Grammy Award-winning singer slash songwriter Alicia Keys opens up on her gay-themed role in the film Smokin' Aces. In the October issue of Complex, Keys says she first expressed trepidation on playing the part of Georgia Sykes. "What is this gay shit?" she asked the director about the relationship between Georgia and her partner. Later, after reading the entire script, she welcomed the opportunity.
And the more I read, the more I got it. I was like, "Wow, there's nothing people will expect from me less than this." And that's what I wanted when it came to the film. I don't want to be the singing, piano-playing "girl role." I want to be something that's not who I am.
Did you have any reservations or concerns that playing a gay characters was going to spawn rumors?
Well,, my character wasn't the gay character, my partner was. But there was kind of a—Tension?
There originally was a whole scene where I confronted her about it, and said, "I feel like you're kind of pushing up on me what's going on?" They left that out; they wanted it to be very ambiguous, which is cool. I figured that people would probably run with it, and there was a little misconstruing about it, but at the end of the day, it wasn't a big deal.
Keys' original description of the relationship between the two characters—"the gay shit"—was not the most welcoming and the description of the back story being lost on the cutting room floor is rather quaint. Obviously Keys changed her tone and embraced the part—that's the bottom line. Interesting that the same magazine took the time to explore the nuances of Alicia Keys' lesbian-themed character in Smokin' Aces, but, allowed male hip-hop artists such as Usher and Ja Rule to deliver unchecked anti-gay rants. That probably has much more to do with hetero male fascination with lesbian sex than any journalistic integrity.
Read the whole interview and judge for yourself. It is not online yet, but, we scanned and uploaded the interview into PDF. When linking to the Alicia Keys article, please link to this post and not the PDF. Thanks.
Best Seat in the House [PDF]
Some Background ...
Ja Rule: MTV "Promoting Homosexuality" [R20]
Usher's Confession: "I Don't Get Down Like That" [R20]
Ne-Yo: "You're Nobody Until They Say You're Gay" [R20]
Gabrielle Union: "You're Nobody Until Someone Says You're Gay" [R20]
The Michelangelo Signorile Show [R20]
"Taking the Homophobia Out of Hip-Hop [R20]
Busta: Gays Better Not "Touch It" [R20]
Busta's Homophobic VIBE [R20]
Kanye Responds to Gay Rumors [R20]
Has-Been Rapper Beanie Sigel Demands Kanye and Pharrell "Come Out" of the Closet [R20]
Kanye Responds to Gay Rumors [R20]
R & B Singer Amerie Against Homophobia [R20]
John Legend & Cornel West vs Homophobia [R20]
Kanye on Gay Bashing [R20]
Pharrell Sets the Record, umm, Straight [R20]
Now I am not in the business of accussing people of being gay or gossiping about people's sexual orientation, but why is Ms. Keys fronting like she does not know what this "gay shit is"? Okay, wink, wink...If you are unaware, then I am a white woman.
These celebrities have no clue how they are viewed. No one thinks that Keys is a girly girl sitting behind a piano. Alicia, your voice is deeper than my father's. When I see you, I see a femme aggessive with a weave.
Who is she trying to fool?
You know what they say about people who say bad things about gays....That's ok, when she gets outed, she will be on Anderson Cooper crying for acceptance or GLAAD will some some PSA for BET with her in it.
Once again, Rod's eyes are everywhere.
Posted by: Kellee | 08 October 2007 at 14:53
"...gay shit"?
I thought she was an enlightened young woman. How could you be from Manhattan and not know about the "gay shit". Is it part of HipHop culture to portray yourself this way?
Am I sincere with that question?
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 08 October 2007 at 15:05
Um, Derrick that question is more than sincere. Like you said, how can she grow up in Manhattan, be in the music business as long as she has, and not know anything even about gay people? Who do you think is behind her makeovers from 2001 to the present? Did that long flowing weave on the cover of Ebony get there by itself? If it were a male rapper I could (sort of) understand the ignorance. I thought she was a more intelligent artist.
Posted by: Dluv33 | 08 October 2007 at 15:43
Seriously... What is wrong with everyone? Alicia Keys is a very talented young woman, and she happens to be an inspiration for some people, including myself. Just because she has a "gay" role in a movie, doesn't mean people should start rumors about her. So lets say if she is "lesbian"... Leave the woman alone to live her life. Her sexual orientation is not going to make her special talents disappear. She will be my favorite singer no matter what "way" she decides to go... Have some respect for people. She is human too.
