Original subtitles

I'm gonna play you. You won't even know what to do. How hard I'm gonna play

you. You won't even know. You won't even know.

Oh,

the girls sound good.

I was drinking that.

Oh, well, don't swallow my quarter.

Mama, we're rehearsing.

Yeah, Kim and I joined Teas.

Tommy Lee, Bobby and Whitney.

You do realize those are all abusive relationships you just mentioned?

Uh -uh.

Whitney says she failed.

A .T .H., y 'all ready to roll?

Um, who is this?

This is Simone, our new backup.

backup singer i'm the backup singer never heard of one backup singer well

get one thing straight i'm the lead singer well then let's get another thing

straight what is it i don't care that's what i call

teamwork

Miss Maxwell, I'm Professor Stanley Ovalby. I just want to say it's an honor

a privilege to have you here. No, I don't have any tickets to the Sade

It's sold out.

I know.

But I was hoping that a beautiful, high -powered, obviously generous record

executive such as yourself might be able to pull a few strings.

You must keep sucking up one -on -one.

The advanced class.

And you're entertaining.

I'll see what I can do, Professor.

Yes, bless you.

Y 'all stay cool and let me do all the talking. There's a certain way you have

to approach these people.

Don't want to look desperate.

Oh, well, then you should have left her at home.

Oh, no, she didn't. Oh, yes, I did. Oh, you guys, this is getting really old.

Come on, ladies, relax.

Shut up!

Can I help you?

Yes, I'm Tia, and this is my group, Freestyle Unity.

Well, you got the freestyle part down.

We nailed it down to three. Warner Brothers Death Jam and you.

I'm my nurse. We're going to be performing here at the Student Union

Friday. Oh.

So here's my cards. Give me a demo tape.

Demo tape? That's so old school.

We do our thing live, baby.

You don't have tape, do you?

No.

Uh, we can bust something for you right now if you want. Hey, let's do that

number we rehearsed yesterday.

I don't like that song.

Who cares what a backup singer likes?

I'm a backup singer. Look, call me when you get a demo and some unity.

Valerie Maxwell.

Nikki Parker.

Hey, girl. It's good to see you.

What are you doing here?

I'm a student. I finally went back to school.

Oh, Nikki, I am proud of you. Oh, very good.

Mama, you know her?

Did I just hear this young lady call you mama?

This is my baby girl, Kim.

Oh, my God, Kim.

I remember the day you were born.

Yeah.

Actually, I remember winning where she was conceived, you fast.

Value still praise.

So what are you doing here? I'm with Destiny Sound Records. I live in New

now, but I'm out this way. I'm busy.

Oh, well, you know my baby is in a van.

They're great. They're going to be the next Fugees.

And that was before I knew you were family.

So, can we sing for you? Auntie Val.

Go for it. Show what you got.

Five,

six, seven, eight.

How hard I'm gonna play you. You won't even know what to do. How hard I'm

gonna play you.

You'll have one in 24 hours. Hey, come on. Hey,

girl. Remember the time we snuck out and hooked up with Douglas and Ray -Ray

down at the beach?

Oh, yeah.

We had a nerve to take off all our socks and shoes.

Gee, what are you doing here?

Handling business.

Just finished a demo tape. Want to give it to you in person.

I promise. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. How about now? How about I

pass?

No problem.

You can wait.

Nice. Yep.

Good night.

Good night, baby.

Night, Mama.

Good night, baby. Hope to see you Friday, Auntie Valerie.

Yeah, I can.

You kind of remind me when we were kids with our group, thinking we were going

to get discovered on Star Search.

If only we had discovered some talent first.

I forget, would you know how to get in touch with Professor Ogilvie?

Honey, anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

Good. I got two tickets to the Sade concert for him.

You do?

Oh, I'll give them to him. Girl, he invited me to go.

The professor?

Well, go ahead, Janja.

Well, in that case, I'll throw in an all -access backstage pass and a limo if

you guys want to ride with me.

Well, on behalf of me and my future husband, Thank you.

My girl Valerie was able to get one, plus one ticket to see Sade at the House

Blues. Oh, that's great.

Oh, yes, it is.

Make sure you thank her for me. No problem.

Veronica and I are going to have such a great time. No problem.

What do you mean?

One for you, one for me, none for Veronica.

Miss Parker, but I'm going to have to decline.

Oh, well, that's too bad. Hey, Woody, you want to go see Sade?

Hell yeah!

All right, Miss Parker.

You win.

It's a... It's a... Rhymes with mate.

And hallucinate.

and then get back with you.

All right, peace.

What'd she say? What'd she say? She says she loves the tape and she's bringing

the boss to see us on Friday.

Yeah, it's just one slight problem.

What's that?

She thinks the look of the group is slightly off and she suggests we make a

minor cosmetic adjustment.

Oops. Sorry, boo.

Looks like you're out.

Close. She wants Simone out front.

You're sure on, woman.

Before I forget, Tim and the band seemed a little confused about some advice you

gave them. Really? I thought I was pretty clear.

Well, they think you want to push Tim to the background and have Simone sing

lead vocals.

I'm just anticipating what my boss will say. It's my job to stay a step ahead.

But that's my baby.

I know.

But this is a tough business.

And it's all about what sells.

Tim has a terrific voice.

But let's face it. Simone has the right look, and the last thing is getting hot

right now.

