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Ne-Yo Rejects Martin Luther King, Jr. Film Role Due to Weight Gain

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Ne-Yo made a difficult decision to pass on playing the part of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a new movie due to a 30-pound weight gain required for the role. Britain's Sunday Mirror reports the "Let Me Love You" crooner chose to reject the prestigious part in order to focus on his forthcoming music endeavors like his R.E.D. album, due in September.

"I definitely want to do more acting but it's got to make sense with the music," Ne-Yo said. "I recently had to turn down an amazing opportunity to be in a movie playing Martin Luther King."

The entertainer revealed that the significant weight gain deterred him from acting in the movie because he's spent time and energy in the gym getting his body in top shape.

"They wanted to start shooting at the time my album R.E.D. comes out and wanted me to gain 30 pounds, so I couldn't do it," Ne-Yo admitted. "I'm kicking myself but acting can't take the place of my music. Plus, I've been killing myself in the gym for months preparing for this album because I wanted a complete makeover."

The singer-actor has had parts in films "Red Tails" and "Battle: Los Angeles."

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MsSweetSilver

Well with that being said, I hope you won't be forgotten when something good like this comes along again. Remember the picture Philadelphia starting Tom Hanks, Lost a tremendous amount of weight to play that part. Sorgourney Weaver in Aliens, she shaved her head. And another wantabe actress lost weight to take on a part, Beyonce in Dream Girls. You better get with the program honey. You,was first for the part and You , need to reconsider and get your snubs in order.

July 25 2012 at 7:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cwa1666286

Stay focused on your music. Another acting role will show because you are very talented.

July 25 2012 at 11:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
frankiblanco

Do it! Do it! Do it! You can loose 30lbs easy come on now. Really Ne-yo?

July 25 2012 at 7:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dakotajones8434

i have seen u do crap on tv and in the movies. u played a hit man who was trying to kill a sista, then u play a hazing dancing and chanting pledge of a fraternity, and u turn down a role that most actors I know would die for. my man music is fickle. ur only as good as ur next hit. if ur album doesn't hit with the masses u will be done and then going after the role of the jail house snitch turned girlfriend of some muscle head in prison. ur an idiot. i know actors struggling to make money for rent, for the family, to live and u turn down something they don't even get a chance to audition for because producers want name people. u do them a disservice to turn down a project like that. i hope u never get work again. ur acting sucks and so is ur music. ur garbage

July 25 2012 at 12:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dakotajones8434

you got to be kidding me. u give up a starring role as a black male role model and for what????? a 30 pound weight gain??????????? why even go into acting at all. that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. ur not an actor. don't ever try to act again. the acting has to relate to my music. what kind of crap is that????? i don't ever want to see u act again and will boycott anything that your in. i detest you. if it was some jive ass chitlin circuit crap you would have done it. hey i got an idea why don't u take over for mary j blige and do some singing on burger ings new spot. do a crispy chicken song and go do the commercial. ur a fool

July 25 2012 at 12:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joanie Jaye

He just made my day. Thank you for standing against it Ne-Yo. You are my role model. I would like to see you in the movie but if you have to gain weight to do it, then I stand with you. As an actress, you are already my role model.

July 24 2012 at 7:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Joanie Jaye's comment
frankiblanco

dont encourage that. he can loose that weight easy. i love him too but damn i wanna see him play MLK. Lets encourage him to do it. Lets join forces. Lol. Come on now Neyo. Do it! Do it! Do it!

July 25 2012 at 7:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tiffany

Actually, I never noticed the resemblance...but it is striking, to say the least. For those who did not know, Ne-Yo is quite successful in his own right as both a singer and songwriter. To his credit, he is also talented and not "auto-tuned" to death. But playing the role of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? That is much more of a challenge that gaining and losing 30 pounds. Perhaps the role would be best left to a serious actor who could dedicate himself sufficiently to the part.

July 24 2012 at 4:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chemistrywhizaz

Dear Mr. Editor,

It was R&B Singer "Mario" who sung "Let Me Love You".

July 24 2012 at 4:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to chemistrywhizaz's comment
betchoice

Its from his new album R.E.D

July 24 2012 at 9:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
legalflash

glad to hear it. i don't need an r&b singer trying to act, let the real dealers do it, those that are willing to do whatever they need to for the roles like matt damon, markie mark, etc. acting is their main passion and someone playin MLK should be someone like this, not flavor of the month singer.

July 24 2012 at 12:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pisces40es

Never heard of Yo Yo. Good for him though.

July 24 2012 at 12:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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