1h 47m
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Survival began with a song
The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
Queen Latifah
Bessie Smith
Mo'Nique
Ma Rainey
Mike Epps
Richard
Tika Sumpter
Lucille
Michael Kenneth Williams
Jack Gee
Charles S. Dutton
William 'Pa' Rainey
Bryan Greenberg
John Hammond
Oliver Platt
Carl Van Vechten
Khandi Alexander
Viola
Tory Kittles
Clarence
Neko Parham
Rehearsal Director
Onira Tarés
Chorus Girl
Jhoni Davis
Chorus Girl
Jim R. Coleman
Host
Jennifer Sears
Ma's Main Girl
Briana Starks
Ma's Dancer
Todd Allen Durkin
Nightclub Manager
Crystal Lee Brown
Bessie's Dancer
Hunter Womack
Roadie
Christopher Harvey
Roadie
Tia Hendricks
Doreen Dupree
Marie Burke
Etta Johnson
Terence Rosemore
Detroit Theater Manager
Kaden Washington Lewis
Swarm Boy
L. Warren Young
Sharkish Man
Bralyn Stokes
Harry Herbert Pace
Joe Knezevich
Frank Walker
Troy Faruk
Brave Man
Jessejames Locorriere
Vanity Fair Editor
Whitney Goin
Fania Van Vechten
Jeremie Harris
Langston Hughes
Sylvester Ambrose James II
Jack Gee Jr.
Levi Erik
Benny Goodman
Tim McAdams
Shady Guy
Kenny Banks Jr.
Bessie's Band Member
Christopher L. Plunkett
Dancer
Sheerod Tate
Dancer
Alkoya Brunson
Swarm Boy #2 (uncredited)
Taurus Davis
Extra (uncredited)
Shannon Edwards
Philadelphia Audience Member (uncredited)
Adella Gautier
Neighbor #2 (uncredited)
Damita Jane Howard
Jack's Lover (uncredited)
Andre Lamar
Cheering Fan (uncredited)
Trey McGriff
Pedestrian (uncredited)
John Merical
VIP Guest (uncredited)
Dan Michael
Theater Goer (uncredited)
Swift Rice
Stage Hand (uncredited)
Nicole Spiezio
Marguerite d'Alvarez (uncredited)
Dorothea Syleos
Switchboard Operator (uncredited)