Etta James initially doubts Beyoncé's casting in Cadillac Records but later praises her performance

Beyoncé played Etta James in the 2008 film "Cadillac Records." Initially, James was unsure about Beyoncé's casting, stating, "I don’t think she looks like me." However, she later praised Beyoncé's voice, saying, "You bad, girl! You bad!" Beyoncé found playing James emotionally challenging but freeing. She described it as a chance to express herself in ways she usually didn't, though it left her exhausted. After the film's release, James expressed dissatisfaction with Beyoncé performing "At Last" at the 2009 Inaugural Ball. She made critical comments about both Beyoncé and President Obama, later clarifying that her remarks were mostly in jest.