MovieChat Forums > In the Mix (2005) Discussion > Usher Movie Failed Due to Alienating Bla...

Usher Movie Failed Due to Alienating Black Women

posted 18 years ago by bjorkpluto
31 replies | jump to latest

Personally I don't think Usher is attractive at all he looks like a mutt. But I will admit that many other sistas they LOVE Usher. And a lot of my girlfriends were not exactly impressed that in his first headlining movie..his love interest was a white woman. In fact, many of my girlfriends all said they would NOT see this movie..because Usher had a white female love interest.. I don't think Usher realizes he has a very large young black female and Hispanic and Asian American audience who absolutely adore him. But I think this movie turned these women off. Its a slippery slope for black male actors..they realize they have a large black female following and if they do something to piss us off they will see a nose dive in the box office. Should it matter that Usher had a white female love interest? No it shouldn't..but yes the acting was crap...I will not disagree. However, people need to know America is still very much a very racialized country...and I think Usher's advisers thought..hey lets cross over and appeal to his white female fans. But it seems even the white girls didn't like this movie..either...But Usher and his advisers that they could profit off of his music fame and see if it crosses over to film. Usher is simply not a good actor yet..and he certainly doesn't have the acting credentials to be able to headline a movie. I just don't think the public takes Usher seriously as an actor. If Usher wants to be successful in film why do a movie that is so very predictable..and unoriginal? He should of tried to do was take on a smaller role. Look at the British singer Will Young he is also in a movie with Judy Dench..but he was smart he decided to take on a smaller role..because he simply doesn't have the experience. If Usher wants to be a big movie star..he has to go against type. Mos Def is a good example of a rap artist that clearly wants to be taken seriously as an actor. He's actually very good Mos Def even got nominated for best actor for a movie I believe and he has also done theatre. I can't believe I'm saying this but even Sean Combs is a better actor then Usher. Sean was smart he got a serious acting coach..he headlined A Raisin In The Sun which was a huge hit on broadway..and he has taken on tough dramatic roles such as Monster's Ball. No one's going to say Sean is the next Denzel Washington or Samuel L Jackson..but at least Sean and Mos Def..and other singers are wise enough to take smaller roles..and then build..Usher's ego seems to have gotten in the way..and he isn't take the time to truly become a good actor...

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] bjorkpluto 18 years ago

I agree that it is the 21st century and people are in interracial relationships in real life so there lives should be reflected on film. However, I think in your country America people both black and white some still have problems with interracial love reflected on film. But I saw In the Mix and the movie is just a bad movie all together. The plot is crap, the acting was crap, and I just feel Usher isn't read for headlining a movie.
He simply is not that good an actor yet. Usher can become a better actor but why take on a role that is so close to his real image? Usher didn't show any range in this movie...he didn't go against type. The critics certainly don't take Usher seriously and neither do serious movie fans. The criticisms are vaild that Usher is not a good actor. But I do believe another reason some people don't like this movie..although they won't admit it is due to the interracial love them. America still has a problem with black men being depicted in relationships with white women. Look at Will Smith and the movie Hitch...They cast Eva Mendes a hispanic woman instead of a white woman as his love interest. Also I do think plenty of Black men definitely get mad when films show us with white men. A lot of black men were pissed about Halle Berry in Monster's Ball...Zoe Saldana in Guess Who.... Also other black men were less then thrilled to see Angela Bassett with De Niro, and Whitney Houston with Kevin Costner. If you search the web you will see they definitely criticized Aisha Tyler for being on Friends, Gabrielle Union for being in Neo Ned and so on...So it isn't just sistas that gripe about it..come on..black men definitely get out of sort about this as well..

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Indastruktable 18 years ago

I hope we have more interracial relationships. Get rid of Blacks, Whites, Orientals, and all of these races and ethnicities. I hope we all sex the races out of existence. It's just too much trouble. Clearly one of God's biggest flops.......race and ethnicities!

