During a candid interview on the Jennifer Hudson Show, actress and comedian Marietta Sirleaf, known professionally as Retta, opened up about the real reason she never auditioned for the iconic role of Effie in “Dreamgirls.”
Retta revealed that intense nerves held her back from pursuing the part that ultimately launched Hudson to stardom.
“I got a call to audition and I was so nervous,” Retta confessed. “I was like, ‘You know what, you can’t wear heels and they’re gonna need me to wear heels, they can’t find clothes for me…not knowing they actually make the clothes for you.’ I was so green in Hollywood that I didn’t realize that. I kept putting it off and putting it off to the point where they said they got somebody.”
In a light-hearted exchange, Hudson expressed her gratitude for Retta’s hesitation.
“Thank you because then I got the part,” Hudson remarked.
Reflecting on her missed opportunity, Retta admitted:
“But when I saw the movie I was like ‘she’s wearing flats’…then it taught me a lesson to just stop fearing everything. Don’t let your fear stop you.”
Beyond her “Dreamgirls” revelation, Retta also discussed how she landed her role in the popular TV series “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.”
Though she didn’t delve into specifics during the interview, her success in the series marked a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her versatility and talent as an actress.
Retta’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of overcoming fear and seizing opportunities, a lesson she graciously shared with Hudson and the show’s audience.
