Back in 2006, Hairspray was one of the most sought-after movies, so the producers were careful who they chose to be in the film.
They were looking to cast either Ashton Kutcher or Jake Gyllenhall for the role of Corny Collins. But it didn’t work out. Instead, they went with James Marsden. And the actor told Vanity Fair how he landed the part.
He went to a bar on Off-Broadway to meet producers Adam Shankman, Craig Zadan, and Neil Meron. While they were talking, Julia Roberts came over and told Marsden that she loved him in The Notebook.
With that, Shankman said, “I guess we’d be kind of stupid to say no to the guy that Julia Roberts just said hello to and loves your work.”
Norton wanted to talk to the legend about the fact that someone is going to be playing her in a biopic. So, Julia Roberts yelled out, “Say it’s me. Please, say it’s me.” Then, Cher looked over her, tapped her shoulder, and said, “OK. It’s you.” to shut her up, which Roberts didn’t do.
Julia then imitated the unique way Cher flicks her back. And you can tell at this point Cher was over it because the singer looked at Norton as to say to him that he should pay attention to me and not her.
So he got the message and did. That is when he asked her if they had cast someone to play the part. And she said they haven’t because she can’t find anyone to fit her extraordinary life into a script short enough to be a movie.
So Cher asked for Tom Hanks’ help since he produced Mamma Mia 2, a movie she starred in, and he loved her singing in it. He especially loved the way she sang Abba’s Fernando. So he said as long as someone sings that song, it will be fine.
Hanks accidentally opened up a can of worms because she explained to him that she will be doing her own singing in the film. She hates it when people sing other people’s songs in production because it never sounds like the original singer.
That is when Roberts chimed in again, to explain not all the time. That is because Timothée Chalamet, who was also a guest, had just been cast to play Bob Dylan.
The difference between Cher and Dylan, is she is known for her voice, and Dylan for his lyrics.
Anyways, back to Cher. Roberts added that no one is like Cher and lovingly asked her, “How do you stand yourself?” Cher told, “I don’t! I’m a pain in the ass.”
But not as big of a pain in the ass as Roberts was to her during this episode.
And there was just one more zinger from Cher to Julia. When Cher said that her life was too big for a movie script, Roberts suggested they turn it into a miniseries. Cher didn’t even look at her when she said with disdain, “Yeah. I don’t think so.”
And with that, I love Cher even more! Because she doesn’t have time for anyone’s bullshit, including another Oscar winner who used to be highest paid female film actress.
Cher has had a loyal fanbase for over 50 years. But there is one person who is not a member of the Cher crew.
Today, when the legend was on The Graham Norton Show, the host asked her if she listens to her own music. “I am not a big Cher fan, so I don’t usually.” Then she added, “I usually like the songs that were hits.” Can you Believe that?
Norton followed up by wanting to know if she watches her own movies, and she told him no without hesitation.
Then Tom Hanks interjected and told her, “You’re missing out. Motion picture perfection, Mamma Mia 2. Fernando. When she busts out Fernando, the World stops, suns clash with the stars.”
Norton added Moonstruck, while Julia Roberts said Silkwood. I say Mask is by far her best film. That final scene has me ugly crying every time. What movie do you think is her best?
Now, back to her not being a Cheraholic. That makes me love her even more. Because so many Divas love themselves more than they should. For example, one who just released an audiobook for her memoir that is almost 50 hours long.
Before Julia Roberts was a prostitute for a rich guy in Pretty Woman, she was an assistant to one on Miami Vice. How pretty was the 20-year-old woman in that 1988 episode.
It has been almost 50 years since we got to know Henry Winkler as The Fonz. And just like his character, Winkler is still a chick magnet.
What is his secret? Being the nicest guy in the room. Girls might like bad boys, but women like Julia Roberts and Jennifer Coolidge are always going to be attracted to the good guy with a smile.
So when he says, “Sit on it!” We are more than willing. Whoops! I never said I was a good girl!!!