[–] RevolutionaryGirlAnthy 18 years ago

That could be true, bjorkpluto........
I've always noticed that whenever you see most black males in movies or music vidoes there is a certain formula.
For instance, when you first start off, you are going to try for your "main" fanbase of black women.
Then if you achieve commerical success, perhaps bring in a hispainic woman as a love interest as to not offend your original fanbase but still be able to appeal to a wider audience. Then after some more success, move on up to the white girl or whathaveyou to appeal to your usual MTV watching crowd.
Basically this is "playing it safe".
You've seen this time and time again with actors such as Wesley Snipes and singers such as Omarion.
Usher must have thought that since he has international success the rules do not apply to him. That he must have thought a nice vanity movie like the ones from the Rat Pack days would look good for his resume.
I do know some girls who are Usher fans but refused to see this movie because of the lack of the main love interest being black. Sure he flirts with some black girl in the film they said but they weren't trying to see him getting all snuggly with the white girl.
So I went with my boyfriend and sure enough some black women got up and left, most uttering under their breath as they past by saying, "Thank God, I snuck into this instead of wasting my ten dollars one this." or "I'd rather watch Jungle Fever than this."

Personally I don't care if the girl was Asian, I'd still go and see this movie, although I wish I didn't now because of the corny dialouge and such.

Well, ever since I started soaking cork, I'm the most popular girl at school.-SNL

[–] Indastruktable 18 years ago

So basically what you are saying is that many young Black Women are racist, and very open about it? And that is why this movie bombed?

[–] RevolutionaryGirlAnthy 18 years ago

Well, I know plenty of young black males who love Mariah Carey, Halle Berry, and Paula Abul but cannot stand to see them with non-black love interests so it's not just us.

And yes the movie bombed because of the terrible script. It had a good premise but with corny one liners and jokes.

I think it's about "exclusiveness" and the supposed "selling out of one's race" really:

Here is my point of view:

You see, back during slavery the slave owners had this "exclusiveness" of sexual choice when it came to women. They could have their white women exclusively and not have to worry about their black male slaves having relations with them. The slave owners also had a control over black female slaves sexually thus proving that they are the "dominant/superior men" or "alpha males". Now since slavery some white men who do not agree with black men dating their women do so because their power of exclusiveness is gone. That's why so many of the Segragation Codes of the old days focused on black men not looking and talking to white women. But now the tables have turned.

Now I shall show you the black male version of exclusiveness.
The black men who have a problem with white guys dating black girls do so for this same reason.
They think that black women "belong" to them since we are the "mothers" of the black race and we should not be corrupted. However some of these individuals also believe that it is their given right to date white women because of the 400 years of slavery and racial injustice (see the office scene in Jungle Fever for a version of the bs excuse the black man uses to make the white girl feel sorry for him) thus making them the "dominant/superior/alpha males" Then they try to tell black women such as myself that we shouldn't date white men because of how they forced our ancestors to have sex with them. Now what sense does that make. How does doing the "getting back at white men through their daughters thing" help out a sister exactly....
That's right it doesn't.....hypocrites.

I know that most white/black men don't really think like this but this is just my theory on why some black men consider me and other black females of "selling out". It's my theory of "exclusiveness".

And yes this theory does apply to black/white women as well in a similar way.

But seriously I would like to see more movies involving young men and women like myself that represent black women in interracial pairings, I mean we are out there. It would be nice for the movie industry to recognize that. And also there needs to be more Asians on screen in roles that don't have them using martial arts too.

Well, ever since I started soaking cork, I'm the most popular girl at school.-SNL

[–] Indastruktable 18 years ago

Well if there are any Black men that think that way, then they need to be avoided at any cost, and they need to stay away from children due to his thinking. That is just a stupid way of thinking. A Black man thinking "I am going to date a White woman to get back at the White man for slavery, and other things the White man has done to us" is ill-advised, irrelevant, tedious, and illogical.

The issue of interracial relationships is completely overrated, illogical, and irrelevant. Who cares if a White woman dates a Black guy, or vice-versa. There will be no shortage of Black people, White people, etc...... Besides, dating should be about love, not the color of the person one is dating. But love died a long time ago for a lot of people, and we can all see the reprecussions of that (depression, suicide, excess, decadence, loss of self-respect, etc...)

[–] Mdgeist316 18 years ago

This doesn't make a lot of sense. Usher has a ton of white female fans. And a lot of people don't care anymore if they see a mixed couple. It's like the stupid crap said on the message board for "Hitch". Will Smith was receiving a lot of flack from some black women asking if it would've been too hard to have a black woman as Will Smith's love interest. What does it matter? I didn't see or hear a lot of people up in arms about "Save the Last Dance" or "O". But there was a big uproar in 1990 with "Jungle Fever". And, as stupid as it sounds, Hollywood will not put a black couple in the movie cause they feel like it would be labeled a "black movie" unless the movie is directed at black people anyway.

