Robin Givens

  1. Angela Bassett, What’s Love Got To Do With It, 1992. Finalists for Tina Turner to choose from for her biopic were Bassett, Halle Berry, Robin Givens (the ex-Mrs Mike Tyson),  Pam Grier,  Whitney Houston (a crazy idea, but pregnant), Janet Jackson (crazier),  Jennifer Lewis (who finished up playing Tina’s Mama) and Vanessa L Williams.  Tina voted for Angela after seeing  her sing Proud Mary .  Even then, Angela submitted herself to intense work with dancing, dialect and physical training coaches. Tina sang the songs.  Of course. And Halle enacted Dorothy Dandridge’s life in 1998.

  2. Lela Rochon, Waiting To Exhale, 1995.  Having selected Angela Bassett and  Whitney Houston, actor-turned-director Forest Whitaker told Ebony magaqine that he looked  at  lesser-knowns – Halle Berrt, Robin Givens – for the other roles.  (Basset would later direct the TV biopic, Whitney about  Houston).

 

 Birth year: Death year: Other name: Casting Calls:  2