Lil' Kim Criticizes Notorious Portrayal
Lil' Kim, Notorious B.I.G.
Lil' Kim has a big problem with Notorious.
The pint-sized rapper is unhappy with the portrayal of her in the Notorious B.I.G. biopic, as she believes producers were more interested in creating a "'character'" than an accurate depiction of her, The Associated Press reports.
"Even though my relationship with Big was at times very difficult and complicated (as with most relationships we have all experienced at one time or another), it was also genuine and built on great admiration and love for each other," Lil' Kim said in a statement. "Regardless of the many lies in the movie and false portrayal of me to help carry a story line through, I will still continue to carry his legacy through my hard work and music."
Biggie (played by Jamal Woodward in the film) acted as mentor to Lil' Kim (played by Naturi Naughton) and the two carried on a rocky romance, as shown in the movie. That angle was a ploy to "create a more interesting story line instead of a person with talent, self-respect and who was able to achieve her own career success through hard work," Lil' Kim said.
Those involved with the film, however, dismissed Lil' Kim's criticism.
"Our job as producers ... was to deliver for three individuals," Wayne Barrow, producer and Biggie's former manager, said. "That's his mom [Voletta Wallace] and his two children. Everybody else: Stand in line, buy a ticket and enjoy the show."
Added Wallace: "This is not a Lil' Kim movie. This is a Christopher Wallace movie. It has nothing to do with Lil' Kim. If she's disappointed and upset, that is her problem."
Notorious opens Friday.