In the middle of Hollywood’s latest reboot frenzy, Loretta Devine — one of the original Dreamgirls — has something to say. While fans are abuzz about the rumored Dreamgirls reboot, Devine is calling for something even more powerful: originality.
Speaking with That Grape Juice, the legendary actress reflected on her early years in the entertainment industry and the importance of creative ownership. Her message landed as both a gentle reminder and a firm challenge to the next generation of filmmakers, writers, and performers.
The Original Dreamgirl Speaks
Loretta Devine’s career reads like a roadmap of Black excellence in entertainment. She first made waves in 1981 when she originated the role of Lorrell Robinson in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, a production that became a cornerstone of Black storytelling in theater. Years later, the film adaptation — starring Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, and Jamie Foxx — would etch Dreamgirls even deeper into pop culture.
But now, as whispers of a new adaptation circulate, Devine is questioning the industry’s growing obsession with recycling old material. “It’s always exciting to see young people fall in love with what we created,” she shared. “But I wish more of them would take the spirit of Dreamgirls and use it to create something entirely new — their own classics.”
Her words strike a chord in an era when Hollywood is increasingly turning to reboots and remakes to capitalize on nostalgia. From The Color Purple to The Little Mermaid, studios have banked on familiar titles to draw audiences. Yet, Devine’s appeal is not a critique of those efforts, but a call to push the boundaries of creativity even further.
Why Loretta Devine’s Words Matter
For over four decades, Loretta Devine has been the beating heart of Black Hollywood. From Waiting to Exhale to Grey’s Anatomy, her performances have always carried a warmth and depth that feel timeless. Her presence in this conversation gives weight to her message — because if anyone knows the value of storytelling that stands the test of time, it’s her.
“Young creators today have more tools than ever,” she said in the interview. “You can shoot, edit, and share a film from your phone. You can make your own stage, your own audience. That’s what I mean by making your own classics. Don’t just wait to be chosen.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates beyond entertainment. In a digital age where creativity is democratized, Devine’s challenge reminds artists that originality is still the most powerful form of rebellion.
The Reboot Debate
The Dreamgirls reboot buzz began earlier this year after reports that major streaming platforms were exploring a new limited series adaptation of the musical. Fans expressed mixed reactions — excitement from those eager for a refreshed version and skepticism from others who view the original as untouchable.
For Devine, the conversation isn’t about whether the reboot should happen. It’s about ensuring that the next wave of artists is not afraid to innovate. “We didn’t make Dreamgirls thinking about history,” she said. “We just wanted to tell a good story. But it became history because it was true, it was fresh, and it was ours.”
Her words reflect a broader concern in the industry — that the constant recycling of proven hits might overshadow new voices. And for Black creators, the challenge is even sharper: to keep finding new ways to tell stories that celebrate Black identity, ambition, and resilience without being confined to nostalgia.