I'm not Stormy, I'm he who smokes b*tches!

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Cameosis 17 years ago

no... the movie failed because it sucked. He could have been with every black girl in the world and it wouldnt have helped

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] brucecarson2008 13 years ago

Agreed. It annoys me that almost whenver "open-ness" to inter-racial relationships is promoted, it's almost always white women with black men or asain women with white men. They are really just promoting the pairings already going on in society and it screws over black women and Asian men, by making them seem less desirable.

Stop right wing hate! Support a return of the fairness doctrine: www.fair.org

[–] LuvThaMusic_Crazii_Sxi 17 years ago

"I hope we have more interracial relationships. Get rid of Blacks, Whites, Orientals, and all of these races and ethnicities. I hope we all sex the races out of existence. It's just too much trouble. Clearly one of God's biggest flops.......race and ethnicities"

Amen!!!

.......& By the way, I'd let a sexy Italian guy tap this!!! ^_^ lmao!!!!

[–] Dysphasic 16 years ago

Let's be realistic, you can't get rid of racism by having sex with anybody, and turning brown.

Just look at Brazil.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wu-Tang Clan Forever

[–] pantherfan99 14 years ago

Also I do think plenty of Black men definitely get mad when films show us with white men. A lot of black men were pissed about Halle Berry in Monster's Ball...Zoe Saldana in Guess Who

Black men don't seem to mind when Julia Stiles did a love scene with Mkei Pffefer in "O"

How Ironic????

[–] Raging_Demon05 14 years ago

So let me get this straight. Not only is it wrong for a black man to marry a white woman but it is ALSO wrong for him to "pretend" to have a white love interest in a fictional movie even if he married a sista in real life?

She's turning me into a criminal and all I want to be is a petty thug.

[–] Indastruktable 18 years ago

"Well, Blacks have about SEVEN TIMES the rate of HIV infection... "

...seems pretty important.

What in the damn hell does that have to do with this movie? It's postings like that make me scratch my head. Are you trying to catch heat from all of these people? Oh well. I hope IMDb erases that post, and suspend the poster for attempting to upset people. It may be true, but IMDb is no place to voice that fact.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Indastruktable 18 years ago

Well thats very sad for Black people. But what does that have to do with the movie? It is off-topic. That is why your posting should be deleted. And quite frankly, you don't seem very sympathetic to the issue you brung up. Makes me wonder. Are you happy that Blacks are more at risk for HIV?

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Indastruktable 18 years ago

I am asking you what does that have to do with this movie? This is IMDb, not WebMD.

[–] bjorkpluto 18 years ago

Here are some comments I found from The BET Community Forum about this movie In the Mix. So if people think black women were not happy about this movie you are correct. Usher's movie bombed because he pissed black women off and rejected seeing this film. There are numerous similar postings on the BET Community forums..

By SiyakuAli
Started by siyakuAli at 11-23-2005 12:20 AM.
Usher:Another save White Girl Movie

In the Mix is only a movie but films can re-enforce socially degenerate behavior. It's clear that whiteness is something to value in the United States. When the movie trailer came out for this pop-culture filth, I said here we go agaiin. A movie with the black man protecting the white woman. We saw this in "The Last Dance" and "O". The title alone suggest and interracial twist. Many black artist think about just getting paid, and not think aboiut their responsibilty. Of course, they are controlled by the white Hollywood corporate machine. So, they must play the game. But, I found it sicking to see Usher on 106 and Park in an audience of mostly black female promoting this Race Mixing movie. I classify Usher as a TOM. Promoting the topic, how ever tacitly, is a cultural abomination. To many black artist from Lil Kim (who should have been locked UP) and 50 cent promote cultural degeneracy ....they are no credit to the race....

This second comment is in response to the first.

By Chakathought

I agree totally with "SiyakuAli". We see enough Black men that exclusively date white girls everyday in our communities. Why the hell would we want to pay to go see that! White Hollywood loves to take our most bright and talented people and put them before the world to make a Damn Fool of themselves! I feel that Usher's film should be BOTCOTTED for the open disrespect to BLACK WOMEN everywhere! Especially his fans that are BLACK WOMEN! I hope he reads this! Usher has made a substantial amount of money from his last 2 albums, he's not wanting for anything! Ooopps! I forgot he is missing a LOVE OF HISELF & OF HIS OWN BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN! From now on everyone that seems to not want to acknowledge a respect for our people should be condemmed for it to make sure this behavior STOPS PERMITATELY!

