October 22, 2008

Beyonce 'Gained Almost 15 Pounds' To Play Etta James In 'Cadillac Records'

By Jocelyn Vena (MTV.com)

Beyoncé loved gaining weight - at least, she loved eating her way into a curvier shape for her role as legendary singer Etta James in the upcoming flick Cadillac Records. The film, slated for release on December 5, examines the rise and fall of the legendary Chicago-based blues-and-R&B label Chess Records during the 1950s.

"I gained almost 15 pounds to play the role," Beyoncé said in the forthcoming November issue of InStyle about her character in the film, which also stars Jeffrey Wright, Mos Def, Gabrielle Union and Adrien Brody. "It was way easier - and tastier - than having to lose so much weight for Dreamgirls," she added.

Beyoncé also said the role made her examine her music in a new way: She's recorded three songs for the film's soundtrack, and playing soul legend James influenced her approach to her new album, I Am, out November 18.

"Lyrically, it's deeper than what I've done before," the 27-year-old singer said. "I wasn't mature enough or old enough, or in touch with myself enough, to do this type of album before. I didn't have the guts."

Beyoncé recently debuted the videos for her two new singles, "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies," on TRL, where she announced she'll also be performing on the show's finale next month.

She also talked about the album, saying that she hopes people get an idea of her "two extremes." "I recorded over 70 songs," she said, "and I took a lot of time and made sure it was something that would last forever, something that never goes out."