Interview / Talk Points

1. What are Differences between DREAMGIRLS and the real story.

 

2. How the past negative portrayals of DR by her former back-up singer led to a feud and cast an extremely negative light on her in the public's mind, and how I refute those portrayals as both erroneous and self-serving.

 

3. How DR was the righful pathmaker for all of today's pop heroines.

 

4. How DR and Motown's successes became the first figures to give black music serious consideration as a viable and serious entertainment entity.

 

5. Framing the "difficult diva" reputation as a sexist issue. The characteristics we laud in men ( ambition, drive, leadership, demanding ) we denigrate in women ( 'diva,' 'bitch' ).

 

6. This book is the first to give DR her true historical recognition, and points out that she has actually been more successful than the likes of Streisand and Aretha.

 

7. DR's role model status as a successful working woman, raising 5 children and 3 stepchildren, for long stretches as a single mother.

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8. This book, for the first time, reveals the truth behind the controversial RETURN TO LOVE tour, a proposed Supremes reunion that was aborted before it's itinerary was completed.

 

9. DR has been criticized for 'not being black enough' within the black community. This book addresses the abject vapidity of that charge, and offers a dialogue about the black community's tendency to paint many successful blacks as 'too white.'

 

10. After being arrested with a very public DUI charge, her recovery and triumphant return to the stage, and how she handled that recovery

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11. Next week, she releases her first studio album in 7 years. What went into the song selection, and why is it timed for now?

 

12. Why did Berry Gordy really pick her to lead the Supremes, and what makes her different from others singers, what propelled her to international superstardom?

 

13. How her film career, although brief, had a dramatic affect on those that followed her. Lady Sings the Blues was the first, across-the-board film with a primarily black cast. DR received an Oscar nomination for the role of Billie Holiday.