Posted by: Miss Nelly | 11 October 2007 at 06:58
Miss Nelly,
As I see, only one person has alluded her to being a lesbian and that is NOT based on her taking this role. Everyone else is commenting on her statement.
Why do you seem to be defensive?
Posted by: Chris | 13 October 2007 at 18:37
The musings about her sexuality had nothing to do with being homophobic about lesbians. Referring to a gay character as 'what is this gay shit?', however, definitely invited criticism and speculation over why she would make such an offensive and dense-sounding statement, considering her background. I agree with Chris, you are being strangely defensive. Do you think referring to anything gay-related as 'gay shit' is an enlightened, sensitive thing to do?
Posted by: DrKeith | 16 October 2007 at 10:50
see she went too far. never deny it. that makes people want to out you. not only did she deny, she called gay people's lives "shit". That is not only backwards, it is plain stupid. She will lose every gay / lesbian fan she has for that; whether she is gay or not (and alot of disgusted gay-friendy fans). she does not have to be "out" if she is gay, but she can't be hating.
Her statement reminds me of a similar controversy she had. early in her career, she denied saying it, but was overheard saying she did not want to perform at a certain club, because there were "too many women dancing with each other" there. i read that she did not perform...
if she is gay, she better hope she never gets outed. that would be tres' embarrassing.
Posted by: WeHo Hills | 25 October 2007 at 23:41
It's too bad that this has to be such a big deal for everyone. Just get over it ...come out of the closet Alicia Keys.. you will still be loved and people need to see that human sexuality is fluid and not something ever meant to be ashamed of...all lies do in the long run is hurt. if your not gay/lesbian then don't be so hurtful in how you use those words in a sentence...people have been hurt and segregated enough because of certain words or labels placed upon them in order to inflict hatred and in turn hurt people/human beings - We were all created by God..and we are ALL loved by that same God. Peace and Love in Christ, Always, ~DG
Posted by: DG | 19 November 2007 at 17:34
How does this prove she's homophobic? I mean, she knew about the rumor of herself being gay. So maybe she was taken aback by Carnahan's approach with a stereotypical, gay character. I don't think she's gay by the way. Just just has a strong character and strong features. I mean, if she was homophobic, would she have ever appeared on Ellen? Would she have ever covered George Michael's song?
Posted by: Tina | 28 November 2007 at 04:17
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Posted by: Free Indian Matrimonial | 15 December 2007 at 03:37
I've taken the time to read all of the articles and responses here, and this is my response. HATE IT OR LOVE IT.
Alicia has evolved from a young girl, into an assertive, confident, and beautifully talented woman, in which I respect on many levels. As an artist myself, I can understand why she doesn't want to expose her sexuality, whatever it is deemed to be. If in fact she is gay, it's really no one's business of who, or what she is outside of the entertainment industry. Her job is to ENTERTAIN, not to give the world a portal to her personal life, which is clearly personified in her music. And to the contrary, the world is still not as accepting to gays, as the translesbigay community likes to elude to, nor is the world ready to accept true identified lesbians in the entertainment industry, no matter how glorfied it has become. It is seen more now as a fad, and it pretty much seems as if "everybody is doing it." I am sorry to say, but most publicly gay artists, actresses, and entertainers may be out, however, they are not to discuss there personal lives in conjunction with their professions, which is clearly stated in some of their contracts, and whatever agencies represent them. So yes, there are those who choose to speek freely of their lives, and for what? Just to give acknowledgement to the six color flag, risk destroying their careers and be deemed as the poster child for the gay community? LMAO! This homophobic country will tear you up, and beat you down. Sadly, that's the American way. So in essence, how can anyone dare to admit there sexuality in an overly prejudice, and shallow country, or world perhaps. I've even known prejudide amongst the gay community itself, nevertheless, it seeks acceptance from the very world that does not accept them, and probably never will. While I don't agree with Alicia's statement of, "what is this gay shit", you have to take into consideration that if she ISN'T gay, why would any script writer or producer inadvertently chose her for such a role after all the allegations she's had since 19, and if she is a lesbian, also, take into consideraion her environment, how she was raised and what is deemed as "accepted" in her life, and indeed her community. Whether she is denying who she is, or accepting who she is is either her blessing or her curse which NO ONE will handle but her and God. Leave that young lady to her business, and allow her to be who she is in the light she's in now, which is entertainemt.
On a side note ... learn how to be more open to other possibilities, and explore both sides without prejudice. There is always a story for any story!
Posted by: Nichelle | 27 December 2007 at 12:16