Monsters Ball - Secrets Behind The Making Of "Monster's Ball"

Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Close Casting Calls

Every actress and musician-turned-actress was considered for the role of Leticia. Not everyone…but quite a few. I’m talking about Vanessa Williams, Queen Latifah, Angela Bassett and even Jennifer Lopez. But many of the women had a problem with the sex scene. Angela Bassett was famously quoted when she told Entertainment Weekly: 

”I wasn’t going to be a prostitute on film. I couldn’t do that because it’s such a stereotype about black women and sexuality.” She says, ”Film is forever. It’s about putting something out there you can be proud of 10 years later. I mean, Meryl Streep won Oscars without all that. “

Still, Bassett said that she does not begrudge Berry for her decision to take the role or the success it brought her. In fact, she said she cried when Berry mentioned her in her acceptance speech.

“I can’t and don’t begrudge Halle her success. It wasn’t the role for me, but I told her she’d win, and I told her to go get what was hers. Of course I want one, too. I would love to have an Oscar. But it has to be for something I can sleep with at night.”