Summary
Spike Lee recalls the backlash he received after casting pop sensation Madonna in his 1996 critically mixed comedy,Girl 6. Released 28 years ago,Girl 6followed the story of young actor Judy (Theresa Randle), who becomes disillusioned with her job after being asked to expose her breasts during an audition. Judy secures a new job at a call center, eventually finding a sense of purpose as a phone sex operator. Lee cast Madonna as boss #3 in the comedy, playing a well-manicured supervisor who fends off over-the-top requests from their clients.
Now, in a new interview withVultureas part of a broader article about working with Madonna on movie sets, Lee defended his unpopular decision to cast Madonna inGirl 6. Lee explained the simple reason why he cast the pop singer in the role,standing by his casting choice. The iconic director, who is an Oscar winner for his screenplay for 2018’sBlackKklansman, revealed that she was who he wanted for the role, and she agreed to join the cast of the movie, so he “didn’t give a f—k.” Check out what he had to say below:
I didn’t give a f–k. She’s who I had in mind, and she wanted to do it, so that was it. She’s a pro.
Madonna’s Acting Career Explained
Why The Singer Wasn’t A Popular Choice At The Time
However, it seems clear she won’t make any more acting appearances after moving on from the field following 2002’sSwept Awayremake, which won her two more Razzies.
Spike Lee’sGirl 6was not Madonna’s debut on the big screen, but instead, the singer saw her first major role in Susan Seidelman’s 1985 outingDesperately Seeking Susan, where she played the title role of Bohemian drifter Susan, a character who was heavily influenced by Madonna’s personal style at the time. The comedy-dramaearned Madonna critical praise and was a commercial success, bringing in $27.3 million in the United Statesalone against a budget of just $5 million. However, her acting career took a turn for the worse followingDesperately Seeking Susan.
Madonna starred ina string of box office bombs in the ’80s and ’90s, beginning with her next film, 1986’sShanghai Surprise,in which she acted alongside her then-newlywed husband, Sean Penn. It was a commercial failure that was also panned by critics, eventually earning Madonna her first Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress. The following year,Who’s That Girl(1987), a screwball comedy from director James Foley, also saw Madonna in a leading role. This was followed byBloodhounds of Broadway(1989), a period comedy. Both failed to see the same success asDesperately Seeking Susan.
Worst Actress -Madonna: Truth or Dare(1992)
Worst Actress of the Century (2000)
Worst Actress of the Decade (2010)
Nominee
AlthoughMadonna received positive reviewsfor her next role in the sports comedy-dramaA League of Their Own(1992), the following year’s erotic thrillersBody of Evidence(1993) andDangerous Game(1993) were also commercial and critical failures. ThoughGirl 6also saw poor reviews and financial returns, it’s clear Lee had no qualms about taking a shot on Madonna for the comedy. However, it seems clearshe won’t make any more acting appearancesafter moving on from the field following 2002’sSwept Awayremake, which won her two more Razzies.
Madonna, at one point, was developing a biopic on her life with Julia Garner playing her, but that project has since been scrapped.
Ultimately, Madonna’s screen career wasmarked by dizzying highs and perilous lows. Her status as an iconic pop star made her movie failures more notable, but her successes included five movies that grossed over $100 million at the worldwide box office, includingDie Another Day($431.9 million) andDick Tracy($162.7 million), both of which also saw her contribute to the soundtrack. Some of her movies beyondA League of Their OwnandDesperately Seeking Susanhave also earned critical acclaim, including the 1996 musical adaptationEvita, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Spike Lee Casting Madonna In Girl 6 Makes Perfect Sense
The Director Has Made A Career Out Of Unique Casting Choices
However, despite the box office results and Oscar wins that his collaborators have turned out over the years, he has never been afraid of bringing in untested performers or stars who are known for excelling in mediums outside of cinema.
Over the years, Lee has had the opportunity to work with many celebrated actors, including Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito, Angela Bassett, Adam Driver, Alfre Woodard, Chadwick Boseman, and more. However, despite the box office results and Oscar wins that his collaborators have turned out over the years, he has never been afraid of bringing in untested performers or stars who are known for excelling in mediums outside of cinema.
Every Spike Lee Movie Ranked From Worst to Best
Spike Lee has had an illustrious career in Hollywood, making 23 feature films. Here’s every one of his movies ranked from worst to best.
This has been the case since he made his feature debut with 1986’sShe’s Gotta Have It. That movie featured a performance from hip-hop legend Fab Five Freddy, but it also saw cinematographer and director Ernest Dickerson play a small role. Dickerson’s appearance would begin another trend for Lee ofputting his filmmaking collaborators onscreen as actors, as he would later castTales from the Hooddirector Rusty Cundieff inSchool Dazein addition to other later cameos from filmmakers, including himself in various roles throughout his career.
Ernest Dickerson would go on to direct movies, includingJuice,as well as the horror offeringsBonesandTales from the Crypt: Demon Knight.
Lee would continue to give acting roles to more musicians throughout his career, long before casting Madonna inGirl 6, even though that title was only his ninth movie. This included casting Coati Mundi and Rubén Blades inMo' Better Blues, which was a movie about music in and of itself, as it followed a jazz trumpeter played by Denzel Washington. However, between those two movies, he also offered drag queen and recording artist RuPaul his acting debut inCrooklynin addition to casting rapper Sticky Fingaz inClockers.
Girl 6
Cast
Girl 6 is a drama film directed by Spike Lee, following the story of a young actress who becomes disillusioned with her job and eventually finds a new sense of purpose as a phone sex operator.
