Thursday, October 3, 2024

Exclusive: John Legend Will Act, Sing in “Whiplash” Director’s Musical

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John Legend already has an Oscar for Best Song– he won it with Common for “Glory” this year from the movie “Selma.” He also some Grammy Awards. So now what?

Well, I’m told that John (real name John Stephens) will act and sing in Damien Chazelle’s new musical film “La La Land.” Chazelle just last year gave us the much loved indie hit “Whiplash,” which also had a musical theme.

Legend is writing songs now for his character to perform in the film alongside stars J.K. Simmons, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. This won’t be his actual acting debut– he appeared in the egregious “Soul Men” a few years ago. But let’s say this is his REAL debut in a good film. My guess is we’ll get a nice soundtrack from “La La Land” and John will be up for another Best Song Oscar.

I don’t say enough good things about John Legend in this space. He’s one of the few real talents to emerge from pop music in the last generation. This year he had two major, major hits with “Glory” and his song “All of Me.” Ten years from now, he, Rob Thomas, and Alicia Keys will be the survivors of their era because they are actual composers and singers.

One more thing: John, as you know, is married to the hippest hot model out there, Chrissy Teigen. Chrissy is about to debut in a new syndicated talk show a la The View with Tyra Banks called “The Fab.” Chrissy is going to be a breakout star on “The Fab”– she’s funny smart and obviously bee-yout–eeful.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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