Spike Lee Recalls Madonna Casting Backlash In Critically Mixed Comedy 28 Years Later

Spike Lee recalls the backlash he received after casting pop sensation Madonna in his 1996 critically mixed comedy, Girl 6. Released 28 years ago, Girl 6 followed the story of young actor Judy (Theresa Randle), who becomes disillusioned with her job after being asked to expose her breasts during an audition. Judy secures a new job at a call center, eventually finding a sense of purpose as a phone sex operator. Lee cast Madonna as boss #3 in the comedy, playing a well-manicured supervisor who fends off over-the-top requests from their clients.

Now, in a new interview with Vulture, Lee defends his unpopular decision to cast Madonna in Girl 6. Lee explains the simple reason why he cast the pop singer in the role, standing by his casting choice. Check out what he had to say below:

I didn’t give a f–k. She’s who I had in mind, and she wanted to do it, so that was it. She’s a pro.

Madonna’s Acting Career Explained

Why The Singer Wasn’t A Popular Choice At The Time

Spike Lee’s Girl 6 was not Madonna’s debut on the big screen, but instead the singer saw her first major role in Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), where she played the title role of Bohemian drifter Susan, a character who was heavily influenced by Madonna’s personal style at the time. The comedy-drama earned Madonna critical praise and was a commercial success, bringing in $27.3 million in the United States. However, her acting career took a turn for the worse following Desperately Seeking Susan.

Madonna starred in a string of box office blunders in the ’80s and ’90s, beginning with her next film, 1986’s Shanghai Surprise, in which she acted alongside her then-newlywed husband, Sean Penn, in an adventure-comedy film. It was a commercial and critical failure, panned by critics, and it earned Madonna her first Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress. The following year, Who’s That Girl (1987), a screwball comedy from her friend, director James Foley, also saw Madonna in a leading role. This was followed by Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989), a period comedy. Both failed to see the same success as Desperately Seeking Susan.

Although Madonna received positive reviews for her next role in the sports comedy-drama, A League of Their Own (1992), the following year’s erotic thrillers Body of Evidence (1993) and Dangerous Game (1993) were also commercial and critical failures, cementing her status as box office bad luck. Though Girl 6 also saw poor reviews and financial returns, it’s clear Lee had no qualms about taking a shot on Madonna for the comedy. While a Madonna biopic is currently in the works, it also seems clear she won’t making an acting appearance after moving on from the field following 2001’s Swept Away remake.

Source: Vulture

Girl 6 (1996)

Girl 6 is a drama film directed by Spike Lee, following the story of a young actress who becomes disillusioned with her job and eventually finds a new sense of purpose as a phone sex operator.

Release Date

March 22, 1996

Studio(s)

Fox Searchlight Pictures , 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks

Writers

Suzan-Lori Parks

Cast

Theresa Randle , Isaiah Washington , Spike Lee , Jenifer Lewis , Debi Mazar

Runtime

108 Minutes

Budget

12000000

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