USA: Oprah Winfrey and Mariah Carey were among the top celebrities to walk the red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of the film "Precious"

Record ID: 1540376

  • Title: USA: Oprah Winfrey and Mariah Carey were among the top celebrities to walk the red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of the film "Precious"
  • Date: 4th November 2009
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 1, 2009) (REUTERS) (*** SOME FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) GUESTS ON THE RED CARPET MOVIE POSTER ACTOR TYLER PERRY AND TALK SHOW HOST OPRAH WINFREY WALKING THE RED CARPET SINGER AND ACTRESS MARIAH CAREY TALKING TO THE PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SINGER AND ACTRESS MARIAH CAREY ON HER HOPES FOR THE FILM, SAYING: "I hope it's the biggest movie ever. Because, I mean obviously, one of the biggest movies ever. Because I think that it's something that's never been done before. This film is something that is just brand new, but it's not brand new subject matter-wise and people need to know that." ACTRESSES MO'NIQUE AND GABOUREY SIDIBE EMBRACE AND POSE FOR PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS PAULA PATTON ON THE FILM POTENTIALLY WINNING MAJOR AWARDS, SAYING: "I don't do that. You know, I mean it's just-- this has been an incredible moment. Went from Sundance to Cannes to Toronto to now here, the Chinese theatre. I'm just trying to enjoy each step as it goes along." ACTOR WILL SMITH HUGGING SINGER ROBIN THICKE AND WIFE ACTRESS PAULA PATTON (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS GABOUREY SIDIBE ON THE FILM POTENTIALLY WINNING MAJOR AWARDS, SAYING: "That audiences like it. That Mr. Daniels doesn't feel as though he picked the wrong girl to play the title character. That's the biggest-- that's the biggest award ever." ACTRESS XOSHA ROQUEMORE TALKING TO THE PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS PAULA PATTON ON OPRAH WINFREY AND ACTOR TYLER PERRY ACTING AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS OF THE FILM, SAYING: "Oh. What doesn't it mean? You know, I mean, I've joked that we prayed to the God of Oprah every day on that film. And then she showed up and she brought a wonderful friend with her, Tyler Perry. And we just hope that their success in the entertainment industry and their huge fan base. They can bring a little bit of it to our little film." VARIOUS OF AUTHOR SAPPHIRE TALKING TO THE PRESS DIRECTOR LEE DANIELS TALKING TO THE PRESS ACTRESS MO'NIQUE TALKING TO THE PRESS ACTOR SIDNEY POITIER AND DAUGHTER SIDNEY WALKING THE RED CARPET ACTRESS GABOUREY SIDIBE TALKING TO THE PRESS ACTRESS PAULA PATTON AND HUSBAND SINGER ROBIN THICKE TALKING TO THE PRESS SINGER MACY GRAY WALKING THE RED CARPET ACTOR FOREST WHITAKER WALKING THE RED CARPET SINGER MARY J. BLIGE TALKING TO THE PRESS ACTRESS GABOUREY SIDIBE TALKING TO THE PRESS VARIOUS
  • Embargoed: 19th November 2009 12:28
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Film
  • Reuters ID: LVA4HC45ALR06IHIMOK83ZOIGJTX
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Oprah Winfrey made a rare appearance on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of "Precious" on Sunday (November 1).
    Winfrey was joined by Mariah Carey, who starred in the movie, and a host of other top Hollywood names for a screening held as part of an annual film festival hosted by the American Film Institute (AFI).
    The uber talk show host and actor Tyler Perry are executive producers for "Precious."
    The movie is based on the best-selling novel "Push" by New York poet Sapphire about an obese abused teenager living in Harlem who is trying desperately to succeed in spite of her tough circumstances. Clareece "Precious" Jones, who is twice impregnated by her father and beaten by her mother, works to find her way to a better life despite her tragic upbringing.
    Carey plays the small but significant role of a straight-talking social worker in this tale of despair and redemption.
    The entertainer talked about her dreams for the film.
    "I hope it's the biggest movie ever," smiled Carey, 39. "Because, I mean obviously, one of the biggest movies ever. Because I think that it's something that's never been done before. This film is something that is just brand new, but it's not brand new subject matter-wise and people need to know that."
    Actress Paula Patton, 33, stars as the teacher who helps Precious learn to read and also supports her outside the classroom.
    Patton, who was reluctant to share her thoughts about the film potentially earning nominations for major awards this red carpet season, was enthusiastic about the success it has already enjoyed.
    "I don't do that. You know, I mean it's just-- this has been an incredible moment. Went from Sundance to Cannes to Toronto to now here, the Chinese theatre. I'm just trying to enjoy each step as it goes along."
    Playing the lead role in the movie is newcomer Gabourey Sidibe. Sidibe beat out hundreds of hopefuls in her first real audition. She had no serious training prior to landing the part of the main character.
    When asked about how she feels about the awards buzz that seems to be building for her on-screen work, 26-year-old Sidibe was modest about her hopes.
    "That audiences like it," said the 26-year-old. "That Mr. Daniels doesn't feel as though he picked the wrong girl to play the title character. That's the biggest-- that's the biggest award ever."
    Actress Mo'Nique played Precious' mother.
    She and Sidibe embraced on the red carpet prior to the premiere.
    Meanwhile, Patton also talked about the impact of having Winfrey and Perry championing the project.
    "Oh. What doesn't it mean? You know, I mean, I've joked that we prayed to the God of Oprah every day on that film. And then she showed up and she brought a wonderful friend with her, Tyler Perry. And we just hope that their success in the entertainment industry and their huge fan base. They can bring a little bit of it to our little film."
    Patton is married to singer Robin Thicke.
    Director Lee Daniels helmed the film. He served as producer for "Monster's Ball," which earned actress Halle Berry an Oscar and a SAG Award.
    Other luminaries to attend the premiere were actors Will Smith, Forest Whitaker, and Sidney Poitier with his daughter Sydney Tamiia Poitier; singers Macy Gray and Mary J. Blige, who sings the theme song for the movie, "I Can See In Color"; and "Push" author Sapphire.
    "Precious" won the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival's Cadillac People's Choice Award, earned the honor of being chosen as an Official Selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival - Un Certain Regard, and took home three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition
    "Precious" is set to be released in North America on November 6.
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