Jakes walking around, the famous choreographer Fatima taking to the dance floor and comedian Mike Epps, and actors Derek Luke (“Antoine Fisher”, “Notorious”) and Omari Hardwick (“The Game”) chatting it up.
“I didn’t expect to recognize all those people,” says Keaton, 35, of Lansing. “Detroiters are really going to like this movie, and they are going to see Detroit in a positive way. It’s going to be very exciting.”
The film was equally exciting for Rondregus Underwood, 26, of Bloomfield Hills, who also found himself as a featured extra in multiple roles in the movie. In one scene, he’s a doorman and Epps throws him his coat. In another, he’s a bartender in a hole-in-the-wall bar scene at the Masonic Temple.
He got to chat with Luke and Sparks. He and extra Elijah Conner, 26, of Grosse Pointe, shared laughs with Epps, who they describe as funny all day long.
For months now, Detroiters already have been buzzing about “Sparkle,” the story inspired by the Supremes, getting a Motor City makeover. In the original movie, the sisters go from singing in a church choir in Harlem in the late 1950s to stardom.
Reader Comments:
Saw , the original "Sparkle". As a New Yorker, it brought back the memories of what the great masters like Billie Holiday, nina Simone, Ray Charles and so many other confronted withthe fame and glory of becoming a star. In essence every star's life seems to glitter. They are so marvelous, godlike, creative and perfect but the real truth of the entertainment business is harrowing. For me , Sparkel hits a not; we need to support our our raw talented artists, genusises and spiritually infused leadership the encouragement and proctection they need even when all seems so perfect. Love cost. We, the audience love the gifts the extrordinary talented share. However, is support and positive encourage provided when they have fallen from grace? Keeping it real.
Glad to seem Detroit will be placed on the map of stardom this summer. I plan to see it. Will you?
What's the new or buzz about Idlewild's Centennial celebrations? We need to showcase the place. It has history, class and LOTS of potential!!!
Hi!
Thanks for your comments; you make several valid points.
As far as Idlewild's Centennial celebrations, we have written about them in the past and will continue to do so. Look for updates in an upcoming issue!
--Ilissa
hello im a faithful reader of this magazine every month i would like to applaud the great staff who put the cover story together this is one of your best magazines covers by far i love too see great looking, successful young black dressed well i see some familiar faces on the issue as well isnt the guy in the front from that reality show that was on TvOne with Donald Trump and Toccara?? i will be awaiting the release of Sparkle i cant wait to see the late Whitney Houston shine in it!
Thank you for the kind words and yes--Elijah Connor was a contestant on "The Ultimate Merger" with Toccara Jones!
--Ilissa