Smokey Steaming Over "Dreamgirls" Diss

Posted Jan 26th 2007 1:34PM by TMZ Staff

Smokey Robinson took a swipe at Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy over what he perceives are inaccuracies in the hit movie "Dreamgirls."

On today's NPR "Morning Edition," Robinson said he is "very upset" over the "false information" in the film. Talking about the character modeled after Motown founder Berry Gordy, Robinson said, "Nobody was paying us. So he (Gordy) borrowed $800 from his family's fund and started Motown so that we could be paid. And for him to be maligned and made out like this villainous character is very, very, very offensive to me."

Robinson took issue with the stars of the film, saying that they belittled their history: "Motown is Beyonce's heritage. Motown is Jamie Foxx's heritage. Motown is Eddie Murphy's heritage. You know what I mean? They're black people. They're young black people. America should be proud of Motown because Motown made a statement all over the world that America could be proud of."

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Filed under: Movies

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(Page 2 of 2)Previous 15 Comments

16. Um, this is the first all black movie within the past 10 years (save Akeelah and the Bee) that is worthy of being seen. Please don't tell me you think Pootie Tang, How High or Idlewild are quality black films?

Posted at 7:52PM on Jan 26th 2007 by ezze

17. Smokster...dude, it's a fricking MOVIE that was based on a Broadway show. It is not based on fact. Anybody that knows anything about popular music KNOWS the whole inspiring, and finally sad story of Motown.
Your place in pop culture/history is secure.

Posted at 8:27PM on Jan 26th 2007 by I'm the one who got screwed...Marvin Gaye

18. hey not so wise owl....Berry Gordy Jr. is 77 and is still very much alive.

Posted at 9:57PM on Jan 26th 2007 by Beth C

19. smokey sit your old ass down somewhere! that's why they call it a MOVIE!

Posted at 12:08AM on Jan 27th 2007 by mack

20. This movie was also based on the long-running Broadway hit Dreamgirls..so what is Smokey complaining about. This smells like GREEN-EYED ENVY.
Probably he was more pissed off that he was depicted in the movie and no one consulted him about the Motown era...it's sad that he can't just celebrate the fact that the movie is entertaining millions of viewers and received an Oscar nod.

Posted at 1:26AM on Jan 27th 2007 by Anonymous

21. Calm down, Smokey! It's not the first time facts have been "altered" IN THE MOVIES. It's not the end of your world. Nice to know you're still out there, putting in your 2 cents worth. What have you been smoking lately? Your rastafarian-look just doesn't seem right? Unless the Miracles are now called the Reefers? I can dig that. All the best Motown-Man. Can I have my 2 cents back now?

Posted at 12:34PM on Jan 27th 2007 by paulie

22. dreamgirls is loosely based on motown its not a biopic is not based on true facts the characters and the names are different. There are some similarties buts berry gordys character isnt meant to be exactly like him good or bad. People especialy motown people like smokey robinson and diana ross are taking dreamgirls too seriosuly it was a play and now its a movie its similar but not the same. I bet if dream girls had let all the motown people make cameos in the movie they would be all over the media tlaking about how wonderful it is. THEY ALL JUST NEED TO GET OVER IT !!!!! ITS A MOVIE

Posted at 2:46PM on Jan 27th 2007 by Shauna

23. To the Top of Old Smokey: Let's face it, showbiz is filled with creepy people at every turn. I grew up in Motown and went to the movie to see if they actually went back to the "Hitsville USA" building on West Grand Blvd. (they didn't). I wouldn't blame the actors for anything having to do with telling this "fictional story 'loosely based' on the Motown story. I knew Jennifer Hudson was good, but actually forgot during the movie she's just an upstart...amazing voice and this girl could act! Then it was the Beyonnce and Jamie Foxx trot to tout the movie. But the biggest surprise (did they plan this?) was Eddie Murphy. I knew Beyonnce could sing, and act, and Hudson surprised me because she took on Effie's character and made it into all her own. But EDDIE MURPHY! I didn't even know he was in the movie and he turned his character OUT. Regardless of the story which is supposed to be fictional, some things never change and there are liars and cheats and stupid politics in Hollywood. Smokey surely you must know all this already!

Posted at 7:44PM on Jan 27th 2007 by SuperStarSteve

24. Would all you Jigs quit crying about this and get back to fukin work??? The white man aint payin ya to play online

Posted at 10:23AM on Jan 29th 2007 by RomperStomper

25. I can understand Mr. Robinson's feelings but I think he is directing it to the wrong persons. Beyonce, Eddie and Jamie were "PLAYING" a role. It was not coming from them, but the writers, director and producers of the movie. He's pointing his guns in the wrong direction.
I think they did an excellent job! They did what they were told!

Posted at 12:31PM on Jan 29th 2007 by Row

26. Nice to see a movie that charms the soul and makes people keep searching for more and more on life in music. J-Hud can sing -- I like that way she took Jennifer Holliday's song and reminded us of the beauty of a song

Posted at 11:43AM on Feb 19th 2007 by Robin

27. Eddie's mad and I'm glad cause I know how to tease him. We're talking acting here I like Eddie Murphy but I didn't see him in Dreamgirls so I can't say whether he or Alan Arkin deserved it more. I seen Little Miss Sunshine. It was O.K. Why didn't they promote Dreamgirls too. I and a zillion others would be able to tell you if Eddie Murphy deserved it more then Alan Arkin. I believe the Oscar is based on all their contributions to films. I know Dreamgirls was looking good at the beginning of the Oscar's but for some reason I had a funny feeling Eddie wouldn't get it. I also didn't think Forrest Whittaker should have got it for that film, he's done better work then that. Who knows what The Academy takes into consideration, good PR, bad PR, but I'll rent a movie with Eddie Murphy before I rent one with Forrest Whittaker. Hey they say it's a pretty big deal to be nominated. Posted by BLONDIE

Posted at 3:04PM on Feb 27th 2007 by E.Greene

28. When people debate about if "Dreamgirls" was also about the story of The Supremes, the thing that I smile about is that those fans in-the-know notice that the album covers they use for the group in the movie, are direct rip-offs of album covers precisely of The Supremes' -- both before AND after Diana Ross left the group...so if the movie didn't have especially The Supremes in mind, it sure used them, their look, and their media as touchstones to guide them in the making of the product -- strangely, as opposed to using the look and the product of many of the countless, very different female groups that were also on the scene in the 1960s before and at the same time as The Supremes. But like one poster above alluded to, if the movie was about today, the group in the film might have resembled Destiny's Child because that group has best represented girl-group pop culture in the 1990s and 2000s -- maybe even if "Dreamgirls" wasn't 'about' The Supremes, it just was unavoidable to not represent their pop-culture influence that they had on music and the female group genre of the 1960s, 'cause they were so persuasively influential and popular during that time.

Posted at 3:52PM on Mar 11th 2007 by Gia

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