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LEARN HOW TO LOVE OURSELVES AND STOP BEING *6*S FOR WHITE PEOPLE! EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE LIKE US, SO WHY SHOULD WE ACCEPT THEIR STANDARDS WHEN WE ARE THE BEST THERE IS!!!!

GO LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SAY " I LOVE MYSELF!"

By Classychick 1981

I must say that when I say the previews for Ushers movie. I was not really syked to see it when I saw that it was with a white girl. Not that I have anything against white people but I do think that the main people that are supporting Usher are the black community and he lost respect from me because of that. I will not be going to see that movie, im just not interested in it at all.Not mainly because it has a white girl in it but i'm kind of tired of the whole captain save a *** theme in movies. So, ill pass on that. Plus, i dont like bubblegum movies and that seems like one to me.

By Chakathought

Word! I'm feeling you "siyakulAli"! Our dear Black family, you need to stop, look and listen! I don't have a problem with any of the original races mixing. It is Blacks mixing with Whites that is the problem. Our people don't look at the big picture. We can not afford with people that our open enemy. We can say "reverse racism" if you want. But that's not intelligent to try and force integration with a race that openly shows hate and disrespect for us. You think "white hollywood" that's promoting these negative images are doing it because they "LOVE" us? NO! They're doing it because they HATE us and their hoping these images get embedded in a young fertile mind, so that mind will think to pull a trigger on one just like itself the next time a heated situation arises! Think About It! We don't understand how powerful the human mind is. If you keep feeding an unlearned and undisciplined brain things like that, what do you thunk is going to eventually happen? That will start the "wheels" of SELF HATE! Black people are so LOST from who we ORIGINALLY were, we are not qualified to say what is right and wrong anymore! What else does white americe need to show us before we will learn? You don't integrate with a people that have oppressed your ancesters and yourself with the hopes of "things gone get better" attitude. Anybody who does that is a damn fool.

[–] Indastruktable 18 years ago

That is hate speech. Bottom line. That is damn hate speech. The women that wrote those comments are awful people that should be seen in the same light as the KKK. I hope these women get exposed for the racists they are, and get blackballed from having good jobs. Disgusting!

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] bjorkpluto 18 years ago

Usher's is just not a good actor...he needs much more training..and his advisers goofed when they thought he could actually carry a movie...Usher's isn't Nick Cannon..now that's a talented actor...

[–] Willie_Dynamite 18 years ago

Bjork you're the world's biggest hypocrite. You get on other threads hollering about how great IR relationships are when it's white men and black women, but you blast "Ursher" for making a movie with a white woman. You then contradict your self in saying that the plot was horrible and Ursher can't act. So really the movie flopped because of his lack of talent and a terrible script. Alienating black women had nothing to do with it. Stop getting on here and stirring up your black man hating propaganda.

[–] CBikle 18 years ago

So much for racial tolerance.

Why can't black females boycott the movie because it's a bad movie ?

[–] kittd82 17 years ago

can it just be said that some black girls are disappointed that they dont feel represented in movies?

black male paired with: white girl, light-skinned black, hispanic.
is to appeal to a market outside of the US. and when you are aware of this movie
trick it makes you upset.

the interracial pairings in some movies just come off as cheap and not developed.
the characters seem like they have no actual interest in each other, so you wonder
why isnt the character just dating someone of their own ethnicity?

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This Aint No Fanboard FWAA!

[–] whataboutmoi 17 years ago

"why isnt the character just dating someone of their own ethnicity?"

And why should they necessarily? People need to let go of the notion that simply because two people share a certain background, they're automatically suited for each other. While they're at it, abandon the idea of "races" period. We are all part of the "human" race.

On a side note, to reiterate, I think different ethnicities mingling and producing meaningful relationships is a beautiful thing, however, I cannot stand hypocrisy in the form of Black women/men(such as bjorkpluto) having a problem with when Black men/women date interracially yet think it's alright when they do it. It makes me see red!

[–] ThrillerTalk (1118) 3 years ago

Why would a black girl be cast to be the daughter of a Mafia boss? The interracial relationship is the main point of this movie. I don't get people sometimes. Many of us like to say they want to see Hollywood try something new and different and when it happens it's never good enough for this or that reason. Not the best movie ever or anywhere close to it imo, but still enjoyable for me back then and now.