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Actress Reveals Accidental Slap Fueled Iconic Film Moment
3 Dec
Summary
- Vanessa Bell Calloway's intense film scene involved an actual accidental slap.
- She improvised the powerful reaction, which director used in the final cut.
- The scene reflects Tina Turner's real-life experiences with Ike Turner.
In a reflection on her memorable roles, Vanessa Bell Calloway revealed the surprising truth behind an intense scene in the film 'What's Love Got to Do With It.' Calloway explained that a planned stunt involving a simulated slap went awry, resulting in an actual, forceful blow to her face. Instead of stopping, she channeled the shock and adrenaline into her performance, delivering a raw and powerful reaction.
This unscripted moment proved so authentic that director Brian Gibson opted to use the take as is. Calloway recalled advising the director against using a stunt double, emphasizing her desire to remain in the moment to convey genuine emotion. The scene powerfully depicted the fictionalized account of abuse from Tina Turner's memoir, where her then-husband Ike Turner humiliated her and struck her friend.
The actress further shared that the cast and crew were concerned after the take, but Calloway's commitment ensured the scene's impactful portrayal. Her performance, along with Angela Bassett's, captured the harrowing experiences of Tina Turner, who herself later spoke candidly about her abusive past in documentaries.
