Tina Turner and Angela Bassett.Photo:Buena Vista Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection
Buena Vista Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection
What’s Love Got To Do With It,the 1993 film based loosely onTina Turner’s autobiography,I, Tina, portrayed the story of the Queen of Rock and Roll’s ascension to superstardom, with all the personal triumphs and struggles she experienced along the way. And while some of the film is dramatized, many of the people portrayed are real.Turner,who died May 24, 2023 at age 83, had a complicated relationship with the film, which she felt portrayed her too much as a victim. But she praised Angela Bassett’s portrayal of her,writing in a tribute to Bassett in 2023, “Angela, the first time we met, you didn’t look, sound, or move like me—that came later after you worked so hard to make it happen. But even then, I could see that the young woman standing before me hadstrength, determination, and big, big dreams, just like me.“From Bassett’s Oscar-nominated performance as Tina Turner to Jenifer Lewis' role as Tina’s mother — despite being just a few years older than Bassett — here’s a look at some of the film’s cast and how they compare to the real people they portrayed.
What’s Love Got To Do With It,the 1993 film based loosely onTina Turner’s autobiography,I, Tina, portrayed the story of the Queen of Rock and Roll’s ascension to superstardom, with all the personal triumphs and struggles she experienced along the way. And while some of the film is dramatized, many of the people portrayed are real.
Turner,who died May 24, 2023 at age 83, had a complicated relationship with the film, which she felt portrayed her too much as a victim. But she praised Angela Bassett’s portrayal of her,writing in a tribute to Bassett in 2023, “Angela, the first time we met, you didn’t look, sound, or move like me—that came later after you worked so hard to make it happen. But even then, I could see that the young woman standing before me hadstrength, determination, and big, big dreams, just like me.”
From Bassett’s Oscar-nominated performance as Tina Turner to Jenifer Lewis' role as Tina’s mother — despite being just a few years older than Bassett — here’s a look at some of the film’s cast and how they compare to the real people they portrayed.
01of 09Angela Bassett as Tina TurnerAngela Bassett, Tina Turner.Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Lorne Resnick/RedfernsAngela Bassett’s performance in the 1993 film as Tina Turner herself earned the actress her first Oscar nomination. In addition to the Academy’s recognition of her portrayal, the rock n' roll icon said Bassettwas “perfect” to play her in a the filmin a tribute to theBlack PantheractressforTIMEMagazine’s100 Most Influential People of 2023.Turner wrote that Bassett “never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.““You honor all the women you play, just as you honored me. And you’re still perfect,” she added.
01of 09
Angela Bassett as Tina Turner
Angela Bassett, Tina Turner.Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Lorne Resnick/Redferns
Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock ; Lorne Resnick/Redferns
Angela Bassett’s performance in the 1993 film as Tina Turner herself earned the actress her first Oscar nomination. In addition to the Academy’s recognition of her portrayal, the rock n' roll icon said Bassettwas “perfect” to play her in a the filmin a tribute to theBlack PantheractressforTIMEMagazine’s100 Most Influential People of 2023.
Turner wrote that Bassett “never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.”
“You honor all the women you play, just as you honored me. And you’re still perfect,” she added.
02of 09Laurence Fishburne as Ike TurnerLaurence Fishburne, Ike Turner.Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Ochs Archives/GettyLaurence Fishburnestarred opposite Bassett in the role ofIke Turner, Tina’s musical partner and husband in her early career. Ike was both severely physically and psychologically abusive — some of which is depicted in the film.Fishburne actually turned down the role five times as he felt that while the “writing was really strong with respect to Tina’s character, and it wasn’t strong enough with respect to Ike’s character,” he told Jemele Hillduring an episode ofJemele Hill is Unbothered.In the end, Angela Bassett’s casting is what got him to sign on; he said when he found out she was playing Tina, he thought “I have to do this now.”
02of 09
Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner
Laurence Fishburne, Ike Turner.Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Laurence Fishburnestarred opposite Bassett in the role ofIke Turner, Tina’s musical partner and husband in her early career. Ike was both severely physically and psychologically abusive — some of which is depicted in the film.
Fishburne actually turned down the role five times as he felt that while the “writing was really strong with respect to Tina’s character, and it wasn’t strong enough with respect to Ike’s character,” he told Jemele Hillduring an episode ofJemele Hill is Unbothered.
In the end, Angela Bassett’s casting is what got him to sign on; he said when he found out she was playing Tina, he thought “I have to do this now.”
03of 09
Jenifer Lewis as Zelma Bullock
Jenifer Lewis, Zelma Bullock.Ron Galella Collection via Getty, Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Gett
Ron Galella Collection via Getty, Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Gett
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Phyllis Yvonne Stickney as Alline Bullock
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney and Alline Bullock.J. Vespa/WireImage, RHONDA GRAAM / COURTESY OF HBO
J. Vespa/WireImage, RHONDA GRAAM / COURTESY OF HBO
05of 09Rob Labelle as Phil SpectorRob Labelle, Phil Spector.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Tommy Lea/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via GettyRob Labelle plays the late, disgraced music producer,Phil Spector, in the 1993 film. In real life, before his legal troubles, Spector became interested in Tina and Ike and signed them to his label, and had a hand in writing their hit song, “River Deep, Mountain High.”
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Rob Labelle as Phil Spector
Rob Labelle, Phil Spector.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Tommy Lea/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Tommy Lea/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty
Rob Labelle plays the late, disgraced music producer,Phil Spector, in the 1993 film. In real life, before his legal troubles, Spector became interested in Tina and Ike and signed them to his label, and had a hand in writing their hit song, “River Deep, Mountain High.”
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James Reyne as Roger Davies
James Reyne, Roger Davies.Buena Vista Pictures; John Patrick O’Gready/Fairfax Media via Getty
Buena Vista Pictures; John Patrick O’Gready/Fairfax Media via Getty
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Richard T. Jones as Ike Turner Jr.
Richard T. Jones, Ike Turner Jr.Barry King/WireImage, Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
Barry King/WireImage, Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
08of 09
Shavar Ross as Michael Turner
Shavar Ross, Michael Turner.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
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Suli McCullough as Raymond “Craig” Turner
Suli McCullough, Craig Turner.Ron Galella Collection via Getty, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Ron Galella Collection via Getty, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
source: people.com
