Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail 244 With Coming To America 2’s release just weeks away, an actress from the first movie spoke out about her experience as a dark-skinned woman in the film. Photo Courtesy of Vanessa Bell Calloway/ Instagram Vanessa Bell Calloway, a veteran actress, told Page Six that she originally auditioned for the lead role “Lisa,” played by actress Shari Headley. The 67-year-old thespian disclosed that she was given a smaller part because she was too dark. “When you have white people hiring Black people in movies, sometimes a certain look is wanted,” she told the publication. More Articles You Would Love How to Incorporate Delta 8 or CBD Products in your Daily Life? PayPecker Headlines Accra Fashion Week 2021 This December 9th-12th & Prepares For An Explosive Show Bell Calloway recounted the casting team “wanted a light-skinned girl. I just wasn’t light enough, even though Eddie had the final say on who played Lisa.” After the actress was rejected for Lisa’s role, she went for the part of “Imani Izzi,” the woman Eddie Murphy’s character “Hakeem” was supposed to marry. She opined about the era and what expectations were among Black actors at that time. She also candidly spoke about colorism being prevalent in the industry. Bell Calloway explained, “That’s something that we’ve always dealt with within our race: A lot of men were indoctrinated by having a white woman or light-skinned woman on their arm… I didn’t want the part of Imani. I wanted to be Lisa — I had read the script, and I wanted the bigger role.” She maintained that she was grateful to be in the classic film made in 1989. “The real deal is, when you’re in a situation like that, you wanna be a part of an Eddie Murphy movie. I wasn’t gonna say no,” Bell Calloway expressed. “I would’ve loved to have had the lead part, but I was very happy to be in the movie. I can’t lie about that. I said, ‘I’ll make the best out of this, and I’ll be the best.’ It was a smaller role, but it was a glamorous part to play. And Shari did a great job.” The actress may be on to something. In the original film, Lisa was portrayed as the older light-skinned sister who had it all– a steady boyfriend and a prince vying for her affection. Her younger dark-skinned sister, Patrice (played by Allison Dean), was envious of her sister’s life and was her sibling’s antagonist in the movie. Bell Calloway will appear in Coming To America 2. VIDEO: Eddie Murphy’s Son In ‘Coming2America’ Unveiled In Another Funny New Trailer Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, and KiKi Layne will also star alongside Murphy. Source: https://www.blackenterprise.com Ghana Celebrity Watch UPCOMING PRIORITY EVENTS! VIEW ALL EVENTS Click Here To Submit stories Email: [email protected] or HashTag #FashionGHANA Vanessa Calloway Share FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappTelegramEmail FashionGHANA Admin FashionGHANA.com is a Fashion PR Company, Events planning & management team as well as Africa's leading Fashion Media House. Get Intouch with us and let's see how we can help you grow. info@FashionGHANAcom More For You #OOTD: Rutie B Hits Us With A Perfectly Stylish ‘Break-Out-The-Norm’ Top & Down... Nigerian Designer Uduak & Asiko Artist Recreate Yoruba Mythology & Gods in Stunning... Trashy Rap Star ‘Megan The Stallion’ Is Being Sued By Her Camera For... #OOTD: Nigeria’s Prudential Atelier Shakes Up The Internet With This Astonishing Wedding Guest... VIDEOS: King Promise & Sarkodie Show Men How To Drip In Kente &... FCCPC Shuts Down Chinese Supermarket In Nigeria That Banned Nigerians From Entering VIDEO: Watch Exclusive Designs You Missed At The Just Ended SA Fashion Week... #OOTD: Shams Berry Merges Elegance & Sultriness in Magbrien’s Striking Bustier Ensemble VIDEO: Watch The Moment Two Young Chinese Boys Were Over Excited To See... Muyishime Unleashes The ‘Conlang Collection’: A Bold Step Towards Inclusive Fashion Leave a Comment Cancel ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.