In addition to being a singer, songwriter, and actress, Cassandra Monique Batie (born December 30, 1984), better known as Andra Day, is an American recording artist. The Grammy and Golden Globe Awards are among her many honors, and she has been nominated for an Academy Award and Daytime Emmy Award as well.
Career
Cheers to the Fall, her debut album, was released in 2015. R&B Album of the Year and Best R&B Performance went to the album’s title track at the 2016 Grammy Awards. The View nominated her for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance of “Rise Up” to promote the album. In late 2015, Day starred in an Apple TV commercial with Stevie Wonder, who is credited with helping to discover her. It’s safe to say that Day is one of Jazz Joy and Roy Global Radio’s most-requested musicians for 2019.
Billie Holiday, the legendary singer and songwriter, was the subject of Lee Daniel’s biopic, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, in which Day played the title role. The role earned Day the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Film music composer Day won a Grammy for his work on the film’s soundtrack, which was recognized as the year’s best compilation soundtrack.
Weight reduction is the goal of Andra Day
Actress and singer Andra Day‘s portrayal of Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday was recognized by her colleagues in both the entertainment business and the media. It wasn’t easy for the actor, either mentally or physically, to play the disturbed singer.
A quarter of Day’s body weight was decreased so that she could perform at her best; she described the process as “very weak.” For those who wish to reduce weight without jeopardizing their health.
In order to play the role, Day dropped from 163 to 124 pounds
The holiday was Day’s inspiration, thus she shed 39 pounds. Day told W magazine, “At first, I started by just decreasing my caloric consumption, of course, and then exercising as well. “But, to be honest, I did starve myself a little bit on set,” she said.
For the role, Day says she didn’t want her figure to appear overly toned
In spite of Day’s desire to thin down to seem more like Holiday, she was aware that getting excessively toned would not be appropriate for the film’s period setting.
“I didn’t want my figure to resemble that of a 2020 gym body. Looked like skin and body parts hanging loosely. That was crucial to me: having a body that looked like it belonged in that era.”
Weight Loss Process that Made Her Feel Vulnerable Aided Her Acting
Holiday’s problem with substance abuse made Day’s portrayal of her easier because her weight reduction for the role wasn’t fully healthy but made it simpler.
As Day recalls, “it made me weak on set and slowed me down in a way that actually helped with the situations” This is not a recommendation that the average individual should take to heart.
In order to better portray Day, Day even adopted some of Holiday’s vices
To better relate to her character, Day admitted to smoking and drinking before obtaining the role of Billie Holiday.
“I started smoking, which is something I never do…
When I see her, I feel like I’m slowed down, like she is. Unlike her, I move at a breakneck pace “Day clarified this to W.
A new day came, and so did a new challenge “I drank quite a bit of gin, bourbon, and other spirits.
You see, I was in a bad situation. I didn’t want to be a dreadful person.”
Her performance in The United States vs. Billie Holiday earned her the honor of becoming only the second black actress to win “Best Actress in a Drama” at the Golden Globes (the other was Whoopi Goldberg in 1986), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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