No, I'm getting hot right now. What are you saying about my daughter? Oh, come

on, ladies. How about another song?

Nikki, I don't make the rules.

If there was any way I could change it, I would.

But it's not my call.

Well, you can try getting a backbone and standing up for what's right.

Why don't you stop telling me how to do my job, a job I've done well for many

years? Girl, save your bio.

Party over here.

You know, this is just like when we were kids and we thought we were the next

Mary Jane girls.

You didn't think I was gorgeous enough or thin enough to sing lead either.

You weren't. And you couldn't sing.

But Tim can.

Oh, what do you know? We're here.

Grow up, Nikki.

Life isn't fair.

And a 36 -year -old junior college freshman should certainly understand

since I've seen you.

You're a bitch.

How do you open this?

I trust that was the Alizé speaking.

Now let's go inside and make the best of this evening. Yeah, let's just go

inside. We're not going.

What? What do you mean we're not going?

No, no.

Fine, suit yourself. My driver will take you home. We don't need your limo.

We don't? Come on, Cassandra.

I would be happy to... Let's go!

Mama! Did you talk to Valerie?

What did she say?

Basically what she said she said.

Oh, right!

I mean, tough break.

Forget Valerie.

There are other record companies.

Good idea. Kim, maybe you should call one of them.

Oh, you'll be dialing 911 in about two seconds.

Hold it, Kim, hold it.

Look, I'm sorry, but I can't let you hurt our lead singer.

Our lead singer?

What's going on here?

Look, Kim, it's nothing personal, but... A lot of groups go their whole lives

without getting a break like this.

Gotta rush everything while we can.

Baby?

Well, it's not so bad in the back.

We can hang out and make fun of Simone.

Kim, it's just a temporary thing. You still gonna rock the house, girl?

No, I don't think so.

Because I quit.

What do you mean you quit? You heard me.

Come on, you guys. What's the big deal? I mean, she's just a backup singer.

The show must go on.

No. The show must go.

Now, all of you, get out.

Go on now.

Get!

Look, I know you're upset, baby, and you have every reason to be, but I didn't

raise a quitter.

Now, the game may not be going the way you want, but you can't win it if you're

not in it.

It's a slogan for lotto.

No, it's a slogan for life.

Baby, you're too talented to let someone else's ignorance hold you back.

Just put on your parka boots and keep on stepping, because you know... Mama,

stop it.

It's not about my steps.

It's about how I look. You know it.

Hey, buddy.

Hey, Woody. Listen, man, I'm sorry about the Sade thing. Oh, no.

But you wouldn't believe what happened.

I'm hanging outside the house trying to get my hands on a ticket. When all of a

sudden this big black limo pulls up and out comes this fine sister. Smelling

like Alizé.

Asked me if I needed a ticket and no ride.

Hey,

Alizé.

Kim, what's up?

Glad to see you.

Might I add how sensational you look.

Stevie, save the butter for another.

I just came to support my fellow students.

I am and always will be a supporter of the arts.

Look, Kim, we let that whacking vice Valerie get to our heads instead of

following our hearts.

Yeah, we just got caught up in the hype, you know? I mean, you've been with us

right from the beginning.

Oh, what happened to your lead singer?

She folded like a circus tent.

She in the back right now, throwing up. Straight worthless.

Well, so am I, see?

Look, Tim, we're sorry.

If I have to get down on my knees and beg, I will.

About that.

Um, that's only one knee.

Timothy Parker, I'm down on my knees begging you.

Please, please let's do this like we know how to do this.

Hey.

I'm sorry too, Kim. Please.

Mama, hold this for me. I knew I didn't raise a quitter. Make Mama proud, baby.

Oh.

Val.

Nikki. Didn't see you over there.

Hi. I'm Nikki Parker.

I'm Nina Davis, president of Destiny's Town Records.

Oh, Miss Davis. It's a pleasure.

My daughter's in the group you're here to see.

Oh. Well, you'll have to point her out to me.

No need.

She'll be the one that takes your breath away.

Enjoy the show, ladies.

All right, everyone.

Give it up for Freeze.

Jennifer Lopez, flavor.

You mean the one throwing up into that guy's...

Nina Davis. I was very impressed with the talent displayed here this evening.

Thanks. Is there any way you can help us out? Guys, Nina doesn't make decisions

on the spot. Nina can speak for herself.

Yes, she can.

Now I'm going to be blunt.

I think the group needs some grooming.

Oh, I need to get my hair done?

No, honey. I mean you need nurturing.

So?

I'd like to sign you guys to a development.

deal on our label.

No,

you're not rich now, okay? Because I'm not going to pay you that much.

But if you work hard, believe me, you're going to get there.

Nikki, you were right. I am breathless.

It was nice to meet you and your very talented daughter.

Thanks, Nina.

Now,

Valerie, Nina has a plane to catch.

Oh, yes, of course. We better be going.

I'll be in Texas soon and we'll discuss the details.

Valerie.

I know.

I was wrong.

And I owe you and Kim an apology.

I should have stood up for what was right.

Yeah, you should have.

But life is too short to hold stupid little grudges towards people you care

about. Shoot, girl, we've been fighting and making up ever since I can remember.

You're right, Nick.

So let's not wait another ten years to make up.

So are we cool?

Cool and the gang.

Okay, that's played out, but I still love you.

Take care, girlfriend.

Bye, Val.

Good work.